12 Ways To Get From Cancun To Tulum [from Airport And City] (2024)

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I have been traveling from Cancun to Tulum, and back, countless times and in many different ways. So in this post I am I’m going to share the best options you have to get from Cancun to Tulum and vice-versa, from the cheapest way to the fastest and most comfortable.

Hi! I am Isabella a Mexican Resident since 2010. I used to live and work in Cancun which I still call home. Tulum was my weekend getaway and second home.

Having tried different means of transportation in this post I will tell you all the options you have to get to Tulum from Cancun and I will point out my favorite ones.

Before diving in, keep in mind that Tulum has just opened the new airport which will be welcoming international flights from March 2024. So, flying to Tulum Airport would be the most convenient option. However, if you are still flying to Cancun and need to reach your hotel in Tulum, you will find all the possible ways to do that, in this post.

What’s The best way to get from Tulum to Cancun?

The fastest and most convenient way to get there is by Cancun Airport Transportation service, one of the most trustworthy companies in Mexico.

They speak English, they are reliable and offer a private service for your party, whether it’s one person or 5. They have an average rating of 4.7/5⭐️.

You can read the amazing reviews for their Tulum Cancun shuttle service before booking.

However, there are many other ways to get from Cancun to Tulum and I am going to tell you all about them in this post.

⬇️ Cancun to Tulum transfer options: Quick Info ⬇️

TRANSPORTATION	DURATION	ONE WAY COST
Private Shuttle	1.5 hrs	US$ 110 (from 1 to 3 p)
Car Rental	1.5 hrs	US$ 30 - 70 (per day)
Shared Shuttle	1.5 - 2 hrs	US$ 32 (per person)
ADO bus	2.5' - 4 hrs	$US 18 (per person)
Colectivo (Mini Van)	4+ hrs	US$ 5 (per person)
Taxi	1.5 hrs	$US 80 - 150 (per taxi)
Day Tour	5 to 8 hrs	$US 30 - 150 (pp)
Helicopter	1 hr	$ US 1000 - 1500 (per ride)

Getting from Cancun to Tulum | Where is Tulum Located

How far is Tulum from Cancun?

The distance Tulum – Cancun Downtown is 131 km, about 81 miles, and 2h to 2h 40 minutes depending on how you travel. You will see what I mean later on.

From Cancun Airport to Tulum it’s a little shorter, 118km (73 mi), 1h 25 min to 2 hours.

Cancun DownTown vs Cancun Airport to Tulum

The first thing we need to clarify here is that there are two different routes, Cancun Airport to Tulum and Cancun DownTown (or Hotel Zone) to Tulum. Depending on where you are leaving from prices and time can change a lot. However, in this post, we will cover all of it. Stick with me and I will explain all about getting to Tulum from Cancun.

How to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum

1. ADO bus transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum (cheapest way)

The cheapest way to get from Cancun to Tulum is by the ADO bus.

There are only two rides per day on the route Cancun Tulum Cancun.

However you can just hop on the ADO bus to Playa del Carmen, which is more frequent, and then from Playa del Carmen to Tulum will be easy either by ADO or Colectivo. You can check out the ADO schedules here and book online.

However, in this case, I would rather wait until you land, just in case your flight is delayed. You will find the ADO boot before exiting the airport, or you can just get to the ADO platform outside the airport. You will see the sign! Cannot miss it. (see instructions below)

◉ COST – 420 MXN (about 24 USD)
◉ TIME – 2.5 – 4 hours (depending on how long you have to wait for the next ride)

How to find the ADO bus at Cancun Airport

► After you clear customs, you will see the ADO booth, among others, such as car rentals and rate exchange. If you don’t find it, you can ask around, and they will point it to you.

► You can purchase the ticket either at the ADO booth or directly on the bus.

► Sometimes there is no agent available, so you can get out of the airport and go straight to the bus stop and purchase the ticket on the bus.

► If you can’t find where the bus stand is, there are many tour reps around. You can ask them, and they will tell you where it is.

► One-way ticket for an ADO bus ride from Cancun Airport to Tulum is 420 MXN pesos (about 24 USD)

► ADO is the cheapest way to get from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancun, or Merida. The ADO busses are modern and equipped with AC and TV, which is playing all the time. Sometimes the AC is way too cold. So be prepared.

They are super safe, and they store your luggage beneath the bus, with overhead compartments for your small bags, although I always recommend keeping your belongings on your lap and always with you.

