How to Get from Cancun Airport to Cozumel
Reviewed by Jean Nájera, Transportation Industry Expert
From Cancun Airport to Cozumel, book the ADO bus and ferry combo: US$38 per person on one ticket and about 3 hours, airport to island.
The bus takes you to Playa del Carmen, and the ferry crosses to Cozumel in 45 minutes.
For two or more, a private transfer to the Playa del Carmen pier from US$74 per vehicle is faster.
The detail everyone misses: there is no ferry from Cancun to Cozumel. Every option goes through Playa del Carmen, about an hour south of the airport.
The ADO terminal there is a short walk from the ferry pier.
At a glance
- Route: about 1 hour 15 minutes by road to Playa del Carmen, then 45 minutes by ferry
- Cheapest: ADO bus and ferry combo, US$38 per person
- Best for two or more: a private transfer to the Playa del Carmen pier, from US$74 per vehicle, plus the ferry
- Ferry only: US$23 per person from Playa del Carmen
- Avoid: looking for a ferry in Cancun. Boats from Cancun go to Isla Mujeres, not Cozumel
Cancun Airport to Cozumel transport options
Compare fares and travel times, then select an option for pickup and booking details.
| Transport | Estimated fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| ADO bus + ferryOne ticket, airport to island | Estimated fareUS$38per person | Travel timeAbout 2h 40m to 4h |
| Shuttle + ferryHotel-style pickup to the pier | Estimated fareUS$24 shuttleplus US$23 ferry per person | Travel timeAbout 2h 15m |
| Private transfer + ferryArrivals to the pier | Estimated fareFrom US$74per vehicle, plus ferry | Travel timeAbout 2h |
| Rental car + ferrySelf-drive, park in Playa | Estimated fareVaries by rentalplus parking and ferry | Travel timeAbout 2h |
Fares and travel times are estimates. Confirm current prices, pickup details, and departures before booking.
More routes from Cancun Airport
1. ADO bus + ferry, the one I’d book
One ticket covers the ADO bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen and the Ultramar ferry to Cozumel.
GuateGo lists 11 departures from 7:55 to 20:15, all at US$38 per person.
Door to door it takes 2 hours 40 minutes to about 4 hours, depending on how long you wait for the boat.
Buses leave from the airport terminals, and the ADO stop in Playa del Carmen is a few blocks from the pier.
My verdict: the simplest and cheapest option for solo travelers and couples, with departures through the day.
Want one ticket to the island?
2. Shuttle + ferry, a little faster
Shared shuttles run from the airport to Playa del Carmen in about an hour.
GuateGo lists them from US$24 per person, with departures from 8:00 to 20:00.
Ask to be dropped at the ferry pier, then buy the US$23 Ultramar ticket.
Bookaway lists combined options to Cozumel from about US$34, so compare both.
My verdict: worth it if you want a quicker road leg than the bus and do not mind buying the ferry separately.
Want to compare combined tickets?
3. Private transfer + ferry, best for groups
A driver meets you in arrivals and drops you at the ferry pier in Playa del Carmen in about an hour.
GuateGo lists private transfers to Playa del Carmen from US$74 per vehicle. Add the US$23 ferry per person.
My verdict: the one I would book for three or more people, or a family with luggage.
Two or more of you?
4. Rental car + ferry, if you are touring
The regular passenger ferry does not take cars. Most drivers park in a paid lot in Playa del Carmen and cross on foot.
To compare prices, see rental cars at Cancun Airport.
My verdict: only worth it if you will use the car on the mainland after Cozumel.
The ferry from Playa del Carmen
Ultramar ferries leave from the pier at the end of Calle 1 Sur, near Fifth Avenue.
GuateGo lists eight crossings a day from 8:00 to 22:00, at US$23 per person and about 45 minutes each.
The crossing can be rough in strong wind. If you get seasick, sit outside on the lower deck.
Arriving in Cozumel
The ferry docks in San Miguel, the island’s only town. Hotels in town are walkable, and taxis wait at the pier for hotels along the coast.
If you haven’t booked a place yet, see hotels in Cozumel. Staying in San Miguel keeps restaurants and the ferry close by.
Practical notes
Late flight? The last combo bus leaves the airport at 20:15. After that, take a transfer to Playa del Carmen and cross the next morning.
Small charter flights also fly to Cozumel, but they cost several times more than the bus and ferry.
Flying home? See Cozumel to Playa del Carmen for the ferry back.
Tours in Cozumel
Reef snorkeling, diving trips and beach clubs fill most days on Cozumel.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get from Cancun Airport to Cozumel?
From US$38 per person for the ADO bus and ferry combo.
How long does it take to get from Cancun Airport to Cozumel?
About 2 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours by bus and ferry, or about 2 hours with a private transfer and the ferry.
Is there a ferry from Cancun to Cozumel?
No. Ferries to Cozumel leave from Playa del Carmen. Boats from Cancun go to Isla Mujeres.
How much is the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?
US$23 per person one way with Ultramar. The crossing takes about 45 minutes.
What time is the last bus and ferry from Cancun Airport to Cozumel?
The last combo departure leaves the airport at 20:15.
Can I take my car to Cozumel?
Not on the passenger ferry from Playa del Carmen. Most visitors park on the mainland and cross on foot.
How much is a private transfer from Cancun Airport to the Cozumel ferry?
From US$74 per vehicle to Playa del Carmen, plus the ferry per person.
Can I fly from Cancun to Cozumel?
Small charter flights exist, but they cost far more than the bus and ferry.
Planning more of your Mexico trip?
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: ADO bus and ferry, shuttle, private transfer and Ultramar ferry fares, times and departures from GuateGo’s live listings; combined fares from Bookaway’s route page.
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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.
- About the Author
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Jean Nájera is the CEO of GuateGo, an online marketplace to buy transportation tickets in more than 200 cities. He has profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
