Bus travel from Tulum to Cancun

[Solbound]

Hola everyone! We couldn't quite find all the info we were looking for on this. When we leave Tulum :( , we had planned on taking the ADO bus back to Cancun. We found the schedule but it just says back to Cancun (not the Aeropuerto - no info?) So does anyone know if this bus goes to the downtown or to the airport or both??? I guess it would not be a big deal to grab a cab from downtown back to the airport anyway. We will alter plans to take a cab from Tulum but if we can save that money for something more tangible....and being both Virgos, we prefer to have stuff in order. We do plan on checking at the bus station early in our stay in Tulum to confirm one way or the other. Thanks for any info.

[redhed]

Hey Solbound....I just talked to Mrs Solbound on the fone...she told me you had signed up here. Way to go!

I think you shud take the bus from Tulum to Playa del Carmen downtown bus station and there are buses there that will take you directly to the airport. Take a look in the bus station in Playa when you are staying at Luna Blue for times etc....just walk south on 5th Avenue towards the ferry dock and you will see the bus terminal on the right just before the Coz ferry. It runs every hour or so to the airport.

Hope you guys have a wonderful trip and we may be joining you for a day of adventure! :)

[kimba]

I took the bus from Tulum to the Cancun airport. It had one stop in Playa del Carmen.

Just ask when you go to buy your ticket to take a bus that goes to the airport. I think the schedule says Cancun Aeroporto, but I could be wrong. But they leave regularly.

Because I bus around so much when I travel, I make it a point to get info a few days ahead of time. Like if I'm going from Tulum to Coba on the bus I'll also ask about the airport schedule for a few days from now. I'd much rather ask when I'm there than to rely on schedules on the internet. (it's the techie in me ...)

[beachreader]

Kimba, so you can stay on the same bus, just wait through the stop? That would be great. I'd always heard you have to change buses to get from Tulum to the airport, adding another layer of hassle to the journey (moving luggage around). I think I'm still a car renter to my core, but it's definitely good to know that, thanks.

[kimba]

I did not get off the bus in PDC. It didn't even stop for very long, mostly just to pick up passengers.

Although, like I said, you should check with the person at the window in the bus station in Tulum to make sure you are going direct and not having to change buses.

Also, there may be some buses/schedules where you do have to change and some where you don't. Just find out which are which and take the right one and you're set.

[beachreader]

That's great, thanks Kimba!

[Solbound]

Thanks Kimba and Redhead. We will definitely confirm arrangements early in our stay in Tulum. But then again wouldn't it be cool just to say the heck with it and miss the bus........Darn, responsibility gets in the way again!

Redhead - Talked with Mrs Solbound and definitely would be cool to get together. Also check out Kimba's links to her photos and travels including Ek Balam. Very interesting.

[kimba]

I hope that's a *good* very interesting : ) Thanks!

[Solbound]

Kimba: As a friend of mine from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia likes to say, "Its all good". And we just took a quick look re our current focus (8 days to go). Your photos certainly intrigued and excited us about our upcoming vacation; re-confirms some of our choices! We are looking forward to further exploring your work.

[redhed]

Solbound....thank you for pointing out Kimba's site....it is wonderful!

Kimba.....you have truly captured the essence of this wonderful Mayan paradise. Your pictures are breathtaking. I'm sure I see photos of my favourite city ... Merida. I have seen many ruins in the Yucatan but hope to see Ek Balam for the first time as well as Valladolid next month. Your site has inspired me!

[kimba]

Thanks redead and Solbound! I'm planning my next trip to be a little longer so I can not only get to some of the smaller sites, but also reshoot the sites I've been to with my dSLR and fill a couple of journals with drawings and notes.

Yes, Merida is in there. I'd like to spend some more time wandering around that city too.

[TnTWalter]

I've read that you take a colective between Tulum and PDC and an ADO bus between PDC and Cancun....so confusing...

The ADO bus is really nice and costs $8 each way...the Colectivo is like a beefed up van and costs $2 each way.

Then cab from Pueblo to our hotel...$6 each way!!! Crazy!
LOL.

Am I confused? Wouldn't surprise me.

Thanks.

