Overview Compare Ferry + Bus Ferry + Taxi To Stay
Important COVID-19 update: Because of the COVID pandemic, ferries may run less regularly. In February 2021, the ferries (Ultramar and Winjet) alternate their services each day. One day Ultramar runs the ferry and the next day Winjet. Always check the latest schedules on the booking platforms or check at the ferry terminal.
How to get from Cozumel to Cancun
For many visitors, Cancun is a popular entryway into the wonderful country of Mexico. It’s the main tourist destination on Mexico’s Riviera Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula. Cancun’s vibrant beach city runs alongside the Caribbean Sea, guaranteeing crystal blue sea and snow-white sand.
There are tons of things to do in Cancun – you can enjoy various water activities, visit ancient Mayan archaeological sites, or just relax by the beach. Thanks to Cancun International Airport, Cancun is also the doorway (or exit point) for other popular sites in Quintana Roo, such as Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Tulum.
Depending on what you’re looking for in the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun can just be a short stopover or a holiday destination by itself. You’ll find most tourists in the Hotel Zone, which is full to the brim with all-inclusive resorts, restaurants and lively bars. No doubt, Cancun is a great next destination after scuba diving in Cozumel Island!
New to Cancun? Our compact Cancun guide shows you the best areas to stay, restaurants you don’t want to miss and many more tips for your visit to Cancun!
3 ways to get from Cozumel to Cancun
There are 3 ways to travel the 100 km distance from Cozumel to Cancun: a 2-hour ferry & bus, a 2-hour ferry & colectivo, or a 1-hour-45 minute ferry & private transfer. Rates range between 270 MXN ($15.00) and 1 MXN ($64.00).
The journey from Cozumel to Cancun always begins with a 45-minute ferry to Playa del Carmen. You can choose from two ferry companies: Winjet and Ultramar. You shouldn’t have a hard time getting one because the ferry pier in both Cozumel and Playa del Carmen is located in the city centre.
From Playa del Carmen, you can decide to take a bus or a colectivo to downtown Cancun. If you’re carrying bulky luggage or just want more space between seats, taking the bus is the best choice. If you’re travelling on a budget and don’t have a lot of luggage, then the colectivo is the cheapest option.
Taxis are also available and can take you from Playa del Carmen to Cancun. But they’re quite expensive and since public transportation is already efficient, they may not be worth the extra cost.
We do, however, recommend taking a private transfer if you’re travelling straight from Cozumel to Cancun International Airport. A private ride will ensure you make it to your flight in time. With combined fares of 1 MXN ($64.00), it may also be not that expensive if you split the cost with a group.
Cozumel to Cancun by Ferry + Bus/Colectivo
The journey from Cozumel to Cancun has two steps. The first one is a 45-minute ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. The second step is by land. Either a bus or a microbus, also known as colectivo, can take you to the city centre in Cancun.
Step 1: Cozumel to Playa del Carmen
Going back to Playa del Carmen from Cozumel is quite easy. If you booked a round trip transportation (which we highly recommend for its discount), you just need to show up at the port at the time and date you chose.
If you didn’t book a return ticket, you can still book your ticket online on BookAway or directly at the ferry terminal.
Rates for ferry tickets depend on the ferry company you’re travelling with, but start from 200 MXN ($11.00). A Cozumel to Playa del Carmen ferry journey takes around 45 minutes.
Ferry schedules from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen
The ferry departs from the Cozumel Ferry Dock on the northwest side of the island, the same place where the ferry dropped you off when you first arrived. Note that there are two ferry terminals in Cozumel, so don’t confuse your departure point with Punta Langosta Cruise Pier, located 1 km south, and is for cruise ships.
You will arrive at Playa del Carmen Ferry Port.
For more details, visit our page on Cozumel to Playa del Carmen.
Step 2: Playa del Carmen to Cancun by Bus or Colectivo
The ferry pier is located within the city centre, just one block away from Playa del Carmen Turistica Bus Station. If you are taking a colectivo, the stop is just two blocks away from the ferry pier.
The ride to Cancun takes a little more than an hour. Both the Bus and the colectivo will drop you off in the central bus station area in Cancun City Centre.
Option 1: Playa del Carmen to Cancun by Bus
The bus company going from Playa del Carmen to Cancun is ADO. It offers great quality service, all buses include AC, a toilet and reclining seats.
Bus Schedule from Playa del Carmen to Cancun
We highly recommend purchasing your tickets online beforehand on BookAway to be assured of a seat on your desired date and time. When booking, make sure the departure point is Playa del Carmen Turistica because there’s a second bus terminal in Playa del Carmen that’s further away from the city centre.
Departure and arrival station
There are two bus stations in downtown Playa del Carmen – Turistica and Alterna. Turistica is the main bus station and is located just 220 m northwest of the ferry terminal. But buses also make a stop in Alterna to pick up passengers.
All buses arrive at ADO Bus Station, just within walking distance from most hotels in downtown Cancun.
Heading to the Hotel Zone? You can take a taxi for around 200 MXN ($11.00) or you can take a bus (R-1, R-3 or R-38) from Avenida Tulum to the beach area. The rate for the buses is 15 MXN ($0.80) to be paid directly to the bus driver.
