How to travel from Mexico City to Tulum, Mexico

The distance between Mexico City and Tulum is around 1,389km (863 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 4h 30m.

8 routes found

We've found 8 different ways to get from Mexico City to Tulum by plane, bus, helicopter and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out TulumMexico City if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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Plane and Bus

Fly from Mexico City (MEX) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística and then to Tulum.

  • Duration4h 30m
  • Flight time2h 15m
  • Typical cost
    MX$1,840($88)
Operated by

Multiple operators

3 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
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Bus

Take the bus to Minatitlán and then to Tulum.

  • Duration19h 55m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    MX$1,170($56)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

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helicopter
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Bus and Helicopter

Take the bus to Cárdenas and then to Villahermosa Airport then jump in a helicopter to Cancún International Airport then take the bus to Tulum.

  • Duration14h 35m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    MX$86,940($4,160)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Tulum.

  • Duration19hrs
  • Distance1,560km (969 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Mexico City and Tulum

There are several options for getting from Mexico City to Tulum by plane, bus, helicopter and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around MX$1,170 ($56) and will take around 19h 55m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 4h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately MX$1,840 ($88).

The distance between Mexico City and Tulum is around 1,389km (863 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,227km (762 miles)

It takes around 4h 30m to get from Mexico City and Tulum by plane and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 19hrs to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Mexico City to Tulum is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 4h 30m and will set you back approx MX$1,840 ($88).

The cheapest way to travel between Mexico City and Tulum, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around MX$1,170 ($56) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Mexico City and Tulum. We recommend that you fly from Mexico City (MEX) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística and then to Tulum. instead which will take 4h 30m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Mexico City and Tulum. It typically takes around 19h 55m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Mexico City to Tulum. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Minatitlán. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 19h 55m.

Ecobus Express, Turismo y Excursiones Alianza, ADO and Transporte Foráneo Cancún-Playa del Carmen run regular bus services between Mexico City and Tulum. Buses run once daily and take around 19h 55m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Mexico City to Tulum. We recommend that you fly from Mexico City (MEX) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística and then to Tulum. instead which will take 4h 30m.

The closest major airport to Tulum is Cozumel International Airport (CZM) (CZM) which is approximately 62km (38 miles) from Tulum. Cancún International Airport (CUN) (CUN) and Chetumal International Airport (CTM) (CTM) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Mexico City and Tulum. The distance is around 1,560km (969 miles) by road and it will take around 19hrs in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Mexico City to Tulum is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 4h 30m and will usually cost around MX$1,840 ($88).

How do I get from Mexico City to Tulum

Compare travel optionsbetween Mexico City and Tulum

Transport options from Mexico City to Tulum
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Plane and Bus + 3 similar
4h 30m
MX$1,840($88)
hourly1,412km (877 miles)
Fly to Chetumal (CTM), Bus4h 40m
MX$1,965($95)
every 4 hours1,389km (863 miles)
Bus and Plane5h 50m
MX$2,530($120)
hourly1,450km (901 miles)
Plane, Helicopter and Bus4h 45m
MX$12,500($600)
once daily1,465km (911 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
19h 55m
MX$1,170($56)
once daily1,567km (974 miles)
Bus via Playa del Carmen Alterna1 day 3h
MX$2,155($105)
twice daily1,687km (1,048 miles)
Bus and Helicopter
14h 35m
MX$86,940($4,160)
once daily1,605km (998 miles)
Drive
19hrs
MX$2,740($130)
on demand1,560km (969 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Mexico City and Tulum

Bus companies

Airlines

helicopters

Airports near Tulum

The following major airports near Tulum offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Mexico and internationally.

CZM
Cozumel International Airport (CZM)
International Airport
Distance
62km (38 miles) from Tulum
CUN
Cancún International Airport (CUN)
International Airport
Distance
108km (67 miles) from Tulum
CTM
Chetumal International Airport (CTM)
International Airport
Distance
212km (132 miles) from Tulum