Cancun to Tulum Transport Options

Are you looking for the best ways to get from Cancun to Tulum?

A part of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, Tulum is a coastal town in the Yucatán Peninsula, on its Caribbean coast. An ancient Mayan port city is well-preserved in the area’s well-known beaches.

They are perched on cliffs that are 12 meters high (39 feet high), off of the east coast of Yucatán. Among the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya, Tulum is the most well-known. Tulum is a popular tourist destination because it is one of the best-preserved Maya sites along the coast.

Tulum does not have an airport at this time. If you are going to this part of Mexico, you must first fly to Cancun International Airport, which is the closest to Tulum. It is, therefore, best to enjoy Cancun’s stunning beaches and all-inclusive resorts to relax before heading to your Tulum adventure.

Beautiful beaches and stunning ruins are sure to be among the highlights of your visit to this part of Mexico. Make the most of your trip by arranging for a comfortable ride from the airport to your hotel, and the ancient ruins.

Here’s our list of the most reliable ways to get from Cancun to Tulum to help you make the most of your trip.

Cancun to Tulum Transport Options

Traveling from Cancun Airport to Tulum

The distance between Cancun Airport and Tulum is 118km (73 miles) while travel time takes around 1 hour and 25 minutes to 2 hours. You have 2 transfer options if traveling from Cancun airport to Tulum:

1. Cancun Airport to Tulum by ADO BUS

Traveling from Cancun airport to Tulum via ADO bus transfers is the most affordable option. However, Tulum-bound buses only have two schedules daily. To access the ADO buses in the airport, look for the ADO booth after Customs.

The booth is in the same area along with others offering services like car rentals and rate exchange. People will point it out if you can’t find it on your own.

Additionally, you may instead catch the ADO bus to Playa del Carmen. The bus fare is 9 € (208 MXN). Then take another ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, which costs around 3 € ( 70 MXN).

Bus Transport Details

Route: Cancun Airport to Tulum

Cost: 1l2 € (270 MXN)

Schedule: 6:10 AM and 8:50 AM daily

Where to book/ Buy tickets :  purchase the ticket either at the ADO booth or directly on the bus

2. Cancun Airport to Tulum by Private Transfer

If you are willing to spend the extra money and prefer a more personalized service, a private transfer from Cancun International Airport to Tulum may be a viable option to consider.

You can arrange for a private driver to pick you up and drop you off at the airport, who will be scheduled per your itinerary. This trip will be limited to just you or you and your companions if you have any. The inclusion of other destinations, tours, and English-speaking guides is also an option for private transfer services.

Private Transfer Details

Route: Cancun Airport to Tulum

Cost: 92 € (2,105 MXN)

Schedule: Any time/day of the week depending on passenger preference

Where to book/ Buy tickets : You may book online through reputable companies such as TulumTransportation

Traveling from Cancun Downtown to Tulum

The distance between Tulum and Cancun Downtown is 131 km, or about 81 miles, while travel time takes around 2 hours to 2 hours and 40 minutes. There are four ways to get to Tulum from Cancun downtown which are:

1. From Cancun to Tulum by Tour

 

The most convenient way to travel from Cancun to Tulum is with a package tour. If you’re looking to see other things on the way, this is a great option. It is common for tourists to prefer guided tours because tours save time and you get to make the most out of the experience. A guide, lunch, and transportation back and forth from your hotel are some of the common inclusions in tours

This Tulum tour from Cancun includes an expert archaeologist guide, a buffet lunch, visits to cenotes and Akumal Bay as well as round-trip transportation from your Cancun hotel. Having an archaeologist guide allows visitors to get a unique perspective on the site’s history and culture.

Other tours include a visit to multiple destinations, such as this whole-day tour that takes you from Cancun to the Tulum Ruins, as well as Coba, the cenotes, and Playa del Carmen.

Tour Details

Route: Cancun to Tulum and possibly other nearby destinations

Cost: starts at around 100 € (2,000 MXN)

Schedule: usually whole day (9 to 12 hours) including travel time

Where to book/ Buy tickets : you may book tours from sites like GetYourGuide and Viator

Check out these tours from Cancun:

2. From Cancun to Tulum by Bus

If you’re traveling from Cancun to Tulum on a budget, take advantage of Mexico‘s excellent bus system. Bus travel on the ADO network is a safe and convenient mode of transportation that is also reasonably priced. The ADO buses run between the airport and Tulum as well as between Cancun and Tulum’s downtown every day.

Buses depart from downtown Cancun for Tulum, but you must specify whether you want to go to the town of Tulum or the archaeological zone of Tulum when making your reservation.

Bus Transport Details

Route: Cancun downtown to Tulum

Cost: 7.5 to 12 € (170 to 270 MXN)

Schedule: Check ADO schedules online as they tend to vary each day. You may also opt to take the bus to Playa del Carmen first, then take the Tulum bus from there.

Where to book/ Buy tickets: purchase tickets ahead of time online, or at any ADO bus counter.

3. From Cancun to Tulum by Taxi

A taxi from Cancun to Tulum is the most expensive, but it is also the most convenient. The taxi service in Cancun picks you up right at your doorstep, with clean spacious cars that are air-conditioned. In some instances, paying with a credit or debit card is even an option. Still, most taxi drivers prefer that you pay in cash, especially in Mexican pesos.

Taxis take Mexico Highway 307, the main tourist route that runs the length of the coast from Cancun to Chetumal, the state capital, which borders Belize. This highway system reduces the travel time from Cancun to Tulum to less than two hours.

Taxi Transport Details

Route: Cancun downtown to Tulum

Cost: usually around 110 € (2,520 MXN) one way

Schedule: anytime/day of the week, depending on passenger’s preference

Where to book/ Buy tickets : You may want to arrange for your taxi service through your Cancun hotel concierge or ask around for taxi operators that offer a good deal.

4. From Cancun to Tulum by Car

If you want to make the most of your visit to Cancun and Tulum, there is always the option of renting a car and driving yourself around. The trip from Cancun to Tulum takes about two hours, thanks to a well-traveled highway that is both safe and in excellent shape.

The nearby cenotes (underground rivers and caves), the beaches of Tulum, and even other ruins, such as the less-visited Coba ruins, can all be visited as pit stops on the way. And you can do it all at your own pace and on a schedule that works for you!

There are numerous car rental agencies in Cancun, from the airport to the city center and even some of the major hotel chains. Always be aware of the low daily rates advertised on booking sites. Keep in mind that the rental agency’s insurance, which you are required to purchase, is not included in these prices. Daily rates can range from $30 to $50, depending on the time of year.

Car Rental Details

Route: Cancun downtown to Tulum

Cost: starts at 30 € ( MXN) per day

Schedule: any time/day of the week, depending on passenger preference

Where to book/ Buy tickets : you may book your preferred car to use around Cancun and Tulum through sites like Rentalcars.