Cancun

Private car transfer
from Cancun Airport to Cancun

Door-to-door
in 20 min
From ...
per seat
Comfortable
car
One way
Cancel for free 24 hours before departure
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2024
Excellent
trustpilot-stars

Trip Information

Pick-up

Your driver will meet you at your address in Cancun Airport.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage

Trip

You’ll travel in comfort for 20 min.

  • Optional sight-seeing
  • Clean, comfortable car
  • Professional driver
  • Bottled water
  • Child seats
  • Prepared for handicapped
  • Smoke-free
  • Pet friendly

Drop-off

Your driver will drop you off at your address in Cancun.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage
In total
  • 17 km
  • 20 min

Overview: transportation from Cancun Airport to Cancun

The last thing to do before you can truly relax on your vacation to Mexico is to book your transfer from the Cancun Airport to Cancun. This quick, 20-minute-long journey is best booked ahead of time, as the airport’s arrivals hall is often overwhelmed with taxi drivers trying to get the best price out of newcomers to Cancun. With Daytrip, your private driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with your name on a sign. Easy peasy!

If you want to explore right away, or your flight lands too early for you to immediately check in to your hotel or resort, Daytrip has you covered with easy-to-book sightseeing stops to local cenotes, or natural swimming holes carved out over thousands of years. Welcome to Cancun!

About Cancun

The Mayan Empire had cities in the Cancun area from 2000 BCE until the 16th century when Spanish conquistadors arrived on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. The Yucatan Peninsula is full of evidence of Mayan cities and temples which give us an idea of the lifestyle and beliefs of people in this area. You’ve likely heard of famous sites like Chichen Itza, but smaller sites like the El Rey ruins are also notable and easy to reach during your transfer from the Cancun Airport to Cancun.

The Mayans were skilled architects, astronomers, stone masons, and fishermen. However, Spanish colonialism brought violence and disease, so the Mayan population in the Cancun area sharply declined. For hundreds of years, the Yucatan Peninsula was relatively uninhabited save for small fishing villages along the coast and on the islands.

In the 1960s, the Mexican government broke ground on ambitious plans to transform the Cancun area into a series of world-class private resorts, luxury hotels, and family-friendly vacation spots to increase tourism. With the Caribbean Sea’s pristine waters and stretches of white-sand beaches, all they needed to do was garner investments to build the hotels, resorts, and transportation infrastructure.

After a decade of work, Cancun’s first hotel, Playa Blanca, opened in 1970. The Hotel Zone, or the strip of coastline with the most hotels in downtown Cancun, developed into the vacation hub we know today. In the decades that have followed, Cancun has risen in popularity and is now among the most popular vacation destinations worldwide.

From Cancun Airport to Cancun: travel tips

Follow these simple tips for the best transfer experience from the Cancun Airport to Cancun.

Book your transportation to the city center ahead of time

Arriving at a foreign country’s airport is already stressful, so don’t leave your transfer to downtown Cancun’s Hotel Zone to chance. Book your transportation with Daytrip before you take your flight to ensure that a private driver will meet you in the arrivals hall. It’s all about those small details that add a touch of luxury to your vacation.

Inform your accommodation of your estimated arrival time

Sometimes hotel rooms are prepared early, so don’t be afraid to give your hotel or resort a call and let them know your estimated arrival time. If you have a few hours to kill before your check-in time, let Daytrip handle the logistics of taking you around to local _cenotes _or the El Rey ruins.

Leave the sunscreen at home

Cancun is home to many endangered species of animals found only in the Great Mayan Reef. Due to the ecological impact of traditional sunscreens and insect repellent when they enter the waterways, you can only buy and use reef-safe products in Cancun. These reef-safe creams are the only ones available in Cancun’s stores, but may not be on your local supermarket shelves back home. It's easier to buy the approved sunscreen when you get there.

How to get from Cancun Airport to Cancun

The best way to reach your hotel from the Cancun Airport is with private transportation. This can either be a private driver or a shuttle bus.

No matter which mode of transportation you choose for your transfer from the Cancun Airport to Cancun’s city center, make sure you arrange it ahead of time to avoid any mishaps. Cancun taxis are notorious for high fees and bait and switch pricing, so it’s better to go with a reliable, prepaid service with a service guarantee.

Daytrip private car service from the Cancun Airport to Cancun

Private drivers provide the flexibility and direct transportation that is missing from shuttle bus services. Your Daytrip driver will meet you in the arrivals hall, help with your bags, and take you to your hotel.

Daytrip’s fleet of vehicles is insured and has professional drivers behind the wheel who have been background checked and drive for a living. And since you can pay in advance online, there’s no surprises!

