5 Things to Know About the New Tulum International Airport
It’s finally happening – the much anticipated Tulum International Airport (TQO) has officially opened its doors as of December 1, 2023.
This new airport, known as Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport, is located just outside of Tulum, and is set to become a major hub for travelers looking to visit the popular beach destination.
As a travel blogger that lives in Playa del Carmen, just north of Tulum, I honestly wasn’t sure this day would ever come!
But it’s part of my job to stay up-to-date on all things related to Mexico travel, so I’m excited to share with you 5 things you need to know about the new Tulum International Airport.
Keep reading to find out what this means for your future travels to Mexico!
1. International flights won’t start until March 2024
While the Tulum airport has opened for domestic flights throughout Mexico, international flights won’t begin until March 2024.
Aeromexico has already begun weekly service from Mexico City and currently has 14 weekly flights to Tulum International.
Additionally, the low cost Mexican carrier Viva Aerobus has also started flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana.
But if you’re planning on traveling to Tulum from outside of Mexico, you’ll have to wait a bit longer before you can fly directly into the new airport.
2. Major US airlines will fly there
To accommodate the growing popularity of Tulum as a top tourist destination, major airlines from the US have already announced plans to begin direct flights to the new Tulum airport.
Here are the major international airlines that have already announced service:
- American Airlines will start 2 daily flights from Dallas/Forth Worth and 1 daily flight from Charlotte and Miami starting on March 28, 2024.
- Delta Airlines will start a daily flight from Atlanta starting on March 28, 2024.
- JetBlue Airlines will start daily service from New York (JFK) starting on June 13, 2024.
- Spirit Airlines will start a daily flight from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando on March 28, 2024.
- United Airlines will start 22 weekly non-stop flights from Newark, Houston, and Chicago starting on March 28, 2024. Service from Los Angeles will begin next summer.
3. The airport is located about 45 minutes from downtown Tulum
Situated about 45 minutes from downtown Tulum, the new airport offers a more convenient option for travelers compared to the current Cancun International Airport, which is 1.5-2 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 are currently inaccurate so don’t rely on those to plan your travel time from the new airport.
4. Airport transfer rates are still pricey
While the new airport may offer more convenience than flying into Cancun International Airport, airport transportation is still going to be pricey.
Pre-arranged private airport transfer rates from the Tulum Airport to Tulum’s Hotel Zone are currently around $155 USD for a round-trip service.
And if you don’t pre-book your transportation, be prepared to pay around $260 USD for a round-trip private transfer on-site.
This is still less expensive than transfers from Cancun Airport to Tulum, but you’ll want to compare flight costs to see if the savings are actually worth it.
For travelers on a budget, the ADO bus service is also available and costs around $175 MXN (~$10 USD) one-way.
However, keep in mind that the ADO bus drops off at the ADO station in downtown Tulum and does not drop off at individual hotels or resorts.
Tickets and schedules are currently only available on the ADO mobile app and not on the ADO website.
5. It will eventually be connected to the Mayan Train
One exciting aspect of the new Tulum International Airport is its eventual connection to the Mayan Train (Tren Maya) – a major infrastructure project currently under construction in the Yucatan peninsula.
Once completed, this high-speed train will travel through five Mexican states (Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo) and link major tourist destinations.
The train’s eastern route will include stations in Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Bacalar, as well as stops at Xcaret, Puerto Aventuras, and Akumal.
There will eventually be a Mayan Train station at the Tulum Airport, providing a connection to downtown Tulum, as well as other destinations along the route.
The Mayan Train is still under construction and while operations have started on the first section of the train, it is expected to be fully completed in 2024.
