There are 4 ways to get from Santa Monica to Tecate by bus, train, car, or bus (Greyhound)
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Line 20 bus, bus
best- Take the bus from Wilshire / Lincoln to 6th / Main20
- Take the bus from Los Angeles to Cross Border Express, San Diego
- Take the bus from Tijuana International Airport to Tecate
6h 30m$651–1,085Drive 268.5 km
cheapest- Drive from Santa Monica to Tecate268.5 km
3h 10m$563–814Train, bus
- Take the train from Los Angeles to San Diego Old Town Transportation CenterPacific Surfliner
- Take the bus from El Cajon Transit Center to Sr 188 & Tecate Mart894
7h 36m$755–1,140Line 33 bus, bus
- Take the bus from 5th / Santa Monica to Patsaouras Transit Plaza33
- Take the bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Tijuana
- Take the bus from Tijuana International Airport to Tecate
9h 35m$601–1,285
Santa Monica to Tecate by tram, subway, train, and bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Santa Monica to Tecate is to drive which costs $550 - $850 and takes 3h 10m.
The fastest way to get from Santa Monica to Tecate is to drive which takes 3h 10m and costs $550 - $850.
No, there is no direct bus from Santa Monica to Tecate. However, there are services departing from Wilshire / Lincoln and arriving at Tecate via Los Angeles and Tijuana International Airport. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 6h 30m.
The distance between Santa Monica and Tecate is 287 km. The road distance is 268.5 km.
The best way to get from Santa Monica to Tecate without a car is to line 20 bus and bus which takes 6h 30m and costs $650 - $1100.
It takes approximately 6h 30m to get from Santa Monica to Tecate, including transfers.
Santa Monica to Tecate bus services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, depart from Wilshire / Lincoln station.
Santa Monica to Tecate bus services, operated by Metro Los Angeles, arrive at 6th / Main station.
Yes, the driving distance between Santa Monica to Tecate is 269 km. It takes approximately 3h 10m to drive from Santa Monica to Tecate.
There are nine+ hotels available in Tecate.
What companies run services between Santa Monica, CA, USA and Tecate, Mexico?
You can take a bus from Wilshire / Lincoln to Tecate via 6th / Main, Los Angeles, Cross Border Express, San Diego, and Tijuana International Airport in around 6h 30m.
Transport is disrupted due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Read more
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Los Angeles to San Diego Old Town Transportation Center
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Every 2 hours
- Estimated price
- $600–700
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1-323-466-3876
- CustomerRelations@metro.net
- Website
- metro.net
Bus from Wilshire / Lincoln to 6th / Main
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 6m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $30–36
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Bus from 5th / Santa Monica to Patsaouras Transit Plaza
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 38m
- Frequency
- Every 20 minutes
- Estimated price
- $30–36
- Website
- https://www.metro.net
Bus from Los Angeles to Cross Border Express, San Diego
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $550–800
- Schedules at
- crossborderxpress.com
- Phone
- +52 664 104 7400
- servicioalcliente@geb.mx
- Website
- abc.com.mx
Bus from Tijuana International Airport to Tecate
- Ave. Duration
- 35 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $70–250
- Schedules at
- abc.com.mx
- Book at
- abc.com.mx
- Phone
- +1 619-233-3004
- Website
- sdmts.com
Bus from El Cajon Transit Center to Sr 188 & Tecate Mart
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 10m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $45–95
- Website
- https://www.sdmts.com
- Schedules at
- https://www.sdmts.com/getting-around/departures-and-schedules
- One Way - Adult/Youth
- $45–95
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- ifsr@greyhound.com
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Los Angeles Union Station to Tijuana
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $500–1,000
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Want to know more about travelling around Mexico
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
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