Cancun to Playa del Carmen Transport Options

Are you looking for the best ways to get from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, in the municipality of Solidaridad, the state of Quintana Roo. With a rapidly expanding population, the town is also becoming a popular tourist destination in the east of Mexico.

Situated on the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen offers a wide variety of tourist attractions. Coral reefs and palm-lined beaches abound in Playa del Carmen. There are a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs along Quinta Avenida, the main pedestrian thoroughfare that runs parallel to the beach.

The city of Cancun is the best way to get to this Yucatan Peninsula paradise. You may even want to spend a few days in Cancun before heading to Playa del Carmen to enjoy its beautiful beaches. You can also make a direct transfer to your Playa del Carmen hotel from Cancun International Airport.

Even though it’s easy to get to Playa del Carmen from Cancun, the options available can be overwhelming, especially if you’re on your own and looking for the safest option.

Here’s our guide to the best ways to get from Cancun to Playa Del Carmen to help you decide what’s best for your budget and preference.

Cancun to Playa del Carmen Transport Options

RELATED READ: 

• Is Playa del Carmen Safe?
• Is Playa Del Carmen Expensive?
• Best Hotels In Playa del Carmen, Mexico
• Best Things To Do In Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Traveling from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen

The distance from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen is 55 km (44 miles), and 45 minutes. There are three ways to travel from the airport to Playa Del Carmen, which are:

1. Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen by ADO bus

ADO buses are the most cost-effective mode of transportation between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. If you’re going to Playa del Carmen by yourself or don’t have a lot of luggage, this is the best option.

You’ll see a variety of booths, mainly for car rentals and tours, as soon as you clear customs before exiting the airport. In case you don’t see the ADO booth right away, ask around and they’ll point you in the right direction.

Bus Transport Details

Route: Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen

Cost: 9 € (208 MXN)

Schedule: 8 am to 10 pm, departs almost every hour or 40 minutes

Where to book/ Buy tickets : buy online or at the ADO ticket booth in the airport (recommend in case your flight is delayed)

2. Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen by Private Transfer

Private transfers can pick you up at the airport and drop you off at your chosen destination. They are scheduled according to your itinerary. On this trip, it’ll just be you and your companions.

With private transfers, you can book a ride to or from any land-based location such as Playa del Carmen. Cancun Airport’s private car service isn’t the cheapest option, but it is one of the fastest, safest, and most comfortable.

A special permit is required to operate at the airport in Cancun, which is regulated by the Mexican government. As a result, only licensed private companies are allowed to provide the service.

With private transfers, you don’t have to worry about negotiating a price like you would with taxis. They also provide more customized and professional service, as well as an English-speaking guide.

Private Transfer Details

Route: Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen

Cost: starts at 55 € (1,260 MXN)

Schedule: Available 24/7, depending on the schedule set by the passenger

Where to book/ Buy tickets : you may book your private transfer at HappyShuttle or 12Go

3. Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen by Shuttle

Most airports in Mexico offer convenient shuttle services to and from popular tourist destinations. They operate daily and are shared with other tourists.

This means you’ll have to wait for other passengers to be picked up because you’ll be on the same shuttle. Shuttle transfers also have a tendency to run 10 to 15 minutes behind schedule, which is almost always due to other passengers not being ready for the shuttle at the time it is scheduled to arrive.

Shuttle service from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen is a common mode of transportation for travelers, with an average cost that is slightly higher than the ADO bus but lower than private transportation.

If you are considering this transport option, GetYourGuide and Viator both offer shuttle services from the Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen.

Shuttle Transport Details

Route: Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen

Cost: starts at 13€ (300 MXN)

Schedule: Usually runs daily from 8 AM to 4 PM

Where to book/ Buy tickets : you may book your shuttle service at GetYourGuide or Viator.

Traveling from Cancun Downtown to Playa del Carmen

The distance between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is 68 km (42 miles), with a travel time of about 1 hour if you are coming from Downtown Cancun. There are four ways to get from the town center to Playa del Carmen, which are:

1. From Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Bus

 

Buses are the most cost-effective mode of transportation from Cancun to Playa del Carmen. For the most part, the coach bus system in Mexico is excellent: it is dependable, secure, comfortable, and clean while also being very reasonably priced.

ADO buses have comfortable seats, air-conditioning, and a lot of room for luggage under the seats. You can also get to Playa del Carmen by bus from Cancun city every day of the week, as they are readily available in the Cancun station.

Bus Transport Details

Route: ADO Station in Cancun to ADO station in Playa del Carmen, by the Quinta Avenida

Cost: 3 € (65 MXN)

Schedule: Bus departs every half hour

Where to book/ Buy tickets : Purchase online or at the ADO ticket booth

2. From Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Taxi

Cancun is connected to Playa del Carmen via Mexico’s popular tourist route, Highway 307, which runs parallel to the Caribbean shoreline. It’s a well-traveled route that taxis frequently use.

If you are considering this transport option, travel time takes an hour and a half to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen via taxi. It’s safe, comfortable, and it’s easy to get around in a taxi in Mexico.

At the Cancun International Airport, there are no private taxi lines permitted, so you will need to arrange your transportation through the airport’s taxi service.
Be sure to have cash on you, preferably in pesos to get the best rate.

Taxi Transport Details

Route: Cancun downtown to Playa del Carmen

Cost: roughly 46 € ( MXN)

Schedule: any time/day depending on passenger preference but it’s best to travel during the day

Where to book/ Buy tickets : You may book at the taxi counters inside the airport

3. From Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Car

Renting a car and driving from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is the best option if you are looking for an option that is the most flexible in terms of schedule.

As previously stated, the road between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is direct, in excellent condition, and extremely safe. Rental car options abound in Cancun, including in the city center, at the airport, and even at the hotel zone. The trip takes about an hour in total.

It’s important to note that rental companies frequently advertise online rates of as low as 1 euro per day. However, ensure your rental vehicle is not included in the prices shown on these online travel agencies. It is best to expect and prepare to pay between 30 and 60 euros a day for a rental car, depending on the season.

Car Rental Details

Route: Cancun downtown to Playa del Carm

Cost: starts at 30 € ( MXN)

Schedule: Anytime/day of the week

Where to book/ Buy tickets : you may book your car rental online through sites like Rentalcars

4. From Cancun to Playa del Carmen by Private Transfer

Another transport option to get from Cancun to Playa del Rey is by pre-arranging a private transfer. Traveling this way is convenient because it can all be set up before you arrive in Cancun. A trusted representative will be waiting for you at your Cancun hotel and will drive you directly to Playa del Rey.

As an option, you can also book a return transfer from Playa del Rey to Cancun. Booking your transfer in advance and receiving a confirmation email will save you time once you reach Cancun to start your Mexico adventure.

Private Transfer Details

Route: Cancun downtown to Playa del Carm

Cost: starts at 50 € (1,000 MXN)

Schedule: available depending on passenger preference

Where to book/ Buy tickets : you may book your transfer online with reputable companies such as HappyShuttle and 12Go