How to Get from Tulum to Cozumel
Reviewed by Jean Nájera, Transportation Industry Expert
Need Cozumel → Tulum? See the reverse guide.From Tulum to Cozumel, book the ADO bus and ferry combo: US$33 per person and about 4 hours, with the Ultramar ferry from Playa del Carmen included.
GuateGo lists six departures a day, from 8:10 to 17:35.
The detail everyone misses: the combo includes waiting time in Playa del Carmen for the next ferry. Booking the bus and ferry separately can be quicker if your timing lines up.
At a glance
- Route: about 1 hour by road to Playa del Carmen, then a 45-minute ferry
- One ticket: ADO bus and ferry combo, US$33 per person
- Split it: bus to Playa del Carmen from US$5, then the ferry for US$23
- Best for groups: private transfer to the Playa del Carmen pier, from US$125
- Avoid: the late departures, which reach Cozumel after 20:30
Tulum 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, six departures a day | Estimated fareUS$33per person | Travel timeAbout 3h 35m to 4h 15m |
| Bus, then the ferryTwo tickets | Estimated fareFrom US$5 + US$23per person | Travel timeAbout 2h to 2h 30m with good timing |
| Private transfer + ferryHotel to the Playa del Carmen pier | Estimated fareFrom US$125per vehicle, plus ferry | Travel timeAbout 1h 45m |
| Rental car + ferryPark in Playa del Carmen | Estimated fareVaries by rentalplus ferry and parking | Travel timeAbout 1h 45m |
Fares and travel times are estimates. Confirm current prices, pickup details, and departures before booking.
More routes from Tulum
1. ADO bus + ferry, the one-ticket option
One ticket covers the ADO bus to Playa del Carmen and the Ultramar ferry to the maritime terminal in San Miguel.
GuateGo lists six departures, from 8:10 to 17:35, for US$33 per person.
The trip takes about 4 hours. The 8:10 departure is the quickest, reaching Cozumel around 11:45.
My verdict: the easy choice if you want one ticket. Take a morning departure for the best connection.
Want one ticket to Cozumel?
2. Bus to Playa del Carmen, then the ferry
Bookaway lists ADO buses to Playa del Carmen from US$5, about 50 minutes, and shared minivans from US$9. GuateGo lists ADO buses for US$9.
From the Playa del Carmen pier, the Ultramar ferry costs US$23 and takes about 45 minutes. The ferry pier is a short walk from the ADO terminal on Quinta Avenida.
My verdict: the cheapest and often the quickest, if you check the ferry times first.
Want to split the trip?
3. Private transfer + ferry, for groups
A driver picks you up at your hotel and takes you to the Playa del Carmen pier in about 1 hour.
GuateGo lists private transfers from US$125 for up to 7 people.
You pay the ferry separately, US$23 per person.
My verdict: worth it for families and groups who want to catch a specific ferry.
4. Rental car + ferry, if you are touring
Drive to Playa del Carmen in about 1 hour, park, and cross on foot. The passenger ferry does not take cars.
To compare prices, see rental cars in Tulum.
My verdict: only if you will use the car on the mainland afterwards.
Arriving in Cozumel
The Ultramar ferry docks at the maritime terminal on Avenida Rafael Melgar in San Miguel, the island’s only town.
Hotels in town are walkable, and taxis wait at the pier.
If you haven’t booked a place yet, see hotels in Cozumel. Staying in San Miguel keeps restaurants and the ferry close.
Practical notes
The ADO terminal is in Tulum town, on Avenida Tulum. From the beach hotels, allow 15 to 20 minutes by taxi.
Check the ferry times. Ultramar runs about every one to two hours, so a missed boat can mean a long wait.
Heading back to Tulum? See our Cozumel to Tulum guide.
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 Tulum to Cozumel?
US$33 per person for the ADO bus and ferry combo, or from about US$28 if you book the bus and ferry separately.
How long does it take to get from Tulum to Cozumel?
About 4 hours with the combo, or around 2 hours if your bus and ferry line up.
Is there a direct ferry from Tulum to Cozumel?
No. The Cozumel ferry leaves from Playa del Carmen, about an hour north.
Is the ferry included in the ticket?
Yes, the GuateGo combo includes the Ultramar ferry.
How much is the ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel?
US$23 per person with Ultramar, about 45 minutes.
What time is the first bus from Tulum to Cozumel?
The first combo departure leaves Tulum at 8:10 and reaches Cozumel around 11:45.
Can I take a car to Cozumel?
Not on the passenger ferry. Park in Playa del Carmen and cross on foot.
Where does the ferry arrive in Cozumel?
At the maritime terminal on Avenida Rafael Melgar, in San Miguel.
Planning more of your Mexico trip?
Prices last verified: November 2026. Sources: combo, ADO and private transfer fares from GuateGo’s live listings; buses and minivans from Bookaway; ferry details from Ultramar.
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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.
