How To Get to Tulum, Mexico: 5 Easy Ways to Travel

Step into a new style of vacation in the Mexican Caribbean, leaving the oversized resorts of Cancun behind for the bohemian boutique hotels of Tulum. There’s no better way to enjoy a laidback and luxe escape. The best part? It’s easier than ever to get here, with a brand-new international airport welcoming direct flights from cities across Mexico, the United States, and around the world.

Our insider’s guide to how to get to Tulum includes options for travelers on every budget looking to start their vacation seamlessly. Read on for all the details you’ll need to plan your hassle-free trip to Tulum—at this point, we’ve tried it all!

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How To Get to Tulum

To be honest, Tulum has always been somewhat of a pain to get to. Some will say that’s part of what mercifully keeps it from turning into Cancun; I’ll just say it’s always been a big annoyance when you’re just looking forward to getting to the beach.

The brand-new Tulum International Airport certainly changes things when it comes to how to get to Tulum. However, there are plenty of reasons to consider one of the many other ways to get to Tulum as you plan your trip:

1. Fly into Tulum International Airport (Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport)
2. Take A Private Car with Driver
3. Rent a Car
4. Take a Shuttle
5. Take a Bus

Travelers committed to the idea of flying into Tulum directly – which is our top recommendation if you can make it work for your schedule, budget, and itinerary – should make sure to check out their airport transportation options before jumping in to buy their ticket. The newness of the airport and some restrictive taxi policies make it much more expensive than you might have been expecting.

If you’d prefer to travel via the Cancun International Airport, or even overland from other parts of Mexico, you’ll have plenty of additional options. Coming soon, too, is the Tren Maya (Maya Train) that is transforming transportation across the region as it gradually opens new routes. Read on for how to make every one of these options work for you.

1. Fly into Tulum International Airport

If you’re considering visiting Tulum, consider using the brand-new Tulum International Airport, which is located just over half an hour from town and only slightly longer from the beach. It makes the two-hour trek from the Cancun International Airport a thing of the past and gets you started on your Tulum vacation even faster.

The Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO), more commonly called the Tulum International Airport, first debuted in December 2023 and welcomed its first international flight from the United States in March 2024. While the airport doesn’t receive as many flights as you’ll find to Cancun, flights can be surprisingly cheap, depending on when and from where you’re traveling.

Tulum International Airport – Transportation

I can’t stress enough how important it is to understand the current transportation situation between the Tulum International Airport and central Tulum before choosing to fly into Tulum. Currently, limited taxi access to the airport means that taking a taxi from the airport to your hotel—even though the ride will be between 30 and 50 minutes—will cost anywhere from $175 and up. Yes, that’s the price in dollars. We can hear your jaw dropping from here.

Unless you’re willing to throw that kind of money around, we recommend booking a rental car from the airport, even if it means just using it for a day to get into the city. ADO bus service is also available from the airport to Tulum, so make sure to check the schedule on the ADO website before your arrival if you’re open to this more affordable option

2. Take a Private Car or Taxi

Taxis and private car transfers are by far the easiest way to reach Tulum, whether you’re flying into the Cancun International Airport or directly into Tulum. The ride from the Cancun International Airport to the hotel zone in Tulum is easily two hours without too much traffic, so the comfort and convenience of a private car make it well worth the expense.

Really, anywhere you go in Tulum or the surrounding area, you’ll be able to find private transport without too much effort – though it may be slightly more expensive than you’re probably hoping. Keep in mind that due to the layout of Tulum’s beach zone – there’s essentially just one main street that runs along the water, nothing more! – traffic can, at times, come to a standstill, especially in the high season of travel.

Read on for even more in-depth details and our recommendations for private car transfers to central Tulum from these destinations.

From Tulum International Airport

Taking a private car from the Tulum International Airport into town is the easiest way to travel, but you’ll probably be surprised by the price. Currently, limited taxi access to the airport means that taking a taxi from the airport to your hotel—even though the ride will be between 30 and 50 minutes—will cost anywhere from $175 and up.

