Getting to
Campeche.
The most common question from first-time visitors is some version of: "I'm at the station — how do I get to the centre?" The answer is simple, but nobody tells you in advance. Here it is.
The Tren Maya.
The Tren Maya is Mexico's new passenger rail network connecting the Yucatán Peninsula — Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mérida, and Campeche, among others. The Campeche station sits outside the historic centre, which surprises many visitors who expect to arrive in the heart of things. You don't — you arrive at a modern station on the periphery and need one more step to reach the city.
From Mérida, the journey takes roughly two hours depending on the service. We recommend checking current schedules and buying tickets in advance where possible.
Tren Ligero — station to centre.
The Tren Ligero is Campeche's urban tram service — a fixed route connecting the Tren Maya station to the historic centre via stops through the city. It's the correct way to make this connection and the one most visitors don't know about before they arrive.
The fare is 12 MXN — less than a US dollar. Pay on board. The journey takes around twenty to thirty minutes. The last stop is at the historic centre, putting you directly inside the city.
At peak times the Tren Ligero gets crowded. If you're travelling with luggage or during the morning rush, factor that in. Otherwise it's comfortable and reliable.
Route: Station → Historic centre
Duration: 20–30 minutes
Pay on board
To anywhere in the city
Agree price before entering
Taxis — inside the city.
Once you're in Campeche, taxis are cheap and plentiful. The standard rate is between 60 and 100 MXN from pretty much anywhere to anywhere within the city — significantly less than Mérida or Cancún.
Always agree the price before you get in. Not negotiating — just confirming. It protects you from the tourist rate that occasionally gets quoted to people who look like they don't know what things cost here.inDrive — app-based rides.
inDrive operates in Campeche and works similarly to Uber — request a ride from the app, see a clean car (or motorbike for solo passengers) arrive at your location. Prices are comparable to taxis and the app removes the need to flag someone on the street, which is useful if you're unfamiliar with the city. Available on iOS and Android.
By car.
From Mérida, the drive takes around two and a half hours on the toll road (180D). Parking in the historic centre requires patience — several streets are pedestrianised or restricted. Staying slightly outside the walls and walking in is easier than parking within them.
By bus.
ADO operates frequent first-class services from Mérida, Villahermosa, and Mexico City. The ADO terminal in Campeche is in the city centre — a more convenient arrival point than the Tren Maya station for bus travellers.