How to Get from Tulum to Palenque
Reviewed by Jean Nájera, Transportation Industry Expert
From Tulum to Palenque, the overnight ADO bus is the way to go: US$71 to US$77 per person for about 11 hours 45 minutes, leaving Tulum in the evening and reaching Palenque in Chiapas early the next morning.
Cheaper AU buses cost US$54 to US$58 but take about an hour longer. There is no direct flight, and the Tren Maya needs a night in Bacalar or Chetumal on the way.
The detail everyone misses: Palenque is in Chiapas, one hour behind Tulum.
The 21:10 bus arrives at about 7:55 Palenque time, which is an 11 hour 45 minute ride, not the 10 hours 45 minutes the clocks suggest.
At a glance
- Route: south via Chetumal and Escárcega, then into Chiapas
- Fastest: ADO first-class bus, about 11 hours 45 minutes
- Cheapest: AU bus from US$54
- Departures: four evening buses, from 16:20 to 23:00
- Arrive at: the ADO terminal in Palenque town, about 8 km from the ruins
- Time zone: Palenque is one hour behind Tulum
Tulum to Palenque transport options
Compare fares and travel times, then select an option for departures and booking details.
| Transport | Estimated fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| ADO overnight bus16:20 and 21:10 | Estimated fareUS$71 to US$77per person | Travel timeAbout 11h 45m |
| AU economy bus19:55 and 23:00 | Estimated fareUS$54 to US$58per person | Travel timeAbout 12h 30m to 12h 40m |
| Tren Maya via ChetumalOvernight stop needed | Estimated fareAbout 1,270 to 1,630 pesosper person, two trains, by fare category | Travel timeTwo days |
| Rental carLeave when you like | Estimated fareCar hire + fuelplus any one-way fee | Travel timeAbout 9.5 to 10h |
Fares and travel times are estimates. Confirm current prices and departures before traveling.
More routes from Tulum
1. ADO overnight bus, the one I’d book
ADO runs first-class buses from the main Tulum terminal on Avenida Tulum to its terminal in Palenque town at 16:20 and 21:10.
Bookaway lists them at US$71 to US$77 depending on the class.
The 21:10 bus reaches Palenque at about 7:55 local time, and the 16:20 bus at about 3:05 in the morning. Some listings show these buses an hour earlier, which mixes up the two time zones.
The night bus saves a hotel night, and from a 7:55 arrival you can be at the ruins by about 8:30. Seats recline, there is a toilet on board, and the air conditioning runs cold.
My verdict: book the 21:10. Arriving at about 7:55 is far easier than finding a room at 3 a.m.
Want a confirmed seat?
2. AU economy bus, the cheapest option
AU (Autobuses Unidos), the economy line of the ADO group, leaves the same Tulum terminal at 19:55 and 23:00 for US$54 to US$58.
The ride takes about 12 hours 30 minutes to 12 hours 40 minutes, arriving at about 7:30 and 10:40 Palenque time, with more stops and less legroom than first class.
My verdict: fine if you sleep anywhere and want to save about US$15 to US$20. Pick the 19:55 for a morning arrival.
Saving money?
3. Tren Maya via Chetumal, a two-day trip
The Tren Maya reaches Palenque, but not in one ride from Tulum.
Southbound trains from Tulum run to Bacalar and Chetumal, and the train to Palenque leaves early the next morning, reaching Palenque in the early afternoon.
Fare guides list roughly 1,270 to 1,630 pesos for the two trains in tourist class, depending on how early you book.
Press reports say the separate foreigner rate was cut in April 2026, when the Tren Maya introduced a lower Turista México fare, but some fare guides still list it, so check the fare category offered when booking.
Palenque station is about 2 km north of town, and an ADO shuttle meets the trains and runs to the bus terminal for about 35 pesos.
My verdict: only worth it if you want to break the journey, for example with a stop at Bacalar.
Check the official timetable before you plan around it.
4. Rental car, a long day on the road
The drive follows Highway 307 south toward Chetumal, then Highway 186 west to Escárcega and on into Chiapas. Plan on about 9.5 to 10 hours without long stops.
Long stretches pass through jungle with little traffic, so fill up in the larger towns and avoid driving after dark.
My verdict: only for road-trippers who want to stop at Bacalar or Calakmul. Compare rental cars on Booking.com and check the one-way fee.
Step by step: Tulum to the Palenque ruins
- Book a day or two ahead. Only four buses a day make this run.
- Go to the ADO terminal on Avenida Tulum. Arrive 30 minutes early with your passport.
- Settle in for the night. Bring a jacket, earplugs and snacks, as stops are short.
- Expect checkpoints. Buses into Chiapas can be stopped for document checks, so keep your passport handy.
- Set your watch back one hour. Chiapas runs one hour behind Quintana Roo.
- Take a colectivo to the ruins. White vans marked “Ruinas” pass the ADO terminal and reach the site in about 20 minutes.
