When it comes to traveling to Mexico, most flights will arrive at the Cancun airport. This means travelers will need to determine how far it is from Cancun when staying in other places like Tulum.
The distance between Cancun and Tulum is 81 miles. As both Cancun and Tulum continue to draw travelers from all over the world with their magnificent ruins, fun-filled beaches, and cenotes, many travel options have emerged to make transit between these two places simple. For example, travelers can choose between the ADO bus, taxi services, airport shuttles, and more.
Continue reading to learn more about how far it is from Tulum to Cancun, including drive time and distance, as well as the top 5 best ways to get from Cancun to Tulum and more.
What is the Distance Between Cancun and Tulum?
There are 81.15 miles between Cancun and Tulum. It, therefore, takes approximately one hour and 48 minutes to get there by automobile. Fortunately, there are many travel options to help you get from Cancun to Tulum. For example, you can either drive yourself, hail a cab, take a bus, ride the Colectivo, or use an airport shuttle from Cancun.
What is the Drive Time Between Cancun and Tulum?
If you follow the Chetumal-Cancun route and there is little to no traffic, it should only take you about one hour and 49 minutes to get from the city of Cancun to Tulum in a car or other similar vehicle. Locals considered this the quickest route between the two locations.
On the other hand, if you go directly from Cancun International Airport to Tulum, your journey time will be only one hour and 35 minutes, or 67 miles. This will save you some time, but you’ll have to take the Chetumal-Carr route or the Tulum to Cancan-Mexico 307.
What Are Considered the Best 5 Ways to Get From Cancun to Tulum?
The ADO Bus
The ADO bus is the cheapest way to go from Cancun to Tulum. These buses are contemporary and equipped with both air conditioning and a TV that is always on. The air conditioning is sometimes, however, far too cold, so best to prepare accordingly.
Take note, however, that the route Cancun Tulum Cancun only has two rides each day. However, you can also take the ADO bus to Playa del Carmen, which comes more frequently, and then take either the ADO or the Colectivo to Tulum.
You can also view ADO timetables and purchase tickets for these buses online. An ADO bus ticket costs roughly $14 USD and takes approximately 2 hours to travel from Cancun to Tulum.
Taxi Service
If you wish to go privately from Cancun to Tulum, you must either rent a cab or a private shuttle that has been planned by a local business. Be aware that this is the fastest and most comfortable route but not the cheapest.
You can also use an Uber. Read more about it here: Does Cancun have Uber?
Considering transportation from Cancun International Airport is restricted, only approved businesses can access and operate at the airport. A cab ride from Cancun to Tulum will, therefore, cost you approximately $150 USD.
Airport Shuttle
Airport transfers are pre-planned modes of transportation that take passengers from an airport to their final location, which may be a hotel, cruise port, or some other local attraction.
The cost of an airport transport shuttle from Cancun to Tulum varies based on the season and the business. That being stated, you should examine numerous alternatives online and perhaps book before flying into Cancun International Airport.
Rent Your Own Car
Renting your own car when visiting Mexico can provide you with the luxury of being able to see new places at your own leisure. Fortunately, cars can be rented at the Cancun airport.
Overall, the best way to see all the incredible cenotes, archaeological sites, colonial cities, and other natural treasures is to drive about Tulum and the surrounding area with your own personal vehicle.
In contrast to other options, the cost of renting a car at the airport and city pick-up locations is not much different. So, consider hiring a car before the start of your journey to Mexico in order to avoid depending on buses or taxis, which can occasionally be irksome.
Also check out this article: Do You Need a Car in Tulum? (Best Options to Get Around)
Colectivos
Colectivos are shared vans that depart for their destinations while occasionally picking up and dropping off passengers en route. Although Colectivos are smaller and occasionally less cool in temperature than ADO buses, they are more affordable and speedier.
Every day, all day long, collectives go from Cancun to Playa del Carmen, then from Playa del Carmen to Tulum, and back. Depending on the distance, a ticket for one of these vehicles costs $20 to $40 pesos per passenger.
Related article: Best Way to Get Mexican Pesos
Since these shuttles are also speedier than ordinary buses, you should get to Tulum from Cancun in roughly 1.5 hours.
Final Thoughts
The Cancun airport is where the majority of planes arriving in Mexico land. This implies that when vacationing in other locations, like Tulum, travelers must calculate the distance from Cancun to their final destination and arrange transport.
Overall, there are 81 miles between Cancun and Tulum.
With its spectacular ruins, exciting beaches, and cenotes, Cancun and Tulum continue to draw tourists worldwide. As a result, several transportation choices have developed to make traveling between these two locations more straightforward. For example, travelers have the option to choose between the ADO bus, taxi services, airport shuttles, and colectivos, or renting their own car to get from Cancun to Tulum.
The ADO bus is the cheapest way to go from Cancun to Tulum. These buses are contemporary and equipped with both air conditioning and a TV that is always on. However, many people opt for Colectivos over this bus service since Colectivos are both quicker and cheaper than the ADO bus.
On the other hand, those looking for more personal travel options can also hail a private taxi, shuttle service, or rent their own car. Take note, however, that all of these travel options do vary in price. Therefore, it is considered best to do your research beforehand and pick a mode of transport that won’t break the bank as soon as you arrive in Cancun.
Related article: Can You Drive to Cancún From the United States?
