(Last updated on 30/10/2024)
Extremadura’s capital often is the first or the main destination for many travellers, whether they’re looking for a weekend gateway from Madrid or Seville, or to visit the region as a stopover on their way to Portugal.
This article, aimed at travellers looking to get to Mérida from Seville, covers three travel journey options – by car, train and bus. It includes basic details of each type of journey, the advantages or reasons for choosing each means of transport, a detailed car journey description, practical info and useful links.
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Table of contents
Getting to Mérida from Seville by car
Mérida is 192 kilometres away from Seville. A typical car journey takes 2h, making it the fastest way (road traffic permitting) to get to Mérida from Seville.
Reasons for driving to Mérida from Seville:
You can hire a car right at the airport. If you’re flying into Seville, hiring a car at the airport is a no-brainer. You avoid having to get into the city by public transport or taxi to get to the bus or the train station.
You can leave when you want. You don’t need to kill time while waiting for a bus or train. As soon as you land, you can go get your car and leave straight away.
It can be the cheapest option if travelling with others.
It’s the fastest option. Both coaches and trains to Mérida from Seville take at least 45 minutes (and up to 1h 23min) longer than driving.
It gives you the most flexibility. Driving allows you to stop whenever and wherever you want. You might need regular quick rest stops, or you may want to take it slowly and visit a town or two along the way.
The car journey to Mérida from Seville
If you’re setting off from Seville Airport, the journey involves crossing the northern part of Seville from east to west and across the river Guadalquivir to then join the A-66/E-803 road up to Mérida.
Traffic is fast-paced on the A-4 road out of the airport. It’s good to have someone else on the passenger seat help with directions and making sure you don’t miss your exit, particularly if you’re driving at night. Follow the signs for Mérida (often appearing in the same sign as SE-20 I. de la Cartuja) onto the SE-20 road, which merges onto the SE-30 just before the river. After crossing the river, get off at exit 20 A (E-803/A-66) Mérida-bound.
Bear in mind: Traffic jams in parts of the SE-30 road are to be expected Mon-Fri during rush hours; they’re particularly bad from 7am to 9am and from 2pm to 4pm.
Once on the A-66 motorway, driving is easy and comfortable all the way up to Mérida. Road traffic is generally low to moderate.
Recommended read: If you’re planning a road trip rather than driving straight to Mérida, check these places to stop along the Autovía Ruta de la Plata.
Getting to Mérida from Seville by coach
Alsa has two daily services (one early in the morning and one late in the evening) to Mérida departing from Estación de Autobuses Plaza de Armas. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. The journey duration varies between 2h 10min and 2h 50min.
Leda has four services Monday-Friday and two services on weekends to Mérida. Coaches depart from Estación de Autobuses Plaza de Armas. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. The journey duration varies between 2h 45min and 3h.
Mérida Bus Station is located in Avenida La Libertad, s/n (west of the river Guadiana), about 15 minutes away on foot from the city centre.
Travelling to Mérida from Seville by coach may suit you in these cases:
You travel alone. A coach ticket will be cheaper than hiring a car on your own.
You don’t drive. Coaches are more frequent, more reliable and faster than trains.
Getting to Mérida from Seville by train
Trains from Seville to Mérida depart from Estación de Tren Sevilla-Santa Justa. There are only two daily train services to Mérida and the journey duration varies between 3h 21min (Regional Exprés service) and 3h 23min (Media Distancia service).
Mérida Train Station is located in Calle Cardero, in the city centre, just over 10 minutes away on foot from the Roman Theatre.
Bearing in mind the duration of car, coach and train journeys, it’s not unfair to say that travelling from Seville to Mérida by train is a last-resort option. However, you may have to travel by train if you travel alone, you don’t drive, and there are no coach services available (highly unlikely). Or you may choose the train by personal preference, despite its disadvantages.
Read the Mérida travel guide to know what to see and do in Extremadura’s capital.
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Irene Corchado Resmella
Hi! I’m Irene (/ee-REH-neh/). Long since settled in the UK, I explore my Spanish home region of Extremadura with an inquisitive mind, a sharp eye, and the duality that comes with being both a local and a visitor. Then I write about it here to help you discover this beautiful yet overlooked part of Spain. If you have any questions after reading this article, submit a comment below! Read more about me.
