In December 2023, the Mexican government inaugurated the first passenger train service in the Yucatan Peninsula, known as the Mayan Train (Tren Maya).
The project is set to offer routes from Chetumal to San Cristobal in the state of Chiapas, in hopes of dispersing tourism more equally across the South of the country.
This new mode of transportation could be a serious game changer. Not just for tourism, but also for economic upliftment in the region. The launch got off to a bit of a rocky start but we’re here a few months later to assess the efficiency of this new railway system. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to ride the Mayan Train from Cancun to Merida.
What is the Mayan Train
The Mayan Train is the first and only passenger train in the South East of Mexico. The train was introduced to spread tourism equally through this region of Mexico, by offering a safe, fast and comfortable transportation option.
Currently, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Tulum receive a disproportionate amount of tourism compared to the neighboring states of Yucatan, Campeche and Chiapas.
The project launched just a few months ago in December 2023, however, the routes that are currently open and running are very limited. The train schedule is also very limited at this time, but will eventually grow as the routes expand.
We took the Mayan Train from Cancun to Merida in the state of Yucatan, and captured as much of the experience to share with you as possible.
As the train is still so new, and even the official Tren Maya website is still pretty wonky, we certainly can’t answer anything outside of our personal experience.
Before we get into the experience of taking The Mayan Train, we first need to address the major controversy around this multi-billion-dollar project in Mexico.
From what we saw when riding the train and from what we’ve read, the project has destroyed a ton of the Mayan jungle, leading to pollution of a few cenotes and the loss of native wildlife. We know there is a ton more controversy revolving around corruption and questionable ethical standards, but we’re just here to report on the travel experience.
Is the Mayan Train running?
In short, yes, the Mayan train is in operation. However, they are running on very limited routes and schedules while the rest of the infrastructure gets built.
From our personal experience of using the train, we definitely would not say that the experience was cost-effective or convenient, but it was fun to try out.
As we’re based in Playa del Carmen, we first had to make our way 1 hour up the coast to Cancun, early enough to catch the train at 7 am.
By looking at the official Tren Maya website, you can see all the stations that’ll be opening up eventually, as well as the new routes that are set to open within the next few months.
So even though the train is up and running, it isn’t necessarily the most convenient mode of transportation available in the region. That said, we’re still so glad we decided to take the train just for the experience.
Where does The Mayan train go?
The train will travel across these 5 states in the South East of Mexico; Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Campeche, Chiapas and Tabasco.
The route that is currently in operation will take you from Cancun in Quintana Roo, all the way to Palenque in the state of Chiapas.
The major stations along this route include; Cancun International Airport, Valladolid, Chichen Itza, Merida, San Francisco de Campeche and Palenque in Chiapas.
Courtesy of: trenmaya.gob.mx
The shorter route that is yet to be launched, will connect the states of Quintana Roo and Campeche.
The most exciting thing about this particular route is that it will offer service from Cancun International Airport to Tulum International Airport, making travel between the airports easier and safer.
We’re particularly optimistic about this route because it means that fewer people will have to use the infamous ‘taxi mafia’ upon arrival at Quintana Roo.
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How long is the Mayan train ride from Cancun to Merida?
As this is a brand new train project, you may assume that the Mayan Train travels at similar speeds to those fancy bullet trains in Japan, but that is not the case.
So, if you’re wondering how fast the Mayan Train is, it travels at an average of 100 miles per hour.
In terms of travelling from Cancun to Merida via the Tren Maya, the trip takes about 3.5 hours. Keep in mind that the only departing train leaves the station at 7 am and stops at 6 stations before arriving in Merida at 9:30 am.
Alternatively, you could take the night train that leaves at 6 pm and arrives in Merida at 8:45 pm.
As we’ve said before, taking the train is a fun experience, but not necessarily the most time-effective transportation option.
If you want to get to Merida via Cancun quicker and with much more flexibility, the 1st class passenger busses from ADO are in our opinion the best way to do it.
We’d definitely recommend booking your seat in advance, and if we can offer a word of advice – don’t sit near the back. Although the buses are pretty clean and well-maintained, the smell from the bathroom is sometimes unbearable!
How much does it cost to ride The Mayan Train
There are three different types of passenger trains; regular (what we took), restaurant and long-distance. Not all of those car types are available just yet, but as for the regular cars, there is an option to pay for normal seating or first-class seating.
It’s also good to know that discounts are offered, depending on age and immigration status. As I am a permanent resident and Geovanny is a citizen of Mexico, we got the discounted local rate, which was MX489 (US28) each, for a one-way ride.
The international tourist rate is MX977 (US57) for regular seating and MX1564 (US92) for first-class seats.
We opted to take the regular train and the normal seating and the experience was more than satisfying. Sure, it would have been nice to experience the first-class cars for the more comfortable seating and an included meal, but we were on a bit of a budget.
If you do travel on the luxury cars, please share your experience with us in the comments 👇
How to purchase your train tickets
The only way to purchase your tickets for the Tren Maya online is via the official Tren Maya website, however, we did not find this process to be easy.
