The Best Cancun to Tulum shuttle Options
So, what are the best Cancun to Tulum shuttle options to get you to your vacation? Let’s first say that from the Cancun Airport to most Tulum hotels and destinations will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes or more. This is a considerable amount of time and after a flight you don’t want to waste time getting to Tulum in a slow manner. The best ground transportation we have to recommend is a private shuttle. This is a bilingual driver with a van that will meet you at the Cancun Airport and drive you directly to your hotel or rental.
Note: We do not recommend taxis for this longer trip and Uber does not operate from the Cancun Airport to Tulum.
The Best Shuttle Option for Going to Tulum
What shuttle service do we recommend? We have researched companies that provide Tulum airport connections. We found one that our readers have enjoyed, and we have honestly never had a complaint about them in over a decade. Not only do they provide courteous and prompt service, but they also offer great rates. The price includes a bilingual driver, all taxes and fees and are insured, no hidden costs.
How much are these Cancun to Tulum shuttles?
Since the distance is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) and takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes it does have a cost. These shuttles from Cancun Airport to Tulum are private and are only for you and your family. The price is for the entire van and not per person. A van with up to 8 people costs $165 USD from the Cancun Airport to Tulum downtown (there are other prices for the Hotel Zone and other parts of Tulum). A round-trip costs $320 USD. You save $10 USD if you book a round trip with this transfer company. Click the Reserve Now button to go to the official transfer companies’ website.
Going to Tulum for a special occasion?
If your vacation in Tulum is for a special occasion, you might want to take a VIP car service in a Suburban or similar type of vehicle. This can transfer up to 6 people. This same company offers these as well and they come well recommended. The luxury transfers are done in a Suburban or similar (Sienna, Yukon, Explorer, Expedition). There are however options for a second vehicle for luggage if you have more than 6 people with luggage.
Should you take a taxi to Tulum from the airport?
The short answer is no; we don’t recommend it. For several reasons we prefer the private shuttle service. Since the distance is longer you might as well be comfortable for the ride. The price is also the same or more expensive than the private transfers since you need to negotiate.
We hate to see tourist arrive and have to negotiate with a taxi driver at the airport. Pesos amounts and dollar amounts get punched into a calculator and most people wind up overpaying for the service because they just want to get to the hotel. It is so much better to have your shuttle all arranged so all you have to do is walk out the door of the airport and meet your driver who is waiting.
It is also important to note that taxis at the airport are not city taxis. They have special licenses and act just like transfer companies, and this is why they cost so much.
There is no UBER service between Tulum and Cancun Airport
Uber does not operate from the Cancun Airport to Tulum, so this is not an option to get from the airport. Uber only operates in a small area of Cancun. The taxi unions have kept UBER from fully operating. So, this is not an option for ground transportation.
Public bus from Cancun Airport to Tulum
The ADO bus company is the only bus service from the Cancun Airport. They mainly have direct service to downtown Cancun and Playa Del Carmen. There are a few busses a day to Tulum. Check ADO’s website for the most up-to-date schedules. Each terminal at the Cancun Airport has a different schedule and the ADO website is not the easiest to use. Most people will arrive at Terminal 3 or Terminal 4. These are the international arrival terminals.
Note: We do not recommend buying your ticket before you arrive. Often times you cannot even get foreign credit cards to work anyways. The other reason is the tickets are timed, and you don’t know if your flight will arrive or how long it will take to go through immigration.
How to take the bus via Playa Del Carmen to Tulum
If you cannot get a direct bus to Tulum, the next best option is to take an ADO bus to Playa Del Carmen. This takes about one hour to get to Playa Del Carmen. You will arrive at the bus station on Juarez Avenue. When you arrive in Playa Del Carmen you will need to get off and get back on a Tulum bound ADO bus. Busses leave about every 30 minutes to Tulum. There are two stops in Tulum that are possible. Not all busses go to both. There is the Tulum ruins stop and Tulum bus station in the center of Tulum.
You might be able to buy your two tickets at the Cancun Airport. This will make it easier when you arrive in Playa Del Carmen. You will not have to get in line to buy a ticket and you can be sure you have a ticket for the next bus.
When you arrive in Tulum from the Cancun Airport
The ADO bus takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes to get to Tulum ADO Bus Station. It should be noted that Tulum is a town in three separate parts, meaning it is spread out. There is the downtown, Tulum ruins area and the Hotel Zone along the beach. If you are not staying near the bus station you will need to take a taxi, and this can add 10-20 minutes to your journey. The hotel area along the beach is long and can take a while to take a taxi to.
We only recommend the ADO bus Tulum airport connection for backpackers staying in the downtown.
