How do you get to Cancún?
Getting There3.9/10Harder to reach than about 70% of cities
- Main airport
- Cancun International Airport (CUN)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: cancunairport.com, isla-mujeres.net
Good to know
Good to Know
- Arrive at airport 2+ hours before domestic flights, 3+ hours before international. Terminal assignments can change at last minute—verify on your boarding pass.
- Free inter-terminal shuttle runs every 30 minutes. Terminals not within walking distance.
- Uber doesn't operate airport pickups due to local regulations; book private transfer or official taxi in advance.
- ADO buses are the cheapest but only reach downtown bus terminal, not hotels. You'll need a second taxi if heading to Hotel Zone.
- For Isla Mujeres, the cheapest option is ADO bus (~$6 USD) + local bus to Puerto Juárez (~$0.57 USD) + Ultramar ferry (~$18 USD). Total: under $25 USD but takes 75+ minutes.
- Taxis don't use meters—negotiate fare before entering. Official hotel taxi stands are safest.
- Highway 307 south connects Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Colectivos (shared minivans) are ultra-cheap but crowded and make many stops.
- Mexican pesos recommended for buses and small vendors; USD accepted at hotels and tourist spots.
- Peak season (Dec–Mar) sees flight delays and traffic congestion. Book transport ahead, especially for airport runs.
Airport To City Transport
ADO Bus (airport to downtown bus terminal)
- Cost
- MX$98
- Travel Time Minutes
- 30
- Description
- Direct to downtown bus station, no hotel stops. Must take additional taxi from terminal to final hotel destination.
- Cost
- MX$1,600
- Option
- Private transfer/shuttle (airport to Hotel Zone or downtown)
- Travel Time Minutes
- 20
- Description
- Door-to-door service for 1-9 passengers. Fixed price, flight tracking, 24/7 availability. Most popular option for nomads.
Shared shuttle (airport pickup with other passengers)
- Cost
- MX$730
- Travel Time Minutes
- 45
- Description
- Affordable option; may make multiple stops.
Taxi (not metered, negotiate beforehand)
- Cost
- MX$600
- Travel Time Minutes
- 25
- Description
- Available outside terminals; prices vary. No Uber allowed at airport.
Day Trip Ferry Connections
Isla Mujeres
- Ferry Operator
- Ultramar
- Ferry Cost One Way
- MX$324
- Ferry Duration Minutes
- 15
- Ferry Terminal Location
- Puerto Juárez (northeast of downtown)
- Travel Time From Airport Total Minutes
- 75
- Description
- Frequent departures; ferries also depart from Hotel Zone docks (Playa Tortugas, Playa Caracol) with less frequent service.
Playa Del Carmen
- Cost
- MX$245
- Transport Option
- ADO Bus
- Travel Time Minutes
- 75
- Description
- Buses run every 20-30 minutes from airport terminals to downtown Playa del Carmen. Gateway to Cozumel ferry (35-45 min crossing).
Playa Del Carmen (Private Transfer)
- Cost
- MX$1,600
- Transport Option
- Private shuttle
- Travel Time Minutes
- 60
- Description
- Door-to-door to Playa del Carmen or ferry terminal. Cozumel ferry from there costs ~$18-19 USD one-way.
Tulum
- Transport Option
- ADO Bus or colectivo
- Travel Time Minutes
- 120
- Description
- South along Riviera Maya on Highway 307. Gateway to cenotes and archaeological sites.
Rail
- Name
- Tren Maya
- Routes
- Western route (Chichén Itzá, Mérida, Campeche); southern route (Tulum, Chetumal)
- Note
- Day-trip and longer excursion option; verify schedules and book in advance
- Description
- Modern train station located across Federal Highway 180 from airport, with connection via free Conexión Intermodal shuttle bus.
Airport
- Name
- Cancun International Airport (CUN)
- Terminals
- 4
- Distance From City Center Km
- 18
- Terminals Description
- Four terminals connected by free shuttle service. Terminal 2 serves domestic/international, Terminal 3 serves international, Terminal 4 serves international and major carriers.
Airlines
- Major Carriers
- Aeroméxico, Delta, American Airlines, United, Aeromexico, JetBlue, Southwest, Frontier, Air Europa, Air Transat, Spirit Airlines, Volaris
- Note
- Over 50 airlines operate at CUN; verify your airline's assigned terminal before arrival as it may change last-minute
Car Rental
- Daily Rate
- MX$430
- Available
- Yes
- Operators
- Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and independent local agencies
- Note
- All major brands operate at airport. Highway 307 is main coastal road; traffic can be congested in peak seasons.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Cancún
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.