Transport Options from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas

April Dwyer

Travel/Copy Writer - 10+ years with private, NGO and startups | Adventure Seeker/World Explorer - 40+ countries and counting | MSc Wildlife Conservation Biology

August 27, 2024

Located in Baja California in Mexico, the resort city of Cabo San Lucas is situated 43km from Los Cabos Airport. When it comes to finding the right airport transportation from SJD to Cabo San Lucas, you have three options: taxi, private transfer or bus. Taking an SJD Airport taxi or private transfer is by far the quickest and most comfortable transfer option. It costs around €72 (MXN 1,480) and will take 40 minutes to reach your hotel in light traffic.

A much cheaper option, and the only way to travel by public transport, is to take the Ruta del Desierto public bus. This bus costs just €3.80 (MXN 64) one-way but can take up to 2 hours to reach your hotel, depending on how many people need to be dropped off along the way.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Cabo San Lucas at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€72	40min	24/7
Private Transfer	€72	40min	24/7
Bus	€7.60	60min	04:30–23:00

How to get from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas by taxi

Taking a taxi from Cabo Airport to Cabo San Lucas is the fastest and most reliable transportation option. Cabo Airport taxis are typically blue or white and can seat between 8 and 10 passengers. Your fare will be paid for upfront and the trip will take around 40 minutes to drop you at the door of your hotel in the city centre.

*For the best price, it’s best to book your taxi before travelling since taxis are known to charge 60% more for bookings made on the same day.

Taxi fare from SJD Airport to the city centre

Taxis at SJD Airport operate using pre-determined fares to certain zones. For the journey from Los Cabos Airport to your hotel, you will be charged a fare based on the exact hotel you’re travelling to and which zone it’s in.

The cost of this journey may increase or decrease depending on your final destination and the number of people you’re travelling with, but from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas the taxi cost will be around €72 (MXN 1,480) for up to 4 people. If you’re travelling with more than four people, the rate for each additional passenger is generally €18.50 (MXN 380).

*You will need to pay for your taxi at the designated kiosk inside the airport and then present the ticket to your driver when getting into the taxi.

For a locked-in price with no hidden fees, you can pre-book a taxi or airport taxi and secure a competitive fare with plenty of extras.

Cost

€72

Trip Duration

40 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Los Cabos Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

There are designated taxi stands located right outside of both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at Los Cabos Airport. If you pre-book your taxi, your driver will be waiting for you at the Exit gates, on the Arrivals level.

Convenience

An airport taxi is the only private means of public transportation from Los Cabos Airport to your hotel. Aside from a private transfer, it’s also the quickest and most convenient option. It takes a third of the time that the public bus option takes and will drop you off right in front of the reception of the hotel. The downside of getting a taxi at the airport is having to wait for an available one unless you pre-book online.

*You can also opt for a shared shuttle from Los Cabo Airport to the hotel, but they only depart when they are filled with passengers, so you might need to wait around in the hot sun for your transport to depart.

Editor’s Note

Although taking a taxi is the most convenient option, it's quite expensive. If you're travelling on a budget and with only a small amount of luggage, you may wish to take the cheaper public bus instead.

Useful Tips

You must purchase your taxi ticket at the counter in the airport and present the receipt to your driver.

The cost of your taxi will depend on the hotel you're travelling to, be sure to make this clear to the person at the ticket counter and agree on a price before entering your taxi.

Taxi drivers in Los Cabos don't expect tips but are always grateful for one if the service was impressive.

Only accept a ride from a driver waiting inside their vehicle at the official taxi stand.

How to get to Cabo San Lucas from the airport by private transfer

When considering your Cabo San Lucas transportation from the airport to the city, a private transfer is the most reliable and customisable choice. No need to queue up on arrival for a taxi or worry about whether all of your travelling companions can stick together, when you book a private transfer you’ll be met with a local English-speaking driver on arrival and taken directly to the door of your hotel in comfort and style.

When you book your private transfer with a company like Welcome Pickups, you’ll receive a guaranteed fixed fare rate and 24/7 customer support. Moreover, your driver will welcome you to Cabo San Lucas with a mini tour along the way, while letting you on some local secrets to help you get the most out of your stay.

How much is a private transfer from SJD Airport to the city centre?

Using a private transfer service to get from SJD Airport to the city centre allows you to make all of your travel arrangements ahead of time so that on arrival, everything runs smoothly and stress-free. During the booking process, you’ll receive a fixed quote inclusive of all services. This is especially useful if you’re travelling in a group since taxis charge extra per person, making it difficult to know the total price upfront.

For instance, a ride for up to 5 passengers in one of our large sedan taxis will cost €72, or if you need extra space, our minivans can accommodate up to 8 passengers and cost just €88 for the transfer downtown.

Booking is easy and can be done in less than a minute when using our app or website. Make sure you have your flight information handy, along with any personal details, and then simply select your preferred pickup time.

Cost

€72

Trip Duration

40 Min.

Your driver will meet you at your requested time.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Private transfer service are available 24/7 from SJD Airport.

Where does my private transfer depart from?

After landing and collecting any baggage, make your way to the Arrivals Hall where your driver will already be waiting for you holding a sign with your name. No need to wait in line or arrange a taxi voucher, you’ll be given a hand with your bags and shown directly to your pre-selected private vehicle.

Convenience

Private transfer services in Cabo San Lucas offer the greatest amount of flexibility which makes them very convenient. Not to mention, they are reliable and fast and since everything is taken care of before travelling, you can start your trip off relaxed and carefree knowing you are being transferred by a trained local driver in total comfort and privacy.

