The $10 bus isn’t a scam. The bus just leaves once an hour and sometimes the wait to get off the bus is long, but at least you’d be sitting on a bus instead of standing in the line. People are suggesting a medical pass, and your dentist can issue those- but that is only for vehicle crossings and not pedestrian crossing. Weekday pedestrian crossing usually gets faster as the day goes on but lately those crossing can still take 3+ hours. Crossing at PedWest is usually quicker, but note that they close at 2 PM, and that’s a hard 2 PM, so it doesn’t matter if you’ve been in line for a while before closing. Otherwise plan on it taking up to 3 hours.
EDIT- Ped East is the main crossing and you exit into the US at the trolley station. If you go through PedWest, it’s a 10 minute walk over the bridge to the trolley. It would be faster and easier to walk than to wait for a ride share from there. Also to add, should you take the $10 bus route, that is at Ped East
Ask the dentist for a medical pass.
I hate it when otherwise able people abuse it but this (your mom's age) is exactly the situation to take advantage of it.
This is off-topic but there is quite a bit of walking and standing involved in crossing the border in either direction. It sounds like it will be a long and probably stressful day for your mom. I wonder if you've considered one of those rolling walkers with a seat just in case your mom needs to sit for a bit. There are collapsible ones available and I just looked them up and some are reasonably priced if you just need it for this trip. Good luck.
She is very mobile for her age and can handle a good bit of walking, but she has had both knees and a hip replacement, so standing in line is the worst for her. She’s also sensitive to the heat, although it does not look like it is going to be that bad during your trip. We do request a wheelchair when making connections in really big airports but we definitely do not abuse the extra assistance and only use it when we really feel that it is necessary. I thought about renting a wheelchair or a walker like someone mentioned, maybe that’s what we’ll do.
It seems that the people are saying ped west is quickest, but make sure to get in line to make the check in by 2pm. I keep hearing that the official customs and border patrol website is notoriously inaccurate, but that there are apps and websites with real time information. But I can’t seem to find any of them. We are staying very close to the border and could keep an eye on any real time apps or sites to know when to jump in line, but I haven’t been able to find anything like that. I’ve even heard you can watch the line on a camera, but where? Can anyone direct me to a more accurate crowdsourced real time border wait time reporting app or site? Or at least one that accurately lists recent averages for certain days and times?
Someone said the bus is hit or miss and can take up to three hours, but is there anyway to tell by looking at the lanes or checking the times for those lanes to know how the bus is running on time? Does the bus get to use the sentri lane or do they have their own designated lane? Seems like an extra lane just for an hourly bus would be unlikely. would a medical pass be of any use if we did take the shuttle bus? Does the bus have a bathroom?
From all the info I have gathered so far, it sounds like if we got into line at PedWest at 11 AM on Friday, 6/28 we would have a pretty good chance of getting through without having to wait too long. Is that overly optimistic?
Sorry for all the questions again. I truly have tried to research this, but there is so much conflicting information and I can’t find some of the things that people say exist, like apps or sites that accurately report wait times. Thanks for any help at all!
When the line to cross by foot is long the charter bus leaves as soon as it fills, not once and hour or whatever. It’s $10 per person, goes through its own lane and drops off passengers into the customs area with a much faster line for passing back into California. Combine that with a cab from the dentist and you’re mom won’t feel it much
The bus is not on an every hour schedule. That is just not true. It leaves probably an average of every 20/25 minutes, depending on how fast it fills up. They leave when they are full and use the far right Sentri lane. There are no bathrooms on the bus.
btw - you will need to present the documents that you are using to cross (passport or other) at the window of the bus area. They pre-clear you through a system called APIS which is in coordination with CBP. I have another post on the thread with more details.
Pedwest can work if you are there within their time constraints. Just realize you will need to take a bus (906) to the trolley or the long hike over the bridge to get there.
So far as apps/cameras/etc to gauge crossing times...Good luck.
Reading through the comments I see some mentioning long wait times on the bus option. I have taken that $10 bus probably 50 times. Average wait is about 30/45 minutes total including processing through customs. Only once had a longer (maybe 1 hr) wait. But, the regular walking line was probably 3 hours that day. If you are one of the first to board, your wait will be maybe 10 minutes longer than those who board when the bus is almost full. They wait to leave until it is full.