What it costs for 1, 2 or 4 people
| Option | 1 person | 2 people | 4 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADO first class | US$71 to US$77 | US$142 to US$154 | US$284 to US$308 |
| AU economy | US$54 to US$58 | US$108 to US$116 | US$216 to US$232 |
| Colectivo to the ruins | About 20 to 40 pesos | About 40 to 80 pesos | About 80 to 160 pesos |
The overnight bus also saves you a hotel night, so the real cost is lower than the fare suggests.
Which option should you choose?
- Most travelers: the 21:10 ADO bus, arriving at about 7:55.
- On a tight budget: the 19:55 AU bus.
- Want to break the trip: the Tren Maya with a night in Chetumal or Bacalar.
- On a road trip: a rental car, with stops on the way.
Arriving in Palenque
ADO buses arrive at the bus terminal in Palenque town, on the main avenue near the center. The archaeological site is about 8 km west along the road to the ruins.
Colectivos to the ruins pass the roundabout outside the terminal every 10 to 15 minutes during the day and cost about 20 to 40 pesos.
Taxis wait outside too, and ride-hailing apps are not a reliable option in Palenque.
Most hotels in town are a short walk or taxi ride away.
Hotels on the road to the ruins are 2 to 6 km out, so take a taxi with luggage.
Entry is paid in two parts, a national park fee and a separate INAH ticket, so check both on arrival.
Bring cash in pesos for both.
Palenque: things to do and where to stay
Palenque is one of the most atmospheric Maya cities, with temples rising out of the Chiapas rainforest. Arrive at 8:00 to see the Temple of the Inscriptions and the Palace before the heat and crowds.
Beyond the ruins, day trips visit the Misol-Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls and the remote sites of Yaxchilán and Bonampak on the Guatemalan border.
Which area to stay in
- Palenque town: close to the ADO terminal, restaurants and colectivos to the ruins.
- La Cañada: a leafy neighborhood on the edge of town with quieter, more stylish hotels.
- The road to the ruins: jungle hotels and cabins 2 to 6 km out, closest to the site.
Best places to stay in and around Palenque
- Boutique Hotel Quinta Chanabnal: an eight-suite hotel styled as a Maya royal residence, about 2 km out on the road to the ruins, with a rock pool, waterfalls and a temazcal spa.
- Chan-Kah Resort Village: garden villas at km 3 on the road to the ruins, close to El Panchán, with a pool and a full-service spa.
- Hotel Mision Palenque: a 208-room full-service hotel on the eastern edge of town, with a pool, gardens and a spa.
- Hotel Maya Tulipanes: a 72-room hotel on leafy La Cañada, with a shaded pool and breakfast included, a short taxi ride from the ADO terminal.
The buses do not stop at the jungle hotels. Take a taxi from the ADO terminal or ask your hotel to collect you.
Practical tips for the trip
Carry your passport. You may be asked for it at checkpoints on the way into Chiapas.
Bring cash. The park and ruins fees, colectivos and many small restaurants take pesos only.
Use a VPN on bus and hotel Wi-Fi. Shared networks on long trips are easy to snoop on, so connect through ExpressVPN before you book or bank.
Pack for rain. Palenque is wet and humid most of the year, so bring a light rain jacket and insect repellent.
Planning more of the Yucatán first? Bacalar is on the way south, and from Mérida the Tren Maya continues to Palenque via Campeche.
If you have a spare day before the long ride, Chichén Itzá from Tulum makes a good warm-up for Palenque.
Tours from Palenque
Popular tours combine the ruins with the Misol-Ha and Agua Azul waterfalls, or head to Yaxchilán and Bonampak for a full day.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Tulum to Palenque?
Take an overnight bus from the ADO terminal on Avenida Tulum. ADO first class costs US$71 to US$77 and AU economy US$54 to US$58.
How long is the bus from Tulum to Palenque?
About 11 hours 45 minutes on ADO and about 12.5 hours on AU. Palenque is one hour behind Tulum, so the clock times look shorter.
What time do buses leave Tulum for Palenque?
Bookaway lists ADO at 16:20 and 21:10 and AU at 19:55 and 23:00.
Where does the bus arrive in Palenque?
At the ADO terminal in Palenque town, about 8 km from the ruins. Colectivos marked “Ruinas” pass outside.
Is there a train from Tulum to Palenque?
Not in one go. You ride the Tren Maya south to Bacalar or Chetumal, stay the night and take the early-morning train, which reaches Palenque in the early afternoon.
Is Palenque in a different time zone from Tulum?
Yes. Palenque is in Chiapas, one hour behind Tulum in Quintana Roo.
Do I need my passport on the bus to Palenque?
Carry it. Buses heading into Chiapas can be stopped at checkpoints for document checks.
How do I get from Palenque town to the ruins?
Take a colectivo marked “Ruinas” from near the ADO terminal for about 20 to 40 pesos, or a taxi. The ride takes about 20 minutes.
More routes to Palenque
No inbound routes found for this city yet.
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: bus fares and times from Bookaway’s live listings; train times and fares from the Tren Maya timetable and recent traveler reports; local transport details from travel guides.
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AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
