Playa del Carmen to Campeche: Best Routes Across the Peninsula

Getting from Playa del Carmen to Campeche means crossing the full width of the Yucatán Peninsula — roughly 450 kilometres of flat, jungle-and-coastline terrain that separates the Caribbean-facing Riviera Maya from the Gulf-side walled state capital. There is no single perfect option. Your choice depends on budget, tolerance for long bus rides, and whether you want to stop along the way. This guide covers the three realistic routes: direct ADO bus, driving via the toll highway, and the Tren Maya connection with a transfer.

ADO Bus: Direct and Budget-Friendly

The most straightforward option is the direct ADO bus from Playa del Carmen to Campeche. ADO (Autobuses de Oriente) is Mexico's largest intercity bus company and operates this route daily with multiple departures. You can book online at ado.com.mx, through the ADO app, or in person at the terminal.

Departure point: The intercity buses to Campeche leave from the ADO terminal on Calle 12 Norte (between Calles 12 and 15), about 2 kilometres north of Quinta Avenida. This is the long-distance station for inland and interstate routes — do not confuse it with the smaller tourist terminal on Avenida 5 Norte near the beach, which only serves nearby destinations like Tulum, Puerto Aventuras, and Akumal. If you are staying along the Quinta, a taxi to the Calle 12 terminal costs around 60–80 MXN. Allow 30–40 minutes by colectivo if you prefer public transport to reach the terminal.

Schedule and duration: Buses run roughly every 2–3 hours during the day. Typical departures are at 11:30 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and 11:00 PM, with an overnight run at 12:30 AM. Travel time is 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions. Schedules can shift on weekends and holidays — always confirm times 24 hours before departure. The last bus departs around 11:00 PM, making this feasible for an evening departure after a full day at the beach.

Price: Tickets cost approximately 715–1,176 MXN (roughly 38–63 USD) one way in Basic (Económica) class. First-class (Primera Clase) costs more — typically 1,000–1,400 MXN — and offers wider seats with more legroom, fewer passengers per row, and sometimes a small snack. During high season (December–March and Easter week), book at least 3–5 days ahead. Weekday travel outside holidays rarely sells out.

On-board experience: ADO buses are large, air-conditioned charter-style coaches usually painted in the company's red-and-white livery. Seats recline, and an onboard restroom is located at the rear. Overhead screens typically play movies in Spanish with Spanish subtitles. Luggage goes in the hold — one checked bag plus one carry-on is included at no extra charge. The route travels primarily via Highway 180D (toll road), so the ride is smooth and the road surface is well-maintained. WiFi is advertised on board but is unreliable outside Mérida. Air conditioning runs strongly — bring a light blanket or jacket for the long ride.

Arrival in Campeche: The bus arrives at the ADO station on Avenida Gobernadores, about 1.5 kilometres from the historic centre. This is a modern terminal with clean restrooms, a convenience store, and a taxi stand. A taxi to the centro or malecón costs 50–70 MXN, or you can walk in 20 minutes to the Plaza de la Independencia. If your hotel is in the walled centre, the taxi will drop you near one of the historic gates — Puerta de Tierra or Puerta de Mar.

Driving via Highway 180D: Fastest Option

If you have a rental car, driving is the fastest way to reach Campeche from Playa del Carmen. The total distance is approximately 457 kilometres, and the drive takes 5 hours 20 minutes to 6 hours depending on traffic and toll stops.

The route: From Playa del Carmen, take Highway 305D north to the Mérida-Cancún toll road (Highway 180D). Merge onto 180D westbound and continue past Mérida. The highway is well-maintained, mostly four lanes, and operated by CAPUFE (Caminos y Puentes Federales). You will pass through Valladolid, Mérida, and the town of Champotón before reaching Campeche City.

Tolls: Budget approximately 450–650 MXN in total tolls one way, depending on your exact entry and exit points. The toll plazas accept cash (MXN only) and some accept card. Carry small bills — the larger plazas can run out of change during peak hours. The most expensive segment is the Mérida–Valladolid stretch.

Fuel: Gas stations (Pemex and others) are plentiful along Highway 180D, especially around Mérida and Valladolid. Fill up before leaving Playa del Carmen — fuel is slightly cheaper in Yucatán state. Budget around 800–1,200 MXN for fuel one way depending on your vehicle's efficiency.

Time zone note: Quintana Roo (Playa del Carmen, Cancún, Tulum) observes Eastern Time (UTC-5), while Campeche uses Central Time (UTC-6). When you arrive, your phone may or may not auto-update depending on your carrier. Set your clock back one hour to avoid confusion with dinner reservations and morning departures. This matters if you are connecting to a bus or tour the next day.

Parking in Campeche: The historic centre has limited street parking. Several public parking lots near the Plaza de la Independencia charge 20–30 MXN per hour, or 150–200 MXN for overnight. Hotels in the centro usually offer parking for guests.

