How to get from Cancun Airport to Holbox?

How to get from Cancun Airport to Holbox?

Aiko Tanaka, 28 Nov 2025

Cancún International Airport (CUN) is an international airport located in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is the second busiest airport in Mexico and serves as a hub for several major airlines, including Aeroméxico, Interjet, and VivaAerobus. The airport has four runways and handles over 23 million passengers per year. 

Cancún Airport is located in Benito Juárez, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from downtown Cancún and about 55 kilometres from the town of Playa del Carmen. In addition to serving as a major transportation hub for the Cancún and Riviera Maya region, Cancún Airport is a popular destination for tourists visiting the nearby beaches and resorts. The airport is located within easy reach of many popular tourist attractions, including the Mayan ruins of Tulum, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, and the Xcaret theme park.

Photo by Gerson Repreza on Unsplash

Photo by Gerson Repreza on Unsplash

About the Airport

Official Name: Cancún International Airport (CUN)

Location: Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Airport Facilities: ATMs, Banks, Duty-free & shopping, Food & restaurants, Luggage services, Parking, Hotels, Nursery, Wi-Fi, Other services, Facilities for the disabled

How to get from Cancún Airport to Holbox? You can get from Cancún Airport to Holbox by taking a taxi, shuttle, or Cancun Airport private transfer service to Chiquilá, the ferry port, then continuing by ferry to Holbox Island. From the ferry dock, you can reach your hotel on the island by golf cart, taxi, or walking, depending on your accommodation.

To reach Holbox from Cancún Airport, travelers must first take a road transfer—via private car, taxi, or shuttle—to the small port town of Chiquilá, a journey of approximately 2 to 2.5 hours. From there, the only way to cross to Holbox Island is by ferry, which takes about 20–30 minutes and operates frequently throughout the day. Once on the island, cars are generally not allowed, so visitors typically continue their journey to hotels or accommodations using golf carts, bicycles, or on foot, depending on the location. Overall, the trip combines a scenic road transfer with a short ferry ride and local island transport, making planning and timing essential for a smooth journey.

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Bus from Cancún Airport to Holbox

Route: No direct buses go from Cancún Airport to Holbox. Travelers must first take a bus or shuttle to Chiquilá, the ferry port, and then board a ferry to Holbox Island.
Journey Time: Approximately 240–300 minutes, depending on traffic and ferry schedules.
Key Point: Due to the transfers and waiting times for the ferry, taking public transport from Cancún Airport to Holbox can be time-consuming and requires careful planning.
Note: Buses to Chiquilá can get crowded, especially during peak season, and luggage space is limited, so pack light.

Bus Fare from Cancún Airport to Holbox:

By public transport, travelers can make this journey for a total of approximately $20–$30 USD, including both bus and ferry tickets.

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Taxi from Cancún Airport to Holbox

Journey Time: Approximately 180–240 minutes, depending on traffic to Chiquilá and ferry waiting times.
Note: Taxis from Cancún Airport to Chiquilá must be paid in MXN, the local currency. It’s recommended to have cash available. Important: Not all taxi drivers may agree to make the full trip to Chiquilá. Booking a private transfer from Cancún Airport to Holbox via AirportTransfer.com ensures a smooth and stress-free journey.

Taxi Fare from Cancún Airport to Holbox:

The cost of a private taxi or transfer from Cancún Airport to Holbox typically ranges between $200–$220 USD, excluding any tips.

Ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Didi, and Cabify operate in Cancún and can be used for part of the journey to Chiquilá. Prices are generally comparable to local taxi fares, but they do not cover the ferry ride to Holbox.

Photo by Maxwell Ridgeway on Unsplash

Photo by Maxwell Ridgeway on Unsplash

Private Transfer from Cancun airport to Holbox Island

Journey Time: Traveling from Cancun International Airport (CUN) to Holbox Island typically takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on road traffic and ferry schedules. After landing at Cancun Airport, you need to take a private transfer or taxi to Chiquilá, the coastal town where Holbox ferries depart (the drive takes about 2–2.5 hours). From Chiquilá, you board a ferry to Holbox, which takes an additional 20–30 minutes. Since there are no direct trains, metros, or trams on this route, the journey is always a road transfer + ferry combination.

