Izamal sits about 70 km east of Mérida — close enough for a relaxed day trip, far enough that your choice of transport shapes the day. The "Yellow City" is one of Yucatán State's most distinctive Pueblos Mágicos, and getting there independently is straightforward, cheap, and worth doing at an unhurried pace.
This guide covers every practical way to travel Mérida–Izamal: the second-class bus from Terminal Oriente (cheapest, air-conditioned, hourly), the colectivo from Centro (fast but less comfortable), driving via the toll highway, and the Tren Maya connection via Mérida Teya station.
Bus Options Compared at a Glance
| Option | Travel time | Cost (approx.) | Departure point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second-class bus (Oriente / Centro) | 1h 25min – 1h 45min | $44–65 MXN | Terminal Oriente or Terminal Noreste, Mérida Centro |
| Colectivo | ~50 min | ~$40 MXN | Calle 50 between 57 and 59 (Parque Mejorada), Mérida Centro |
| Rental car | 45–60 min | Fuel + toll (~$70 MXN toll) | From your accommodation |
| Tren Maya (Teya → Izamal Station + shuttle) | 40 min train + 15 min shuttle | ~$164 MXN (tourist) + $35 MXN shuttle | Mérida Teya station (east of Centro) |
| Private driver / taxi | ~45 min | $500–800 MXN | Door-to-door |
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Second-Class Bus — Cheapest and Most Comfortable
Izamal II
The second-class bus is the most popular budget option, and it's better than you might expect: air-conditioning, reasonable seats, and a covered journey in under two hours.
Where to catch it
There are two departure points in Mérida Centro, both within walking distance of the historic centre:
- Terminal de Autobuses Oriente (CAME) — Calle 70 between 69 and 71, also known as the TAME terminal. Operated by Oriente and affiliated lines. Departures roughly hourly from approximately 4:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. daily.
- Terminal Noreste — Calle 67 between 50 and 52. Also Oriente-operated, with departures roughly hourly from about 5:05 a.m. Frequency is slightly higher from Noreste on weekdays.
Recent traveller reports confirm a ticket price of $34.50–$44 MXN one-way — barely more than a strong coffee in Mérida Centro.
What to know before you go
- Pay at the ticket counter inside — both terminals have indoor ticket booths. Cash is the reliable option; some booths don't take cards.
- Buses leave on time. The posted schedules are respected — if you're not at the platform by departure time, you'll wait for the next one.
- Buses are second-class but functional — the Oriente buses on this route are modern coaches with air-conditioning and reclining seats. They're a step below ADO first-class (no onboard bathroom, fewer frills) but perfectly comfortable for 90 minutes.
- The bus arrives at Izamal's Terminal de Autobuses on Calle 32, at Calle 24 — about a 10–15 minute walk to the convent and main plaza.
- Return buses leave Izamal for Mérida approximately hourly until early evening. Check the displayed schedule at the ticket counter in Izamal when you arrive, so you know your latest getaway.
Frequency
Current routes (per published schedules):
- Via Terminal Noreste: departures at 5:05, 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 8:45, 9:05, 10:00, 11:05, 12:00, 12:30, 14:00, 14:45, 16:05, 16:45 and more. Journey times range from 1h 20min to 1h 45min depending on stops.
- Via Terminal CAME: departures at 4:45, 8:45, 10:45, 12:30, 14:00, 16:45 and others. Similar journey times.
Some buses continue past Izamal to Valladolid or Cancún — confirm with the driver or ticket agent that the bus stops in Izamal before boarding.
Colectivo — Fast, Informally Pronounced
The colectivo (shared minivan) is an alternative that departs from centralMérida and can be slightly faster than the bus.
Where to catch it
Colectivos to Izamal leave from Calle 50 between 57 and 59, near Parque Mejorada in the Centro Histórico. The vans are white with an orange stripe. They depart every 20–30 minutes, or sooner once they fill up (typically 4–5 passengers plus the driver).
What to expect
- Cost: ~$40 MXN per person, paid in cash to the driver.
- Travel time: ~50 minutes to Izamal. The colectivo takes the free (libre) highway and makes fewer stops than the bus.
- Comfort: less legroom than the bus, no air-conditioning in many vans, and the driving can feel brisk. For a 50-minute journey in dry season this is manageable; in the May–October heat it can feel cramped.
- Arrival: colectivos drop passengers at Izamal's main bus station on Calle 32, same location as the bus.
- Departures end early — most colectivos stop running by 7:00 p.m. This is less of a problem if you're on a day trip, but makes a late evening return unappealing by colectivo.
Tip: If you're travelling solo or as a couple on a tight schedule and don't mind a snug ride, the colectivo is a reasonable choice for speed. With kids, more luggage, or in hot months, the second-class bus is the more comfortable pick.
Driving from Mérida to Izamal
Interior of a bus station in Mérida, Yucatán — a hub for eastbound routes
The road is straightforward and well-signposted. Having a car gives you the flexibility to explore Izamal's outlying pyramids and the surrounding villages at your own pace.
The route
From Mérida, take the Mérida–Valladolid toll highway (180D) heading east. Exit at Kilometer 48 toward Izamal. The toll is approximately $70 MXN for the short spur segment. The final stretch into Izamal is a two-lane highway through scrub and small settlements.
Alternative (free) route: the old libre highway via Hoctún and the Mérida–Cancún federal highway works but takes about 20–30 minutes longer with more speed bumps and local traffic.
What to know
- Road condition: The toll highway is excellent — smooth asphalt, well-marked exits. The final km into Izamal is a divided boulevard.
