Merida is well connected with Cancun Airport. You can get from Cancun Airport to Merida by bus, shared shuttle+ bus, private transfer, or rental car.
Merida has a lot to offer with its many monuments and archeological sites, colorful streets, and charming cafes!
Merida is the capital of Yucatán State, one of the three states making up Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula in the country’s southeastern part. It is also referred to as the cultural capital of the Yucatan Peninsula and one of Mexico’s most beautiful colonial cities.
It is surrounded by the most impressive archeological sites and mystical cenotes. Beautiful colonial buildings and parks line the streets with colorful markets and charming cafes dotting them!
Learn about its history during an informative tour, or walk through the streets to discover hidden gems along your way! The fanciest hotels are right near the town center, which is the ideal location for exploring all Merida offers.
Additionally, you can go to one of the many museums. Or better yet, you could go shopping at traditional street markets offering local goods!
And if you’re a foodie, you can enjoy traditional Mexican food or try some of the best dishes in unique fusion restaurants.
You can always find something to do in this charming city! So, are you ready to explore Merida?
Traveling between Cancun Airport and Merida is easy, and you can choose between a bus, shared shuttle+ bus, private transfer, and rental car!
Check our guide for the best options to travel from Cancun Airport to Merida.
How far is Merida from Cancun Airport?
The distance from Cancun Airport to Merida is 191.4 miles or 308.1 kilometers.
Transportation Options from Cancun Airport to Merida
The following table outlines all transportation options from Cancun Airport to Merida:
Method | Travel time | Price |
---|---|---|
Bus from Cancun Airport to Merida via Cancun | 4-6 hours | USD 43.50-USD 67.50 |
Shared Shuttle + Bus from Cancun Airport to Merida via Cancun | 4-6 hours | USD 49-USD 73 |
Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Merida | 3 hours 40 minutes | – |
Rental Car | 3 hours 40 minutes | – |
Getting to Merida from Cancun Airport
1. Coach Bus from Cancun Airport to Merida (via Cancun)
Journey Duration: 4-6 hours
When you arrive at Cancun Airport, to get to Merida, you must first travel to Cancun since there is no direct public transport operating the route from the airport to Merida.
So, to save some money, the best and most economical way to travel is to get on a coach bus to Cancun, and then transfer to another bus that will take you to Merida!
The bus company ADO operates both buses you need to take, offering comfortable, safe, and relatively fast journeys!
The buses from the airport to Cancun operate very frequently, so you should have no problem catching the next one as soon as you arrive. They take around 30 minutes to get to Cancun, and the ticket costs only USD 8.50!
Since coordinating the schedules for the two routes might be a little difficult, it’s best to get the tickets for the first bus at the terminal once you arrive at the airport.
Then, when you arrive in Cancun, you need to catch another coach bus from the ADO bus station and head straight to Merida! This trip takes 3-4 hours, depending on which bus you take, and the ticket costs USD 35-USD 59.
So, check out both bus schedules, and pick the one that fits your needs!

Cancun to Merida Coach Bus Schedule:
- 04:00 AM to 07:50 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 35
- 06:00 PM to 09:30 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 40
- 05:00 PM to 08:30 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 40
- 04:00 PM to 08:10 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 41
- 02:00 PM to 06:10 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 41
- 01:00 PM to 04:42 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 41
- 10:00 AM to 02:10 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 41
- 08:00 PM to 12:30 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 12:37 PM to 03:52 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 11:00 AM to 02:30 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 09:00 AM to 12:30 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 08:00 AM to 11:52 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 06:15 AM to 09:35 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 02:00 AM to 05:30 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 01:07 AM to 04:30 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 07:30 AM to 10:37 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 59
Universal Traveller recommends the following websites to plan & book your trip to Mexico
- Book your car rental through RentalCars
- Check & book all available transportation options on GuateGo
- Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to.
- Search hotels on booking.com and hostelword
- Don’t forget about travel insurance for your trip to Mexico!
2. Shared Van Shuttle + Coach Bus from Cancun Airport to Merida (via Cancun)
Journey Duration: 4-6 hours
Another option to travel from Cancun Airport to Merida, besides taking two buses, is combining a shared shuttle and a bus!
Once again, first, you must arrive in Cancun from the airport, where you’ll transfer to the ADO coach bus to Merida. And to do so, you can catch a shared shuttle from the airport!
Shuttles also operate frequently, just like the buses, and you can catch one anytime!
This option costs a little bit more, but both shuttle and bus trips are the same lengths as the coach bus combo. The only difference is that you will travel with fewer people from the airport to Cancun, and the shuttle can drop you off directly at the ADO terminal.
The shuttle ticket costs USD 14, and the coach bus to Merida is USD 35-USD 59.
And depending on which shuttle and bus you catch, the journey can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, including transfers.
So, it’s best to check out the schedules online and book your rides from Cancun Airport to Merida!

