How to get from Palenque to Merida

Why visit Merida?

Merida is the capital city of the Yucatan Peninsula and also the largest city in the region. It’s the perfect place to wander around narrow streets and admire the impressive colonial architecture on either side of you.

Merida also has the oldest cathedral in the Americas and is known as the region’s cultural capital. The city has gained this reputation thanks to its historic buildings and iconic museums, including the Mayan World Museum.

A favourite activity amongst travellers is hopping between restaurants to really get a taste of the delicious Yucatecan cuisine. On top of that, Merida will keep you busy for days exploring nearby Mayan archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Dzibilchaltun and Kabah.

There are 2 ways to travel the 535 kilometre (332 miles) distance from Palenque to Merida. You can choose between the bus and flight. The journey takes 3 hours 40 minutes to 9 hours 35 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 1,160 MXN ($64).

Even though it takes between 8 hours 40 minutes to 9 hours 35 minutes to get from Palenque to Merida by bus, it’s still our recommended option. You can sleep for the most part of the journey and be ready for another day of exploring once you arrive in Merida!

Buses from Palenque to Merida depart from Palenque Central Bus Station, which you can reach by foot from most hotels in the city centre.

If you’re carrying a lot of luggage or your hotel is a bit far from the station, you can also take a taxi with rates from 70 MXN ($3.80).

There are 4 bus departures every day from Palenque to Merida, allowing you to travel either in the morning or at night.

Because it’s an almost 9-hour bus journey, we recommend taking an overnight bus, preferably the last trip that departs at 22:00. This way, you can save a night on accommodation, sleep for the most part of the trip, and be well rested when you arrive in Merida.

ADO is Mexico’s most popular bus company, offering comfortable, air-conditioned buses with reclining seats and onboard restrooms. For this route, you can book Primera Clase. See our Mexico Bus Guide for the differences between ADO’s bus types.

Buses arrive at Merida Unica Bus Station in the city centre. From here, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the main square, where you’ll find plenty of hotel options.

You can also take a taxi. A ride within the city centre should cost around 70 MXN ($3.80).

Flying from Palenque to Merida is a good option if you are tight on time and wish to get to your destination quicker. Note that Palenque does not have an airport, which means you need to take a flight from Villahermosa, a town located 145 km northwest or 2 hours away by bus.

This option is quite limited because direct flights from Villahermosa to Merida only run three times a week — and even less frequently from April onwards.

If you plan ahead though, you may be able to fit a flight into your itinerary.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

A direct bus from Palenque to Villahermosa Airport departs several times a day from Palenque’s main bus terminal.

The bus service is provided by ADO Aeropuerto, a sub-branch of ADO, that specialises in airport transfers at affordable rates. Buses are equipped with AC, reclining seats and a toilet.

A ticket costs 350 MXN ($19.20) and the journey takes around 2h 10m. Online booking is available via ClickBus.

Flights to Merida depart from Villahermosa International Airport. It’s important to note that direct flights depart only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 18:00. Make sure there is enough time between the arrival time of your bus from Palenque and the flight departure from Villahermosa.

The airline providing a direct flight between Merida and Villahermosa is VivaAerobus. You can also fly with AeroMexico, but you’ll have to make a layover in Mexico City. Airfares start from 1,090 MXN ($60).

TIP: Booking flights several weeks in advance will help you find better deals when travelling in Mexico.

Merida International Airport is 10 km southwest of the city centre. There is no public transport available from the airport, but you’ve got a few options to get into town: taxi, Uber, or private transfer.

Taxi rates start at 320 MXN ($17.60), depending on the location of your hotel. Uber is a cheaper alternative at 110 MXN ($6), but there’s a catch — it can’t pick you up inside the airport. You’ll need to walk 5-10 minutes to the road outside to catch your ride.

For a more comfortable option, a private car transfer is available on BookAway for around 410 MXN ($22.50).