Are you planning your Yucatan Peninsula trip and want to know how to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum? If so, this guide is exactly what you are looking for, as it examines all relevant options and will help you find the best airport transportation for you based on your budget and wishes.
Based on my own experience, I believe that it is best to know how you will get to Tulum ahead of your flight. Otherwise, you will be surrounded by vendors with signs that are screaming in your face while you are trying to find the best way to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport. It’s a situation that can be rather overwhelming, so do your best to avoid it. Especially, if you have a long journey to Mexico.
Technically, you have six different transport options, but only four of them are actually good options. Hereby, the more convenient ones are more expensive, but if you can afford them, I think it is well worth the expense if you want a relaxed beginning to your vacation.
Not sure what to do once you are in Tulum? Check out these great things to do in Tulum. After all, there is more to this pueblo magico than instagrammable spots. Be sure to visit the Tulum ruins, swim in the cenotes near Tulum, or go cenote diving.
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Overview: Getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum
Below you will find a short overview of the key facts. However, I encourage you to read the more detailed descriptions before deciding on how you will get to Tulum from Cancun Airport.
| Mode of Transportation | Costs | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum | 70 – 89 USD for up to 8 passengers | 1:30 h |
| ADO bus (direct or via Playa del Carmen) | ∼17 USD per person | 1:55 h (direct) 2 h to 3 h (via Playa) |
| Rental Car | 22 – 40 USD oneway rental | 1:30 h + pickup time |
| Shared Shuttle | 26.50 – 40 USD per person | 1:30 – 2 h + waiting time |
| Taxi | 124 USD or more | 1:30 h |
Cancun Airport to Tulum Distance
- Cancun Airport to Tulum Distance: 118 km (73.3 miles) — 1:25 h driving time
- Cancun Airport to Tulum Hotel Zone: 120 km (74.6 miles) — 1:30 h driving time
- Downtown Cancun to Tulum Distance: 132 km (82 miles) — 1:50 h driving time
The driving time might be longer than indicated due to traffic jams on Highway 307.
1. Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum
If you want to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport without having to worry about a thing upon arrival, booking a private transfer is the most convenient option. Aside from having a bilingual driver, and the option of a short convenience store stop along the way, booking a private transfer has many other benefits.
You do not have to worry about how much luggage you have and can avoid crowded buses, which certainly has its benefits in these days and ages. And of course, you will also be driven straight to your accommodation in Tulum.
As someone who once only used to solo travel on a budget, I used to consider things like this an unnecessary expense, but I could not have been happier to have a private transfer to Tulum during my first Mexico trip. Therefore, I more than recommend this option if you have a long journey to Mexico.
I ended up arranging my transport to Tulum from Cancun Airport with eTransfers. I booked the transport a few days before flying to Mexico and loved how straightforward the process was. I had to enter my flight data and select the hotel address in Tulum while booking the transfer and was then greeted by a driver when I left the terminal.
The company keeps an eye out for any potential flight delays, so you do not have to worry about missing your booking.
If you end up booking a private transfer with eTransfers too, you can choose between the economical service, where you might have to wait up to 30 minutes before your shuttle arrives at the airport, or the premium service. The Premium Service package comes with no waiting time, a cancellation option, allows booking modifications, and includes a refreshing drink. It also includes a courtesy stop at a convenience store, so you can get a sim card and some bottled drinks.
The company also offers luxury transportation in a luxury SUV and group transportation for up to 16 people.
Pros & Cons of a Private Transfer
The private transfer companies monitor the flight, so you do not have to worry if your flight is delayed.
You will be driven to your hotel.
You are the only customer, so there are no delays of any kind. Therefore, the Cancun Airport to Tulum transfer is fast.
There are no hidden costs.
It is an expensive way to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport.
How much does a private transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum cost?
- Private transfer from Cancun Airport to Downtown Tulum: prices start at 70 USD for a oneway transfer and at 139 USD for a roundtrip.
- Private transfer from Cancun Airport to the Tulum Hotel Zone: a transfer to the hotel zone costs upwards of 89 USD oneway and 178 USD for a roundtrip.
A standard private transfer is for up to 8 passengers, which makes it the ideal Cancun Airport transfer for everyone traveling with a group of friends or their family.
2. ADO Bus Airport to Tulum
The ADO buses are a safe and reliable mode of transportation from Cancun Airport to Tulum, and ideal if you are traveling alone or on a budget. And of course, it is also the most eco-friendly way to travel to Tulum. The airport buses depart from three terminals (2, 3 & 4) and you do not have to worry about finding the bus gates, as there are signs inside the terminals.