We're planning on enjoying the colectivo experience as we did in Ixtapa/Zihua last year. So easy and cheap and a little cultural.

We're also planning to bike to Pueblo to catch a colectivo to Gran[d] cenote...I think again that's what I catch...still researching that. LOL.

[Gale in KY]

Collectivos only run the Playa/Tulum corridor of 307, they don't go all the way into Cancun.

To/From the Cancun airport to Playa, take the ADO bus. $8.00 or $800 Pesos. Cabs that are licensed to run from the airport are mega expensive, but returning to the airport (they are allowed to drop off, but not pick up without that license) it's much more reasonable. These are the only "public transport" choices from the airport..cab or bus.

Once you get to Playa, you have more choices..collectivo, taxi or bus.


To/From Playa to Tulum, ADO bus is $420 Pesos.

My personal preference is the ADO bus from the airport to Playa and then on to Tulum, rather than mess with a collectivo. It's much more comfortable and you won't be stopping every few miles to pick up/drop off people.

[bellydancer]

Trish you've got it down pat!! :) Bus price is right...never taken the collectivos so don't know about the price on them from PDC to Tulum. Also don't think you can take alot of luggage on the collectivos.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7d739b3127ccebbb32e0f4d1000000056100AcsmjVm0ct2 LA

[TnTWalter]

Godo to know that ADO goes from PDC to Tulum...perhaps I've just forgotten along the way....but somehow I thought I had to switch to colectivo. And now I hear that I don't have to get off the bus when it stops in PDC. Is this true? How cool is that. I can get on at the airport and say Tulum....and voila? Awesome. Slap my behind and call me Sally! Woo Hoo.:bus:

My guess is it would be another $8 from PDC to Tulum so $16 each way then...that's a cheap trip with only a stop in the middle.
More :margarita::need-coffee: and:eat-drink: Life is good.

[Gale in KY]

I am not sure if you have to de-bus and reboard in Playa for Tulum, but I doubt it. I am pretty sure you buy your ticket to Tulum right at the airport. The price from Playa to Tulum is $420 pesos (as of a couple of weeks ago), so add that to the $800 pesos from airport to Cancun..and it might be a bit cheaper than that if you purchase all at one time...but figure about $1220MXP.

[Solbound]

Thanks again everyone! I think us Virgos are ready to go. Flying early Sunday from Toronto to Cancun via Washington. First week in PDC and Coz. After exploring the forum more we are almost thinking we should have done both weeks in Tulum. Oh well the one week should be wicked enough. More of an excuse to come back again...and again... and again.....!

[mayaflya]

Thanks again everyone! I think us Virgos are ready to go. Flying early Sunday from Toronto to Cancun via Washington. First week in PDC and Coz. After exploring the forum more we are almost thinking we should have done both weeks in Tulum. Oh well the one week should be wicked enough. More of an excuse to come back again...and again... and again.....!

You'll love Cancun! Millions do! ;-)

[Solbound]

Yeah no kidding. We've been through the airport a few times. The less time spent in Cancun the better! Never had any desire to spend anytime there.

[minniemex]

Collectivos only run the Playa/Tulum corridor of 307, they don't go all the way into Cancun.

To/From the Cancun airport to Playa, take the ADO bus. $8.00 or $800 Pesos. Cabs that are licensed to run from the airport are mega expensive, but returning to the airport (they are allowed to drop off, but not pick up without that license) it's much more reasonable. These are the only "public transport" choices from the airport..cab or bus.

Once you get to Playa, you have more choices..collectivo, taxi or bus.


To/From Playa to Tulum, ADO bus is $420 Pesos.

My personal preference is the ADO bus from the airport to Playa and then on to Tulum, rather than mess with a collectivo. It's much more comfortable and you won't be stopping every few miles to pick up/drop off people.

Gale do you have one too many zeros on your peso conversions??:rolleyes:

[beachreader]

She's anticipating inflation. :)

[Gale in KY]

Hey, I can add...heehee..I just can't type. LOLOL!

I think it's a lfew pesos less from Airport to/from Tulum than it is if you price it to/from Playa. Whatever the cost, it is so worth it..busses are very nice, clean, comfy seats, ac, and I will definitely use them again! You even get a movie (US) dubbed in Spanish! :bus::eat-drink::eat-drink: Two Thumbs up!