Option 2: Playa del Carmen to Cancun by Colectivo
Colectivos are the cheapest option to travel from Playa del Carmen to Cancun. However, they are not the most comfortable. Mostly used by local workers and not by tourists, they don’t have any space for luggage.
Colectivo prices from Playa del Carmen to Cancun start from 45 MXN ($2.50) but can go higher during peak season (December to April). You can buy your tickets directly from the driver.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more for a more comfortable colectivo journey, then we recommend travelling with a company called Sindicato Lazaro Cardenas. Unlike the main colectivo companies, it caters more to tourists so it’s also a lot cleaner and more spacious. A ticket costs 70 MXN ($3.90), which you can buy through BookAway.
Check Colectivo Tickets with BookAway
If you prefer to travel the local way, other colectivo operators are Playa Express and Colectivos Foraneos. There should be at least one colectivo available 24 hours.
Departure and arrival station
Playa Express and Colectivos Foraneos depart from the main Colectivo bus stop in Playa del Carmen’s main tourist area. Sindicato Lazaro Cardenas departs a few blocks away at Benito Juarez Ave.
In Cancun, the colectivos park at Avenida Tulum. Unlike buses, you can get off before this stop if your accommodation is on the way.
Cozumel to Cancun Airport by Private Transfer
Flying out of the Yucatan Peninsula after a visit to Cozumel? The nearest and most extensive airport is Cancun Airport.
To get to Cancun Airport, you’ll still need to take a Cozumel ferry to Playa del Carmen on the mainland. From Playa del Carmen, you can take a bus, shared minivan, or private transfer to Cancun Airport. We recommend taking a private transfer to make sure you make it in time for your flight.
Step 1: Cozumel to Playa del Carmen
The first step is the same as the first option, you’ll need to take a 45-minute ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. Winjet and Ultramar are the two ferry companies operating on this route and ticket prices start from 200 MXN ($11.00).
Ferry schedules from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen
Ferries depart from Cozumel Ferry Dock and arrive at Playa del Carmen Ferry Pier.
Step 2: Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport
Unless you have a lot of extra time to get from Playa del Carmen to Cancun Airport, the best way to complete this leg of the journey is via a private transfer. A private transportation is the fastest because it doesn’t make any unnecessary stops along the way.
While it seems more expensive compared to other options, that’s really not the case when you’re travelling in a group. Rates for a private shuttle start from 935 MXN ($53.00) for a 6-seater car.
You can book a spacious car through BookAway and you can have it waiting for you at the ferry pier when you arrive in Playa del Carmen.
Check Private Transfers with BookAway
Other Cancun Airport transportation options from Playa del Carmen are a bus and a shared minivan. Rates start from 265 MXN ($15.00) and 305 MXN ($17.00).
Check out our page on Playa del Carmen to Cancun for more details.
Cancun to Cozumel
Want to travel the opposite way? See here the route guide from Cancun to Cozumel.
Our favourite places to stay in Cancun
Sina Suites - Treat Yourself
Resorts in Cancun can cost you a bomb! Sina Suites gives you that resort-style feel without the high prices. Ever wanted your own private marina in a hotel? No? Well now you probably do, and Sina Suites has one. It also has a large swimming pool set amongst gardens that overlook the lagoon.
Every day, enjoy a continental breakfast and delicious Mexican food in their poolside restaurant/bar that sits underneath a traditional thatched hut! You’ll also get more than just a room here, most suites also offer a kitchenette and balcony.
- Views overlooking Cancun lagoon
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Bar and restaurant
- Great location
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Viento Suites - Mid Range
Viento Suites is an escape from the busy and hectic Cancun. Once you’re inside the walls of this hotel, chilling in the garden beside the swimming pool, you’ll forget about the outside world.
The location couldn’t be more perfect. It’s situated within Downtown Cancun, but also very close to the Hotel Zone and beaches. The rooms look like those found in a high-class hotel, but without the extortionate prices.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- BBQ facilities
- Great location
- Clean and spacious rooms
Double rooms between $40-$80 per night
Yellow Capsule Hotel - Budget Friendly
Looking for a unique sleeping experience? The Yellow Capsule Hotel will definitely give you that. Instead of traditional rooms, you sleep in a pod. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the future when you clamber into your bright and spacious pod.
The capsules are clean and include everything you need for a comfy stay, a mirror, outlets, a safe and storage space. When you’re done hanging around in your pod, you can chill at the hotel’s terrace and enjoy their free breakfast.
- Cool capsule sleeping experience
- Friendly and helpful staff
- Great location
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms between $15-$40 per night
Estancia Tulbayab 36 - Budget Friendly
If you’re looking for a more homely feel than a to hotel, then definitely stay at Estancia. The owners will instantly make you feel welcome and are always there to offer advice.
The homestay offers a very convenient location, close to the local markets and not too far from the ADO bus station. The rooms are clean and spacious, plus a steal for the price. If you fancy doing some cooking whilst in Cancun, you can make use of the communal kitchen.
- Great location
- Clean and spacious rooms
- Helpful and friendly hosts
- You’ll feel at home
Double rooms between $15-$40 per night
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
