Cancun Taxis & Transfers

Cancun, Mexico, has become an increasingly popular holiday destination due to its hot weather, picturesque beaches and lively nightlife. At Feel Summer, we want to provide you with all the important information you need to have a great holiday. That is why we have prepared a travel guide for Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

As a popular holiday destination, there are frequent flight from major airports around the world that fly to and from Mexico, all year round. When you fly to Cancun from one of the main UK airports, you can expect your flight to be around 10 hours and 45 minutes in duration. Travel time can be up to 16 hours if you are getting a connecting flight from Europe or the US. You will land into Cancun International Airport, which services Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Flights can become expensive if you leave purchasing your tickets until the last minute; we always recommend booking your flights early to keep the price down and to take advantage of good package deals.

When you arrive at Cancun International Airport, you will need to arrange transport to take you into Cancun or Playa del Carmen. As a busy international airport, it is important to think about your transport to your hotel in advance to avoid confusion.

Cancun – Transport to your Hotel

If you are visiting Cancun, you will most likely be staying in the Hotel Zone, where the major resorts and nightlife are situated. That means choosing a taxi, shuttle or bus to transport your group and luggage from Cancun International Airport.

While taxi may seem the most comfortable way to travel to your hotel, you will find it to be expensive; especially for tourists. You can expect a one-way journey from the airport to cost around $50 – 60 USD. This may seem like a fast option, but it is not the most economical.

On the other hand, arranging a shuttle will cost you less money, accommodate bigger groups of friends and still get you to your hotel in time for making the most of your first night in Cancun. Booking in advance normally offers you a money saving and will not put a dent in your holiday funds.

The most economical way to get to your hotel has got to be the local buses. Once you exit the airport, there are stops to catch a bus into the terminal in downtown. This will only cost you 73 pesos, which is around $4 USD. The buses are available every 30 minutes and it only makes one stop in downtown, taking around 25 minutes to the bus station. When you arrive, you will have to take a second bus to your hotel. This won’t cost you much, but they are known for being busy and crowded; not great if you have a lot of luggage. Of course, the Hotel Zone is over 15 miles long and depending on where your hotel is, this could take you a further 20-40 minutes to reach your destination.

At Feel Summer, we think that hotel transfers from the airport that are part of a package deal or arrange your own shuttle to take you to your hotel, will be the best form of transportation for an enjoyable holiday. It will save the hassle of busy buses and avoid paying expensive taxi fares.

Playa del Carmen – Transport to your Hotel

Once you arrive at Cancun International Airport, you have several transport options to take you into Playa del Carmen and to your accommodation. Playa del Carmen is around 40 minutes away from the airport, but your travel time will vary depending on whether you choose a taxi, shuttle or bus.

Choosing a taxi may seem like the most convenient and hassle-free way to get to your hotel. But, we find them to be expensive and not value for money. You can expect your ride to cost around $60-90 USD for a one-way trip. This is a lot of money to pay out when you first arrive on your holiday and taxis will work out even more expensive for large groups.

By far the cheapest way to get to Playa del Carmen is to catch the local bus from outside the airport. This will only cost you around 146 pesos or $8 USD. They run every 30 minutes and this will take you to the Playa bus station on 5th Ave and Juarez. However, it will take you longer to get your hotel and it is always busy; this is not great after a long flight or if you have been delayed.

At Feel Summer, we recommend choosing a shuttle van to take you to your hotel. They accommodate larger parties and you can pay around $25 USD to get into Playa del Carmen. While it is more expensive than the local bus, it will get you to your resort in half the time and overall makes the best choice of transportation.

Travelling Around Cancun and Playa del Carmen

You will find that taxi prices are different depending on what zone you are in. It will come as no surprise that the Hotel Zone is the most expensive area for taxis. In addition, taxi drivers can charge more for taking tourists, which means your short journey can turn into one expensive trip! Most bars and clubs are located in the Hotel Zone, with walking easy from place to place. However, if you do need a ride, whether you are in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, it is best to opt for the local buses. These are much cheaper than a taxi, fully air-conditioned and offer fast travel when you are going short distances; perfect for watching your budget.