How to travel from Puerto Vallarta to Playa del Carmen, Mexico
The distance between Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen is around 2,009km (1,248 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 4h 40m.
7 routes found
We've found 7 different ways to get from Puerto Vallarta 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 → Puerto Vallarta if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Bus
Fly from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística.
- Duration4h 40m
- Flight time3h 30m
- Typical costMX$3,555($170)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus via Mexico Norte
Take the bus to Mexico Norte and then to Playa del Carmen Alterna.
- Duration1 day 12h
- Departstwice daily
- Typical costMX$3,595($170)
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 Mexico City North then Cárdenas and then to Villahermosa Airport then jump in a helicopter to Cancún International Airport and then to Playa del Carmen Airport.
- Duration1 day 3h
- Departsonce daily
- Typical costMX$98,165($4,695)
Multiple operators
Drive
Drive to Playa del Carmen.
- Duration1 day 4h
- Distance2,454km (1,525 miles)
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Puerto Vallarta to Playa del Carmen by plane, bus, helicopter and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around MX$3,385 ($160) and will take around 1 day 13h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 4h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately MX$3,555 ($170).
The distance between Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen is around 2,009km (1,248 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,887km (1,172 miles)
It takes around 4h 40m to get from Puerto Vallarta 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 Puerto Vallarta to Playa del Carmen is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 4h 40m and will set you back approx MX$3,555 ($170).
The cheapest way to travel between Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around MX$3,385 ($160) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen. We recommend that you fly from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística. instead which will take 4h 40m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen. It typically takes around 1 day 13h and departs twice daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Puerto Vallarta to Playa del Carmen. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Bucerías and Mexico City North. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 13h.
Futura Select, ADO and ETN run regular bus services between Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen. Buses run twice daily and take around 1 day 13h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Puerto Vallarta to Playa del Carmen. We recommend that you fly from Puerto Vallarta (PVR) to Cancun (CUN) then take the bus to Playa del Carmen Terminal Turística. instead which will take 4h 40m.
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 Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen. The distance is around 2,454km (1,525 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 Puerto Vallarta to Playa del Carmen is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 4h 40m and will usually cost around MX$3,555 ($170).
Compare travel optionsbetween Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus + 1 similar | 4h 40m | MX$3,555($170) | hourly | 2,009km (1,248 miles) |
| Plane, Helicopter and Bus | 5h 30m | MX$13,440($645) | hourly | 2,057km (1,278 miles) |
Bus via Mexico Norte + 2 similar | 1 day 12h | MX$3,595($170) | twice daily | 2,499km (1,553 miles) |
| Bus | 1 day 13h | MX$3,385($160) | twice daily | 2,481km (1,542 miles) |
| Bus via Mexico City North | 1 day 14h | MX$3,430($165) | twice daily | 2,493km (1,549 miles) |
Bus and Helicopter | 1 day 3h | MX$98,165($4,695) | once daily | 2,412km (1,499 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 4h | MX$4,305($205) | on demand | 2,454km (1,525 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen
Airlines
Volaris
Aeroméxico
Viva Aerobus
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
Bus companies
ADO
Futura Select
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