Uber is making it simpler for visitors and residents of San Diego to visit Tijuana. In March, the ride service introduced a new way to travel with the debut of UberPassport. Riders can now use the Uber platform to arrange trips between the two cities that hug the U.S.-Mexico border.
Users of Uber will be familiar with how the process works. Open the Uber app and select the Passport option within the vehicle menu. Request a rider and remember to bring all of the required documents.
“Connecting and celebrating great cities, like San Diego and Tijuana, is right in Uber’s wheelhouse. Their rich cultures and vibrant economies are seamlessly connected, and we hope that by making the cross-border trip just as seamless, we can unlock even more travel opportunities and make the experience better for our riders,” Uber’s Ryan Graves, head of global operations, said in a statement.
The Millennial Arch at the entrance of Avenida de Revolucion in Tijuana's Zona Centro. Photo Credit: f8grapher/Shutterstock.com
Currently, the Uber trips into Tijuana are only one-way from the U.S. In order to return, riders must remember to have all the necessary paperwork for international travel.
Uber operates locally in Tijuana. Returning riders can request UberEnglish to be paired with an English-speaking driver in Tijuana and request an Uber back to the border. From there, travelers can use the pedestrian lane to cross back into the U.S. Uber provides these four steps to make it simple:
1. Open the Uber app and request a ride from your current location in Tijuana.
2. Enter "TJ Border Pickup" as the drop-off destination in the app for the San Ysidro International Border Crossing.
3. Cross into the U.S. using the pedestrian lane.
4. Once you’ve arrived on the U.S. side, request an Uber in San Diego to travel to your final destination.
UberPassport vehicles seat up to four passengers. In addition to a base fare of $4 and per minute/per mile rates, there is also a $20 border-crossing fee.