The direct ADO bus to Tulum from Cancun Airport takes 1:55 hours and a ticket costs 340 MXN (∼ 17 USD).
If there is no suitable direct connection that works for you, you can also take a bus to Playa del Carmen, where you then board a bus to Tulum. The buses from the Airport to Playa depart every 30 minutes and there is also a bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum every 30 minutes.
There are seven direct buses between Cancun Airport and Tulum per day in both directions. The buses depart at the following times:
Bus Schedule Airport to Tulum
10:30 AM
12:05 PM
1:15 PM
2:45 PM
4:40 PM
7:00 PM
8:20 PM
Bus Schedule Tulum to Cancun Airport
7:00 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
11:55 AM
2:10 PM
3:15 PM
4:15 PM
Things to know about the ADO Airport Bus
The ADO bus will take you to the bus terminal in Downtown Tulum, so you will likely have to take a taxi from there to your hotel. A taxi from Downtown Tulum to the hotel zone costs upwards of 200 MXN (∼10 USD).
If you want to plan ahead, you can buy your ticket online. Doing so via the Busbud website is best, as the ADO website itself tends to have major loading issues.
Alternatively, you can also get your ticket from Cancun Airport to Tulum at the ticket counter at the airport. You can pay in cash or with your credit card. While paying in USD is possible, it is not recommended, as the exchange rate is not favorable.
Price: 340 MXN (∼17 USD)
3. Rental Car
If Tulum is only the first of several stops on a Yucatan road trip, renting a car right at the airport might be the ideal option for you. It is also a good choice if you are planning a lot of day trips from Tulum, as renting a car at the airport and returning it there at the end of your trip might just be less expensive than renting a car in Tulum. After all, Tulum is known for having the highest car rental prices in the Rivera Maya.
Pros & Cons of a Rental Car
You can stop along the way if you want to in case you want to buy a sim card or grab some food in Playa del Carmen.
Renting a car at the airport is (usually) less expensive than renting a car in Tulum itself, which makes it the ideal option if you need a car during your vacation.
You have to drive right after what might have been a long journey.
Unless you return the car right away, you will have to look for a parking spot. Most hotels have few or no parking spots.
Price: 22 USD to 40 USD for a oneway rental (24 hours)
Things to keep in mind if you rent a car:
Having a rental car makes it easy to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum. After all, it gives you the ultimate flexibility to stop along the way and enables you to bring as much luggage as you wish. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you plan to drive in Mexico:
1. Having personal liability insurance is mandatory if you are driving in Mexico. Always double-check if it is included in the rental agreement. This insurance covers the third-party liability and is different from the insurance that is included in some credit cards.
2. In addition to this mandatory liability insurance, it is also a good idea to have insurance that covers damages to the rental car. Check if it is included in one of your credit cards, or get insurance coverage during the booking process to avoid any potential issues.
After all, there have been instances of travelers not being refunded their out-of-pocket expenses. Some rental companies will try to force you to buy this insurance with them.
3. It is ideal to have a credit card as rental companies usually hold a higher amount of money that is released when you return the car. Ensure that your credit card limit is high enough,
4. There are ‘topes’ (sped bumps) on the highway and not all of them are marked by signs. So be careful and keep your eyes on the road.
5. It is likely more expensive to rent a car if you are below the age of 25. Most companies have a daily surcharge if the driver is younger.
6. You need a driver’s license that is valid in Mexico. Be sure to check if there are any regulations that apply to you. (Many European citizens have to get an international license.)
4. Shared Shuttle from Cancun Airport to Tulum
A shared shuttle from Cancun Airport to Tulum is a good option if you want direct transport to your hotel, but do not want to pay for private transport. Just keep in mind, that you might have to wait for around an hour for other passengers that arrive after you.
That being said: The reviews of some shared shuttle services are mixed, and there are some reported instances of bookings that were made weeks in advance not working out. So do yourself a favor and read the reviews before you book a shared shuttle to Tulum from Cancun Airport.
Have the company confirm your booking to be on the safe side and to avoid the unpleasant situation where you are not on the list of travelers awaiting transport upon arrival.
How much is a shuttle from Cancun Airport to Tulum?
The two most used shared shuttles are the Coming2 shuttle to Tulum and Cancun Shuttles to Tulum.
A shared transport organized by Coming2 costs around 26.50 USD, while the transfer organized by Cancun Shuttles costs 37 USD to Downtown Tulum and 40 USD to Tulum’s hotel zone. All prices are per person.
