Visiting Mexico? For the best and safest place to park your car, go to Border Station Parking (55 yr in business) #(1) on the map at 4570 Camino de la Plaza (619-428-9477). To get there take the last exit before crossing the border from the freeway. The signs are clearly marked on the freeway announcing U.S. Last Exit Parking. The sign is referring to Camino de la Plaza as the last exit before entering Mexico.

Then take Round Trip Bus Shuttle Turbo Express (26th yr. in Business) for a fun no hassle Tijuana excursion using the 57th annual edition of the SanDiegan.com with a map tour for duty free shoppiong and dinoing.

Ease into the right lane and exit here. At the end of the exit is a traffic light. Turn right at the signal and 20 yards later you’ll be entering the Border Station Parking Lot. As you enter the parking lot, glance to your right and you will see a small building and perhaps see the shuttle bus waiting for passengers to board the bus. The entire experience is simple and smooth. However, remember you are visiting another country. So expect the unexpected, which is part of the fun.

Border Station Parking does not own the bus line but has for decades has offered the shuttle stop to the bus line, which results in a reliable round trip bus ride for you to take from their location to Tijuana and back via Tourismo Express.  Thus, you don’t have to run the risk of getting into a car accident or finding parking in Tijuana, Mexico.  Being an international city, the traffic patterns are confusing.

This 24-hour attended parking lot is well lit at night and has surveillance cameras for your safety. It is undoubtedly the best and safest place to leave your car at the border. The parking rate is ($9) for ten hours Tueday thru Thursday. Then on Friday thru Monday, it jumps to ($18) for ten hours. Plus, on holidays and special occasions, it’s even higher. So, traveling to Mexico for the day should be Tuesday through Thursdays. The parking lot includes a tourist information center (619-428-6200), which is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. It’s where you’ll catch the round trip Turbo Express to Tijuana and back. The bus will take you to 1020-B Relolucion Ave, which is the center of Downtown Tijuana’s shoppong district.

The good looking modern Tourismo Express Shuttle Bus leaves from the Border Station Parking lot enroute to Downtown Tijuana’s shopping district and their Depot at 1020-B Ave. Revolucion every half hour from 7 a.m. till 3 p.m. daily. Buses leave Tijuana every two hours at 1, 3, 5, and 7 p.m. returning you back to your well-protected automobile after a FUN day in Tijuana, Mexico.

Considering the complexity of international travel from one country to another this is an amazingly good and reliable way to get you to Tijuana and back to your securely protected car after a fun-filled day in the International city of Tijuana, Mexico dining and shopping. Be sure to bring your Passport, because, without it, you cannot enter or return to the USA.  One way fare is ($6) and round trip is ($10).  Payment is in cash only.

Of course, you can walk both ways, but why do that especially since the walk from the border to the shopping districts is an additional mile away after walking a quarter of mile to the border crossing itself. Plus, if you have purchased a lot of items to declare at the border, it’ll be a BIG HASSLE. The bus service is the way to go. I have taken this bus service dozens of times without any incidents. I have also taken my car to Tijuana hundred of times and parked there without incidents. But the big issue is dealing with the long lines waiting for hours to cross back into the United States. PLUS, YOUR AMERICAN INSURANCE IS INVALID IN MEXICO. It’s a huge hassle you can easily avoid by taking the shuttle.

Departure times from Tijuana via Turbo Express are every 2 hours 1, 3, 5, and 7 p.m.

If you miss the 7 p.m. bus, you can take a cab to the border. If you do so, agree upon the price before getting into the cab. It will only be a few dollars. Then when you get to the border, you will have to go through customs and declare any items you purchased. Show the receipt if requested. You can bring back up to $800 worth of goods such as French Perfume and silk dresses into the U. S. duty-free.

The hassle is from the port of entry back to your car with whatever you purchased in tow is two long blocks (1/4 mile) and a long bridge you’ll need to walk across to get back to your car. You could catch a cab, but you’ll still have to walk a block to catch a cab to take you a block. I have done everything I am explaining to you here. So, I can attest that taking the bus definitely through the border into Mexico and back is a MUST. Catching the last bus before it leaves Tijuana at 6 p.m. is my best advice.

Be sure to read my extensive Tijuana Shopping and Dining Chapter with it’s a very useful map. Plus, the map will come in real handy as it’s smartphone friendly. Don’t forget to do some duty-free shopping at the huge Las Americas Duty-FREE Outlet Stores kitty-Corner across the street from the Border Station Parking Lot. Be sure to read the Tijuana chapter and the Factory Outlet chapters, which are extremely helpful.

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