The official website didn’t seem to be working on the desktop version when we were trying to search for tickets from Cancun to Merida.
When we tried to book our tickets on the mobile version of the site, we were lucky enough to be able to get our tickets.
You could also purchase your tickets at any of the train station ticket kiosks.
The only issue with this method is that you’re not guaranteed a seat until you’ve already arrived at the station. The day we took the train, it was not even at 20% occupancy, so your chances of getting a ticket are pretty good.
You’ll need your official ID to purchase your tickets so don’t forget to bring that along.
Hopefully, Tren Maya will fix up their website so that it becomes easier to view schedules and book tickets.
How to get to the Cancun Station from The Cancun Hotel Zone
The Cancun Train station is located about 20 minutes from Cancun International Airport, but with your pre-purchased train ticket, you can grab a complimentary shuttle from the airport to the train station.
The get to the airport from the Cancun Hotel zone, you can do it one of two ways. The best option in our opinion is to book a shuttle from your hotel to the airport. You can either get a private or a shared shuttle, but considering that the train to Merida departs at 7am, you’ll likely need to book a private shuttle.
These shuttles are great because they are typically safe, have AC and come with a set price, meaning you’re less likey to get scammed. Secondly, you could get a taxi, but it’s important to keep in mind that they’ll likely try to charge some pretty high rates.
The infamous taxi mob is also well-known for tricking tourists into thinking that a tip over and above the already inflated rate is mandatory. As locals of this region, we can assure you that this is not the case.
Because the train going from Cancun to Merida departs so early in the morning, you really need to plan out your transportation well in advance to ensure you arrive on time. The journey from the hotel zone to the airport is around 33 minutes by car. Then you can expect a 20-minute shuttle to the train station.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Cancun that is near Cancun International Airport, the interactive map is a great tool to use 👇
How to get to the Cancun Station from Playa del Carmen
There is a Tren Maya station up and running in Playa del Carmen already, but due to their very limited schedule, we couldn’t get a train early enough to make our connection in Cancun.
As we live in Playa del Carmen, our journey to Merida got off to a very early start. The crisp hour of 3:30am to be exact. If your hotel is in Playa del Carmen, it’s still feasible to catch the morning train to Merida, but it is a very early start to the day, which really isn’t for everyone.
To get to the ADO station from your accommodation, you’ll need to take a taxi. We’d highly recommend downloading the RadioTaxi app to book your ride the night before. Since the taxi unions refuse transportation platforms like Uber and Lyft, this wonky Uber-like service is the best option you’ve got in Playa del Carmen.
The journey from Playa del Carmen to Cancun International Airport is around 1 hour if you’re travelling on the ADO passenger busses. We’d highly recommend using the ADO buses as they’re safe, reliable and well-maintained.
The ADO buses depart very regularly, so getting a spot on the bus is pretty easy but we’d recommend booking your ticket in advance. Especially if you’re travelling in peak season (December to April). You can book your tickets above 👆
Catching the Mayan Train in Cancun
Once you’ve caught the free shuttle from the Cancun International Aiport, you’ll enjoy the quick 20 minute drive right to the doorstep of the Cancun Tren Maya Station.
If you purchased your ticket in advance, you’ll need the printed copy of your tickets to present to the entrance staff. As far as we saw, they were specifically asking for physical copies of tickets.
If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, you’ll find ticket kiosks at the entrance of the station, where you can easily purchase your tickets.
It’s very important to have a valid ID with you, that matches the name and details you provided on your booking. Because the train is run by the National Guard (for some reason or another), security is of high priority so you likely won’t get through without these documents.
You’ll have a specific seat number assigned to you and staff will come around double checking tickets, making sure everyone is in their correct seat.
The train leaves at 7am sharp and takes around 4 hours to arrive in Merida, briefly stopping at 6 different stations along the way. The state of Quintana Roo falls into a different time zone to Yucatan, meaning you’ll arrive in Merida at around 10 am.
Arriving to Merida via the Mayan Train
We were pretty shocked at the size of the Merida Tren Maya station as it was noticeably larger than the Cancun station.
The biggest difference between the two stations is that Cancun is open-plan with no closed-in areas, whereas the Merida station is pretty much all enclosed with air conditioning!
Upon your arrival, you can make your way towards the exit of the station, where you’ll find a bright green kiosk, selling shuttle tickets to a station near Merida Central.
The shuttles leave pretty regularly and only cost $45 pesos per person (US2.8). The shuttles do have space allocated for larger luggage.
You’ll then arrive to another station, where you can catch an Uber to your accommodation. One of the best things about the state of Yucatan vs. Quintana Roo, is that Yucatan has Uber, which is a pretty big deal.
Our Uber ride was no longer than 10 minutes and we were dropped off at the door step of our hotel in Merida Centro.
Where to stay in Merida
It’s useful to know that the City is pretty huge as it is home to over eight hundred thousand people, so knowing where to stay in Merida is crucial.
