How to get from Playa del Carmen to Cancun (2023 Guide)
Beautiful Cancun
About traveling from Playa del Carmen to Cancun
Both Playa del Carmen and Cancun are beautiful resort towns where you can relax on serene beaches and explore the Yucatan Peninsula. Playa del Carmen is a smaller resort town where you can get a taste of the local culture after relaxing on the sunny beaches. While Cancun is one of the most popular resort towns in Mexico, with stunning beaches and various activities, there’s always something to do.
If you decide to take a car transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun, you can also enjoy some exceptional sights, the cenote Chaak Tun, the cenotes Kin-Ha, the cenote Las Mojarras, Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barerra Marin, and the El Rey Ruins.
How to get from Playa del Carmen to Cancun
If you’re travelling from Playa del Carmen to Cancun, you have several travel options. For travellers on a budget, the bus is the cheapest way to travel from Playa del Carmen to Cancun. The fastest way to travel from Playa del Carmen to Cancun is by car, therefore a car is of course the best way to travel from Playa del Carmen to Cancun since it’s so convenient.
Playa del Carmen to Cancun by bus
To travel from Playa del Carmen to Cancun by bus, go to the Playa del Carmen bus station (main station and Alterna) and buy a ticket to Cancun (there are a couple bus stations in Playa del Carmen, depending on your bus class- check this info on your ticket, if you are buying at the station, you can go to either location as many buses depart both locations). While you can buy your ticket at the station, it’s best to purchase them in advance. The earliest bus is at 12:15 AM, and the last bus is at 11:30 PM, with buses running at 30 min intervals per day. The bus from Playa del Carmen to Cancun is run by ADO with bus tickets from Playa del Carmen to Cancun costing about €2 for the 1.5 hour trip. The distance from Playa del Carmen to Cancun is about 68 kilometers.
All options offer direct service from Playa del Carmen to Cancun.
Time intervals: ~30 minute intervals
First/Last Departure: 12:15 AM/11:30 PM
Avg. Price: €2
Distance: ~68 km
Duration: ~1.5 hr
Operating Companies: ADO
Playa del Carmen to Cancun Shuttle
Daytrip offers shared shuttles from Playa del Carmen to Cancun several times a day for a convenient and affordable way to get from Playa del Carmen to Cancun. The shuttle from Playa del Carmen to Cancun stops for pick-ups at Burger King Constituyentes in the center of Playa del Carmen and can bring you to Cancun downtown, the Hotel zone, and Cancun International Airport, with custom drop-off locations available. Shuttles from Playa del Carmen to Cancun start from 8:00 AM and the last shuttle from Playa del Carmen to Cancun leaves at 6:35 PM. Prices start at $16, and tickets can be booked in advance to guarantee a seat.
Here’s the full Playa del Carmen to Cancun shuttle schedule:
Playa del Carmen to Cancun Car Transfer
For speed and convenience, a private car transfer with Daytrip is the best way to travel from Playa del Carmen to Cancun. You will be picked up at your accommodation in Playa del Carmen, and the driver will take care of your luggage. You’ll then be able to enjoy door-to-door service to your accommodation in Cancun, and can even add sightseeing stops on the way!
Book a Private Car Transfer from Playa del Carmen to Cancun
Going the other direction? Check our guide on How to get from Cancun to Playa del Carmen
