How to Fly to Tulum in 2025: Closest Airports + Transfer Options

Planning a trip to Tulum and wondering how to fly there? You’re in the right place!

Getting to Tulum is easier than you might think, but there are a few key details to consider before booking your flights, especially with the addition of the new Tulum airport.

In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about flying to Tulum, including the closest airports and the best transportation options once you land.

Ready to start planning your Tulum getaway? Let’s get started!

To fly to Tulum, you can choose between Cancun International Airport (CUN) and the Tulum International Airport (TQO), which is now fully operational with both domestic and international flights.

While Cancun Airport remains a popular choice due to its wide range of flight options, flying directly into Tulum International Airport can save you time if you’re heading straight to Tulum.

If you land at Cancun Airport, you’ll need to arrange ground transportation to reach Tulum, which is about 1.5 hours south.

Available transport options include private transfers, shared shuttles, the ADO airport bus, taxis, and rental cars.

The Tulum International Airport, officially named Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO), is now fully operational with both domestic and international flights from major cities in the U.S. and beyond.

Many major U.S. airlines currently offer direct service to Tulum International Airport:

• American Airlines: Operates non-stop flights from Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Miami.

• Delta Airlines: Operates non-stop flights from Atlanta.

• JetBlue Airlines: Operates daily non-stop service from New York (JFK).

• United Airlines: Operates non-stop flights from Newark, Houston, and Chicago.

Travelista Tip: While flying directly into Tulum is convenient, airport transfer rates from Tulum International Airport can still be pricey. It’s a good idea to compare flights to Cancun International Airport (CUN) as well, factoring in transportation costs to see which option offers the best value for your trip.

Alternatively, there are more direct flights to Cancun International Airport (CUN) from international destinations, making it a popular arrival point for tourists traveling to Tulum from the United States or Canada.

Some of the major airlines that fly directly to Cancun from international destinations include Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

If you’re looking for cheap flights to Tulum, consider booking a trip with one of the many budget-friendly airlines that offer direct or connecting international flights to Cancun, such as Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and WestJet.

👉 Search for flights to Tulum Mexico on Skyscanner by clicking here!

Another less popular way to fly to Tulum is by flying directly to Cozumel International Airport (CZM), then taking a ferry over to Playa del Carmen, and then driving an hour south from Playa del Carmen to Tulum.

Flights to Cozumel Airport are typically more expensive than flights to Cancun and the journey from Cozumel to Tulum takes considerably longer with multiple transportation methods.

This is why the best airport for Tulum is either Tulum International Airport or Cancun International Airport, followed by a ground transfer to your final destination in Tulum.

The new Tulum Airport is located about 45 minutes from downtown Tulum, and offers a more convenient option for travelers compared to the current Cancun International Airport, which is about 1.5 hours away.

Keep in mind though, this is from downtown Tulum, not the popular beachfront Hotel Zone.

So if you’re staying at one of the Tulum hotels in the Hotel Zone, expect it to take over an hour to get to and from the new airport depending on traffic.

Traffic can often be an issue when getting around Tulum, especially through the downtown area and along the narrow beach road.

I’ve also heard that Google Maps estimated travel times can be inaccurate so don’t rely on those to plan your travel time from the new airport.

The travel time from Cancun Airport to Tulum is about 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The road distance is about 73 miles (118 km).

Driving from Cancun to Tulum is an easy drive on a major highway but you’ll likely face some slow-downs near Playa del Carmen, as well as occasional police checkpoints and traffic stops.

Be prepared for the long drive by stocking up on snacks and beverages. If you choose a private airport transfer, they’ll likely have some cold beers on hand!

Once you get to Tulum, you might face more traffic if you’re staying in the Hotel Zone on the main Tulum beach road, as there is normally a lot of congestion in this area.

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High season in Tulum typically runs from December to April, when the weather is warm and dry with the least amount of humidity.

This is also the busiest time of year, so expect higher prices for Tulum flights and accommodations.

If you’re planning a trip to Tulum during high season, it’s important to book transport in advance and start your search for flights as early as possible.

That said, there are some great deals to be found during the off-season. In the summer months, you can still expect warm weather in Tulum but with fewer crowds and slightly lower prices.

And although the chances of rain will be higher, there will still be plenty of sun.

For the safest and most reliable ride, you’ll want to book a private airport transfer that will pick you up from the Tulum Airport and take you directly to your hotel or resort in Tulum in a private vehicle.

Amstar DMC is a very reputable transportation company that offers private transportation from the Tulum Airport.

Current transfer rates to the Tulum Hotel Zone are as follows:

• Private Transfer: $254 USD round-trip
• Deluxe Private Transfer: $461 USD round-trip

Travelista Tip: As you can see, airport transfer rates have become extremely expensive at the Tulum airport. That’s why it’s worth checking the prices for flights and transfers from Cancun Airport as it might end up being cheaper.

Another more budget-friendly transportation option is to take the ADO Airport bus from Tulum International Airport to downtown Tulum.

Routes and schedules can currently be viewed on the ADO website and the Tulum airport is called “Aeropuerto TULUM”.