Cancun to Merida Coach Bus Schedule:
- 04:00 AM to 07:50 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 35
- 06:00 PM to 09:30 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 40
- 05:00 PM to 08:30 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 40
- 04:00 PM to 08:10 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 41
- 02:00 PM to 06:10 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 41
- 01:00 PM to 04:42 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 41
- 10:00 AM to 02:10 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 41
- 08:00 PM to 12:30 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 12:37 PM to 03:52 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 11:00 AM to 02:30 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 09:00 AM to 12:30 PM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 08:00 AM to 11:52 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 06:15 AM to 09:35 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 02:00 AM to 05:30 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 01:07 AM to 04:30 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 42
- 07:30 AM to 10:37 AM: Coach Bus to Merida from Cancun
Total price: USD 59

3. Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Merida
Journey Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes
If you want to travel comfortably and be taken straight to Merida without making transfers, then a private transfer from Cancun Airport to Merida is the best option!
With your private vehicle, you don’t need to go to Cancun first, and you can skip all the hassle of public transport. You’ll also arrive in Merida in no time since the road trip by car only take 3 hours and 40 minutes!
So, with a private transfer, you can be sure your journey will be comfortable and enjoyable! Furthermore, you will be greeted by an English-speaking driver who can assist you with your luggage.
Private transfers are even available for larger groups! So, this is an excellent option if you travel with many people.
With the cost split among the group, the trip will be affordable and worthwhile!
You can find many Mexican traveling agencies and arrange your journey straight from the airport.
Now is the time to plan your trip and book your private transfer from Cancun Airport to Merida!
4. Driving with Rental Car from Cancun Airport to Merida
Journey Duration: 3 hours 40 minutes
Another great and affordable option to travel directly from Cancun Airport to Merida is to rent a car!
You can find a car rental once you arrive at the airport, and taking your car is probably the most practical way to travel from Cancun Airport to Merida. However, we strongly suggest making your car reservation in advance to get a better deal!
When you rent a car, you won’t be constrained by the schedules of public transportation and will have complete freedom to explore and travel at your own pace! And also, you’ll arrive in Merida in no time!
So if you’re prepared to embark on a Mexican adventure, traveling by car from Cancun Airport to Merida is an option!

Best day tours in Merida, Mexico
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.
The following widget shows some of the best tours in Merida, Mexico.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Merida?
The most affordable and cost-effective way to get from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Merida is to drive with a rental car.
What is the fastest way to get from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Merida?
The fastest way to get from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Merida is by car. You can either rent a car or book a private transfer. This journey takes 3 hours and 40 minutes.
How do I travel from Cancun Airport (CUN) to Merida without a car?
To travel from Cancun Airport to Merida without a car, you must first make a transfer in Cancun. Since there is no direct public transport from Cancun Airport to Merida, you either have to take a shuttle or a bus to Cancun and then transfer on another bus to Merida.
Can you take a bus from Cancun Airport to Mérida?
No, there is no direct bus from Cancun Airport to Merida.
How long is the ADO bus from Cancun to Mérida?
The ADO bus from Cancun to Merida takes 3-4 hours to arrive.