Cancun Airport is the second busiest airport in Mexico after Mexico City International Airport. Here, more than 12.4 million passengers use the airport annually, and it is currently the fourth busiest airport in Latin America! To catch your next flight, check out our guide for the best options to travel from Tulum to Cancun Airport.
Tulum is a small beach town near Cancun, Mexico — but the two are very different in many ways. To explore further, you’ll want to get out of Tulum and soak in more of Mexico’s various cultures, food, and landscapes. And luckily, many amazing tours offer you that experience!
As Tulum is a small town outside the main tourist destinations of Mexico (like Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel), you won’t find an airport in Tulum. The closest airport to Tulum is in Cancun.
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The growth of tourism in Mexico and consequently the number of passengers served by the airport has been impressive, and we can see why! Cancun is one of the great playgrounds for American tourists, and every year more and more tourists visit to witness all its beauty.
The airport, which was a Quonset hut until just over four decades ago, is now one of the busiest airports in Mexico, connecting to a wide range of international destinations.
Cancun airport has become such an essential gateway to the resort city that, in recent years, radical changes to its layout have been required.
Increased air traffic now requires a more extensive transport system to accommodate the number of passengers. Therefore, Mexican authorities decided to increase the number of terminals from 2 to 3 to improve their service levels and efficiency!
That is quite a rise in popularity for the fantastic Mexican destinations!
Because Cancun Airport is such a large airport, there are many direct and convenient options to choose from to get there. Getting from Tulum to Cancun can be as simple as taking a bus or a taxi — or as adventurous as renting a car.
You don’t want to miss your flight! So, where do you start? Check our guide for the best options to travel from Tulum to Cancun Airport.
Check our guide for the best options to travel from Tulum to Cancun Airport.
How far is Tulum from Cancun Airport?
There is a 73 miles or 118 kilometers distance between Tulum and Cancun Airport and a driving time of about 1.5 hours.
Transportation Options from Tulum to Cancun Airport
The following table outlines all transportation options from Tulum to Cancun Airport:
| Method | Travel time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| ADO Bus from Tulum to Cancun Airport | 2 to 3 hours | USD 25 |
| Shared Shuttle from Tulum to Cancun Airport | 2 to 3 hours | USD 96 |
| Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport | 1.5 hours | From USD 114 |
| Taxi from Tulum to Cancun Airport | 1.5 hours | From USD 70 |
| Rental Car from Tulum to Cancun Airport | 1.5 hours | – |
Getting to Cancun Airport from Tulum
1. Shared Van Shuttle from Tulum to Cancun Airport
Journey Duration: 2 – 3 hours
The shared shuttle is more cost-effective when traveling solo in Mexico than a private transfer. Depending on how full the shuttle is, the Tulum to Cancun Airport shuttle trip may take up to three hours.
While it is more costly than the ADO coach bus, the cost is cheaper than taking a taxi or a private transfer.
The shuttle service will pick you up from your hotel in Tulum, so you won’t have to carry your luggage for long distances, enabling you to enjoy your trip even more.
This service is provided multiple times throughout the day, so book the one that best fits your schedule!
Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport Schedule:
- 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
- 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
- 12:00 PM to 02:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
- 01:00 PM to 03:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
- 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
- 03:00 PM to 05:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
- 04:00 PM to 06:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
- 05:00 PM to 07:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
- 06:00 PM to 08:00 PM: Shared Shuttle to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 96
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Tulum to Cancun Airport. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform for comparing prices & schedules and making a booking online.
2. ADO Bus from Tulum to Cancun Airport
Journey Duration: 2 – 3 hours
The ADO bus from Tulum to Cancun Airport is your best bet if you’re not in a rush and want to save money. Transportation services are offered by ADO to almost any destination in Cancun, Riviera Maya, and throughout the state.
With ADO, there are comfortable and clean seats and many amenities, including movies on the way, wifi, phone chargers, etc.
Traveling from Tulum to Cancun Airport takes 1 hour and 40 minutes, but it takes a bit longer on the bus. This is a good choice for couples or solo travelers.
Buses from ADO Tulum to Cancun Airport depart throughout the day, so schedule your ride in accordance with your flight time.
ADO Coach Bus Schedule
- 07:10 AM to 09:10 AM: Coach Bus to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 25
- 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM: Coach Bus to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 25
- 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM: Coach Bus to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 25
- 11:55 AM to 01:50 PM: Coach Bus to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 25
- 02:00 PM to 04:05 PM: Coach Bus to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 25
- 03:15 PM to 05:10 PM: Coach Bus to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 25
- 07:00 PM to 09:40 PM: Coach Bus to Cancun Airport from Tulum
Total price: USD 25
3. Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport
Journey Duration: Custom Time
Private transportation from Tulum to Cancun Airport is the easiest and most convenient option. Despite there being cheaper methods, they often take triple the time – and who wants to be dealing with that before boarding a flight, checking in at the airport, etc.
While on vacation, time is always a precious commodity – no one ever has enough of it! So if spending a bit more is saving you some time, you might want to do so!
An advantage of private service is that you won’t have to share a shuttle or bus with five to thirty other people. Choosing the departure time for the private shuttle is your decision. There is a price to convenience, but it is not as steep as you might think.
Prices for a private transfer to Cancun Airport:
- 1-7 passengers: USD 114
- 8-10 passengers: USD 129
- 11-16 passengers: USD 229
GuateGo
On GuateGo, you can check all available transportation options from Tulum to Cancun Airport. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform for comparing prices & schedules and making a booking online.
4. Driving with Rental Car from Tulum to Cancun Airport
Journey Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
If you choose to drive to the airport, you would be better off renting a car instead of private transfer service. With this method, you have the most flexibility when planning your time, and you can choose from various companies and vehicles.
Before getting on your flight, make sure you drop off your car at the designated spot at the airport and book your rental in advance!
5. Taxi from Tulum to Cancun Airport
Journey Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
If you are leaving at the last minute and have no other options, you can take a taxi to the Cancun Airport! Nevertheless, be careful because you may receive a price up to USD 200, which is about the cost of a luxurious private transfer.
Taxis can only accommodate 3 or 4 people, and they don’t have much space for luggage. Taxi rates vary greatly, but prices are usually high, so you must ask before you get in.
It is a good idea to ask your hotel’s concierge if they know any reliable taxi drivers or if you have taken a taxi before so that you won’t be ripped off!
Best day tours in Cancun, Mexico
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.
The following widget shows some of the best tours in Cancun, Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get around Tulum, Mexico?
Taxis are the best way to get around Tulum. Beaches, ruins, and Tulum Pueblo can all be reached via walking or biking, but you may also overexert yourself. A car rental is also an option.
How much is a taxi from Cancun to Tulum?
It should cost around $80 to take a taxi from Cancun to Tulum.
Do taxis in Tulum take USD?
White and red taxi cabs are the safest and most convenient way to get around the city. They are very easy to spot, especially along the beaches. They accept USD and pesos. In case you fall short, there is a minimum spend of USD 50 or 1000 pesos for credit cards.