With this level of attention to detail and care, it is no surprise Daytrip has won Tripadvisor’s Travelers' Choice Award for the last 8 consecutive years. This route starts at $9 per seat, so book your airport transfer today!

Shuttle buses from the Cancun Airport to Cancun

There are a variety of shuttle bus options based on your price point, schedule, and hotel package. Each shuttle bus company operates differently, so carefully review their procedures to avoid any surprises. Shuttle buses range in price from $8 to $20 per passenger.

Some hotels and resorts arrange their own shuttle bus transportation straight to their premises, but you may have to wait for other arriving passengers at the airport.

The cheapest shuttle buses will take you to a single drop-off point in the Hotel Zone for all passengers. Calculate the cost of a taxi or the walking distance to your resort from the drop-off point before agreeing to this option. The cheapest transfer can suddenly double in price when factoring in a taxi ride as well.

Things to do when you get to Cancun

Cancun has nearly endless possibilities for relaxation, exploration, and sport! Once your plane touches down at Cancun Airport, head to Cancun for these fun activities.

Visit the colorful underwater world of the Caribbean Sea

The Great Mayan Reef is the world’s second-largest coral reef system, right behind Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. It stretches for 620 miles (1,000 km) down the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, along the coast of Belize and Guatemala to Honduras’ northern shores. It is home to a diverse variety of marine life, including manatees, 500 species of fish, and 65 species of coral.

Your Cancun vacation is the perfect opportunity to snorkel, dive, and scuba dive in this unique and important ecosystem. Snorkel along the shores at one of Cancun’s many beaches, or hire an instructor to guide you step-by-step through the more complex steps of scuba diving. You can even get your SCUBA license!

Cool off in the cenotes

Cenotes are naturally formed sinkholes filled with fresh water from underground aquifers that have been carved out over thousands of years. They are a unique landform to this region of Mexico and held sacred religious roles for the Mayans.

If you are using Daytrip for your transfer from the Cancun Airport to Cancun, you can go directly to Cenote Chaak Tun and Cenote Las Mojarras after your flight. Don’t miss out on this unique experience!

Work on your tan on Cancun’s white sand beaches

The white sand beaches in Cancun are the perfect place to forget all of your stress while you’re far from home and work. Grab a pina colada, set up your umbrella, and spend the day listening to the ocean or catching up on your reading goals.

What is the best time to visit Cancun

Cancun is located in the tropics and has two seasons: the dry season (November to April) and the wet season (May to October). The best time to visit Cancun is the dry season, as it has long, warm days with sunny skies and little rain.

Cancun is by no means off-limits during the wet season, however, activities and flights from the Cancun Airport may be canceled due to tropical storms. If you choose to travel to Cancun between May and October, monitor the hurricane maps and be prepared for a quick exit or alternative vacation plans.

Questions & Answers about Traveling from Cancun Airport to Cancun

Private transportation is the safest way to travel from the Cancun Airport to the Hotel Zone. Choose a private driver for you and your family or travel with other passengers on shuttle buses. Some shuttle buses are resort-specific, while others will drop you off at a centrally located bus station.
Book your private transfer before your flight arrives at the Cancun Airport. Daytrip makes it easy to book and pay for your transportation all from the comfort of your own home. No haggling with taxi drivers at the arrivals hall and no shuttle buses with multiple stops!
Yes, Cancun is safe for solo travelers and families. Cancun’s resorts and hotels are monitored to ensure visitor safety. Follow general safety guidelines during your visit by not carrying large amounts of cash, participating in illegal activities, or wearing expensive jewelry.
The Cancun Airport is in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) zone. This is the same time zone as American East Coast cities like New York and Miami. When booking your flights over multiple time zones, double-check layover times to ensure you have enough time to make transfers.
10 miles (17 km). This transfer takes about 20 minutes along the 307 Highway when you travel directly from the airport to your hotel. The Cancun Airport is located to the south of the city and is the closest and biggest international airport in the region.
Hire a private driver ahead of time for the fastest possible transfer to Cancun’s city center. This trip takes 20 minutes in a private vehicle. Shuttle buses require multiple stops and may leave you at predetermined bus stations instead of right at the door of your hotel.