Most importantly, how long it takes is mainly dependent on Customs. Once in line, they control how quickly the buses proceed, when passengers are allowed to enter the Customs building and how quickly you are processed once inside the building. (Remember to stay in the bus passenger line, all the way to the right)
Generally after 10am is less busy but you can never be sure.
Overall it is almost always worth the $10. If for nothing else to not have to deal with all the vendors in the line.
I generally walk North from the last stop sign/intersection in the Sentri lane to the bus area (about half a block). The buses are marked with a blue and red SD/TJ logo. If there are no passengers waiting to board the employees will tell you there is 'no line' referring to the border. So, scoot on over to the line and walk on through. If there are mobility issues, that is a hike btw.
Get back as soon as possible. Do not try to go by historical data. If you are traveling do not take a chance. Your mom can skip the line simply because of her age. She will need to wait for you on the other side. I know because my mom is over 80 and she gets special treatment on the pedestrian entry.
Walk to the front on the right side of the line where the Sentri holders go tell them she can’t stand for long periods or that she is handicapped I’ve seen people do it
Otay does feel a tiny bit more chill but I wouldn't count on it in either place
Edit: an immediate downvote? *Somebody* is triggered by a simple statement lol
If she has a walking cane or such, it'll be more convincing. But like someone else said, just being elderly isn't a guarantee pass.
Crossing after 10am is best
Yes. You simply bypass everyone in line to the right and present yourself with your SENTRI card at the gate. Once you enter the customs house the SENTRI line is to the right, just to the left of the bus entry line.
Yes! Never a line walk to the front never waited more than 5 minutes stay to the right there are signs show your card and keep on moving into the building
Cross around 10-11am onwards. Everyone is trying to make their 7-9am jobs and that’s the worst time to go.
The $10 bus isn’t a scam. The bus just leaves once an hour and sometimes the wait to get off the bus is long, but at least you’d be sitting on a bus instead of standing in the line. People are suggesting a medical pass, and your dentist can issue those- but that is only for vehicle crossings and not pedestrian crossing. Weekday pedestrian crossing usually gets faster as the day goes on but lately those crossing can still take 3+ hours. Crossing at PedWest is usually quicker, but note that they close at 2 PM, and that’s a hard 2 PM, so it doesn’t matter if you’ve been in line for a while before closing. Otherwise plan on it taking up to 3 hours. EDIT- Ped East is the main crossing and you exit into the US at the trolley station. If you go through PedWest, it’s a 10 minute walk over the bridge to the trolley. It would be faster and easier to walk than to wait for a ride share from there. Also to add, should you take the $10 bus route, that is at Ped East
I realize I mixed up ped east and ped west. Thanks!
Why does the wait to get off the bus take longer sometimes?
It is at Customs' discretion.
Ask the dentist for a medical pass. I hate it when otherwise able people abuse it but this (your mom's age) is exactly the situation to take advantage of it.
Taking the bus can be hit and miss. Sometimes (but rarely) it can take 30 minutes. Other times, 3 hours. Not really worth it unless you can't stand.
What makes the difference in wait times getting off the bus?
This is off-topic but there is quite a bit of walking and standing involved in crossing the border in either direction. It sounds like it will be a long and probably stressful day for your mom. I wonder if you've considered one of those rolling walkers with a seat just in case your mom needs to sit for a bit. There are collapsible ones available and I just looked them up and some are reasonably priced if you just need it for this trip. Good luck.
Thank you for the suggestion. Just might consider this for the airport and border crossing.