Enjoy your vacation in Tulum and the Riviera Maya
Now that you know how to catch your Cancun to Tulum shuttle you will need to start planning on what you are going to do in Tulum. Of course, most people have some serious beach time planned, but there are hundreds of other things that you can do in the area.
To give you an idea what is in the area we made this interactive map. To read more about what things there are to do in Tulum you can see our guide here.
We hope you have a great time in Tulum. For questions or comments about a Cancun to Tulum shuttle, just let us know in the section below. We would love to hear from you.
About The Author
I’ve just booked my plane ticket and going to book my transfer from the airport to Tulum. I know this is a bit of a last minute trip but I wanted to ask you about where to stay in Tulum? Is the beach or downtown that different? Do I need a car to get around? This is my first time there so I have a lot of questions and appreciate your help. Thank you.
Hello John. Tulum is divided into different sections and where you stay will effect how your trip feels. The beach area is more boutique hotels and is great for couples that want a quiet holiday with a lot of relaxing. Prices on the beach are premium because there are not a lot of places and demand is high. The downtown is cheaper and has a mix of hostels, boutique hotels and cosmopolitan places. It is best to stay in the north end so you can have access to the beach down the one road that goes there. In the downtown of Tulum you have many more restaurants to choose from all walking distance to your hotel. A bike rental can get you around or taxis. Here is a helpful article on things to do in Tulum. https://everythingplayadelcarmen.com/best-things-tulum/ It is good you are booking a transfer because the bus to Tulum is long and most people still need a taxi to their hotel from the bus station. Taxis can be costly especially if you are going to the hotel zone in the south.
THis is a much better option then our hotel. They offer a private pickup from the Cancun Airport but charge nearly double the price. Thanks for the info and link.
You are welcome Marleen. We hope you have a great trip to Tulum. We like to have practical information on our website for our readers. We travel a lot and know how important it is to have detailed info that will not only save your time but also money for your trip.
I just saw your article on staying in Tulum with the hotel and area recommendations. It helped me book my trip there and now am booking the transportation there. I will also look over the article on things to do in the area. I have preciously been going to Puerto Morelos but I want to visit more areas and Tulum has developed into a cool destination. I just hope the seaaweed is not an issue now.
Hello Kyle
Thanks for reading all our articles on the area. We hope you have a great trip to Tulum. As for your concern about the seaweed, the issue is not that bad now. In fact the winter months are better in general because the water is cooler and it does not grow as fast. You should be able to get in some good beach days while there. Let us know if you need anything else for your vacation.
I staying in Tulum sort of. My hotel is on the road to Coba. Does the airport transfers go here?
Hello Amanda
Yes there is service between the airport and that section. We believe they just added this onto the routes on their website. It is a little more expensive since it is further from the airport. You can click on the link and choose your destination from the list.
Your Tulum guides have really helped up plan our trip. We have two days in Playa and then heading downt the coast to Tulum. We are planning on 5 days in Tulum and then going to Bacalar for 3 days before heading to Belize. How odes this sound to you? Should we plan more or less time in one place? We appreciate your time and answers.
Hey Leo
You plans sound really good. If you like a little more chill vibe, your plans are spot on. Maybe 3 days in Bacalar will get a little too chill, but it will depend on what time you get there and when you leave. If the weather is good, the place is magical, if it is bad, the place is boring. We hope you have a great trip.
Thank you for all your help booking out trip. We promise to send pictures from Tulum when there.
We have a flight back to the States from the Cancun Airport at 8am. We are staying in Tulum and know the time about an hour and a half to get to the airport. So do transfers pick people up at 4:30am?
Hello Conrad
That is early but the transfer companies are used to it. Those early flights are hard to catch but it is totally possible. The company we recommend is very punctual and good about early departure.
We found between the airport transfer and bikes, we were able to get around and back and forth to the airport. Tulum is bike friendly and it adds to the natural feel of the place. I am sure if we were going to do some day tips a car rental would be good. We did see a fair amount of car rental places in Tulum that were pretty affordable.
In need of 5 day group transportation to the sites for 13 people different locations each day. Does this company offer private service as welll?
Hello Stacy
All transfers are private and just for those who book the service. This way you get directly to where you are staying quicker. If you need other point to point transportation, they also offer this service. They have a chat function on their website and can set any transportation needs for you.
Now with the new airport in Tulum I still find that Cancun has more flight options. I just make sure I don’t get in later in the day so I can make the transfer to Tulum and have time to have my first margarita!
I was going to take the train, but it seems complicated and with the extra bus transfers, it adds up the time. I will try the shared shuttle option.
I checked out flights to Tulum but the cost and then the transportation from the Tulum Airport to the Hotel Zone wound up being cheaper from Cancun Airport. I travel to Tulum two or three times a year and was hoping that the new airport would be quicker and easier. So far, Cancun is still a better option because it has a lot more flights.