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How to get from Cancun to Tulum
The simplest way is an ADO bus from Cancun's downtown terminal or the airport, about 2 h to 2 h 30 for roughly MXN 250–450. Driving Highway 307 takes about 2 h, and the Tren Maya also links Cancun Airport station with Tulum station, though departures are few.
Best option: Bus. ADO buses run often, are cheap and drop you in Tulum town, while the train stations sit outside the centre.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus ADO first-class buses from Cancun bus terminal (downtown) or Cancun Airport terminals to Tulum's ADO station in town | about 2 h – 2 h 30 | many departures a day, roughly every hour or more | about MXN 250–450 | Buy on the ADO website/app or at the terminal; bring a layer, the air conditioning is strong. |
| car Federal Highway 307 south via Playa del Carmen | about 2 h | fuel only, no tolls on Highway 307 | Watch for speed bumps (topes) and police checkpoints; many Tulum hotels charge for parking near the beach. | |
| train Tren Maya from Cancun Aeropuerto station to Tulum station | roughly 1 h 45 – 2 h | only a few departures a day | about MXN 300–700 depending on class | Both stations are outside the centres, so add a taxi at each end; check current timetables on the Tren Maya site. |
| taxi Private transfer or shuttle from Cancun Airport | about 1 h 45 – 2 h | on demand | about MXN 2,000–3,500 per vehicle | Book a licensed transfer in advance; airport taxi prices are high. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
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Tips
- Cancun Airport has direct ADO buses to Tulum, so you don't need to go into Cancun city first.
- Tulum town and Tulum beach/hotel zone are a few kilometres apart; budget for a taxi or bike.
- Carry pesos in cash for taxis and colectivos.
- Colectivo vans also run along Highway 307 from Playa del Carmen to Tulum if you break the trip there.
Common questions
Is there a train from Cancun to Tulum?
Yes, the Tren Maya links Cancun Aeropuerto station with Tulum station, taking roughly 1 h 45 to 2 h. Departures are limited, and both stations lie outside the town centres, so you will need taxis at each end. For most travellers the ADO bus is more practical and cheaper. Check the current Tren Maya timetable before planning around it.
What is the cheapest way from Cancun to Tulum?
The ADO bus is the cheapest comfortable option, at about MXN 250–450 one way. A slightly cheaper but slower alternative is a colectivo van from Playa del Carmen after a bus there. Taxis and private transfers cost many times more, though they can make sense for a group of three or four with luggage arriving at the airport.
Can I go straight from Cancun Airport to Tulum?
Yes. ADO buses leave from Cancun Airport terminals directly to Tulum several times a day, taking about 2 h to 2 h 30. Buy the ticket at the ADO counter in arrivals or online. Private transfers and rental cars from the airport are also common. Tulum also has its own international airport south of town, worth checking for flights.
Do I need to book the bus in advance?
Outside holidays you can usually buy an ADO ticket at the terminal on the day. During Christmas, Easter week and summer weekends, buses can fill up, so buying online or in the ADO app a day or two ahead is safer. Arrive 20–30 minutes early, because luggage goes in the hold and boarding starts before departure.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.