Getting to Cozumel from Cancun airport?

[underachiever]

About how long does it take and how much is the bus ride (or is there another way) from the Cancun airport to Playa? We may be headed down around Christmas and the price of flights are much better into Cancun. Just trying to figure time and cost (savings) of this option.

 

[RV]

it's about 45 minutes or more..maybe an hour .. then you have to drag your luggage through the streets of Playa.. then buy a ticket for the boat.... ride the boat about 30-60 minutes(don't remember. it's a nice ride though)... never again.. I'll pay a little extra and fly direct to CZM..

 

[DiverDonn]

Randy:
I am booked for the middle of September and could only get a decent nonstop to Cancun- all CZM flights were going through Houston- Since this is my first time and I am more into comfort than frugality, I found a service that will take 2 of us via Private
car from the airport to the Ferry Terminal R/T is $100/2. Sure the bus is cheaper but having a car with air and a driver is really worth it to me. I'm sure there are other services available but I am using www.getdita.com good luck, DD

 

[RV]

you're still going to have to drag your luggage through the streets of Playa.. a few blocks anyway... unless they started allowing vehicle closer to the Ferry Terminal..

 

[ggunn]

About how long does it take and how much is the bus ride (or is there another way) from the Cancun airport to Playa? We may be headed down around Christmas and the price of flights are much better into Cancun. Just trying to figure time and cost (savings) of this option.

Count on about 3 hours each way.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

On my way to Cozumel I have flown into Cancun many times, instead of enduring a change of planes. If there is a non stop flight from the city of departure it is usually a no brainer regardless of cost, and the airfares to Cancun are most always less expensive. With a non stop you are not subject to flight delays associated with missed connections etc. Indeed, much of the year there is only one flight a day to Cozumel from hub cities so if you miss that flight you got real problems. I don't have enough fingers to count the number of times Continental Airlines has made me miss connections in Houston.

And as for time, there is no way that a connection at a hub will take you less time than the going through Cancun on a non stop flight from your origin. Cost aside there are many more flights into Cancun, so that alone can make you schedule more convenient--especially of you have to make any changes for a longer stay in Coz!

To get to Cozumel, there are buses directly from the Cancun airport, charging about $15 per person and the bus terminal in Playa is not very far from the pier. The bus ride is about 1 hour and is much better than a shared Van which may make you wait until they fill up and then drop off at multiple locations in Playa Del Carmen.
Or you can get a dedicated taxi for about $60 (prices do vary from time to time) and if you have 4 people the cost might be a wash. Since the ferries leave on the hour every hour, the dedicated taxi might possibly save you one hour on the trip. But if you miss the ferry there is a Senor Frogs right at the ferry pier.

You should not have to lug any gear as there are always frontload tricycle guys loitering around the terminal and conveneint (new) drop off place. They are ready ready to haul your stuff for a few bucks. Just look for one and grunt anything...they will understand. You will find the same bag service on the ferry pier in Cozumel.

So for me the Cancun method can be much preferable if there is a non stop available. Indeed, this very day my wife and 7 year old twins are arriving in Cancun at 3:47 PM on a non stop from LA and they will make the trip from Cancun without me...its that easy.


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[RV]

...snip.. Just look for one and grunt anything...they will understand. ... snip...

ROFLMAO I love it...

it may be better.. '04 was the last time I tried CZM via Cancun...

 

[marcus8]

It's really not that bad. My rule of thumb is if it saves me $100 to fly through Cancun rather than CZM, then it's worth it. Just did this a few weeks ago. Take the ADO bus which runs $8 a person and is air conditioned and comfortable. It's roughly 45 minutes to Playa. If you don't want to drag your luggage, hire a guy with a bike and basket for a few bucks and he'll take it directly to the pier for you....figured out that one a few years back....very nice. They are all over the place just as you exit the bus depot. Roughly two blocks to the ferry pier, grab a beer if you have to wait a bit at the pier. Senor Frogs, loud obnoxious bar but conventiently located on the water next to the pier, isn't a bad option in this case.

Have a ball

Mark

 

[underachiever]

Thanks for the advice. This will save about $300-400 with the prices I have seen for the dates I need. So well worth it. We may come back to Playa for a couple of days. Any advice on where to stay? in Playa. Never been over there.

 

[daniel f aleman]

You don't have to go through Houston, here's the flight that I take from Austin:

Flight Details - Total travel time: 4hrs 20min - $US439.00

Austin, TX (AUS) to Dallas/Ft Worth, TX (DFW)
Flight Time: 1hr - 8:25am to 9:25am
American Airlines - Flight 352 - McDonnell Douglas MD83

Change planes in Dallas/Ft Worth, TX (DFW) Layover time: 45min

Dallas/Ft Worth, TX (DFW) to Cozumel, Mexico (CZM)
Flight Time: 2hrs 35min - 10:10am to 12:45pm
American Airlines - Flight 705 -Boeing 737-800

---------------------------

Flight Details - Total travel time: 5hrs 13min

Cozumel, Mexico (CZM) to Dallas/Ft Worth, TX (DFW)
Flight Time: 2hrs 45min 1:45pm to 4:30pm
American Airlines -Flight 364 - Boeing 737-800

Change planes in Dallas/Ft Worth, TX (DFW) Layover time: 1hr 35min

Dallas/Ft Worth, TX (DFW) to Austin, TX (AUS)
Flight Time: 53min - 6:05pm to 6:58pm
American Airlines - Flight 312 -McDonnell Douglas MD80