Car Hire Cancun International Airport

Car Hire

As it handles over 13 million passengers per annum, Cancun International Airport is Mexico's second busiest hub and among the busiest airports in North America. Visitors from overseas use the hub for accessing Cancun, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, and often arrange car hire in Cancun International Airport so that they have guaranteed transportation for the duration of their holiday.

Who to Book With
Holidaymakers will learn that Cancun International Airport has the largest amount of car hire companies of any establishment in this part of the country. Dollar, Hertz, Thrifty and Budget are mostly located on the premises, with a specially-appointed Car Rental Customer Service team also on hand.

Need to Know Essentials
You will need to show the following documents at vehicle collection:

- Full and valid driving licence
- Valid credit card used for completion of the booking
- Valid ID, such as a passport
- Confirmation of booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving between cities is best done on the country's toll roads, which are better maintained and faster than other choices. Especially when driving close to borders with Mexico's neighbours, drivers should expect to be pulled over by either the police or military but should not feel intimidated. Tourists are generally advised not to drive through rural areas after dark and to follow a bus or another large vehicle, such as a truck, if they feel threatened. It is advised to make sure that pumps at petrol stations are already on zero before they are used, in order to avoid paying over-the-odds.

See our guide to Mexico for more information on driving here.

Transport

Drivers mainly connect to the hub via the Cancun-Valladolid or Cancun-Chetumal highways. Depending on traffic, the journey between the city centre and the airport can take as little as 20 minutes. Other options include buses and taxis.

Taxis
Taxis are available between Cancun International Airport, Cancun, nearby resorts and other points of interest. A typical fare from the airport to the city centre stands at around £25 one-way.

Taxi prices:
Cancun International Airport to Cancun city centre is about £25
Cancun International Airport to Playa del Carmen is about £40

Buses
Various shuttle companies offer transport to and from Cancun International Airport. Happy Shuttle Cancun is among the most popular; rates start at around £6 per person. Cancun Airport Transfer by Olympus Tours is slightly more expensive, at around £8 per person, and Cancun Shuttle is often relied upon by those who arrive on flights between 00:00 and 07:00.

Facilities

Terminals
Cancun International Airport has three terminals that receive over 13 million passengers per year. Terminal 1 is primarily used by North American charter airlines and handles charter domestic flights around Mexico. Terminal 2 is home to scheduled domestic and a selection of international airlines. Lastly, Terminal 3 handles North American and European airlines. Travelling between the terminals is done via a free shuttle bus.

Parking
There is one parking lot, which is located to the right of Cancun International Airport's main entrance. Charges for leaving a vehicle on the premises stand at just over £1 per hour or around £7 per day.

Wi-Fi
A free Wi-Fi service is available throughout each one of the three terminals.

Information Services
Each terminal has its own information desk.

Useful Numbers
Service Centre: +52 998 848 7200

Accessibility
Cancun Airport is modern and fully-accessible to those with reduced mobility. Some areas of the hub require elevator access and there are wheelchair accessible restrooms in each terminal. Shopping and dining areas, as well as the VIP lounges, can all be accessed easily by disabled passengers.

Restaurants and Bars
Cancun International Airport has a selection of restaurants and bars in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. The most eateries are in Terminal 2, which has a TGI Friday's, a Dominos Pizza and a Burger King. Bubba Gump, Dominos, Peking Xpress and Guacamole Grill are the main places to eat in Terminal 3, which also has the Coconuts Bar, AirMargaritaville and the Grab n Go Bar. Drinks in Terminal 1 are usually consumed at the Corona Beach Bar, the Welcome Bar or the Cuervo Terquilieria. Both terminals 2 and 3 have cafés such as Starbucks.

VIP Lounges

Terminal 2:
VIP Lounge (Airside)
Terminal 3:
VIP Lounge (Airside)

Money and ATMs
Each terminal has ATMs and at least one money exchange desk in its Arrivals hall.

Shopping
Shops are mainly found in the departures terminals and are separated from duty-free outlets. Big names such as Hard Rock Café can be found but most shops, including Tabaqueria Cena, Hand Craft Air Shop and Pineda Covalin, are unique to this part of the world. Tiendas is the main duty-free retailer at the airport.