The trip from Cancun Airport to Cozumel has two legs. First comes about an hour by road to the ferry pier in Playa del Carmen, and then a passenger ferry of 35 to 45 minutes to the island. Our private transfer covers the road leg from $69 USD per vehicle, one way, for 1 to 6 passengers. The ferry is a separate ticket you buy at the terminal. If you get the timing right, you’re on the island about two and a half hours after you walk out of arrivals.
The Trip at a Glance
| Leg | How | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport to Playa del Carmen pier | Private vehicle | About 1 hour | From $69 USD per vehicle (1 to 6 passengers) |
| Playa del Carmen to Cozumel | Passenger ferry | 35 to 45 minutes | Paid per person at the terminal |
| Cozumel pier to hotel | Island taxi | 5 to 30 minutes | Paid on the island |
Our rate was verified against our published rate table on October 7, 2026. Seven passengers pay $72, and a Sprinter van for 9 to 16 is $149. Round trips are calculated in the quote tool.
| Group size | Vehicle price | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 passengers | $69 | $34.50 |
| 4 passengers | $69 | $17.25 |
| 6 passengers | $69 | $11.50 |
The Ferry: Two Lines, Two Colors
Two companies carry almost everyone. Ultramar runs the blue and yellow boats and makes the crossing in about 35 minutes. Winjet runs the orange ones, takes about 45 minutes and usually costs a little less. You don’t need to choose ahead of time. Walk up, see which one leaves next and buy that ticket.
Fares move with demand, so treat any number as a guide. Winjet’s regular adult fare was 280 pesos one way in 2025, and current listings show Ultramar somewhat higher. Carry pesos or a card for the ticket booth.
Departures start around 8:00 am, and the last boats run at about 10:00 pm. There are no overnight crossings. These passenger ferries don’t take cars. The car ferry leaves from a different port south of Playa del Carmen and isn’t part of this trip.
Your Landing Time Decides the Plan
Work backwards from the last ferry. If the final boat leaves at about 10:00 pm, the drive takes an hour and getting out of the airport takes 20 minutes to an hour (see our immigration wait time guide), then a flight that lands by 7:30 pm reaches the pier with margin.
Land after about 8:00 pm and it’s a gamble. In that case, sleep in Playa del Carmen and take a morning boat. The transfer price is the same either way, because the pier and Playa hotels share one zone.
Your driver follows the real flight, so a delay moves the pickup automatically. The ferry won’t wait, though. If you see in the air that you’ll miss the cutoff, message us when you land and we’ll adjust the drop-off to a hotel. More in what happens if your flight is delayed.
Where the Driver Leaves You
The ferry terminal sits at the foot of Avenida Benito Juárez, a block from Fundadores Park and the bronze arch in the photo. The last stretch is a pedestrian area, so no vehicle pulls up to the gangway. Expect a walk of a couple of minutes with your bags from the drop-off point.
Porters with tricycle carts wait there and work for tips. If you’re traveling with dive gear or several suitcases, they’re worth it. Pack so one person can manage their own bag for a short distance.
Should You Fly to Cozumel Instead?
Cozumel has its own airport, and from some US cities a direct flight is the simplest answer. People still route through Cancun for two reasons: far more flights to choose from, and the option to combine the island with the mainland.
If you’re doing that combination, our Cozumel day trip guide covers what fits in a day, and the Playa del Carmen transfer page covers the same road leg in detail.
Leaving Cozumel for a Flight
Count 45 minutes on the water, up to an hour between boats, an hour on the road and the two to three hours airlines ask for before an international flight. That puts you on a ferry about five hours before takeoff.
For a 3:00 pm flight, take a boat no later than 10:00 am. For a flight before 11:00 am, cross the evening before. We set the pickup at the Playa del Carmen pier when you book, timed to your ferry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Cancun Airport to Cozumel?
Take a vehicle from the airport to the ferry pier in Playa del Carmen, about an hour away, then the passenger ferry to the island, which takes 35 to 45 minutes.
How much is the transfer from Cancun Airport to the Cozumel ferry?
From $69 USD per vehicle, one way, for 1 to 6 passengers. Seven passengers pay $72 and a Sprinter van for 9 to 16 is $149. Rates verified October 7, 2026.
Is the ferry ticket included?
No. The transfer covers the road leg to the pier. Each traveler buys a ferry ticket at the terminal, and fares vary by company and demand.
What is the latest I can land and still reach Cozumel the same day?
The last ferries leave Playa del Carmen at about 10:00 pm. A landing by 7:30 pm is comfortable. After about 8:00 pm, plan a night in Playa del Carmen.
Is there a ferry from Cancun to Cozumel?
Not a regular passenger service. The crossing leaves from Playa del Carmen, which is why the trip from Cancun Airport starts with a road leg.
Related Guides
- Cozumel Day Trip from Cancún: Ferry, Prices and What to Do
- Cancún Airport to Playa del Carmen Transfer
- Cancun Airport to Holbox: Transfer to the Chiquilá Ferry
- Cancun Airport Transfer Prices by Destination
Sources: Ferry companies, terminal location and 2025 Winjet fare, Diario de Yucatán. Crossing times, first and last departures, Ferryscanner and Ferrygogo route listings. Transfer rates from the Yesmytransfer.com published rate table, verified October 7, 2026.
