Ensenada is 100 kilometres south of Tijuana, making it a straightforward drive from the US border. From San Diego, cross at the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa border crossings and take the Scenic Route (toll road 1D) or the free road (Highway 1) south through Tijuana and Rosarito. The toll road is faster and safer; the drive takes about 90 minutes from the border in normal traffic. A tourist permit (FMM) is required for travel beyond the border zone — pick one up at the crossing or at the airport.
There is no direct airport in Ensenada; the nearest is Tijuana International (TIJ). Bus services run from Tijuana's bus terminal to Ensenada (roughly 90 minutes), and from the ABC bus terminal in Tijuana to Ensenada directly. The road trip from Los Angeles, crossing at San Ysidro, takes around four hours.
Cruise ships call at Ensenada regularly, mostly from Los Angeles. Day-tripper cruise passengers are a visible presence in town, but their impact is concentrated on the Malecon; a short walk inland puts you in a different Ensenada entirely.