2. Private transportation from Cancun Airport to Tulum (fastest and safest)

The best airport transfer from Cancun to Tulum or anywhere else is offered by the company Cancun Airport Transportation. They have some of the best reviews I found! And this is the company I would rely on when my friends can’t pick me up or if I don’t rent a car!

5 reasons why Cancun Airport Transportation is the best option to get you from Cancun to Tulum in my opinion

⏰ They are reliable

🇺🇸 They Speak English

💰They don’t have hidden fees

✅ They are insured

😎 They offer a private service so you have the van all for yourself and your party

They may be more expensive than the bus, but they are more reliable than the taxi for sure, and their private service is worth every penny.

◉ COST – from $160.00USD (depending on your destination in Tulum)
◉ TIME – approx 2.5 hours (depending on your destination in Tulum)

👉 Book your round-trip private transport from Cancun to Tulum in advance (save 10$) with Cancun Airport Transportation

👇BOOK YOUR TRANSFER NOW USING THIS EASY FORM👇

It’s not the cheapest way but the fastest and the most comfortable.

Since transportation from Cancun airport is regulated, only authorized companies can have access to and operate at the airport.

3. Getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum by taxi

A taxi from Cancun to Tulum can cost from 150 to 200 USD. I would always recommend choosing a private transfer to Cancun Tulum with a trustworthy company versus a random taxi for the following reasons:

↳ You don’t have to negotiate the rate or risk being ripped off. With a transportation company, the rates are set and reasonable.

↳ You will find somebody waiting for you with a board in their hands, regardless of your arrival time or delays.

↳ They offer different kinds of services starting from 100 USD per person.

↳ They offer more personalized and professional service and an English-speaking guide.

◉ TAXI COST – from $150.00 – 200USD (depending on the taxi driver)
◉ TIME – approx 2.5 hours (depending on your destination in Tulum)

4. 🚗 Driving from Cancun to Tulum 🚗

Renting a car at the airport in Cancun is another great option if you are anything like me and love to explore the destination at your own pace.

Driving in Tulum and around is the best way to know all the amazing cenotes, archeological sites, colonial cities, and other natural wonders.

Differently from any other destinations renting a car at the airport and in city pick-up locations doesn’t make much difference in price. So you can rent a car at the beginning of your trip to Mexico and you don’t have to rely on buses or taxis, which sometimes can be annoying.

I recommend using DiscoverCars since the platform allows you to compare prices among different car rentals and pick the one that’s more convenient for you.

If you are concerned about driving in Mexico, I’ve got you covered as well. Every time I go back to Mexico I love to rent a car and move around at my own pace. I love it.

◉ COST – around $50USD per day (depending on the type of car, insurance, and car rental company)
◉ TIME – approx 2.5 hours (depending on your destination in Tulum and how many stops you make)

5. Getting to Tulum from Cancun by shared shuttle

This is another great option if you are traveling on a budget but you don’t want to wait for the ADO bus.

Depending on your destination this shuttle service will cost around 32 USD per person and will take you from the airport to your hotel.

Even if you may need to wait at the airport for other passengers to arrive, the waiting time is usually reasonable.

◉ COST – around $50USD per person
◉ TIME – approx 3 – 3.5 hours (depending on how many people will be dropped off before your destination)

6. Getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum by colectivo (minivan)

This option is definitely the cheapest but it’s also the longest and less comfortable. I wouldn’t recommend it but for the sake of information, I have included it here.

Colectivo buses are not available at the airport. So you will need to get to the Cancun ADO bus in Downtown Cancun, which is about 20 20-minute ride.

There are two minivan companies. One is called Playa Express, and they leave from the parking lot right in front of the ADO bus entrance. The other one is just a minivan to Playa del Carmen leaving from a square right across the street ( Avenida Tulum) from the ADO Bus terminal.

These minivans from Cancun will take you to Playa del Carmen, situated one hour from Cancun, halfway to Tulum. From there you will need to hop into another van that runs from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.

I am sure you will agree with me that this is such a hassle and it’s not the best way to start your Mexican holiday, right? I hope that among the above-mentioned options you have found a better one that suits your budget and schedule.

◉ COST – around 200 MXN (12 USD per person)
◉ TIME – approx 5 hours (depending on the connections)

How to get to Tulum from Cancun Downtown

The best way to get to Tulum from Cancun downtown is either by ADO bus or Colectivos. Their terminals are both located in the same area. See the map below.