- Parking: Izamal has a free dirt lot near the convent (Plaza Zamná side), plus pay-per-hour parking closer to the convent entrance. Fill up on fuel in Mérida before you leave — there are no gas stations within walking distance of the main square.
- No toll booths accept cards. Bring cash (MXN) for the toll.
- Driving time: 45–60 minutes depending on traffic and whether you take the toll road.
Tren Maya — The Scenic Option
Tren Maya train at the Mérida Teya station, on the eastern outskirts of the city
The Tren Maya now connects Mérida Teya station to Izamal station in about 40 minutes. It's the most atmospheric option, though it requires a transfer at both ends.
Getting to Mérida Teya Station
The Tren Maya station is in Teya, on the eastern outskirts of Mérida (about 9 km from Centro). You'll need to get there before the train departs:
- IE-Tram (electric rapid bus): Take Lines 901 (Pink) or 905 (Blue) from Parque La Plancha or Centro to the Teya station terminus. Frequency is roughly every 15 minutes; the journey takes about 28 minutes. Costs $10 MXN per ride (paid with a Va y Ven card, available at OXXO stores).
- Private driver / taxi: ~$100–150 MXN from Centro to Teya, about 14-minute drive.
- Rental car: Teya station has free parking.
The train journey
The Tren Maya runs between Mérida Teya and Izamal several times daily. Some services continue to Chichén Itzá and Cancún; confirm that the service you board stops at Izamal station.
Prices (tourist class, international passenger):
- Mérida Teya → Izamal: $164 MXN (Standard class) / $262.50 MXN (Premier/reserved seating)
The train is clean, air-conditioned, with large windows. The 40-minute ride cuts through flat lowland jungle and farmland — not dramatic scenery, but a smooth, quiet alternative to road travel.
Critical catch: the station is far from the town
The Izamal Tren Maya station is about 7 km west of Izamal's city centre. From there you need an onward connection:
- Official intermodal shuttle bus: $35 MXN, runs to Izamal's ADO bus terminal in the centre. Departs roughly timed to train arrivals. Confirm the schedule at the ADO terminal in Izamal when you arrive.
- Taxi: ~$100 MXN from the station to the main plaza. Drivers wait at the station forecourt but aren't always present when a train arrives — Tren Maya staff can help you call one.
Is the Tren May worth it for Mérida–Izamal?
For a day trip, the Tren Maya adds cost and a station transfer for a journey that the bus covers almost as quickly door-to-door from Centro. But if you've never ridden the train, or you're combining Izamal with a longer eastward journey (toward Chichén Itzá, Valladolid or Cancún), it's a worthwhile experience. Budget $164 + $35 + $10 (IE-Tram) = ~$209 MXN each way plus return transport from Teya — compared to $44 MXN for the direct bus.
Practical Info at a Glance
| Detail | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~70 km / 44 miles |
| Direct bus | Yes — Oriente second-class |
| Cheapest option | Second-class bus ($34.50–44 MXN) |
| Fastest door-to-door | Rental car or taxi (~45 min) |
| Cash needed? | Yes, for bus tickets, colectivo, toll fees, and Izamal shuttle |
| Return before dark | Last reliable second-class bus ~6:45 p.m.; plan accordingly |
| Family-friendly? | Yes — bus is best for children; avoid colectivo for young kids |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Taking the wrong bus. Some buses from Terminal Noreste to Cancún or Valladolid skip Izamal. Always ask the ticket agent or driver before boarding: "¿Para en Izamal?"
- Arriving at the wrong Mérida station. First-class ADO (CAME/TAME) and second-class Oriente (Noreste) are at different locations. Both have Izamal departures, but confirm which terminal your bus uses at the counter.
- Assuming Uber works in Izamal. It doesn't reliably. If you arrive by bus, you'll walk or take a local taxi for short hops — no ride-hailing to fill the gap.
- Missing the last return bus. If you plan to stay until dusk for the late-afternoon yellow light (worth it), check the last departure time at the Izamal terminal first thing.
- Expecting Tren Maya station to be in town. It isn't — budget an extra $35 MXN and 15 minutes for the shuttle (plus the journey to Teya from Centro).
Who This Suits
- Solo travellers and couples on a budget: the second-class bus gives you three hours of round-trip travel for under $150 MXN total — barely $9 USD.
- Families with young children: the bus is the best pick — air-conditioning, space, and no transfers.
- Photographers and architecture lovers: drive or take the early bus so you arrive before 10 a.m. heat, and stay through to the golden hour light that makes the famous yellow glow.
- Tren Maya tourists: if you're using the train as part of a longer eastbound itinerary (Mérida → Izamal → Chichén Itzá → Valladolid), the train buys you a comfortable 40-minute hop without needing to rent a car.
Getting Back to Mérida
The return journey mirrors the outbound:
- From Izamal bus terminal: second-class buses to Mérida (Terminal Noreste and Terminal CAME) depart roughly hourly until about 6:00–7:00 p.m.
- By car: retrace the toll highway route — the return toll is from the same toll plaza.
- By Tren Maya: take the shuttle ($35 MXN) from the ADO station to Izamal Tren Maya station, then the train to Mérida Teya, then IE-Tram back to Centro.
For most visitors, the second-class bus remains the best balance of cost, convenience, and comfort. Buy your return ticket when you arrive in Izamal, and you'll never wonder about making it back to Mérida in time for dinner.
Need transport? Book a transfer on WhatsApp.