Key Point: By booking your transfer in advance from Cancun Airport to Chiquilá, you won’t have to negotiate taxi prices on arrival, wait for shared shuttles, or deal with long queues during peak travel seasons. With AirportTransfer.com, you can arrange a private, fixed-price, door-to-door service directly from the airport to the ferry terminal, ensuring a smooth, safe, and comfortable start to your Holbox trip.

Benefits of Booking Ahead with AT: When you reserve your Cancun Airport transfer through AirportTransfer.com, you get professional, licensed, English-speaking drivers, clear and upfront pricing, and flexible cancellation policies. You can select vehicles suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, or groups plus extras like child seats, extra luggage space, or luxury options. You can simply use the AirportTransfer.com app, available on both AirportTransfer Google Play Store and the AirportTransfer App Store and enjoy free cancellation up to 48 hours before your trip, giving you confidence and flexibility for your journey to Holbox Island.

Cancun Private Bus Rental Service

Cancun Private Bus Rental Service

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Group Bus Transfers from Cancun Airport to Holbox

For larger groups traveling from Cancun International Airport (CUN) to Holbox Island, AirportTransfer.com offers exclusive private group bus transfers designed to make your journey smooth, fast, and stress-free. Forget about crowded shared shuttles, complicated public transportation, or long waits at the airport—our comfortable, air-conditioned buses take your group directly to the Chiquilá Ferry Terminal, where Holbox ferries depart every 30 minutes.
Cancun Airport bus rental services are fully customizable and available to book instantly on AirportTransfer.com.

Our service includes:

  • Professional, licensed drivers experienced with the Cancun–Chiquilá routes

  • Flexible pick-up and drop-off options to match your group’s schedule

  • Spacious, comfortable seating and generous luggage capacity

  • Clear, fixed prices with zero hidden fees

Our fleet accommodates:

  • Minibuses for 8–16 passengers

  • Mid-size coaches for 17–35 people

  • Full-size buses for 50–55+ travelers

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Holbox Hotel Transfers

Begin your Holbox adventure in total comfort with a hotel transfer from Cancun Airport straight to your accommodation on Holbox Island via AirportTransfer.com. Your private driver meets you at the airport, transports you directly to the Chiquilá ferry pier, and once you arrive on Holbox, you can reach your hotel by golf cart taxi, bicycle, or on foot, as the island is car-free. Choose from sedans, premium SUVs, or spacious vans depending on your travel group and luggage needs.


Our local drivers are punctual, friendly, and knowledgeable, ensuring a safe, quick, and easy journey to the ferry terminal. With this service, your hotel transfer to Holbox becomes completely hassle-free from the moment you land.

Popular and traveler-favorite hotels on Holbox Island include:

Villas HM Palapas del Mar, Casa Las Tortugas, Mystique Holbox by Royalton, Villas Flamingos, Holbox Dream Beachfront Hotel, Hotel Mawimbi, Blue Holbox, Spirit Holbox, Ensueño Holbox.

AirportTransfer.com has no partnership with the hotels listed above; they are provided solely as suggestions for travelers.

Cancun Private Helicopter Charter

Cancun Private Helicopter Charter

How to get from Cancun Airport to Holbox by Private Plane?

AirportTransfer.com offers private plane charters between Cancún and Holbox. These charters allow travelers to fly directly to visit Isla Holbox, bypassing the need to take a ferry from the mainland. So you don't have to worry about how I get from Cancun Airport to Chiquila? AirportTransfer.com is here to provide you excellent quality of airport transfers.

However, private plane charters are typically more expensive than other transportation options, as they require the cost of the aircraft, pilot, and maintenance to be covered by the owner or operator. Private transportation by plane can be a significant financial investment, especially for longer journeys or larger groups. Also, private planes have size and weight restrictions for luggage and cargo, which may limit the number of belongings you can bring.