We haven’t stayed in many different hotels in Merida, but the difference between staying in Merida Centro vs. the slightly cheaper Colonias further out is huge.
Merida Centro is absolutely gorgeous and is super walkable. In fact, one of the main things to do in the city is to go on a self-guided walking tour.
We stayed in a lovely and pretty affordable hotel just a 15-minute walk away from the Plaza Principal, and loved it 👇
The hotel had large-spacious rooms with decent air conditioning. More importantly, they had a pool, which was much appreciated in the crazy heat of Merida.
You can check rates here or find a more suitable hotel on this interactive map below.
The 5 best things to see & do in Merida
There are so many incredible things to see and do in Merida, as well as in the many beautiful towns that surround the city.
Our top 5 list for things to eat, see and do in Merida only includes things within a 20-minute walk from Centro Historico.
Santa Lucia Park
Visit Santa Lucia Park for a picture of the iconic giant ‘kissing chairs’. You’ll also find incredible traditional performances in the park after 9 pm most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Eat Yucatecan Food
Visit the famous Chaya Maya restaurant for authentic and delicious Yucatecan cuisine. Geovanny was born and raised in Yucatan and can attest to the authenticity of the dishes.
Escape the heat with a bus tour
See more of the city by taking a 1.5 hour scenic bus tour. You’ll have the chance to see the gorgeous Spanish mansions of Paseo de Montejo and the Monumento a la Patria. The best thing about this tour, is that you get to see so much of Merida, without having to walk in the crazy heat 👇
Marvel at Catedral de San Ildefonso
The Cathedral is located right across the Plaza Grande and is one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful churches we’ve seen in Mexico. While inside I even got teary at the sight of it all.
Visita an old-school cantina
These Cantinas were bars that only allowed access to men. Now, you can walk into any cantina and enjoy live music and complimentary tapas with your drinks. This is a great way to experience Merida like a local.
There are so many more beautiful things to see and do, so we’d recommend checking-out the YouTube video we made for some more travel inspiration.
If possible, we’d easily recommend planning at least 5 nights in Merida to see the city, as well also gorgeous places like Valladolid, Progresso and Chichen Itza.
What is the Mayan train like?
The actual experience of riding the Mayan Train was awesome and we’d easily do it again. The stations were modern and clean, the staff was well-informed and the trains were beautiful.
In the future, the Mayan Train will offer three tiers of passenger transportation; regular (what we took), restaurant and long-distance.
The regular passenger carts were great for our quick 3.5-hour trip, but those non-adjustable seats wouldn’t be very comfortable for a longer commute. On this tier, you can also pay for the luxury carts which provide some extra comfort and amenities.
The restaurant car will be exactly what it sounds like – a moving restaurant. However, the restaurant cars are aimed to be a luxury tourism experience, as they’ll be serving high-end regional dishes. The long-distance carts will offer sleeper trains, which is super exciting. We plan on taking a sleeper car from Cancun to Paleque in Chiapas, once its running.
Aside form the regular cars being clean, comfortable and spacious, you’ll also find bathrooms and small shops selling non-alcoholic beverages and packaged snacks.
Overall, our first impression of the Mayan Train was very positive and although we haven’t done much international train travel, we can pretty confidently say the train experience is world-class.
Is the Mayan Train worth it?
If your aim of riding the Tren Maya is more for the experience than for how efficient it is, then the train is absolutely worth using. If you’re looking for the fastest and most affordable commuting method between Cancun and Merida, the Tren Maya is not it.
Whether you’re travelling to Merida from Playa del Carmen or from Cancun, the most convenient and affordable way of getting there is via rental car or using the ADO buses.
The main issue with using the Mayan Train is that its schedule is super limited and only offers a commute at 7 am or at 6 pm, meaning you’re either needing to arrive at the station before sunrise or if you take the nigh train, you’re arriving in Merida close to midnight.
Additionally, because you need to use so many different modes of transportation just to get to the Cancun train station and then to Merida Centro, it’s not really the most convenient option.
As more routes open and the schedule becomes wider, we expect the Mayan Train to become one of the best ways to travel through the southeast of Mexico!
What are your predictions for this ground-breaking project? Let us know in the comments below 👇
2 thoughts on “How to take the NEW Mayan Train from Cancun to Merida”
Good video and article, but you don’t really talk about baggage. My husband and I are on a 2 month trip around Mexico and we have 2 carry-on sized suitcases, 1 big suitcase (~20 kg) and 2 backpacks. What we’ve seen is that we can only have 1 small suitcase and 1 personal bag each. Is that correct? Is this enforced? We plan to buy premium class tickets, if that makes a difference.
Thank you Jenny for your comment. We forgot to mention that there is a space where you can store bigger suitcases, nevertheless, we do not remember when purchasing our tickets if there was a limit on the number of pieces you can travel with or the size of them. Thank you so much for your comment, we truly appreciate it. 🙏🫶❤️