How to Get from Playa del Carmen to Cancun
Reviewed by Jean Nájera, Transportation Industry Expert
Need Cancun → Playa del Carmen? See the reverse guide.From Playa del Carmen to Cancun, the ADO bus is hard to beat: about US$8 per person and just over an hour to the downtown Cancun terminal.
Colectivos are even cheaper and leave every few minutes.
If you are two or more, or heading straight to a Hotel Zone resort, a private transfer from US$74 per vehicle takes you door to door in about an hour.
The detail everyone misses: “Cancun” can mean three places. Buses and colectivos go to downtown Cancun.
The Hotel Zone, where most resorts are, is another 20 to 30 minutes from there, and the airport is a separate trip south of the city.
If you are flying out, see Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport instead.
At a glance
- Distance: about 68 km north on Highway 307
- Cheapest: colectivo, about 60 to 100 MXN per person
- Best for most people: the ADO bus, about US$8 per person
- Best for two or more: a private transfer, from US$74 per vehicle, hotel to hotel
- Avoid: counting on Uber in Playa del Carmen. Pickups there are unreliable, so plan on a taxi, bus or booked transfer
Playa del Carmen to Cancun transport options
Compare fares and travel times, then select an option for pickup and booking details.
| Transport | Estimated fare | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| ADO busDirect public transport | Estimated fareUS$8per person | Travel time1h 05m to 1h 15m to downtown |
| ColectivoShared van | Estimated fare60 to 100 MXNper person | Travel timeAbout 1h to 1h 15m |
| Private transferHotel to hotel | Estimated fareFrom US$74per vehicle (1 to 7 people) | Travel timeAbout 1h |
| Rental carSelf-drive | Estimated fareVaries by rentalplus fuel | Travel timeAbout 1h |
| TaxiPoint to point | Estimated fareAgree the fare before you goper vehicle | Travel timeAbout 1h, depending on traffic |
Fares and travel times are estimates. Confirm current prices, pickup details, and departures before booking.
More routes from Playa del Carmen
1. ADO bus, the one I’d book
ADO buses leave from central Playa del Carmen, either the terminal on Fifth Avenue at Avenida Juárez or the one on Calle 12 bis (your ticket says which), and arrive at the ADO terminal in downtown Cancun.
The fare is US$8 per person, with buses taking 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes and departures from early morning through the afternoon.
The buses are air-conditioned with space for luggage underneath. The Cancun terminal is on Avenida Tulum, from where taxis and city buses run to the Hotel Zone.
My verdict: the best value for solo travelers and couples, especially if you are staying downtown. Book ahead in high season, when popular departures fill up.
Traveling light and staying downtown?
2. Colectivo, the cheapest and most frequent
Shared white vans to Cancun leave from Calle 2 Norte, between Avenidas 20 and 25, a few blocks from Fifth Avenue.
They leave as soon as they fill, usually every 5 to 10 minutes, cost about 60 to 100 MXN per person, and take roughly an hour to downtown Cancun, with stops along the highway.
My verdict: great for a day trip with a small bag. With big suitcases, the bus is more comfortable.
3. Private transfer, the best deal for groups
A driver picks you up at your hotel in Playa del Carmen and drops you at your hotel in Cancun, downtown or Hotel Zone, in about an hour.
GuateGo lists US$74 for 1 to 7 passengers, US$88 for 8 to 10 and US$145 for 11 to 16, per vehicle.
My verdict: the one I would book for families, groups, or anyone going straight to a Hotel Zone resort.
It saves the bus plus a taxi across Cancun.
Going straight to a Hotel Zone resort?
4. Rental car, if you want flexibility
The drive is about 68 km on Highway 307 and takes about an hour outside rush hour.
A car makes sense if you plan day trips from Cancun, but parking in the Hotel Zone can be limited and paid, so check with your hotel.
To compare prices, see rental cars in Playa del Carmen.
My verdict: only worth it if you will use the car afterwards. For a one-way trip, a transfer or the bus is simpler.
5. Taxi, a fallback
Taxis in Playa del Carmen do not use meters for long trips, so agree on the fare before you get in.
Uber pickups in Playa are unreliable because of local taxi restrictions, so do not count on one. For two or more people, a pre-booked private transfer is usually cheaper and has a fixed price.
My verdict: fine if you need to leave right away. Otherwise, book a transfer.
Arriving in Cancun
The ADO bus arrives at the downtown terminal on Avenida Tulum, and colectivos stop nearby on Avenida Tulum. Downtown hotels are often walkable from there.
For the Hotel Zone, take a taxi or Uber (Uber works in Cancun) for roughly 120 to 200 MXN, or the R-1 or R-2 city bus along Avenida Tulum for a few pesos, which runs the length of the Hotel Zone.
Haven’t booked a place yet?
See hotels in Cancun: downtown is cheaper and close to the bus, the Hotel Zone is where the beaches are.
Practical notes
Flying out? ADO runs buses straight to Cancun Airport, and a shuttle with hotel pickup goes there too. See Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport.
Carry pesos. Colectivos and taxis are cash only.
Going the other way? See our Cancun to Playa del Carmen guide.
Tours from Cancun
From Cancun, day trips to Isla Mujeres, Chichén Itzá and the cenotes are easy to book.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancun?
The ADO bus costs about US$8 per person to downtown Cancun.
How long does it take to get from Playa del Carmen to Cancun?
About 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes by ADO bus, about an hour by colectivo, car or private transfer, plus 20 to 30 minutes if you continue to the Hotel Zone.
Where do colectivos to Cancun leave from in Playa del Carmen?
From Calle 2 Norte, between Avenidas 20 and 25, a few blocks from Fifth Avenue. They leave when full, usually every 5 to 10 minutes.
Does the bus from Playa del Carmen go to the Cancun Hotel Zone?
The ADO bus goes to the downtown terminal on Avenida Tulum. From there, take a taxi, Uber or the R-1 or R-2 city bus to the Hotel Zone.
Is there Uber in Playa del Carmen?
Uber pickups in Playa del Carmen are unreliable because of local taxi restrictions. Uber works in Cancun, so you can use it once you arrive.
How much is a taxi from Playa del Carmen to Cancun?
Taxis do not use meters for this trip, so agree on the fare before you leave. For two or more people, a private transfer from US$74 per vehicle is often cheaper.
Can I take the bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport?
Yes, ADO runs direct buses to the airport. See our Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport guide for times and options.
What is the cheapest way from Playa del Carmen to Cancun?
The colectivo, for about 60 to 100 MXN per person. The ADO bus, at about US$8, is more comfortable with luggage.
Planning more of your Mexico trip?
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: ADO and private transfer fares and times from GuateGo’s live listings; colectivo fares and departure point, Cancun city bus and taxi ranges from local 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.
- 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.
