Cheapest way to get from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone
If you are staying in Cancun for vacation, you are mostly likely staying in the Hotel Zone of Cancun. Here are 3 of the best options for getting to your hotel from the Cancun Airport. The cheapest option and the most direct option are not always the same. Let’s break it down into the different options so you can choose the best option for you.
Most people don’t realize that the Cancun Airport is south of Cancun, and it can take 20-35 minutes to get to a hotel in the Hotel Zone. So, there is a little bit of transportation time and expense getting to and from the airport.
This could be the cheapest option from the Cancun Airport
The only public transportation from the Cancun Airport to hotels and destinations is the ADO Bus. This is a private company that offers bus service to Cancun and other cities in the Riviera Maya. For years, ADO only had service from the Cancun Airport to the downtown bus station in Cancun. This trip takes about 50 minutes but is in the downtown of Cancun. If you were staying in the Hotel Zone, it would be mean taking a local R1 bus to the Hotel Zone which was another 20-40 minutes and another charge. This was not efficient and not a good way to arrive from the Cancun Airport to your hotel especially if you had luggage. Fortunately, ADO added a direct bus service to the Cancun Hotel Zone to and from the airport.
New ADO Bus service to the Cancun Hotel Zone
There is now new ADO bus service from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone in Cancun. There are four stops in the Hotel Zone. the stops are Museo Maya, Aquaworld, Plaza La Isla, and Zona Hotelera Plaza La Fiesta. Buses do not stop at individual hotels. So, if your hotel is not near one of these four stops, you will need to get a taxi, or a long walk is in order. Taking a taxi, depending on distance in the Hotel Zone can be expensive. The taxis are not metered, and you need to ask the price before agreeing to the ride.
Buses leave the Cancun Airport at (these times are from Terminal 4; times vary depending on what terminal you arrive at) 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:15am, 1;15pm, 2:15pm, 3:15pm, 4:15pm, and 6:15pm is the last bus. The ADO bus for the Hotel Zone will service Terminal 2,3 and 4 at the Cancun Airport. The cost is 170 Pesos. The ride from the airport to the end of the route is one hour. Tickets will have assigned seats. There is space under the bus for all luggage. No tags are used.
For the latest updates to schedule and prices, check out the official website of ADO Bus here.
How to Buy Tickets for the ADO Bus
Since these tickets are timed and you don’t know if you will arrive on time or how long it will take to get out of the airport, we do not suggest buying tickets in advance. It is fairly easy to buy them at the airport. There are ADO booths inside the terminal when you exit and also a mobile booth outside on the bus platform where you can buy the tickets.
You can pay with card, Pesos or USD in small bills (20’s or smaller).
Plaza Fiesta
This plaza is on the north end of the Hotel Zone by the bend. The hotels close to this stop are Hotel Krystal Cancun and Ocean Dream Cancun.
All in all, this is a good new access for the public to get to and from the Hotel Zone in Cancun. Although the stops are not too close to most hotels and other transportation might be needed to get to other hotels.
Shared Shuttles to the Hotel Zone from the Cancun Airport
If you want a more budget friendly option for an airport shuttle, here is another option for you. These shared shuttles for between Cancun Airport and hotels in the Hotel Zone of Cancun. These are small vans with air-conditioning. This company has 10 years of experience and professional drivers. You do need to reserve in advance, so you have a seat. You can reserve by following the reserve now button. This will take you to the official shuttle website for booking.
This often is better than the ADO bus because they take you to individual hotels and not just to two points in the large Hotel Zone where you need to get additional transportation. It can also save you money taking this option rather than paying for two transportation services.
Private Transfer from the Cancun Airport to your Hotel
If you are arriving at the Cancun Airport and want to get to your vacation in the most efficient way possible, a private shuttle service from the Cancun Airport is the best way to go. There is no waiting for a shuttle to fill up and no negotiating with a taxi driver. Your bilingual driver is there ready for you to arrive. All of these options are private and will only take you and those traveling with you. The prices are per van and not per person.
These are reserved in advance and have a fixed price. There is also an advantage to booking a round trip because you get a discount. That is something taxis cannot offer because you take different taxes to and from the airport.
If you would like a direct and private transfer, this company is well recommended by our readers. You can click the link below to go direct to their booking website.
A word about Taxis from the Cancun Airport
Many people arrive at an airport and just look for a taxi to get to the hotel as quickly as possible. Taxis from the Cancun Airport are not metered and often quote high prices for visitors. Many people overpay for the ride, hence not making it very cheap. Private transfers are a much better option since you have a person waiting for you and a fixed price. You can also securely use a credit card or cash to pay.
If you do take a taxi, be sure to know the prices before you get in and it is advised never to use a credit card because often people are over charged or have multiple charges on their card. Of course, you will also not get a discount like you would booking a round-trip private transfer service.
Uber and Other Rideshare Apps
Technically Uber works in Cancun. It has been hard to get a foothold in the Riviera Maya. Clashes with taxi drivers over fair competition has been an issue and has affected Ubers coverage. Uber does have some drivers in Cancun, but it can mean waiting a while or even have rides canceled while waiting. We recommend that travelers have alternative plans because this is not as reliable as in many places.
About The Author
Thank you for the helpful breakdown of transport options from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone! I’m curious, with the new ADO Bus service, do you find it’s more cost-effective compared to shared shuttles when factoring in the distance from the stops? Appreciate the insights!
Hello Fernanda
The shared shuttles probably are the best option since they go direct to your hotel. Unless your hotel is near one of the ADO bus stop, the shared shuttles to the Hotel Zone are a better option and more affordable.
Thanks for the detailed information. I needed some guidance about how to book my transportation and the options.
Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out. Looking forward to vacationing there.
I am glad there is another option for visiting the hotel zone because taxis charge around 50 USD to get to the hotels form the airport. It makes the trip more expensive even though you arrive in Cancun the transportation is expensive.
It is good to have more options because the ADO bus to the downtown is no where near the Hotel Zone. It takes an expensive taxi from the bus station to the Hotel Zone.
I took the bus today. It was pretty fast to the airport. It was a short walk from my hotel. If it was any farther away, I would say use the other options.
Can you take the ADO Bus to the downtown of Cancun and then get a bus to the Hotel Zone?
Hello Kay
You can take ADO bus to the downtown; however you would need to cross over the road to get a public bus that does to the Hotel Zone. These public buses are not really meant for luggage and can be very crowded. It also can take at least 20 minutes to 40 minutes depending on where your hotel is. An alternative is a taxi from the ADO station but these would be expensive.