Editor’s Note

For the same price as a taxi, a private transfer offers a more flexible and reliable service with plenty of extras.

Useful Tips

We recommend booking your transfer at least 30 minutes after your flight's scheduled arrival time. This way, you'll have time to go through Immigration, Customs and Baggage Claim without any stress.

Don't worry if your plane is delayed, each driver receives live flight status updates to ensure they are there to greet you right on time.

Requests such as a minivan, baby seat or wheelchair-accessible vehicle can be made at the time of booking.

All payments will be handled at the time of booking so there's no need to withdraw cash for your taxi.

Tips aren't expected when booking a private transfer, although you are welcome to if you wish to show your appreciation for good service.

How to get from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas by bus

You can also use public transportation from Cabo Airport to Cabo San Lucas. There’s a cheap public bus operated by Ruta del Desierto that runs daily from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas.

Buses are purple and yellow so you can easily spot them and the ride takes approximately 1 hour. However, if there are lots of passengers on board, it can take up to 2 hours. The bus stops at the San Jose bus terminal before travelling onwards to Cabo San Lucas town centre and the hotel strip, as well as the bus station.

*It’s also possible to travel from the airport to Cabo San Lucas by shuttle. These are typically shared buses operated by hotels or private companies.

How much is the bus from Los Cabo Airport to Cabo San Lucas?

Opting to take the bus from Los Cabos Airport to Cabo San Lucas is relatively cheap, with tickets costing just €3.80 (MXN 80).

*You can purchase your ticket from the booth inside the airport or from the driver onboard the bus in Mexican Pesos (MXN).

Photos (1)

The Ruta del Desierto

Cost

€3.80 (MXN 80)

Trip Duration

60 Min.

The bus departs every 8 to 10 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The public Ruta del Desierto bus is available from 04:30 to 23:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

The Ruta del Desierto bus stop is located outside Terminal 1, across the road from the Arrivals Hall. If you land at Terminal 2 you will need to walk with your luggage or take the airport shuttle bus to Terminal 1. You should allow 10 minutes if you choose to walk.

Convenience

Although the public bus runs all day, it’s a very slow service since there are many stops along the way. The Ruta del Desierto bus also drops you off on the main highway outside of the hotel entrances, so you’ll need to walk with your luggage to the hotel reception, which can be very long and hot.

Timetables

Airport – Cabo San Lucas

Ruta del Desierto Information

Editor’s Note

Since there's limited luggage storage space on the public bus, and you'll need to walk from the highway to the lobby of your hotel, it's better to take a taxi if you're travelling with luggage.

Useful Tips

The Ruta del Desierto bus is fully air-conditioned for your comfort.

There's very limited storage space on the bus.

You can purchase your tickets from the driver or from the ticket booth in the airport.

There is a free airport shuttle bus that transports passengers between each terminal. The bus takes 2 minutes and runs approximately every 10 minutes.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Cabo san lucas. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Frequently asked questions

How far is downtown Cabo from the airport?

Los Cabos Airport is located 43 km away from the hotels in Cabo San Lucas. This journey will take around 40 minutes in a Cabo San Lucas Airport taxi or private car, or 60 minutes on the public Ruta del Desierto bus.

How to get from Cabo Airport to Cabo San Lucas

There are three main ways to travel from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas; taxi, private transfer or public bus. The public bus takes 60 minutes and costs just €3.80 (MXN 80) one-way. Whereas, a SJD Airport taxi or private transfer takes 30 to 40 minutes to reach your hotel and costs around €72 (MXN 1,480), depending on which hotel you’re staying at.

How much is a taxi from the airport to Cabo San Lucas?

Taxis at Los Cabos Airport calculate fares based on specific zones. So, the cost of a taxi from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas will be around €72 (MXN 1,480).

Keep in mind that extra fees for night rides, road tolls and extra luggage may be added on top. For a guaranteed fixed fare with no hidden fees, you can pre-book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups and unlock our 24/7 customer support and travel extras.

Was this helpful?

The best way to arrive in Cabo San Lucas

High-end transfer service at the same price as a regular taxi. Available in 42 destinations.

Learn more

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

How to get from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas by taxi

Taxi fare from SJD Airport to the city centre

Cost

€72

Trip Duration

40 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Los Cabos Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get to Cabo San Lucas from the airport by private transfer

How much is a private transfer from SJD Airport to the city centre?

Cost

€72

Trip Duration

40 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Private transfer service are available 24/7 from SJD Airport.

Where does my private transfer depart from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas by bus

How much is the bus from Los Cabo Airport to Cabo San Lucas?

Photos (1)

Cost

€3.80 (MXN 80)

Trip Duration

60 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The public Ruta del Desierto bus is available from 04:30 to 23:00.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Airport – Cabo San Lucas

Ruta del Desierto Information

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Frequently asked questions

How far is downtown Cabo from the airport?

How to get from Cabo Airport to Cabo San Lucas

How much is a taxi from the airport to Cabo San Lucas?

Was this helpful?

The best way to arrive in Cabo San Lucas

Save the article for later or share it with friends

The link is copied

Transfer Options in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo Taxi - Prices and Useful Tips for Taxis in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas Airport Taxi: Compare All Taxi Options & Prices

✈ Transfer Options from SJD to La Paz - Welcome Pickups

Los Cabos Airport Taxi: Compare All Taxi Options & Prices

FromLos Cabos International Airport (SJD)

ToSan José del Cabo

FromLos Cabos International Airport (SJD)

ToTodos Santos

293 Destinations Worldwide

Pre-book online→