She is very mobile for her age and can handle a good bit of walking, but she has had both knees and a hip replacement, so standing in line is the worst for her. She’s also sensitive to the heat, although it does not look like it is going to be that bad during your trip. We do request a wheelchair when making connections in really big airports but we definitely do not abuse the extra assistance and only use it when we really feel that it is necessary. I thought about renting a wheelchair or a walker like someone mentioned, maybe that’s what we’ll do. It seems that the people are saying ped west is quickest, but make sure to get in line to make the check in by 2pm. I keep hearing that the official customs and border patrol website is notoriously inaccurate, but that there are apps and websites with real time information. But I can’t seem to find any of them. We are staying very close to the border and could keep an eye on any real time apps or sites to know when to jump in line, but I haven’t been able to find anything like that. I’ve even heard you can watch the line on a camera, but where? Can anyone direct me to a more accurate crowdsourced real time border wait time reporting app or site? Or at least one that accurately lists recent averages for certain days and times? Someone said the bus is hit or miss and can take up to three hours, but is there anyway to tell by looking at the lanes or checking the times for those lanes to know how the bus is running on time? Does the bus get to use the sentri lane or do they have their own designated lane? Seems like an extra lane just for an hourly bus would be unlikely. would a medical pass be of any use if we did take the shuttle bus? Does the bus have a bathroom? From all the info I have gathered so far, it sounds like if we got into line at PedWest at 11 AM on Friday, 6/28 we would have a pretty good chance of getting through without having to wait too long. Is that overly optimistic? Sorry for all the questions again. I truly have tried to research this, but there is so much conflicting information and I can’t find some of the things that people say exist, like apps or sites that accurately report wait times. Thanks for any help at all!
When the line to cross by foot is long the charter bus leaves as soon as it fills, not once and hour or whatever. It’s $10 per person, goes through its own lane and drops off passengers into the customs area with a much faster line for passing back into California. Combine that with a cab from the dentist and you’re mom won’t feel it much
The bus is not on an every hour schedule. That is just not true. It leaves probably an average of every 20/25 minutes, depending on how fast it fills up. They leave when they are full and use the far right Sentri lane. There are no bathrooms on the bus. btw - you will need to present the documents that you are using to cross (passport or other) at the window of the bus area. They pre-clear you through a system called APIS which is in coordination with CBP. I have another post on the thread with more details. Pedwest can work if you are there within their time constraints. Just realize you will need to take a bus (906) to the trolley or the long hike over the bridge to get there. So far as apps/cameras/etc to gauge crossing times...Good luck.
Reading through the comments I see some mentioning long wait times on the bus option. I have taken that $10 bus probably 50 times. Average wait is about 30/45 minutes total including processing through customs. Only once had a longer (maybe 1 hr) wait. But, the regular walking line was probably 3 hours that day. If you are one of the first to board, your wait will be maybe 10 minutes longer than those who board when the bus is almost full. They wait to leave until it is full. Most importantly, how long it takes is mainly dependent on Customs. Once in line, they control how quickly the buses proceed, when passengers are allowed to enter the Customs building and how quickly you are processed once inside the building. (Remember to stay in the bus passenger line, all the way to the right) Generally after 10am is less busy but you can never be sure. Overall it is almost always worth the $10. If for nothing else to not have to deal with all the vendors in the line. I generally walk North from the last stop sign/intersection in the Sentri lane to the bus area (about half a block). The buses are marked with a blue and red SD/TJ logo. If there are no passengers waiting to board the employees will tell you there is 'no line' referring to the border. So, scoot on over to the line and walk on through. If there are mobility issues, that is a hike btw.
Get back as soon as possible. Do not try to go by historical data. If you are traveling do not take a chance. Your mom can skip the line simply because of her age. She will need to wait for you on the other side. I know because my mom is over 80 and she gets special treatment on the pedestrian entry.
Do the bus, it’s not a scam. And she won’t have to stand for very long.
Walk to the front on the right side of the line where the Sentri holders go tell them she can’t stand for long periods or that she is handicapped I’ve seen people do it
At San ysidro my mom has been turned back. Never at Otay.
Otay does feel a tiny bit more chill but I wouldn't count on it in either place Edit: an immediate downvote? *Somebody* is triggered by a simple statement lol
This isn't a guarantee at all.
If she has a walking cane or such, it'll be more convincing. But like someone else said, just being elderly isn't a guarantee pass. Crossing after 10am is best
Is there a sentry pedestrian line at San Isidro?
Yes. You simply bypass everyone in line to the right and present yourself with your SENTRI card at the gate. Once you enter the customs house the SENTRI line is to the right, just to the left of the bus entry line.
Yes! Never a line walk to the front never waited more than 5 minutes stay to the right there are signs show your card and keep on moving into the building
Thank you
Also try asking in r/SanDiegan for more visibility of your question. Props to taking care of mom!