There’s currently around 11 departures per day and the cost is $226 MXN (~$11 USD) each way.

The ADO bus will drop you off at the ADO bus station in downtown Tulum and then you’ll need to take a taxi to your hotel or final destination.

If you don’t pre-book private airport transportation ahead of time, there are airport shuttles and private transfers available on site at the new Tulum Airport.

However, I would not recommend this option as the prices are extremely inflated, even more so than pre-booked transfers.

🚙 Is there Uber at the new Tulum airport? No, Uber is currently not available to use anywhere in Tulum. While Uber was approved to operate in the region, tensions are still high with the local taxi union, which has made it unsafe to use the service.

A private transfer is the best option for those looking for a door-to-door, stress-free experience, as it’s the quickest way to get to your hotel or resort in Tulum.

Airport transfers from Cancun to Tulum can be booked in advance and will pick you up from the airport to take you directly to your hotel or resort in a private car.

I personally use and recommend Cancun Airport Transportation for private transfers in the region.

They have a variety of different vehicles available depending on the size of your group and have friendly English-speaking drivers.

Rates for private transfers from Cancun Airport to Tulum are as follows:

• Private Van (up to 3 pax): $180 USD one way or $345 round trip
• Luxury SUV (up to 6 pax): $350 USD one way or $680 round trip
• Group Shuttle (up to 16 pax): $350 USD one way or $680 round trip
• Premium Service (up to 5 pax): $583 USD one way or $1,145 round trip

Another option is to take a shared shuttle service from the Cancun airport to your hotel or destination in Tulum.

These shuttles can be booked in advance online, and they offer door-to-door service with multiple stops along the way.

This is a great option for those traveling on a budget or in small groups. However, keep in mind that these shuttles make multiple stops and can take longer to reach your destination compared to private transportation.

For example, the normal 1.5-hour ride to Tulum could take 3+ hours depending on how many people you are dropping off.

And to be honest, they don’t usually have the best reviews but it is a cheaper option.

The cheapest way to get from Cancun International Airport to Tulum is by taking the ADO Airport Bus.

This large, charter-style public bus has regular departure times from the airport and can be taken to downtown Tulum.

This is the cheapest option and great for those traveling solo or on a tight budget, however, keep in mind that it can take longer to get to Tulum.

The ADO bus from Cancun to Tulum will drop you off at the ADO bus station in downtown Tulum, and then you’ll still need to take a taxi to your final destination.

The Hotel Zone in Tulum is located about 3 miles (4.5 km) from the ADO station.

ADO bus tickets can be purchased at the red ADO counter located in the Cancun Airport’s arrivals terminal right after exiting baggage claim. You’ll then be able to hop on the next departing bus.

Rates for ADO buses to Tulum are as follows:

• $430 pesos (~$21 USD) each way

🚌 Read my full ADO bus guide for more information and step-by-step instructions for using the bus service.

Another Cancun Airport transportation option is to book a rental car but this is something that I wouldn’t really recommend.

Cancun Airport is known for car rental scams, and it can often be a huge hassle and headache to pick up your car from the airport.

Car rental companies at the Cancun Airport might do the bait-and-switch trick or nail you with extreme upcharges for insurance and additional fees.

Instead, I recommend sticking with one of the above options for airport transfers or renting a car once you get to your hotel in Tulum.

This is a more reliable option and then you’ll have a car to get around Tulum or explore some of the popular day trips from Tulum in the Yucatan peninsula.

Rental cars are a good option if you want to explore some of the nearby archaeological sites like the Tulum Maya Ruins or Chichen Itza, or visiting some of the more off-the-beaten-path attractions around the state of Quintana Roo.

I would just avoid renting a car directly from the airport if possible. Once you’re in Tulum, I recommend using Discover Cars for rental cars, where you can see detailed reviews and ratings for both Mexican and international car rental companies.

The final option for Cancun Airport transportation is to take a taxi from the airport but I would honestly only do this as a last resort.

Only official airport taxis are allowed at the Cancun Airport, which means they can get away with charging exorbitant rates and can be a real hassle to haggle and negotiate with the taxi driver.

Plus, payments typically cannot be made with credit cards, so you’ll need to have a lot of cash on hand.

It’s honestly way safer and around the same price just to arrange a private airport transfer in advance.

Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your private driver will be waiting for you when you step off the plane and you’ll have a safe and reliable ride.

🚫 Avoid hailing taxi services at the Cancun Airport and instead opt for one of the above options for your airport transfer.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about how to get to Tulum:

I hope this article has helped to answer all of your questions about flying to Tulum!

Now that the new Tulum Airport is open, getting to Tulum has gotten a lot easier!

But I would still recommend checking flight prices and transfer costs for both the Tulum International Airport (TQO) and the Cancun International Airport (CUN) to see which would be cheapest.

If you do fly into Cancun, the best way to get to Tulum is to book a private transfer for the quickest, safest, and most reliable ride.

Are you ready to book your flight to Tulum Mexico? Click here to search for flights now!

READ NEXT:

• How to Get Around Tulum
• Driving Cancun to Tulum: Important Info + Safety Tips
• Best Day Trips from Tulum