Cancun - Riviera Maya in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Mexico Cancun

How to get from Merida to Cancun

In this in-depth route guide, you can compare the best ways to travel the 306 kilometers (190 miles) from Merida to Cancun. Our team of indpendent travel experts researched each route — breaking down each option by travel time, price, and comfort. Plus, we’ll share the best booking options to help you get the best deal.

Written by Ela - Senior Travel WriterReviewed by Maarten - Trip Planning ExpertLast updated: January 26, 2025

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Why visit Cancun?

Cancun is a vibrant beach city overlooking the Caribbean Sea. With its crystal blue waters and snow-white sand, the city can be too touristy for some visitors. But its location on Mexico’s east coast makes it the perfect gateway to other destinations like Chichen Itza, Isla Mujeres and Holbox.

You’ll find most tourists in the Hotel Zone, which is full to the brim with all-inclusive resorts, restaurants and lively bars. Depending on what you’re looking for, Cancun can just be a short stopover or a holiday destination by itself. Whichever you decide, make sure to explore other nearby destinations for a more authentic Mexican experience!

What are the 2 ways to travel from Merida to Cancun?

There are 2 ways to travel the 306 kilometers (190 miles) from Merida to Cancun. You can choose between the bus and private transport. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 25 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 725 MXN ($36).

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Bus

3h 50m - 5h 25m

From 725 MXN ($36)

Book Tickets

Private Transport

3h 30m - 3h 50m

From 7,000 MXN ($345)

Book Tickets

Where to stay in Cancun?

Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Cancun at the bottom of this page.

Merida to Cancun by Bus

Duration: 3h 50m - 5h 25m

Costs: 725 MXN ($36)

Duration: 3h 50m - 5h 25m

Costs: 725 MXN ($36)

Bus transportation from Merida to Cancun is a straightforward option.

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 ADO Primera Clase or ADO Platino. See our Mexico Bus Guide for the differences between ADO’s bus types.

Ticket prices start from 725 MXN ($36). Travel time varies but the fastest bus usually takes almost 4 hours. Note that some ADO buses take a bit longer because of an additional stop at Valladolid.

Departure stations

There are three ADO bus stations in Merida.

ADO TAME (Main Station): Right in the heart of Merida’s city centre.
Paseo 60: Sitting in the hotel zone at the northern edge of Centro — caters mostly to luxury buses and two daily buses that go directly to Cancún Airport.
Terminal Altabrisa: Set near Merida’s northeast border.

There’s also a bus stop in the hotel zone near the Fiesta Americana Hotel, known as Merida Fiesta Americana.

Bus schedules from Merida to Cancun

Merida Unica Bus Station

Standard

Cancun ADO Bus Station

01:37

4h 15m

06:52

04:37

4h 15m

09:52

07:07

4h 15m

12:22

08:07

4h 15m

13:22

09:07

4h 15m

14:22

10:07

4h 15m

15:22

11:07

4h 15m

16:22

12:07

4h 15m

17:22

13:07

4h 15m

18:22

14:07

4h 15m

19:22

14:25

4h 15m

19:40

15:07

4h 15m

20:22

16:07

4h 15m

21:22

16:37

4h 15m

21:52

17:07

4h 15m

22:22

ADO

725 MXN ($36)

Get Your Tickets

Merida Fiesta Americana Bus Station

Standard

Cancun ADO Bus Station

07:07

4h 23m

12:30

08:07

4h 23m

13:30

09:37

4h 20m

14:57

10:17

4h 23m

15:40

12:17

4h 23m

17:40

14:37

4h 23m

20:00

15:37

4h 23m

21:00

17:17

4h 23m

22:40

ADO

From 755 MXN ($37)

Merida Bus Station

Standard

Cancun ADO Bus Station

07:40

3h 50m

12:30

08:40

3h 50m

13:30

10:07

3h 50m

14:57

10:50

3h 50m

15:40

12:50

3h 50m

17:40

15:10

3h 50m

20:00

16:10

3h 50m

21:00

17:50

3h 50m

22:40

ADO

755 MXN ($37)

Ado Tame

First Class

ADO Centro

01:37

5h 15m

06:52

04:37

5h 15m

09:52

07:07

5h 15m

12:22

08:07

5h 15m

13:22

09:07

5h 15m

14:22

10:07

5h 15m

15:22

11:07

5h 15m

16:22

12:07

5h 15m

17:22

13:07

5h 15m

18:22

14:07

5h 15m

19:22

14:25

5h 15m

19:40

15:07

5h 15m

20:22

16:07

5h 15m

21:22

16:37

5h 15m

21:52

17:07

5h 15m

22:22

ADO

800 MXN ($40)

Get Your Tickets

ADO Terminal Alterna Paseo 60

First Class

ADO Centro

09:37

5h 20m

14:57

ADO

830 MXN ($41)

Get Your Tickets

ADO Altabrisa

First Class

ADO Centro

10:07

4h 50m

14:57

ADO

830 MXN ($41)

Get Your Tickets

ADO Terminal Alterna Paseo 60

First Class

ADO Conecta Aeropuerto, Cancun, QR

06:15

5h 10m

11:25

21:30

5h 5m

02:35

ADO

1,170 MXN ($58)

Get Your Tickets

ADO Terminal Alterna Paseo 60

Luxury

ADO Centro

07:07

5h 23m

12:30

08:07

5h 23m

13:30

10:17

5h 23m

15:40

12:17

5h 23m

17:40

14:37

5h 23m

20:00

15:37

5h 23m

21:00

17:17

5h 23m

22:40

ADO

1,180 MXN ($59)

