How to travel from Cartagena to Mérida, Spain

The distance between Cartagena and Mérida is around 653km (406 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 6h 10m.

7 routes found

We've found 7 different ways to get from Cartagena to Mérida by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out MéridaCartagena if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
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plane
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Train and Plane

Take the train to San Gabriel then fly from Alicante (ALC) to Badajoz (BJZ).

  • Duration6h 10m
  • Flight time2h 50m
  • Typical cost
    €275($275)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
3 x train
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Train

Take the train to Orihuela then Madrid-Chamartin and then to Merida.

  • Duration7h 55m
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    €95($95)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Seville and then to Merida.

  • Duration10hrs
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    €75($75)
4
car
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Drive

Drive to Mérida.

  • Duration7h 10m
  • Distance653km (406 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cartagena and Mérida

There are several options for getting from Cartagena to Mérida by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around €64 ($64) and will take around 9h 50m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 6h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €275 ($275).

The distance between Cartagena and Mérida is around 653km (406 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 488km (303 miles)

It takes around 7h 55m to get from Cartagena and Mérida by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 7h 10m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cartagena to Mérida is to take the train and then fly which takes around 6h 10m and will set you back approx €275 ($275).

The cheapest way to travel between Cartagena and Mérida, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around €64 ($64) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cartagena and Mérida. It typically takes around 7h 55m and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Cartagena to Mérida. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Orihuela and Madrid-Chamartin. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 7h 55m.

Renfe and Renfe AVE run train services between Cartagena and Mérida. Trains depart 6 times a week and will take around 7h 55m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cartagena and Mérida. It typically takes around 10hrs and departs twice daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Cartagena to Mérida. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Seville. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 10hrs.

ALSA run regular bus services between Cartagena and Mérida. Buses run twice daily and take around 10hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Cartagena to Mérida. We recommend that you take the train to San Gabriel then fly from Alicante (ALC) to Badajoz (BJZ). instead which will take 6h 10m.

The closest major airport to Mérida is San Pablo Airport (SVQ) (SVQ) which is approximately 171km (106 miles) from Mérida. Jerez Airport (XRY) (XRY) and Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) (MAD) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Cartagena and Mérida. The distance is around 653km (406 miles) by road and it will take around 7h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cartagena to Mérida is to take the train which takes, on average, 7h 55m and will usually cost around €95 ($95).

How do I get from Cartagena to Mérida

Compare travel optionsbetween Cartagena and Mérida

Transport options from Cartagena to Mérida
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 2 similar
6h 10m
€275($275)
5 times a week1,407km (875 miles)
Train to San Gabriel, plane8hrs
€135($135)
twice daily931km (579 miles)
Train, Plane and Bus8h 20m
€155($155)
every 20 mins1,192km (741 miles)
Train + 1 similar
7h 55m
€95($95)
6 times a week971km (604 miles)
Train via Albacete9h 50m
€64($64)
once daily754km (469 miles)
Bus
10hrs
€75($75)
twice daily774km (481 miles)
Drive
7h 10m
€120($120)
on demand653km (406 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cartagena and Mérida

Airports near Mérida

The following major airports near Mérida offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Spain and internationally.

SVQ
San Pablo Airport (SVQ)
International Airport
Distance
171km (106 miles) from Mérida
XRY
Jerez Airport (XRY)
Domestic Airport
Distance
242km (150 miles) from Mérida
MAD
Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
International Airport
Distance
295km (183 miles) from Mérida