How to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún

If you’re visiting Cancun, chances are Chichén Itzá is high on your must-see list – and if it’s not, it should be. Located deep in the Yucatán Peninsula, this ancient Mayan city was once a thriving center of science, religion, and politics. The site is massive, well-preserved, and packed with history. You’ll see towering pyramids, intricate stone carvings, sacred cenotes, and the famous Great Ball Court.

Today, it draws travelers from around the world who want to walk in the footsteps of one of the Americas’ most advanced civilizations.

Chichén Itzá sits just under 200 km from the popular beachfront resort Cancun, so it’s on many visitors’ bucket lists. This means that there is no short supply of options to get there – which can make it hard to decide the best option for you. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún, break down all the transport options, and help you pick the one that fits your style and budget. Let’s get into it!

Quick overview of options 

There are four main ways of getting to Chichén Itzá from Cancún. These are: 

1. Guided full-day tour from Cancun (bus or van, grouped or private) - the most hassle-free option, great for those short on time who want to pack as much in as possible. 
2. Renting a car - great for adventurous travelers and those wanting to spend the day on their own schedule. I recommend using DiscoverCars in Cancun as I've found them to be the cheapest.
3. ADO bus + local colectivo (public shuttle) - a cheaper option, ideal for budget backpackers 
4. Private transfer or taxi - the most comfortable option, perfect for families or luxury travelers. 

My favorite Chichen Itza Tour from Cancun

I visited Chichén Itzá on my first trip to Mexico, and as I had a pretty packed itinerary, I opted for this guided full-day tour booked through Viator.

This was hands-down the best choice I could have made - I was only in Mexico for two weeks and was determined to see Chichén Itzá, but wanted to pick the easiest and most hassle-free option. 

The day trip started with a hotel pick-up in Cancun - they came to our hotel lobby at 6:30 am in an air-conditioned van. Starting early is key if you want to beat the crowds and the midday heat. It took just over two hours on the road before we arrived at Chichén Itzá just before 9:00 AM. One thing I loved about the tour was that our guide began it before we arrived at the site, by giving us historical and cultural insights along the journey. 

Having a guide on hand to explain what we were seeing and answer any questions meant that we got so much more out of our visit than we would have done independently. After a few hours touring the site, we headed to the Cenote Saamal for a refreshing dip - the cold waters were a great break from the hot midday sun.

The cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula are one of the area's highlights, and I love that this Chichen Itza tour includes a visit to one - it’s great for time-strapped travelers. 

Following this, we had a traditional Yucatan lunch buffet before heading to our final stop, the colonial town of Valladolid. This stop was the main reason I opted for this tour; on this trip I was only visiting the Yucatan Peninsula, and my time was mainly spent in resort areas, so I was keen to visit somewhere that felt like the ‘real’ Mexico. Visiting Valladolid as part of this tour gave me a taste of this, without taking too much time out of my itinerary. 

Option 2: Renting a Car 

Why I Recommend 

DIY car rental gives you complete flexibility and turns your day trip to Chichén Itzá into a real adventure. You can enjoy the day on your own schedule, making stops along the way at small towns and cenotes that aren’t on the typical day tour route.

How to do it 

There are multiple places to hire a car from in Cancún, but your best bet is to head to the airport where there are a variety of rental agencies. You can expect to pay between $35 - $100 for a one day hire, depending on the size of the car. 

It’s a very simple journey along the 180D toll route, and it should take just over 2 hours each way. You’ll need to pay about 500 MXN ($26) in toll fees, but the toll road saves hours and is well worth doing. Most toll booths in Mexico are cash only, so make sure to bring plenty of cash with you. The road is well signposted and is very well maintained, making for a very easy ride.  

Parking at the site is ample, costs around 150 MXN ($8) for the day, and there’s plenty of shaded spots. Gas is cheap (usually around 22 MXN/litre), but prices are higher around  larger towns so I recommend filling up before arriving back in Cancún.