5. Taxi
While you can technically take a taxi, doing so is the most expensive way to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum. Prices are upwards of 124 USD for a oneway trip, and it is crucial to negotiate a fixed price ahead of the ride or you might have to pay substantially more.
It is not advised to choose a taxi that does not have an airport ID badge displayed on its windshield. Otherwise, there is a good chance you will get scammed.
I think a pre-arranged private transfer to Tulum from Cancun Airport with a reputable company is a much better option than a taxi. After all, it is less expensive than a taxi, and you know that there are no hidden costs.
Price: at least 124 USD
6. Colectivo – why it’s not a good option
Let’s be honest: there are times when a longer journey and having to switch one’s mode of transportation are worth it, but it is not a good idea if you want to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport by Colectivo. It is not worth the few dollars you could potentially save.
There are no colectivos right at the airport, so you would have to take an ADO bus to Downtown Cancun first before you can board a colectivo that is heading to Tulum.
In addition to that, there is also the fact that taking a colectivo is not ideal if you are traveling with more than a backpack. After all, there is a good chance that there will be no space at all for your (small) suitcase.
Combined with the fact that you do not save a lot of money and spend a lot more time on the road, I can by no means recommend this ‘option’. Do not do it, and take the ADO Airport bus instead.
FAQ: Transport to Tulum from Cancun Airport
Which is the airport near Tulum?
Nowadays, Tulum has an international airport, so you can fly there directly from several destinations within Mexico and the US.
If you are coming from overseas, you will likely arrive at Cancun Airport which is a 1.5 hours drive away. Many international airlines operate to and from this airport near Tulum. Alternatively, you could also fly to the island of Cozumel, but the transfer time would be longer as it includes a ferry crossing.
How much does it cost to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum?
The costs of getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum differ depending on your mode of transportation. The ADO buses are the cheapest option at around 17 USD per person, while a private transfer costs around 80 USD per shuttle.
Is it safe to travel to Tulum from Cancun Airport?
It is safe to drive or book a transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum. The airport and town are connected by Highway 307, which is one of the most touristic routes of the Yucatan Peninsula. Transport along this route is offered by many reputable companies, but it is also safe to drive the distance yourself.
Transport: Cancun to Tulum
If you want to get from Cancun to Tulum, the cheapest options are Colectivos from Downtown Cancun or ADO buses. The colectivos routinely run down Highway 307 and are good if you are traveling with very little luggage.
Meanwhile, the ADO bus from Cancun to Tulum is the best option if you are traveling with a suitcase. The buses depart regularly and cost between 214 MXN and 226 MXN (around 10 USD). The driving time is between 2:20 h and 2:50 h depending on how many stops there are along the way.
Are you planning a trip?
Check out these useful websites and resources I use to plan my adventures around the world.
Roundup: Getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum
As you can see, there are different ways to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport, and some of them are better than others. Hereby, the best way to get to this pueblo magico depends both on your own budget and your preferences in terms of convenience.
If you are planning some day trips from Tulum or are planning a road trip around the Yucatan Peninsula, a rental car is the best option, as it gives you the ultimate flexibility. Should you not need a car during your vacation, but still want a comfortable and flexible transport option, a private transfer is ideal for you.
Those traveling on a budget cannot go wrong by taking the ADO bus. It is an affordable and safe option especially, as you can easily store your suitcase in the luggage hold of the buses.
More about Mexico
If you are planning a trip to Tulum, you might also be interested in these Mexico guides:
Cozumel Activities
What to do in Valladolid
How will you get from Cancun airport to Tulum?
Let me know in the comments down below!
Not sure how to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport?
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Hi! I read your article about getting from Cancun airport to Tulum and I noticed that you said that the ADO bus is the only way to travel from the airport to Tulum. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there is also the option of taking a taxi from the airport to Tulum. I think it’s important to mention this to your readers because it’s a good option to have, especially if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage. I also wanted to ask if you have any advice on what to do in Tulum once you’re there? I’m thinking of spending a few days there and I’m wondering if you have any suggestions on what to see and do. Thanks!
I feel like you somehow missed something while reading this post, as I clearly listed that there are different ways to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum. Hereby, taking the ADO bus is merely the cheapest option. Given that there are some scams when it comes to taxis departing the airport and the costs, booking a private transfer is a much better option cost-wise if you are traveling with a lot of luggage.
I’ll be publishing a post on Tulum at one point, but here’s a short summary of things to do once you are there: Tulum Ruins, the beaches, street art tour, foodie tour, visit nearby cenotes, catch a colective to Akumal and swim with turtles, etc