Starting Friday, Sept. 20, the Tren Maya, or Maya Train, will begin operating sections 5 and 6, connecting Playa del Carmen with Felipe Carrillo Puerto. This new rail service is designed to improve regional transportation and offers a range of fare options, including local and premier classes.
Tickets are now available through the official Maya Train website, with reservations beginning Friday.
The initial schedule features daily departures, including the first train, number 601, which will leave Playa del Carmen at 8:48 a.m. and arrive in Tulum at 9:36 a.m. After a 22-minute stop, it will continue to the Tulum Airport station, departing at 9:58 a.m. and arriving at Felipe Carrillo Puerto at 11:27 a.m.
The 3 p.m. train
A second train will depart from Playa del Carmen at 3 p.m. for Felipe Carrillo Puerto, traveling approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes and making stops at Tulum and Tulum Airport.
Train number 602 will depart from Felipe Carrillo Puerto at noon and arrive in Playa del Carmen at 2:39 p.m. Another train, number 604, will leave Felipe Carrillo Puerto at 6:00 p.m., with both routes stopping at Tulum and Tulum Airport.
Tren Maya prices
The Maya Train offers two service classes. Premier Class fares include a National Premier ticket for $657 pesos and an International Premier ticket for $873.50. Tourist Class provides various options, including discounts for students, seniors, and people with disabilities and special rates for Quintana Roo residents. Prices in Tourist Class range from $205 to $546 pesos for the full route between Playa del Carmen and Felipe Carrillo Puerto and between $78 and $209 pesos for the Playa del Carmen to Tulum section. The fare for the Playa del Carmen to Tulum Airport segment ranges from $106.50 to $283.50 pesos. Passenger capacity in the train cars varies from 27 to 48, depending on the class.
An ambitious project
The Tren Maya, one of Mexico’s most ambitious infrastructure projects, aims to connect the Yucatán Peninsula’s southeastern states, including Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. Envisioned as a means to bolster tourism, transportation, and regional development, the project has become a focal point of debate since its inception.
The idea of a rail network in the region isn’t new. Historically, railroads played a key role in the development of the Yucatán Peninsula, particularly in the transportation of henequen, a valuable fiber crop during the 19th century. The concept of reviving a railway system in this area resurfaced in 2018 when Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador formally introduced the Tren Maya as a flagship project of his administration. The 1,525-km railway is intended to boost economic activity, reduce travel times, and make some of Mexico’s most remote areas more accessible to tourists and locals alike.
Despite the government’s promotion of the Tren Maya as a driver of development and job creation, the project has drawn criticism. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the potential impact on ecosystems, as the railway cuts through sensitive areas like the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Indigenous groups have also expressed reservations, arguing that they were not adequately consulted about the project’s implications on their lands.
Supporters argue that the Tren Maya will provide essential infrastructure for regions historically neglected by large-scale investment, enhancing tourism and creating jobs. Critics point to environmental risks, the social impact on local communities, and potential over-reliance on tourism. As the project progresses, its long-term effects on both the region’s development and preservation remain topics of active discussion.
As of September 2024, the Tren Maya is operational from Cancún, Quintana Roo, all the way to Palenque, Chiapas, covering stops along the Yucatán Peninsula. Key operational stations include Cancún, Valladolid, Mérida, Campeche, and Palenque. The route from Mérida to Playa del Carmen is also running, with stops at locations like Izamal and Cancún International Airport. This gives travelers access to major tourist destinations, including Mayan archaeological sites and vibrant cultural hubs. More sections, including southern routes toward Tulum and Bacalar, are expected to open soon as the project nears full completion.
The project remains a work in progress, with the incoming president suggesting Mérida build a rail link to Progreso under the same system.
Thanks for the great info! Would you know if there is any plan from the government to put a stop in Akumal?