How to Get from Cancun Airport to Cancun on a Budget

September 11, 2025
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When I booked my flight with a layover in Cancun, I was a little worried that it would be overpriced due to the huge hotel zone that the area is known for. While it is a little more pricy than other areas of Mexico, it is certainly possible to visit Cancun on a budget.

I stayed in the downtown area (full guide on accommodation here) which was budget friendly and took the local buses to the beach.

As for the airport, there is a very budget-friendly bus that will get you to Cancun downtown and there is even a new route this year that goes directly to the hotel zone. The full guide on this below:

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How to get from Cancun Airport to Cancun by bus:

The cheapest way to get to the city centre or hotel zone from Cancun airport is by ADO bus. When I went, the bus only went to the bus terminal in downtown Cancun which was fine as I was staying downtown. However, they have now added another route which goes to the hotel zone.

Word of warning: Beware of scams!!! I walked out of arrivals and was swarmed by fake taxis and people with some sort of ADO t-shirts and clipboards, looking official. They took me to an area outside and told me the next bus wasn’t for 2 hours and I needed to wait for other people so they could fill a shuttle that was only slightly more expensive.

Thankfully I felt weird and went back inside and found someone with an official vest (be careful, even inside the scammers are everywhere) who took me to the actual ADO bus station which came in less than 15 minutes. There are official ADO info stands inside which can help you if you feel lost, don’t trust anyone telling you they are ADO.

The bus cost around $7.50 (140MXN) and took roughly 50 minutes to the bus station in Downtown Cancun from where it was a 15-minute walk to my hostel. Buses leave roughly every 30 minutes.

The new bus to the hotel zone goes at 11:05, 13.05, 15.05, 17.05 and 19.05 and costs 140MXN ($7.50).

Some hotels also have shuttle buses from the airport, so it is worth asking when booking. The ADO buses are super safe and affordable but the shuttles are quicker and easier if available.

Where to stay in Cancun on a budget?

The most affordable place to stay in Cancun is downtown instead of the hotel zone.

🛏️ Nomads Hotel & Rooftop Pool
🏬 Humant Coliving
🏩Hotel 28 Cancun

How many days do you need in Cancun?

I had a two day layover in Cancun where I did a daytrip to Chichen Itza and spent the other day on the beach. Cancun itself isn’t the most interesting area of Mexico, but the beaches are stunning and the food is great. I would recommend around 5 day if you are after a beach holiday.