For traveling to Playa Del Carmen, flying into Cancun International Airport (CUN) is generally the better option compared to Tulum. The New Tulum International Airport Felipe Carillo Puerto (TQO) is open and there are flights. But can the Tulum Airport be an alternative to the Cancun Airport and how do they compare? Here’s why one is better most of the time:

1. Proximity: Cancun International Airport is about 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Playa Del Carmen, which translates to a drive of roughly 45 minutes to an hour. The Tulum Airport is about 104 km (65 miles) from Playa Del Carmen, which takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes driving. So, a round trip to and from the Tulum Airport to Playa Del Carmen will add about 1 hour and 20 minutes to your overall transportation time. 

   

    

   

2. Transportation: From Cancun Airport, there are numerous transportation options available, including private shuttles, buses (like ADO), rental cars, and taxis, making it convenient to get to Playa Del Carmen. The Tulum Airport has all of the aforementioned transportation options, just with a limited supply and usually are costlier. For example, a round-trip transfer from the Tulum Airport to Playa Del Carmen will cost you about $274 USD more than a transfer from the Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. ADO Bus does have service between the Tulum Airport and downtown Tulum and a few direct buses a day to Playa Del Carmen. The cost difference is minimal for the bus, but it does take more time from the Tulum Airport.
3. Flight Options: Cancun International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Mexico and offers a wide range of international and domestic flights, providing more flexibility and potentially better prices. The Tulum Airport has a handful of airlines with routes now and more coming online this year. We did an independent study on flights to both Cancun Airport and to Tulum Airport from major cities in the United States and Canada. Cancun as a destination airport was 37% cheaper on average. This was a savings of $100 USD on average ticket prices. 
4. Infrastructure: Cancun Airport has well-developed facilities and services for travelers, including car rentals, hotels, and other amenities that make the arrival and departure process smoother. Tulum Airport is just getting started and does have most of the basic services. Where you might notice some differences between the Cancun Airport and the Tulum Airport are things like eating options. Cancun Airport is not known for its great restaurants, but at least it has options. Tulum has very limited food options now. There are also no hotels close to the Tulum Airport. So, if you miss a flight, are delayed, or just want to make sure you can get up and go, it is a 40-minute ride back into Tulum. 

In summary, Cancun International Airport is currently the best and most convenient airport for reaching Playa Del Carmen. It might seem tempting to purchase a ticket via the Tulum Airport that is $50-$100 USD Cheaper than flying into Cancun, but there are other factors. You have to take into account the extra travel time of about 1.5 hours and possible costs of the airport transfer. 

Arriving in Cancun Airport and need a transfer?

Private transfers from the Cancun Airport (Most recommended)

This is how most people get to and from the airport. With a pre booked reservation you have everything set and a driver waiting for you at the airport. These are private vans that are just for you and whoever is traveling with you. A bilingual driver will pick you up at the airport and take you directly to your hotel. There is no negotiating or waiting. Plus booking a round trip can save you about $10-$20USD.

All you need to do is click the link below and you will be taken to the transportations website where you will fill your details. Your van will be like the one below. You have a lot of space and a comfortable way to get directly to your hotel, condo, or Airbnb.

See what the new Tulum Airport looks like in this video