How to travel from Monterrey to Playa del Carmen, Mexico
The distance between Monterrey and Playa del Carmen is around 1,533km (953 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 4h 35m.
8 routes found
We've found 8 different ways to get from Monterrey to Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen → Monterrey if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Bus
Fly from Monterrey (MTY) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística.
- Duration4h 35m
- Flight time2h 25m
- Typical costMX$2,260($110)
Multiple operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus
Take the bus to Acayucan then Tulum and then to Playa del Carmen.
- Duration1 day 8h
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costMX$1,420($68)
Multiple bus operators
2 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Helicopter
Take the bus to Cárdenas and then to Villahermosa Airport then jump in a helicopter to Cancún International Airport and then to Playa del Carmen Airport.
- Duration1 day 2h
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costMX$96,620($4,620)
Multiple operators
Drive
Drive to Playa del Carmen.
- Duration1 day 4h
- Distance2,258km (1,403 miles)
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Monterrey and Playa del Carmen
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Monterrey to Playa del Carmen by plane, bus, helicopter and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around MX$1,340 ($64) and will take around 1 day 10h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 4h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately MX$2,260 ($110).
The distance between Monterrey and Playa del Carmen is around 1,533km (953 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,464km (910 miles)
It takes around 4h 35m to get from Monterrey and Playa del Carmen by plane and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 4h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Monterrey to Playa del Carmen is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 4h 35m and will set you back approx MX$2,260 ($110).
The cheapest way to travel between Monterrey and Playa del Carmen, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around MX$1,340 ($64) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Monterrey and Playa del Carmen. We recommend that you fly from Monterrey (MTY) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística. instead which will take 4h 35m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Monterrey and Playa del Carmen. It typically takes around 1 day 8h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Monterrey to Playa del Carmen. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Acayucan and Tulum. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 8h.
Tours Acosta, Turismo y Excursiones Alianza, Transporte Foráneo Cancún-Playa del Carmen, Turistab, ADO, Autobuses Unidos (AU) and Autobuses ATS run regular bus services between Monterrey and Playa del Carmen. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 8h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Monterrey to Playa del Carmen. We recommend that you fly from Monterrey (MTY) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística. instead which will take 4h 35m.
The closest major airport to Playa del Carmen is Cozumel International Airport (CZM) (CZM) which is approximately 20km (13 miles) from Playa del Carmen. 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 Monterrey and Playa del Carmen. The distance is around 2,258km (1,403 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 4h in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Monterrey to Playa del Carmen is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 4h 35m and will usually cost around MX$2,260 ($110).
Compare travel optionsbetween Monterrey and Playa del Carmen
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus + 2 similar | 4h 35m | MX$2,260($110) | hourly | 1,533km (953 miles) |
| Bus and Plane | 6h 30m | MX$2,090($100) | hourly | 1,572km (977 miles) |
| Plane, Helicopter and Bus | 5h 35m | MX$13,295($635) | hourly | 1,612km (1,002 miles) |
Bus + 2 similar | 1 day 8h | MX$1,420($68) | once daily | 2,307km (1,434 miles) |
| Bus via Coatzacoalcos | 1 day 10h | MX$2,155($105) | once daily | 2,281km (1,417 miles) |
| Bus via Cárdenas | 1 day 10h | MX$1,340($64) | once daily | 2,319km (1,441 miles) |
Bus and Helicopter | 1 day 2h | MX$96,620($4,620) | once daily | 2,216km (1,377 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 4h | MX$3,950($190) | on demand | 2,258km (1,403 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Monterrey and Playa del Carmen
Bus companies
ADO
Transportes Frontera
Turistab
Tours Acosta
Turismo y Excursiones Alianza
Airlines
Viva Aerobus
Volaris
United Airlines
American Airlines
helicopters
Holbox Collection
Airports near Playa del Carmen
The following major airports near Playa del Carmen offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Mexico and internationally.
Cozumel International Airport (CZM)
- Distance
- 20km (13 miles) from Playa del Carmen
Cancún International Airport (CUN)
- Distance
- 50km (31 miles) from Playa del Carmen
Chetumal International Airport (CTM)
- Distance
- 270km (168 miles) from Playa del Carmen