[illumine]

Hi everyone! I'm leaving for Tulum Wednesday morning (!!!). First time going and have been stalking this forum for ages - you all are so helpful!

I'd like to take the bus from the Cancun airport to Tulum. It seems easy enough - my question is: Whereabouts do you get the bus in the airport? I'd like to have a sense of direction so I can move through the airport and avoid tour-sellers, etc! Also - do you know if you can pay the bus fare in US $, since I'd prefer not to go to an ATM in the airport (would rather wait until Tulum!).


I would love PMs from anyone who has knowledge they'd like to impart, essentials to bring, etc.

Thanks!

[minniemex]

Just got an email from Laura the Mapchick and this info was included with her email so I thought I would pass it on.

New airport bus price effective 12/1/2008:
The bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen is 90p one way
Airport to the downtown Cancun bus station is 40p one way

[costasera]

Hej,

My flight is 20:45 in Cancun.
I would like to use ADO bus or collectivo, do know if I have any chances to get to Tulum around midnight ?

Br, costa

[diseñador]

Forgive me if this has been posted elsewhere, but I just discovered what I think is fairly new bus service: ADO first class from Tulum to the Cancun Aeropuerto. Runs 3-4 times a day for $150.

http://www.ado.com.mx/ado/index.jsp

[beachreader]

Wow, that's great news, thanks disenador!

[Tim]

Forgive me if this has been posted elsewhere, but I just discovered what I think is fairly new bus service: ADO first class from Tulum to the Cancun Aeropuerto. Runs 3-4 times a day for $150.

http://www.ado.com.mx/ado/index.jsp

good info to know!!!!!!!!!!!

i was at the tulum bus station this afternoon and snapped this pic:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4405479840_5cae61c66f_b.jpg

[beachreader]

Does anyone know what time it arrives at the airport, since there are two stops?

[NWCreoleLady]

I was wondering the same thing. This is great news though!

[minniemex]

It does sound perfect!! If your schedule fits when the bus runs.

[Solbound]

Forgive me if this has been posted elsewhere, but I just discovered what I think is fairly new bus service: ADO first class from Tulum to the Cancun Aeropuerto. Runs 3-4 times a day for $150.

http://www.ado.com.mx/ado/index.jsp

Good link...gives us some re-assurance...can't find if it translates to English but i think we got the idea. We are planning to bus to Tulum then back to PDC then Cancun for flight home....what am I saying? Haven't got there yet and talking about coming home! LOL

[beachreader]

I took the bus back to the airport in September, and it was really great. $156 pesos, so about $12 US. It stopped twice in PDC and once at the highway by Puerto Morelos, just a minute or two each stop. I think the total travel time was 2 hours, and it left at 9 a.m. or so for my 1:30 flight, perfect timing for me, but there are only a couple/few of these buses a day, so it may not work for everyone yet.

I just wish they had the same bus southbound, but not yet. The driver told me there just weren't enough people wanting to go to Tulum from the airport for it to make sense, so you still have to change in either Cancun or Playa del Carmen. There were only about six people on my bus at the beginning, then we picked up a few more at each stop. Of course, it was off season, maybe there are more now.

[Solbound]

I took the bus back to the airport in September, and it was really great. $156 pesos, so about $12 US. It stopped twice in PDC and once at the highway by Puerto Morelos, just a minute or two each stop. I think the total travel time was 2 hours, and it left at 9 a.m. or so for my 1:30 flight, perfect timing for me, but there are only a couple/few of these buses a day, so it may not work for everyone yet.

I just wish they had the same bus southbound, but not yet. The driver told me there just weren't enough people wanting to go to Tulum from the airport for it to make sense, so you still have to change in either Cancun or Playa del Carmen. There were only about six people on my bus at the beginning, then we picked up a few more at each stop. Of course, it was off season, maybe there are more now.


Thanks Beachreader....One of the earlier buses will work perfect for us as we have a 2:15 departure. On the way down the break in PDC will be a good spot for cold beer and fish tacos!:cool: