How do you get to Cozumel?
Getting There2.7/10Harder to reach than about 80% of cities
- Main airport
- Cozumel International Airport
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: airport-cozumel.com, cozumel-tours.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Ferry tickets issued by Ultramar are not accepted on Winjet ferries and vice versa; buy one-way tickets for flexibility on return journey.
- Pre-book airport transfers at least 24 hours in advance to guarantee availability and confirmed pickup times.
- Cozumel Airport is approximately 7 minutes driving distance from the ferry pier, so airport-to-ferry combinations are straightforward.
- Regular city taxis cannot pick up directly at the airport terminal; walk out to Diego's restaurant at airport exit or exit the airport and flag down a taxi to arrange pickup.
- Ferry schedules and fares change seasonally and monthly; always confirm current times and prices directly with operators before traveling.
- Round-trip ferry tickets save 10-15% versus buying individual one-way tickets, though one-way offers more scheduling flexibility.
- Arrive at ferry terminal 30 minutes before departure; luggage must be checked in early if transporting larger items.
- Taxi fares from cruise ship piers are quoted in USD; downtown taxis typically accept both pesos and USD, but exchanging USD at the taxi union rate is significantly less favorable than bank rates.
- Arriving cruise passengers exiting the port at Punta Langosta can often walk downtown; International Pier and Puerta Maya require short taxi rides.
- Ferry rides across are genuinely pleasant—modern boats with AC cabins, open decks, and Caribbean views; occasionally feature live music.
- Cozumel is a small island; most attractions are accessible by foot downtown or short taxi ride from ferry terminal and major hotels.
- Mopeds and scooters are popular but can be dangerous for inexperienced drivers; use caution or opt for guided tours if unfamiliar with island riding.
Ferry Connections
- Car Ferry
- Vehicle ferries available from Punta Venado (Terminal Maritima Calica) in Playa del Carmen for those transporting rental cars
- Crossing Time
- 40-45 minutes
- Primary Route
- Playa del Carmen to Cozumel
- Distance From Mainland
- Approximately 12 miles (19 km) from mainland
- Ferry Terminal Location
- Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal on the beachfront, centrally located and within walking distance of downtown
- Cozumel Terminal Location
- Downtown San Miguel, main ferry terminal within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and tour operators
- Booking Notes
- Arrive 30 minutes early; specify flight arrival time when booking transfers; tickets valid 6 months; one-way tickets provide more flexibility as different companies do not accept each other's tickets
Schedule
- Operating Hours
- From 7:00-7:30 AM to 9:00-10:00 PM daily
- Departure Frequency
- Over 20 crossings daily; roughly hourly departures
- Low Season Note
- Typically 6-9 departures daily in each direction; Sunday schedules may have reduced early morning and late evening services
- Peak Season Note
- Two services alternate trips on the hour from 7:00 AM until 10:00 PM; third service offers crossings on the half-hour from 7:30 to 9:30 PM
Ticket Prices
- Adult One Way
- MX$250
- Adult Round Trip
- MX$500
- Children Under 5
- Free
- Locals And Seniors
- Discounts available with ID; Quintana Roo residents and INAPAM seniors qualify
- Child 5 To 11 One Way
- MX$210
- Child 5 To 11 Round Trip
- MX$420
Ferry Operators
Ultramar
- Color
- Yellow and blue
- Vessel Type
- Modern catamarans
- Notes
- Larger operator; more modern fleet; consistent on-time performance
Winjet
- Color
- Orange and blue
- Vessel Type
- Modern ferries
- Notes
- Smaller competitor; similar boats; often slightly lower prices
Xcaret Xailing (Ferry Xcaret)
- Color
- Blue
- Vessel Type
- Modern ferries
- Notes
- Newer entrant since 2024; hourly departures; pet-friendly zones available
Onboard Amenities
- Pets
- Pet-friendly zones available; no crate or carrier needed; bicycles welcome free of charge
- Seating
- Assigned seating available
- Exterior
- Open-air decks
- Interior
- Air-conditioned cabins with panoramic windows
- Services
- WiFi, restrooms, bar service, snack bar, live music on some sailings, luggage storage
- Accessibility
- Designated seats and spaces for people with disabilities; wheelchair-accessible areas
Airport Ground Transport
Shared Shuttle
- Capacity
- 1-10 passengers
- Price One Way
- MX$200
- Price Round Trip
- MX$380
- Notes
- Starting price for downtown areas; zone-based pricing varies from $16-26 USD one-way; may have multiple stops; requires pre-booking 24 hours in advance
Private Car Transfer
- Capacity
- 1-3 passengers
- Price One Way
- MX$735
- Price Round Trip
- MX$1,385
- Notes
- Direct, non-stop service; available one-way or round-trip
Private Shuttle Van
- Capacity
- 1-8 passengers
- Notes
- Air-conditioned vehicles; direct service available
Private Minibus
- Capacity
- 4-10 passengers
- Notes
- For larger groups; prices available upon request
Taxi From Airport
- Price
- MX$700
- Notes
- Approximate fare to downtown; taxis do not pick up directly at airport terminal—must walk out and flag down or use Diego's restaurant at airport exit to call one
Car Rental
- Price Daily Weekly
- MX$315
- Notes
- Starting at $18 USD per day for weekly rentals with unlimited mileage; companies include ISIS Rentals, Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, National, Alamo; not available directly at airport terminal
Ground Transport On Island
Taxi
- Capacity
- Up to 5 passengers standard; larger vans hold up to 8
- Regulation
- Government-regulated zone-based pricing
- Additional Charges
- Phone call: +8 pesos; pickup from ferry pier/supermarket/taxi stand: +8 pesos; night service (midnight-6AM): +12 pesos; pickup from bar: +12 pesos; wait time: 140 pesos/hour; hourly rental in town: 200 pesos/hour
- Cruise Terminal Pricing
- Priced in USD, not pesos; example: Downtown $8 USD, Fiesta Americana $11 USD, Iberostar $19 USD
- Notes
- Ask rate before accepting ride; most taxis are white; rates vary for 1-5 people
Pricing Zone Example
- Downtown To Downtown
- MX$26
- Downtown To North Hotel Zone
- MX$75
- Downtown To South Hotel Zone
- MX$95
Collectivo (Shared Van)
- Routes
- Fixed routes marked on van windshields; all routes begin and end at Chedraui Plaza
- Restrictions
- No animals, smoking, or alcohol; scheduled stops only
- Price Per Ride
- MX$10
- Operating Hours
- 7 AM to 9 PM daily; Sundays service may be delayed
Child Pricing
- Under 3
- MX$4.00
- Students And Seniors
- MX$5.00
Car Rental
- Price Range Per Day
- MX$315
- Notes
- Companies include ISIS Rentals, Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, National, Alamo; vehicles include convertibles, jeeps, dune buggies, mopeds
Bicycle Rental
- Notes
- Available at several locations around town; affordable option for short distances
Golf Cart or Moped
- Notes
- Popular rentals for island exploration; mopeds can be dangerous for inexperienced drivers
Walking
- Notes
- Most attractions in central downtown (Centro) are within walking distance; primary option for downtown/Centro exploration
Airport
- Name
- Cozumel International Airport
- Gates
- 8
- Flights
- Both domestic and international flights
- Runways
- 2
- IATA Code
- CZM
- Icao Code
- MMCZ
- Terminals
- 1
- Distance From Center
- Central location on the island
- Arrival Checkpoint Info
- Single terminal facility, much smaller than nearby Cancun International Airport
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.
- 1.airport-cozumel.com
- 2.airport-cozumel.com
- 3.cozumel-tours.com
- 4.cozumel-tours.com
- 5.cozumel-tours.com
- 6.xcaret.com
- 7.thisiscozumel.com
- 8.ferryhopper.com
- 9.cozumelcruiseexcursions.net
- 10.cozinfo.com
- 11.everythingcozumel.com
- 12.cozumelvillas.com
- 13.aaa.com
- 14.lonelyplanet.com
- 15.cozumelconnection.com
- 16.xe.com
- 17.fred.stlouisfed.org
More About Cozumel
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.