Visit these sights on the way

Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin

Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marin

One of the largest nature reserves in Mexico, this lush patch of jungle is home to the last troop of spider monkeys on the coast. The Jungle Troop 

Cenote Chaak Tun

Cenote Chaak Tun

Sunlight and trees pour into a small hole in the heart of this stunning underground cenote ornamented by beautiful cave formations. Light in the Dark 

Cenotes Kin-Ha

Cenotes Kin-Ha

A small hole in the ground opens up into a beautifully illuminated cave where you can swim and dive. Sun and Water 

Playa Delfines

Playa Delfines

Playa Delfines is popular with local surfers and is located right in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone.  Surf like the dolphins 

Why people love Daytrip

Tripadvisor logo
4,800+ reviews
  • 1,552 travelers took this route with us
Dec 4, 2024

Excellent service for transfers in Thailand

I was unsure about this company but a few good reviews on Trip Advisor made me take the chance. I am so happy that we did. We needed a ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Our driver Saksun was an excellent driver - it's not a long distance to drive (by Texas standards!) but the road is challenging and there are a lot of places where improvements to the road are being made. It took around 3 hours with a stop at a place with very clean bathrooms, very interesting hot springs and a place to get a snack and cold drinks. Saksun had a vehicle that was fantastic for this type of drive - a very comfortable ride indeed and was obviously well maintained and very clean. I highly recommend this company. I used to post on trip advisor as "lakekariba" but got out of the habit of doing so. This company was so easy to use and the result was so enjoyable that I felt that the company Daytrip and the driver Saksun had earned our trust and a glowing review. Gillian and Ted Pearsall Austin, Texas

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler lakekariba
Review author image

lakekariba

Dec 4, 2024
Dec 3, 2024

Excellent option to get to Vienna to Budapest!

We used Daytrip to travel between Budapest and Vienna with a 2 hour stop for lunch in Bratislava. Our driver Zsombor arrived on time at our hotel in Budapest and was very friendly and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle was roomy and clean and he was kind enough to provide us with some bottled water for the trip. Our quick visit stop in Bratislava was very nice as well. He gave us plenty of time to explore the city and have lunch before meeting him again when it was time to head for Vienna. Daytrip provided us with a happy and trouble free transfer between Budapest and Vienna. Many thanks to your team and especially to your driver Zsombor!

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler pgh1125
Review author image

pgh1125

Dec 3, 2024
Nov 9, 2024

Great communication with an actual person! They will take you ANYWHERE, No pre-set routes to choose from!

Last minute plan change and Daytrip was our last resort so I chatted with them and had an immediate response from a real person, best situation ever. Never used Daytrip before but the reviews were incredible so we took the chance and booked a driver at like 11-12pm and by 7am the next morning when we woke, they found us a driver and the driver had already texed us making contact! Very impressed and will definitely use them again. We went from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Tivat, Montenegro.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler James B
Review author image

James B

Nov 9, 2024
Nov 1, 2024

Perfect Transport

Andreas did a great job picking us up from Pireaus Cruise Port and taking us to our rental in Spata. The three of us had been on a long cruise and had 9 pieces of luggage. He arrived in an appropriate vehicle and loaded and unloaded all of it. We are very happy with out decision to book with Daytrip.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler LuckyTraveler01
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LuckyTraveler01

Nov 1, 2024

Vehicle options for this trip

Most popular

sedan

Sedan

Comparable to aVolkswagen Passat
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-3
  • 3x
  • 3x
  • Clean
  • Comfortable
  • Air conditioned
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Child seats
  • Pet friendly
  • Smoke-free
From ... per seatSelect

Best reviews

premium suv

Premium SUV

Comparable to aChevrolet Suburban
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-2
  • 2x
  • 2x
  • All standard sedan features
  • Premium SUV
  • Chauffeur-style service
  • Extra amenities
From ... per seatSelect

More options

mpv

Compact MPV

Comparable to aVolkswagen Touran
Passengers and luggage
  • 4
  • 4x
  • 4x
From ... per seatSelect
van

Van

Comparable to aMercedes Vito
Passengers and luggage
  • 5-7
  • 7x
  • 7x
From ... per seatSelect

The Daytrip driver advantage

Daytrip driver
  • Local knowledge about the route from Cancun Airport to Cancun
    Including available sights:
  • English speaking*

    All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.

  • Safety first!

    We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.

World-class customer support

  • Available 24/7
  • Close relationship with drivers
  • Experts on the route from Cancun Airport to Cancun

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Cancellations: 100% refund up to 24 hours before the trip!
  • Changes: Free up to 24 hours before the trip!

Good to know

Children

If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!

Pets

Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.

Tips

Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).

Luggage

  • Big luggage
  • 29x21x11 inches
  • 74x53x28 cm
  • Small luggage
  • 22x14x9 inches
  • 56x36x23 cm

Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.

Payment methods

Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.

Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 13,800+ cities around the world.

Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.

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