Getting from Cancun International Airport (CUN) to the hotel zone is not straightforward at all. If you’ve booked all inclusive, a shuttle bus with the hotel or airline will be pre-arranged. Head to the ground transportation layover area (every terminal has their own separate shuttle bus waiting area) and connect with your ride.If not, check out the ways to get from CUN to the hotel zone. Ground transportation from Cancun Airport to the hotel zone is a mess so we suggest pre booking ahead of time to avoid stressing out over being ripped off for a ride by aggressive taxi drivers. There is no train service nor express buses from the Airport. Tren Maya serves Cancun Airport (with a free shuttle bus service called Conexión Intermodal Tren Maya) but is an intercity railway connecting the Cancun and the Airport with the Yucatan peninsula – not to the hotel zone or downtown Cancun. Book Tren Maya tickets here.
Safety Note:
Be aware of aggressive solicitation for rides by taxi drivers as soon as you exit the customs area. Remain focused and walk past them towards the ground transportation layover areas for buses.
Terminal Note:
Cancun Airport has 4 terminals with little pedestrian infrastructure between them. There is a shuttle bus connecting the terminals running every 30 minutes. More importantly, each terminal has a large bus layover facility to accommodate shuttle buses to resorts and urban areas throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Learn more about transportation safety in and around Cancun Airport.
Option 1: ADO Bus – R1 Bus
- Travel time: 1 hour
- ADO is the primary intercity bus service serving Cancun Airport. These intercity style buses stop at every terminal at Cancun International Airport and head to downtown Cancun.
- It’s important to note that ADO does not specifically head to the hotel zone. But rather downtown Cancun. From the bus terminal in Cancun take a local R1 bus from the intercity bus terminal to the hotel zone.
- Fare is about $140MXN pesos for ADO and $12MXN pesos for the R1 bus. Travel time is 1 hour.
- Note: The ADO bus is an affordable option but less convenient if you are carrying luggage.
- Note: The R1 bus is primarily a local service for workers in the hotel zone with little-to-no space for luggage. So if the bus is crowded during peak periods, you won’t have any luggage storage.
- Cheapest
Option 2: Shuttle Bus
- Travel time: 20-30 minutes
- Being a major tourism destination like Cancun, there are plenty of shuttle services to choose from to get from Cancun Airport to the hotel zone. We highly recommend booking in advance to avoid mark ups and gouging at the airport.
- Head to the ground transportation layover area (every terminal has their own separate shuttle bus waiting area) and connect with your ride.
- Booking a shuttle bus before landing is extremely important. Otherwise you open yourself up to being ripped off and price gouged. Take your time and research every option before booking. To help you get started- check out these shuttle bus options and compare:
- Official Cancun Airport Transportation Page
- Canada Transfers
- Cancun Shuttle
- CARM Transfers
- Entertainment Plus
- Happy Shuttle
- USA Transfers
- Expect to pay about $500MXN pesos for a ride.
- Note: Be sure to tip. The Cancun and Mayan tourism industry are heavily dependent on tips.
Option 3: Taxi
- Travel time: 20-30 minutes
- Taxis from Cancun Airport are tricky. There are plenty of rides available but be very cautious accepting rides from aggressive drivers. Be sure to check if the taxi is registered and licensed.
- Note: Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are not legally allowed to serve Cancun Airport. You can, however, use ride share services within Cancun and the hotel zone
- Expect to pay about $100MXN pesos for a ride.