Can you rent a car from Tulum to Playa del Carmen?

3 Ways to Travel from Tulum to Playa del Carmen - by Bus, Private Transport and Colectivo

In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 65 kilometre distance from Tulum to Playa del Carmen. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.

There are 3 ways to get from Tulum to Playa del Carmen. You can choose between the bus, private transport, colectivo. The most affordable option is by bus, starting from $5. The fastest route is by bus (1h 25m).

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Transport	Duration	Price	Best For
BusFastestBudget	1h 25m	($5)	--
Private Transport	1h 30m	($171)	--
Colectivo	1h 30m	($50)	--

Route Overview

TulumPlaya del Carmen65 km

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Bus

50m - 1h 25mFrom ~$5

The main bus company operating from Tulum to Playa del Carmen is ADO. ADO is Mexico’s most popular bus company, offering comfortable, air-conditioned buses with reclining seats and onboard restrooms. For this route, you can book ADO Primera Clase or ADO Conecta. See our Mexico Bus Guide for the differences between ADO’s bus types. Ticket prices start at $5, and the trip takes around 50m - 1h 25m.

Departure stations

It’s important to pay attention to the departure and arrival points when booking your ride. In Tulum, the buses depart from two different locations – the ADO Tulum Bus Station in the town centre and the Tulum Ruins, 4 km east of downtown Tulum. If your hotel isn’t within walking distance, you might need to take a taxi to the terminal. Expect to pay around [price 300 MXN] from the Hotel Zone to ADO Bus Station, while a taxi to the ruins starts at [price 150 MXN].

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From ~$5 · 50m - 1h 25m

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Private Transport

1h 30mFrom ~$171

Are you travelling in a group and want more convenience? A private transfer is a great way to hop from one destination to the next in the Riviera Maya. If you only want to explore Playa del Carmen on a day trip, then this is the best option because it allows you to save a lot of time and hassle. The journey takes 1h 30m, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers. Prices for private transfer start at $171 for a -seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about each.

Ready to book your private transport?

From ~$171 · 1h 30m

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KEY LOCATIONS

Departure & Arrival Stations

Tulum

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can rent a car when travelling between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Rental cars in Mexico are cheap. Prices start from [price 570 MXN] for a 24-hour rental and [price 2,375 MXN] if you want to rent for a week. For the cheapest rentals and most extensive selection, book one through Kayak or Skyscanner. Make sure you have a valid driver’s license if you want to rent a car! We also recommend that you check out our Top 10 Tips on car rentals to help you save money.

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen is a quickly evolving resort town in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. At its heart are palm-tree-lined beaches and music, best enjoyed at a bar by the shore. The city offers a more relaxed vibe compared to the nearby Cancun, but there are still plenty of things to do. Some of our favourite activities in Playa del Carmen include sunbathing by the beach, hopping between cafes, and wandering around the boutiques at Quinta Avenida. And the fun doesn't end in the city! Just 15 minutes away, you'll find the famed nature resort Xcaret Park. Playa del Carmen is also the gateway to the beautiful Cozumel Island.

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Carbon Footprint

This 65 km journey produces approximately 6 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.

Luggage Safety

Some stops on this route involve luggage storage or transfers. Keep valuables in your carry-on and use a lock on checked bags.

Traveller Reviews

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4.36 reviews

Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
O
Oliver S.November 2025
Ferry

Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.

Jenny L.Jan 2026

Train

The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.

Carlos V.Oct 2025

Bus

Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.

Maya R.Dec 2025

Train

Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.

David H.Feb 2026

Bus

Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.

Sophie K.Jan 2026

Flight

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STAY

Where to Stay in Playa del Carmen

Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.

Treat Yourself

Maya Villa Condo Hotel and Beach Club

Playa del Carmen is full of luxury hotels and beach clubs, but Maya Villa is one of the best. Guests staying at the hotel get access to both a fully-equipped gym and the beach club! The hotel boasts a Maya and tropical style with its natural decor and lush gardens. The turquoise pool winds around the hotel, dotted with waterfalls that create a relaxing soundtrack to the hotel. There’s even a hot tub on the roof! We guarantee that you’ll never want to leave this place.

Hot tub and huge swimming pool
Large and bright rooms
Access to beach club and gym
Steps away from the beach

Double rooms start from $80 per night

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Treat Yourself

Opal Suites Apartments

Opal Suites offer luxury apartments with all of the facilities you get with a hotel. Staying here you’ll have access to a gym, rooftop swimming pool and even a barbeque. Each stunning apartment contains all you need, a kitchen, washing machine, balcony and even Netflix. This can be a great option if you’re staying in Playa del Carmen for a couple of weeks, so you can settle in and feel at home. Double rooms start from $80 per night

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Mid-Range

Vainilla Bed and Breakfast Mexico

Start the day right with the hotel’s complimentary breakfast, made up of fresh and home-made goodies. You can literally taste how much love the host puts into the food, as well as the day-to-day running of the hotel. Just looking at the hotel will make you feel happy. It’s bursting with colour, both on the walls and from the fruit plants that decorate the garden. The hotel gets its name from the vanilla plants around the hostel, so essentially everywhere smells great.

Superb breakfast
Swimming pool
Very friendly host
Bright and clean decor

Double rooms between $40-$80 per night

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Budget

Apart Hotel Casaejido

Playa del Carmen is a popular spot in Mexico, so finding a budget-friendly option can be hard. Casaejido is amongst the best that you can choose from. Situated a bit further out from all of the action and noise of Playa del Carmen, it feels like a little oasis. Here you’ll find plenty of greenery, a pool, lounge chairs to relax in the garden and hammocks throughout. The bamboo and neutral decor also adds to the tranquil atmosphere. On top of that, the incredibly friendly staff will make you feel even more at ease and help you with anything you need.

Gardens with hammocks
Friendly and helpful staff
Quiet location
Outdoor swimming pool

Double rooms between $15-$40 per night

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How to Get from Tulum to Playa del Carmen

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Bus

Departure stations

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Private Transport

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Departure & Arrival Stations

Frequently Asked Questions