7. Ado bus from Cancun to Tulum

The ADO bus from Cancun to Tulum takes more time to get to the destination, almost 2h 45′ because it’s slower than the colectivos and has to enter into Playa del Carmen traffic to drop off and pick up.

It is slightly more expensive than the colectivos but a little safer, just because their drivers are more cautious when it comes to speed.

ADO buses have a specific schedule which you can find here on the ADO website where you can book your trip in advance. The fare varies according to the different times of the day.

◉ COST – from 210 to 250 MXN (approx. 12 to 15 USD)
◉ TIME – approx 3 hours

8. How to get from Cancun to Tulum by colectivo (small vans)

If you choose to use the colectivos you need to know that you will have to get to Playa del Carmen first and from there get on another one to Tulum.

There are two kinds of colectivos though:

PLAYA EXPRESS: Depart right in front of the ADO Cancun Terminal entrance and get to its terminal in the heart of Playa on Av 20.

REGULAR COLECTIVO: Depart from the little plaza behind the Soriana Super just opposite the ADO Cancun Terminal (as indicated on the map here below) and get to the Chedraui parking lot.

Once in Playa del Carmen, you will need to walk on the main road (Carretera Federal) under the bridge where the other vans for Tulum will depart.

◉ COST – around 55 MXN (4 USD approx.) for each segment. (total 110 MXN- 8 USD)
◉ TIME – approx 3 hours

9. Getting from the city of Cancun to Tulum by taxi

You can get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun downtown (or from your hotel in the Hotel Zone) by taxi, but I would recommend negotiating the rate beforehand.

It shouldn’t be more than 2100 MXN (123.43 USD), sometimes cheaper.

You might want to ask your hotel concierge if they know a reliable taxi driver who suggests a trustworthy taxi driver or if you have used a taxi before.

You found somebody particularly nice, and you might want to ask for his/her number and call them when you need them. I normally do that.

10. Getting from Cancun to Tulum on a tour

If you have decided to spend your vacation in Cancun you might want to consider visiting Tulum on a day trip, which is one of the most popular things to do in Cancun. Here below are some tour options.

➢ 3-in-1 Discovery Combo Tour: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling Plus Cenote and Caves

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2465 reviews!!

This popular full-day tour from Cancun lasts around 8 hours and will take you to visit some of the most popular attractions in Tulum, from the Mayan Ruins to the underwater world and of course a cenote.

• Tulum Ruins, Caribbean Sea snorkeling, and cenote combo tour
• Explore the Mayan Ruins in Tulum
• Snorkel through a coral reef in the Caribbean Sea
• Hotel pickup and drop-off are included

👉 Book your Combo tour from Cancun to Tulum ruins, beach and cenote on VIATOR

➢ Tulum and Cenotes tour

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1475 reviews!!

This tour to Tulum from Cancun lasts about 5 to 6 hours. They will pick you up at your hotel and take you to take a dip into some of the most spectacular cenotes after the visit to the spectacular Tulum Mayan Ruins

👉 Book your Tulum and Cenotes tour on VIATOR

➢ Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling, and Beachside Lunch

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 480 reviews!!

This full-day tour lasts around 7 hours and will take you snorkeling in one of the best snorkeling spots in Tulum, the Caleta Yalku, near Akumal beach.

But it’s not all. You will visit the Tulum ruins, of course, and will enjoy one of the mystical and refreshing Mayan cenotes.

👉 Book your Tulum Guided Tour on VIATOR

11. Book an airport transfer from Cancun to Tulum through your hotel

If you are staying in one of the spectacular hotels in Cancun, it may be quicker to ask your hotel concierge to book a transfer for you.

Every hotel has deals with different companies so I cannot say how much it would be. However, be prepared to pay inflated fees. On that I am sure.

12. Cancun to Tulum by helicopter

If you are ready for a real treat and feel like splurging you may want to check out a transfer via helicopter.

I have never experienced it nor know anyone who has done it. So I can’t really recommend any company that does that. But I know it’s an option, an expensive one.

The ones I checked had a rate between 1000 and 1500 USD per ride. It’s kind of pricy but if money is not an issue it will be a great scenic ride!

