Ado Bus: Quickest Route From Playa Del Carmen To Cancun

The ADO bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. The bus is comfortable and air-conditioned, with a capacity of 35 passengers. The trip costs 250 pesos for a one-way ticket, and buses depart frequently, approximately every 30 minutes. The first bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen departs at 7:00 AM, and the last bus leaves around 11:00 PM. It's important to note that the ADO bus only stops at the bus station on Juarez Avenue in Playa del Carmen and does not stop at hotels or resorts. Therefore, if your final destination is a hotel or resort, it might be more convenient to take a private transfer or taxi.

ADO Bus Schedule

The ADO bus is a cheap and comfortable way to travel between Cancun Airport and Playa del Carmen. The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the source.

Buying Tickets

Tickets can be bought at the ADO booth inside the airport after passing through immigration, or from a stand outside. Tickets are also available online, but foreign credit cards are often not accepted. Tickets cost around 200-250 pesos, or $6-$16. USD is accepted, but change will be given in pesos, so it is best not to use anything larger than a $20 bill.

Tickets are timed and only allow you on a specific bus, so it is recommended to only buy a one-way ticket if your return time is uncertain. Seats are usually open, even if the ticket is assigned. Luggage goes under the bus, and there are no luggage tags or security issues.

Bus Stops

The ADO bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen stops at Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4, and then terminates at 5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue in Playa del Carmen. This is the only stop in Playa del Carmen, and the bus does not stop at hotels or resorts.

The ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to the airport originates at the Juarez Avenue and 5th Avenue station, and then stops at the 20th Street bus station. It drops passengers at all four terminals at the airport.

Schedules

Buses come about every 30 minutes, but the exact schedule can be found on the ADO website. The first bus from the airport to Playa del Carmen is usually around 7:00 or 7:50 am, and the last bus is around 11:00 pm or 11:50 pm. There may be buses throughout the night.

The first bus from Playa del Carmen to the airport is around 3:00 am, and the last bus is around 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm. It is recommended to buy tickets for this route at least 5 or 6 hours in advance, as buses can fill up.

ADO Bus Tickets

When returning to the airport, ADO bus tickets can be purchased at either of the two bus stations in Playa Del Carmen: the 5th Ave and Juarez station or the 20th Street bus station. It is recommended to buy tickets at least 5-6 hours in advance, as buses can fill up quickly, especially during peak hours. The trip from Playa Del Carmen to Cancun Airport takes about one hour, depending on the terminal. The ADO bus drops passengers off at all four terminals at the Cancun Airport.

Overall, the ADO bus is a convenient and affordable option for travellers looking to get from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen. The buses are comfortable and offer a direct route between the two locations. However, it is important to plan and purchase tickets in advance to secure your desired departure time.

ADO Bus Stations

ADO is the main bus company in the Yucatan Peninsula and provides service to many tourist destinations. ADO has two bus stations in Playa Del Carmen. The first bus station is located on 5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue, near the Cozumel Ferry Pier. All buses from the Cancun Airport arrive at the 5th Avenue bus station. They do not make a second stop at the other bus station, so you will be disembarking there. If you are going to the airport, your ticket will allow you to get on at this station or the other bus station since the bus starts at the 5th Avenue station and makes a second stop at the other terminal before going to the airport. Just make sure you know the correct time for the station where you bought your ticket or where you are getting on.

The 5th Avenue terminal offers much of the same services as the other terminal. This station offers luggage storage, currency exchange, pay toilets, and ATMs. There are two ticket counters, one regular and one that sells just tickets to Cancun.

The 20th Avenue Station is between 12th St. and 12 Bis St. This station has some of the basic tourist services as the other station. If you are going to the airport, the buses will stop here second before continuing on to the airport. It is open seating and you will have less seat selection if you get on here but it may be more convenient to where you are staying.

If you accidentally go to the 5th Avenue bus station and realize your bus leaves from the other one, you can hop in a taxi and be at the other station in just 3 minutes. Although you should note that taxis outside of the bus station notoriously overcharge for taxi rides.

Bus transportation around the area is relatively affordable. If you are going longer distances and there are two or three people, it is often cheaper to take the bus. Some roads have tolls, and gas costs can add up quickly.

Prices do seem to change yearly on ADO buses due to inflation. So we will give you some rough samples. From Playa Del Carmen to Cancun or Tulum, the bus cost is about $4 USD each way. To Valladolid, which is in the center of the Yucatan Peninsula, it is about $14 USD one way.

There is a discounted price for children on ADO buses. Children under 5 years old can travel for free with an adult (usually required to sit on the lap of an adult if the bus is full). Children 5-12 years old get 50% off.

Many people ask about bag storage at the bus stations. Here is a photo we took of the storage area. Prices are per hour. Long-term storage is not really cost-effective. Bag storage is based on the size of the bags.

Note: Please do not leave anything of value in the bags! We have heard from numerous readers about things missing from bags.

ADO Bus Luggage

ADO buses have a large storage compartment under the body of the bus, which is where your luggage will be placed. You will not be charged extra for this, but it is customary to tip the person who loads your luggage onto the bus.

The ADO bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen is a comfortable, air-conditioned bus with a capacity of 35 passengers. The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. When you arrive at the airport, you can buy your ticket from the ADO booth inside the terminal or from the stand outside. The ADO bus booth inside the airport terminal is located at the end of the hall, past the rental car companies and tour booths. The bus departs from platform 1 or 2.

When boarding the bus, you will be asked to put your suitcase under the bus. There are no luggage tags given, and security is not an issue, so there is no need to worry. The bus will only stop for a minute in Puerto Morelos before arriving in Playa del Carmen. If you are concerned, you can sit above the door and keep an eye on the luggage compartment.

The ADO bus will drop you off at the ADO bus station on 5th Avenue and Juarez Avenue in Playa del Carmen. This is the only stop in Playa del Carmen, and the bus does not stop at hotels along the way. If your hotel is not within walking distance of the bus station, you may need to take a taxi to your final destination.

ADO Bus Alternatives

ADO is the main bus company in the Yucatan Peninsula. There are other smaller bus companies but ADO is the most used and has the most routes. ADO is a safe, comfortable and economical way to travel between many cities and airports. Here are some alternatives to ADO buses:

Private Transportation

Private transportation is a good option if you are more than two people or want to go directly to your hotel without having to take a taxi from the bus station. Private transfers can cost as little as $12-15 USD a person depending on how many of you there are and where you are going. A transfer will save you a taxi ride from the bus station as well.

Colectivos

Colectivos are shared vans that go between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum and between Playa Del Carmen and Cancun. Colectivos are a little faster but not as much space. These vans leave every 10 minutes or so and all of them will stop at Tulum ruins if you ask.

Car Rental

If you are going longer distances and there are only one or two of you, it is often cheaper to take the bus. Some roads have tolls and gas can add up quickly. However, renting a car can give you more freedom to explore.

Frequently asked questions