One of the highlights of hiring a car to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún is being able to add stops into your day trip. The places I recommend visiting are: 

• Valladolid 
• Cenote Maya 
• Convento de San Bernardino de Siena 
• Punta Laguna 
• Cenote Ik Kil 
• Cenote Saamal  

Choose this option if: 

• You want to build your own day-trip with side stops
• You prefer avoiding group tours
• You’re comfortable driving in a new country

But keep in mind that: 

• Rental + toll + insurance + gas + parking can add up (c.£80–£100 total)
• You need to be comfortable driving unfamiliar roads
• It’s a full day behind the wheel—be ready for a 6+ hour drive round trip

Option 3: Public Transport – ADO Bus & Colectivo

Public transport is the cheapest route, but also the least comfortable. Here's how to get to Chichén Itzá using public transport :

1. Catch an ADO bus from the main Cancún Central Bus Terminal to Valladolid (2–3 hours). Tickets can be purchased online or at the Bus Terminal and you’ll need to show a valid photo ID if you’re purchasing tickets at the terminal. Buses run approximately every hour, and the ADO network across Mexico is great - they usually run on schedule and are comfortable and air conditioned. 
2. From Valladolid, walk or taxi to the colectivo station. It’s located a few blocks away from the bus terminal where you’ll arrive, on Calle 39 - it’s on google maps and is easy to find.
3. Hop a colectivo out to Chichén Itzá (30–40 min). There’s no real set schedule but the colectivos run very regularly, especially during the mornings. Tickets cost 40 MXN, and this can usually only be paid in cash. 

The total travel time is around 3-4 hours each way, but this can be longer if you get unlucky with departure times. I recommend checking the ADO website for bus times before heading to the station. 

This is by far the cheapest way to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún; the round trip usually costs less than 600 MXN ($30). Buses usually run between 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM - but check specific times for your chosen travel day. 

Choose this option if: 

• You’re on a strict budget
• You’re more interested in the journey than comfort
• You don’t mind a bit of spontaneity (or a day in Valladolid)

But keep in mind that: 

• It’s a less structured and relaxing day than opting for a guided tour 
• You’ll need to keep an eye on the time to avoid getting stuck in Valladolid overnight 

Option 4: Private Transfer or Taxi

You can hire a private transfer driver to pick you up in Cancún and take you straight to Chichén Itzá and back. You’ll usually pay a set price for the day and your driver can make stops at other locations if you want - or you can just travel there and back; the choice is yours and the beauty of hiring a driver is you have full freedom. Prices usually start from around 4,000 MXN ($215), so it’s on the more expensive side - but worth it for comfort and flexibility.

How to book: 

Drivers can be booked easily online, like this option on Getyourguide.. You can use other reputable websites like Viator and Tripadvisor; these sites allow you to filter dates to check availability, and you can read reviews before booking. Prices are displayed clearly online so you can compare different options which is helpful. 

Alternatively, most larger hotels in Cancún have a concierge service which can arrange a driver for you. These can be slightly more expensive than booking independently, but booking through a concierge service removes all the hassle and admin out of the process.  

Choose this option if: 

• You don’t like sticking to group schedules - private transfers allow you to start at your leisure, stop wherever, and skip the crowds completely.
• You’re travelling with kids, have mobility concerns, or just want to choose the most comfortable and straightforward option. 
• You want to customize your route, stopping at other attractions throughout the day. 

But keep in mind that: 

• It’s the most expensive option
• Quality can vary - make sure to book from a reputable service with insurance, and good reviews.

My Overall Recommendation

For first-timers looking to spend one great day in Chichén Itzá, I recommend booking this guided tour to get the most out of your visit, without having to put too much thought into planning and organisation. 

If you’re the sort of traveler who loves steering your itinerary, rent a car - just be prepared and start early. And if you’re an ultra budget-savvy backpacker, use public transport to get to Chichén Itzá from Cancún.