Best Ways: How to Get from Tulum to Chichen Itza
Are you looking for the best ways to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza, Mexico? Chichen Itza is the most visited Mayan archaeological site and one of the best tourist attractions in Mexico, so don’t miss it on your Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary.
Chichen Itza is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting to Chichen Itza may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are several ways to get there. You can easily get to Chichen Itza by bus, taxi, rental car, or private shuttle.
In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or taxi will cost.
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Tulum to Chichen Itza Distance
The distance between Chichen Itza and Tulum is about 150 km, which is 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a taxi or bus ticket will cost.
Tulum to Chichen Itza by Car
One of the best ways to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza is by car. Once you arrive in Tulum, you can easily rent a car at the town center or pick up your pre-booked car.
Car rental will cost around 30-35 USD per day with full coverage. Book your car in advance to get the best price! Check car rental prices and availability HERE.
During our travels, we always use Discover Cars for car rentals. Because they always offer the best deals and provide free cancellation 48 hours before your reservation.
Recommended post → How to Renting a Car in Mexico
Driving from Tulum to Chichen Itza
Driving time between Tulum and Chichen Itza is usually 2-2.5 hours.
The 180D highway connecting Tulum and Valladolid is a toll road costing 385 MXN (21 USD). They don’t accept credit cards or dollars, so make sure you bring enough Mexican pesos!
There are no ATMs and few petrol stations between Tulum and the highway. If you arrive by car, there are plenty of parking spaces around Chichen Itza, and parking costs 80 MXN (4.50 USD) for the day.
Read our → Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza
TIP
To learn more about the mysterious Chichen Itza, hire a guide or join a guided walking tour.
How to Get from Tulum to Chichen Itza by Taxi, Private Transfer
One of the easiest and fastest ways to get to Chichen Itza is by taxi. The journey takes 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic.
A taxi cost from Tulum to Chichen Itza starts from 120 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable.
Before you get in the taxi, be sure to agree on a price with the driver. The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!
Alternatively, you can book a minivan from Tulum (any hotel) to Chichen Itza starting from 229 USD, and 7 pax are allowed.
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Tulum to Chichen Itza by ADO Bus
The cheapest way to get to Chichen Itza is by ADO bus, which allows one 21 kg bag + one handbag/small backpack per passenger.
There is no bus stop in the Tulum Hotel Zone. The buses depart from the bus station in the town center of Tulum, which you can reach by taxi or Colectivo (shared minibus). ADO is the largest and most popular bus company in Mexico. The Mexican ADO buses are safe, air-conditioned, comfortable, and cheap.
The buses run once daily from ADO Terminal Autobuses Tulum, departing at 09:37 AM and arriving at 11:17 AM at the ADO bus station, close to Chichen Itza. The travel time is approximately 2-2.5 hours, depending on traffic, and the bus tickets start from 24 USD.
Once you arrive, you can take a short walk or taxi ride to the entrance of Chichen Itza. After visiting the Mayan Ruins, take a bus to Valladolid and spend 2-3 days exploring this charming colonial town. The journey takes just 40-50 minutes, and bus tickets start from 7 USD.
Tulum to Chichen Itza Tour
Are you looking for the best Chichen Itza tours from Tulum? You can easily join group tours from Tulum to visit the famous Mayan Ruins, Cenote Saamal, and Valladolid.
The tour price includes roundtrip transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, a certified bilingual guide, a buffet meal, and entrance fees.
Book your best Chichen Itza day trips via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Tulum to Chichen Itza Private Tour
Are you looking for an unforgettable experience in Mexico? The private tour starts with a short guided tour of the beautiful colonial town of Valladolid, followed by a stop at Cenote Chichikan for a refreshing swim. Afterward, enjoy a typical buffet lunch and tequila tasting, explore the famous archaeological site, and learn more about why this pre-Columbian city was important to the Mayan civilization.
Check the tour prices and availability HERE.
TIP
The Chichen Itza complex area is quite large, and you will have to walk a lot. So wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
Where to Stay near Chichen Itza
Most people take a day trip to Chichen Itza from Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Merida. But for the best experience, stay in Valladolid, a perfect base for visiting the Mayan Ruins. These are our accommodation recommendations.
Best hotels in Tulum
- Luxury: Casa Malca
- Mid-Range: Maka Hotel Boutique or Coco Tulum Zen Zone Hotel
- Budget: Hotel Casa Tortuga Tulum Cenotes Park
Best hotels in Valladolid
- Luxury: Oriundo Luxury Nature Villas
- Mid-Range: Hotel Waye or Meson del Marques
- Budget: Hotel Casa Bamboo
More Travel Guides about Mexico
- 2 Weeks in Mexico: Ultimate Yucatan Peninsula Itinerary
- How to Renting a Car in Cancun, Mexico
- 10 Best Things to Do in the Yucatan Peninsula
- The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Chichen Itza, Mexico
- How to Visit Yellow City of Izamal, Mexico
- 14 Best Tulum Instagram Spots
- Valladolid Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days
- 7 Best Things to Do in Bacalar, Mexico
We hope our post on how to get from Tulum to Chichen Itza will help you plan your next trip to Mexico. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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