How to travel from Mérida to Cartagena, Spain

The distance between Mérida and Cartagena is around 655km (407 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the train which takes around 5h 35m.

8 routes found

We've found 8 different ways to get from Mérida to Cartagena 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 CartagenaMérida if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+
train
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Plane and Train

Fly from Badajoz (BJZ) to Alicante (ALC) then take the train to Cartagena.

  • Duration5h 35m
  • Flight time2h 25m
  • 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 Madrid-Chamartin then Orihuela and then to Cartagena.

  • 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 Cartagena.

  • Duration10h 45m
  • Departstwice daily
  • Typical cost
    €75($75)

1 similiar route

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

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Cartagena.

  • Duration7h 10m
  • Distance655km (407 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Mérida and Cartagena

There are several options for getting from Mérida to Cartagena by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around €34 ($34) and will take around 12h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the train and arrive in approximately 5h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately €275 ($275).

The distance between Mérida and Cartagena is around 655km (407 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 488km (303 miles)

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

The quickest way to get from Mérida to Cartagena is to fly and then take the train which takes around 5h 35m and will set you back approx €275 ($275).

The cheapest way to travel between Mérida and Cartagena, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around €34 ($34) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

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

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

Renfe and Renfe AVE run train services between Mérida and Cartagena. 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 Mérida and Cartagena. It typically takes around 10h 45m and departs twice daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Mérida to Cartagena. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Seville. These services run twice daily and will take a minimum of 10h 45m.

ALSA, Leda, Union Ivkoni, Interbus Murcia and TMP Murcia run regular bus services between Mérida and Cartagena. Buses run twice daily and take around 10h 45m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Mérida to Cartagena. We recommend that you fly from Badajoz (BJZ) to Alicante (ALC) then take the train to Cartagena. instead which will take 5h 35m.

The closest major airport to Cartagena is Alicante Airport (ALC) (ALC) which is approximately 83km (52 miles) from Cartagena. Almeria Airport (LEI) (LEI) and Valencia Airport (VLC) (VLC) 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 Mérida and Cartagena. The distance is around 655km (407 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 Mérida to Cartagena is to take the train which takes, on average, 7h 55m and will usually cost around €95 ($95).

How do I get from Mérida to Cartagena

Compare travel optionsbetween Mérida and Cartagena

Transport options from Mérida to Cartagena
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Plane and Train + 2 similar
5h 35m
€275($275)
twice daily884km (550 miles)
Train and Plane7h 45m
€135($135)
twice daily931km (578 miles)
Bus, Plane and Train8h 30m
€155($155)
twice daily1,192km (741 miles)
Train + 1 similar
7h 55m
€95($95)
6 times a week971km (604 miles)
Train via Ciudad Real-Central9h 30m
€64($64)
once daily754km (469 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
10h 45m
€75($75)
twice daily783km (487 miles)
Bus via Seville12h 30m
€34($34)
twice a week783km (487 miles)
Drive
7h 10m
€120($120)
on demand655km (407 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Mérida and Cartagena

Bus companies

Airports near Cartagena

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

ALC
Alicante Airport (ALC)
International Airport
Distance
83km (52 miles) from Cartagena
LEI
Almeria Airport (LEI)
Domestic Airport
Distance
149km (93 miles) from Cartagena
VLC
Valencia Airport (VLC)
International Airport
Distance
212km (132 miles) from Cartagena