Get Your Tickets

ADO Altabrisa

Luxury

ADO Centro

07:40

4h 50m

12:30

08:40

4h 50m

13:30

10:50

4h 50m

15:40

12:50

4h 50m

17:40

15:10

4h 50m

20:00

16:10

4h 50m

21:00

17:50

4h 50m

22:40

ADO

1,180 MXN ($59)

Get Your Tickets

ADO Altabrisa

First Class

ADO Conecta Aeropuerto, Cancun, QR

06:45

4h 40m

11:25

21:55

4h 40m

02:35

ADO

1,240 MXN ($62)

Get Your Tickets

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Arrival stations

In Cancun, the last stop is at ADO Cancun Bus Station along Calle Pino in the city centre. Many hotels and hostels are nearby, so you can walk. But if you are staying a little further out or at one of the beach areas, you may have to take a taxi or bus to get to your final destination.

Taxis are available from outside the bus terminal and are metered. An average ride to the Hotel Zone is around 200 MXN ($9.90). Buses are a cheaper option. Catch one on Avenida Tulum and Line R-1 heads to the beach and hotel area for 13 MXN ($0.60), to be paid directly to the driver.

If you’re heading to the airport, though, your drop-off point will be at ADO Aeropuerto Cancun.

Merida to Cancun by Private Transport

Duration: 3h 30m - 3h 50m

Costs: 7,000 MXN ($345)

Duration: 3h 30m - 3h 50m

Costs: 7,000 MXN ($345)

A private transfer from Merida to Cancun is the easiest and most convenient transport option. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation or the airport — no need to worry about extra transfers.

Prices for private transfer start at 7,000 MXN ($345) for an 8-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 870 MXN ($43) each.

Private Transport options from Merida to Cancun

Standard

Standard Minivan 8 PAX

Price per person = 870 MXN ($43)

GetTransfer LATAM

7,000 MXN ($345)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 2,970 MXN ($145)

Flex Shuttle

8,900 MXN ($440)

Get Your Tickets

Comfort

Comfort Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 3,230 MXN ($160)

Wayak

9,700 MXN ($480)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 7 PAX

Price per person = 1,430 MXN ($71)

Flights Cancun

10,000 MXN ($495)

Get Your Tickets

Best places to stay in Cancun

Sina Suites - Treating Yourself

Resorts in Cancun can cost you a bomb! Sina Suites gives you that resort-style feel without the high prices. Ever wanted your own private marina in a hotel? No? Well now you probably do, and Sina Suites has one. It also has a large swimming pool set amongst gardens that overlook the lagoon.

Every day, enjoy a continental breakfast and delicious Mexican food in their poolside restaurant/bar that sits underneath a traditional thatched hut! You’ll also get more than just a room here, most suites also offer a kitchenette and balcony.

Views overlooking Cancun lagoon
Outdoor swimming pool
Bar and restaurant
Great location

Double rooms start from $80 per night

Check Available Rooms

Viento Suites - Mid Range

Viento Suites is an escape from the busy and hectic Cancun. Once you’re inside the walls of this hotel, chilling in the garden beside the swimming pool, you’ll forget about the outside world.

The location couldn’t be more perfect. It’s situated within Downtown Cancun, but also very close to the Hotel Zone and beaches. The rooms look like those found in a high-class hotel, but without the extortionate prices.

Outdoor swimming pool
BBQ facilities
Great location
Clean and spacious rooms

Double rooms between $40-$80 per night

Check Available Rooms

Yellow Capsule Hotel - Budget Friendly

Looking for a unique sleeping experience? The Yellow Capsule Hotel will definitely give you that. Instead of traditional rooms, you sleep in a pod. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the future when you clamber into your bright and spacious pod.

The capsules are clean and include everything you need for a comfy stay, a mirror, outlets, a safe and storage space. When you’re done hanging around in your pod, you can chill at the hotel’s terrace and enjoy their free breakfast.

Cool capsule sleeping experience
Friendly and helpful staff
Great location
Delicious breakfast included

Double rooms between $15-$40 per night

Check Available Rooms

Estancia Tulbayab 36 - Budget Friendly

If you’re looking for a more homely feel than a to hotel, then definitely stay at Estancia. The owners will instantly make you feel welcome and are always there to offer advice.

The homestay offers a very convenient location, close to the local markets and not too far from the ADO bus station. The rooms are clean and spacious, plus a steal for the price. If you fancy doing some cooking whilst in Cancun, you can make use of the communal kitchen.

Great location
Clean and spacious rooms
Helpful and friendly hosts
You’ll feel at home

Double rooms between $15-$40 per night

Check Available Rooms

Frequently Asked Questions about Merida to Cancun

Can you get a rental car from Merida to Cancun?

Car rentals are plenty and cheap in Mexico. This option gives you the freedom to visit archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza along the way.
You can get a rental car from 570 MXN ($28) for 24 hours. If you’re looking to rent for a week, then rates start from 2,380 MXN ($115). For the cheapest rentals and most extensive selection, book your rental car through Kayak or Skyscanner. Make sure you have a valid driver’s license! We also recommend that you check out our Top 10 Tips on car rentals to help you save money.

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Merida to Cancun. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.

PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!

About the author(s)

Ela

Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.

Maarten

Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.

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