Travel: Flights to Cancun from Madrid (mad)

• Cancún International Airport (IATA: CUN) (ICAO: MMUN) is Mexico's second busiest airport. It is about 10km (6mi) from the hotel strip and 16km (9mi) southwest of downtown.

One of Cancun's best features is its transport links, as most major air carriers in North America, Central America, and South America, have service to Cancun. There are some extremely cheap charter flight deals available from the UK (from around £100) as well as commercial flight deals from several European carriers.

The hardest part of the journey to Cancun (aside from your initial airport check-in) is getting from the luggage carousel to your transportation. Make sure you know who your transport is and find them on the outside, as that is where they will be! Unless you are looking for a timeshare, free meal or looking to burn time and money on your vacation don't stop to chit-chat about booking tours and such. There is plenty of time for that after you get settled in.

There are 2 companies officially licensed by Cancun Airport to provide the transfer service to the hotels in Cancun or the Riviera Maya. One is Gray Line and the other one is T.T.A. Both have a selling booth right after the Customs Service. Prices are fixed by the Airport and are not negotiable. The two companies offer shuttle service and also private transfer.

There is also a first class bus service from the airport to both the ADO bus station in Cancun and to the one in Playa del Carmen. If you are going to Puerto Morelos, you can arrange being dropped at the appropriate intersection on the way to Playa. To get to the buses, go outside the main building and turn right. Head up past the end of that building and find the appropriate bus for you.

Beware leaving Mexico without enough money. The Mexican Government charges a travel tax of around 500 pesos/46 U.S. Dollars to leave the country from the airport. Most major air carriers may already have the travel tax charged to the price of the ticket; though it is highly recommended that travelers check this before leaving to/from Cancun.

Also beware going through security too early. Food and drink prices almost double and you can't easily go back.