Tulum is located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast and is home to white sand beaches, Mayan ruins and a large number of stunning cenotes. There is no airport in Tulum so you will be flying into Cancún airport, which is the closest airport to Tulum. When it comes to getting from Cancún airport to Tulum, you have several options. Your preferred mode of transport will depend on your budget as well as when your flight lands. In case you still haven’t booked your accommodation in Tulum, check out your options here.
Note that there is no Uber in Cancún, or anywhere in Quintana Roo, so that’s not an option.
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How far is Tulum from Cancún?
Tulum is located 131km (around 81 miles) from Cancún. The drive between Cancún and Tulum takes around two hours, depending on traffic.
How to get to Tulum from Cancún airport
Taking an ADO bus
The most budget friendly option to get to Tulum from Cancún airport is taking an ADO bus. The ADO buses aren’t only affordable, they are also convenient, save and reliable. The buses are modern and have A/C as well as USB outlets and usually free wifi. This is my preferred mode of transport when going anywhere in Mexico, including when going to Cancún airport.
The ADO buses go directly to Tulum from terminals 2, 3 and 4. You can see the schedule and purchase tickets here. The price is $340 pesos ($17 USD) for a one way ticket. You can also buy your ticket directly at Cancún airport, but it’s a popular route and occasionally gets sold out. In case these times don’t work for you, another option is to take an ADO bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen, which leave twice an hour. From Playa del Carmen you can then take another bus to Tulum.
A quick tip: If you’re visiting Tulum and are on a budget, this is my favourite hostel in Tulum! It’s very social, has daily activities and free bikes available to guests. Plus it’s very close to the ADO station in Tulum!
Renting a car
Having a car isn’t necessary when visiting Tulum, but of course it gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace. If you are planning to rent a car during your Mexico trip then you can pick it up right at the airport.
Taking a taxi
When taking a taxi from Cancún airport, you’ll need to purchase your ticket before exiting the airport. After clearing customs you will see a taxi booth where you buy your ticket, you will then head out and wait for the taxi driver to come get you. I honestly wouldn’t recommend taking a taxi unless you’re arriving late at night when the ADO buses have stopped running. Taxis at Cancún airport are really overpriced and will try to rip you off. If you’re arriving late, I’d look into private transport or a shared shuttle instead of getting a taxi.
Private transfer
For those that want the luxury of having a driver waiting for them at the airport and driving them directly to their accommodation, private transfer is the way to go. Getting a private transfer doesn’t really make sense unless you’re traveling with a few other people as it’s quite expensive. But if you are traveling with a few people, private transfer might come to about the same price per person as the ADO bus, so it’s worth checking.
Book your private transport from Cancún Airport here
How to get to Tulum from downtown Cancún or Playa del Carmen
If you are already in Cancún or Playa del Carmen and are looking to get to Tulum, you have a few transportation options. A colectivo is the cheapest option but a bit more hassle than the ADO buses. If you aren’t on a tight budget, I’d recommend taking the ADO bus.
Taking an ADO bus
The ADO buses are a safe, affordable and reliable way to move around Mexico. Taking an ADO bus to Tulum from downtown Cancún or Playa del Carmen is what I’d recommend to those traveling on a budget. Tickets cost $218 pesos ($11 USD) from Cancún and $108 pesos (5 USD) from Playa del Carmen. You can buy tickets directly at the bus station, but I’d recommend purchasing them in advance either through the ADO website or through their app.
The ADO bus station in Cancún is located here. There are two ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen turística and Playa del Carmen alterna. There is no difference between the two stations, just pick whichever is in a more convenient location for you.
Taking a colectivo
Colectivos are shared mini vans, they are less spacious and not as comfortable as the ADO buses, but are cheaper. If you have a lot of luggage I wouldn’t recommend this option as they might not have space for it.
Taking a colectivo from Cancún to Tulum will require a stop in Playa del Carmen, where you’ll get off and take another colectivo from there to Tulum. The journey will cost around $100 pesos ($5USD) and can only be paid in cash. Try to have the exact amount as they don’t carry a lot of change. The colectivos depart from next the ADO bus station in Cancún, on Avenida Tulum. The colectivo stops close the ADO station in Tulum.
To take a colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, you’ll have to make your way to under Highway 307, here, to be exact. You will see white mini buses and it’s likely you’ll hear someone yelling “Tulum, Tulum“. This is where you’ll get on the colectivo. The trip will cost around $45 pesos ($2.25 USD). Try to have the exact amount as they don’t carry a lot of change.
Renting a car
You can get from downtown Cancún or Playa del Carmen to Tulum by renting a car. The drive will take around 1.5 hours from Cancún and around an hour from Playa del Carmen. I’d recommend using rentalcars.com to compare prices between all major car rentals to make sure you get the best deal!
Taking a taxi
One way to get to Tulum from downtown Cancún or Playa del Carmen is to take a taxi. You can expect to pay anything from $75 to $12USD for a taxi from Cancún to Tulum, and around $35USD from Playa del Carmen. However, note that taxi drivers around Quintana Roo are known to do their very best to rip off tourists, so it’s entirely possible you will be quoted a higher price. Always make sure to negotiate the fare before getting into the taxi, or else they’ll charge you whatever they want when you arrive!
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If you are planning a trip to Mexico, you might also want to check out:
- How much you can expect to spend per day in Mexico
- Five must visit places in Mexico
- Four day Tulum itinerary
- Visiting Izamal: The yellow city in Mexico
- Where to eat in Bacalar
- Your guide to visiting Isla Mujeres
- 10 Things to do in Mexico City
- San Cristóbal de las Casas Travel Guide
- Best cafés to work from in Cancún
- How to get from San Cristóbal to Guatemala
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