Road conditions and safety: Highway 180D is well-paved and patrolled. The main hazards are speed bumps (topes) approaching towns and occasional wildlife crossings near forested stretches between Valladolid and Mérida. Avoid driving at night if possible — some sections lack street lighting, and livestock or pedestrians may be on the road. Federal police and Green Angels (Ángeles Verdes) patrol the toll highways and assist with breakdowns at no charge.

Tren Maya with Transfer: Scenic but Slower

The Tren Maya now connects Playa del Carmen to the broader peninsula rail network, but reaching Campeche by train requires a transfer. This route works best for travellers who want to break up the journey or are heading to Calakmul afterward.

Step 1 — Playa del Carmen to Tulum or Chetumal: Board the Tren Maya at the Playa del Carmen station (located on the highway south of town, near the Cancún airport road). Trains run south toward Tulum, Bacalar, and Chetumal. The Playa del Carmen–Tulum segment takes about 40 minutes. From Tulum, continue south to Chetumal (approximately 2.5 hours further).

Step 2 — Transfer to Campeche: From Chetumal, you can connect to the east-west line that runs to Escárcega and then to Campeche City. Alternatively, take a bus or shared taxi from Chetumal to Campeche (approximately 5–6 hours by road via Highway 186 through Hopelchén and Edzná).

Total time: The full train-plus-transfer route takes 8–10 hours depending on connection waits. Tren Maya schedules are still stabilizing, so check current timetables at trenmaya.gob.mx before booking.

Price: Train fares vary by class. The Playa del Carmen–Tulum segment costs approximately 150–300 MXN in standard class. The full journey to Campeche via train and bus transfer will likely cost 600–900 MXN total — comparable to the direct ADO bus but taking significantly longer.

When this makes sense: Choose this route if you want to visit Tulum, Bacalar, or Calakmul en route to Campeche. It is not the most efficient option for a direct transfer.

Which Option Should You Choose?

For most travellers, the direct ADO bus is the best balance of price, simplicity, and comfort. You board once, relax, and arrive in Campeche without navigating toll plazas or transfers. If you are travelling on a budget and do not need flexibility, book the ADO and bring snacks.

Choose the rental car if you are travelling with family or a small group. Splitting the fuel and toll costs makes driving comparable to two bus tickets, and you gain the ability to stop in Mérida, at Edzná ruins, or at cenotes along the route. A car also means you can easily explore Calakmul or the Champotón coast on subsequent days without arranging separate transport.

The Tren Maya route makes sense only as part of a longer loop. If your plan is Playa del Carmen → Bacalar → Calakmul → Campeche → Mérida → Cancún, the train connects well between some of those stops. Used solely for the Playa-to-Campeche transfer, it is significantly slower and not clearly cheaper than the bus.

Luggage note: If you are carrying more than one large suitcase, driving or private transfer is easier than the bus. ADO's one-bag policy is generally enforced, and excess luggage may require purchasing a seat for your bag at full fare.

Cash considerations: Tolls and fuel stations along Highway 180D accept cash and most accept Mexican pesos card payments. Some toll plazas accept international credit cards, but do not rely on this — carry at least 500 MXN in small bills for tolls and roadside stops. ATMs are available in all major towns along the route.

Quick-Reference Comparison Table

Practical Tips

Best time to travel: Morning departures (before 10:00 AM) are ideal for all options. You arrive in Campeche with the afternoon free to walk the centro histórico before sunset. Overnight buses save on accommodation but arrive very early — your hotel room may not be ready until 3:00 PM.

Mérida as a midway stop: If you are driving or taking the bus, Mérida sits roughly at the halfway point. It is worth an overnight stop if you have time — the city's colonial centre, food scene, and Sunday cultural events reward a longer stay. The ADO station in Mérida (on Calle 69) is modern and well-connected.

Luggage on the bus: ADO allows one checked bag (up to 25 kg) and one carry-on. If you are carrying more, arrive early to negotiate with the baggage handler or purchase an extra ticket for oversized luggage. Rental cars have no such limits, obviously.

Food and rest stops: The ADO bus does not make scheduled rest stops on the direct route. Eat before boarding or bring snacks. On the driving route, the town of Champotón (about 2.5 hours from Campeche) has several roadside restaurants serving fresh seafood — a good place to stretch your legs.

Booking ahead: During peak periods — Christmas, New Year, and Semana Santa (Easter week) — ADO tickets sell out days in advance. Book online at ado.com.mx or through the ADO app. For rental cars, reserve at least two weeks ahead through international platforms (Discover Cars, Hertz, Europcar all operate at Cancún Airport and in Playa del Carmen).

Returning to Playa del Carmen: All options work in reverse. ADO runs the same schedule in both directions. If you are returning by car, note that the toll plazas accept the same cash amounts. The Tren Maya also runs northbound from Campeche via Escárcega and Chetumal back to Playa del Carmen.