How to get from Tulum to Cancun

✅ From Tulum to Cancun Airport Shuttle (Private)

The service Tulum – Cancun Airport is also covered by cancunairporttransportations.com. I found them to be a very established and professional company with lots of flattering reviews.

They offer a private door-to-door service at your desired time, with an English-speaking driver.

✅ Getting from Tulum to Cancun Airport by ADO bus

The ADO terminal in Tulum is located in the “Pueblo” Downtown on the main road. There are only 2 scheduled buses going to the Airport at a specific time and it will take about 2 hours to get there.

They are usually on time although you must consider the long distance and the chance of a delay.

I always suggest calculating a good margin of time from your scheduled flight, just in case, and booking your seat in advance. You can do it online from ADO website.

If the ADO schedule doesn’t match your flights then you might want to consider getting to Playa del Carmen and get the Airport ADO Bus from there, where there are more busses running during the day.

✅ From Tulum to Cancun International Airport by Taxi

Taxis in Tulum are extremely expensive for some reason and most of the time tend to take advantage of unwary tourists, so I would rather book a private shuttle like the one mentioned above, which I find safer and more reliable.

Obviously unless during your stay you have met a good trustworthy taxi driver (there are still some left) that is willing to offer you the service at a reasonable, fair price.

✅ How to get from Tulum to Cancun Downtown by Colectivos

Just like on the way from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, you have to connect in Playa del Carmen and get on another van (colectivo) from Playa del Carmen to Cancun.

From Tulum to Playa del Carmen

You can find the colectivos minivans parked right opposite the ADO station. They leave at any time no stop as soon as they are almost full.

From Playa del Carmen to Cancun

Playa Express: They leave from Calle 2 between 20th and 25th Avenues from their parking lot on a regular basis during the day and will leave even if not full. There is also a new pickup spot at the ADO bus station on 20th Avenue and 12th Street.

Their terminal is right in front of the ADO bus terminal in Cancun although they can drop you off anywhere you wish along their route.

Regular minivan – a little smaller than the Playa Express, leave from the corner of 2nd Street and 20th Avenue. There is a parking lot at the northeast corner of the intersection where they will be yelling out “Cancun”.

Their terminal is close to the ADO station, besides the Soriana super, as indicated in the above map.

Is there UBER in Tulum or Cancun?

Unfortunately, there is Uber in Cancun but they don’t provide service from the Airport. You can call an uber if you want a ride from Cancun Downtown to Tulum, and the price is similar to a taxi because they have started a collaboration. So it may be possible that by calling an Uber, a taxi will show up.

Need somewhere to stay in Tulum?

I’ve got you covered as well. With so many hotel options, in Tulum, you can find a nice hotel for every budget.

Here below I am sharing my favorite hotel per each category. If you want to learn more in detail you can check out my guide to the best hotels in Tulum.

Keep in mind that there is only one all-inclusive hotel in Tulum, so if this is your kind of place, you should stay in one of the hotels in the Riviera Maya, included in my guide.

► Best Tulum Hotel on the Beach: Habitas
Book it onBooking.com|Expedia
► Best Tulum Hotel for healthy-conscious travelers: Sanara
Book it on Booking.com|Expedia
► Best Tulum Co-living for Digital Nomads: Selinas Tulum
Book it on Hotels.com | Expedia
► Best Tulum Hotel in Downtown: Zenses Wellness and Spa
Book it on Booking.com|Expedia
► Best Tulum Hotel for a romantic escape: La Valise
Book it on Booking.com|Expedia
► Best All-inclusive Hotel in Tulum: Kore Tulum Retreat & Spa Resort (adult only)
Book it on Booking.com | Expedia
► Best Tulum Hotel for Families: La Zebra Tulum
Book it on Booking.com | Expedia
► Best cheap hotel in Tulum: Hotel Santiago
Book it on Booking.com | Expedia

Getting from Cancun to Tulum: final thoughts

As you may have noticed my favorite way to get to Tulum From Cancun (airport to hotel or from hotel to hotel is with a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation, and prebook your it in advance. That is unless you are going to rent a car for the duration of your stay.

In this way, it’s best to rent a car from Cancun Airport so that you can move around at your own pace from the start.

Before you go…

• Renting a Car in Tulum Mexico: The Ultimate Guide
• 4 Ways to Get From Tulum to Bacalar
• The top 11 Tulum all-inclusive resorts
• The 15 Best Cenote Tours From Tulum
• The 31 Best Restaurants in Tulum That You Must Try