Taxis are usually available and waiting at the airport for travelers without too much of a wait, but we recommend booking ahead with a reputable local transfer company. Cars tend to be nicer, and you’ll avoid any haggling if everything is taken care of in advance.

From Cancun International Airport

It’s more important to book your transfer from the Cancun International Airport to Tulum than it is from the Tulum airport simply because of the distance – the ride tends to be at least two hours. Make sure to book in advance if you’re planning to travel by private car – it will make your trip totally hassle-free, especially in those first moments when you’re coming out of the airport.

3. Rent a Car

Renting a car is one of the best ways to reach Tulum, regardless of where you’re traveling from. While the daily price of a rental car can vary greatly depending on when you’re visiting Tulum, it tends to be a relatively affordable option that can end up saving you plenty of money if you’re planning to do a fair amount of exploring during your stay.

If you’re set on renting a car to travel to Tulum, I recommend booking with Discover Cars. This platform compares quotes from both international and local car rental companies, which helps you save a lot of money! I’ve used them multiple times and have never had anything but a pleasant experience.

Despite the many benefits of renting a car in Tulum, there are some logistical concerns to keep in mind if you’re choosing this for your stay. Importantly, you’ll need to find a place to stay that includes parking, and this can be more challenging if you’re staying within the Parque Nacional del Jaguar (Jaguar National Park) area of Tulum at favorite spots like Mi Amor or Mezzanine.

With so many travelers looking forward to a stay in Tulum simply to stick around at their beachfront hotel or perhaps visit a few beach clubs or restaurants within walking distance, paying for a rental car might end up being an unnecessary expense.

Read More: Where To Stay in Tulum: Best Neighborhoods + Accommodation Guide

4. Take a Shuttle

Taking one of the many shuttles that arrive daily in Tulum is a great compromise between the comfort of a private car and the affordability of a bus. These minibus shuttles are one of the most comfortable and hassle-free ways to get to Tulum.

Of course, the most popular shuttle routes to Tulum connect the Cancun International Airport with Tulum, as it was always the main international gateway to Tulum prior to the introduction of the city’s own airport. For travelers arriving in Cancun but headed to Tulum, this is our top recommendation for how to get to Tulum.

However, you’ll also find shuttles to Tulum from other areas of Cancun and from Playa del Carmen as well. While some shuttles – particularly those from the airport – are so frequent that you aren’t required to make a reservation in advance, we always recommend that travelers do so, just to ensure you’re able to find a shuttle that fits your itinerary.

5. Take a Bus

Looking for how to get to Tulum on a backpacker-friendly budget? You’ll want to plan on taking a bus, whether you’re traveling from the Tulum International Airport, Cancun, or other areas of Mexico.

Tulum is quite well connected by bus to other areas of Mexico, especially Playa del Carmen and Cancun, which offer dozens of daily buses between the cities.

Even though buses to Tulum are quite affordable (anywhere from $8 per person, depending on the route you’re taking), they tend to be quite nice buses, airconditioned, and kept relatively clean for a comfortable ride. While there are several bus companies in the area, ADO buses are by far the most common and my top recommendation. The website is easy to navigate and shows up-to-date timetables that make it a breeze to plan your travel to Tulum.

The Tulum bus station is located in the heart of town (Tulum Centro) along the main street known as the 307. Once you arrive, you can either walk if your hotel is close enough or hop into one of the many taxis that wait in the area – just make sure to agree on the price of your trip first!

Read More: Tulum vs. Cancún: An Insider’s Guide

BONUS: Biking in Tulum

If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly way to travel around once you’re in Tulum, consider renting a bike. A full-day bike rental usually costs $6-12, making it affordable for many active travelers.

It’s an especially popular choice among those looking to stay in Tulum Centro but who want to visit the beach. When you’re stuck in a taxi in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Tulum’s singular beachfront road, you’ll wish you were on a bike instead.