Are you planning to ride the Maya train soon? In today's article, I've got the latest updates on ticket prices, where to purchase them, schedule changes, and essential tips to make your journey smooth and enjoyable. Stay tuned to avoid surprises and maximize your trip on this iconic infrastructure project. Let's dive in!
It's been a few weeks since my unforgettable journey on the Maya train from Cancun to Merida. If you missed my initial adventure, check it out in the link above. Several new developments have been since December 16th, so I'm here today to bring you up to speed on everything new with the Maya train.
New Schedule
First, let's talk about the new schedule that kicked off at the beginning of January 2024 with the opening of new sections, including section one to Palenque. The train timetable has seen some adjustments. Two trains leave Cancun for Palenque daily; the reverse is also true. This means that sections 1 through 4 are active in the Maya train system, though only some stations are up and running.
Departures from Cancun are at 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., heading west towards Palenque. A key point to remember is that Cancun is one hour ahead of Palenque and all the other stations along the route, including the Merida station. Due to these additional services, the schedule for Merida has been slightly revised. The Cancun to Merida trip now takes about 4 hours. The train departs Cancun at 7:00 a.m. (6:00 a.m. Merida time), arriving in Merida at 10:00 a.m. before departing at 10:18 a.m. towards PPalenqueink. Another train leaves Cancun at 9:00 a.m., arrives in Merida at noon, and departs at 12:18 p.m., heading towards Palenque.
Stations like Valladolid, Tixkokob, and Merida are operational, but the Chichen Itza station remains closed. For those traveling from Merida to Cancun, departures are set at 3:23 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., which is very different from last year's times. With a travel time on the Maya train 4 hours, you'll arrive in Cancun at 8:23 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., again factoring in the one-hour time difference between Cancun and the rest of the Yucatan Peninsula.
Buying Tickets
Now, let's switch gears to buying tickets. You can purchase tickets at the Merida TAA station, the Nia Towers in San Ramon North Merida (As of July 2024, Nia Towers location is now closed. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Teya Train station), or online. The first online site is no longer available. The new location is the official Maya train online ticket sales site, https://www.trenmaya.gob.mx The site has tickets available for about a week from today, Sunday, January 28th, and has the most current schedule between the routes. Check-in at https://www.trenmaya.gob.mx for scheduling and pricing.
The online platform provides pricing for national and international travelers. Still, residents have to get the discount in person at one of the ticket offices in Merida or Cancun, for example. You need to show your ID, such as your INE card if you're a citizen or your resident card issued in one of the states of the Maya train system, to get the discount. On the back of your resident card it shows where your residency was issued, and that would qualify you for the local pricing, which is very different from the national and international pricing.
Buying tickets at the ticket office is manual, so pack plenty of patience and allow time to purchase your tickets. A critical point that you need to know is that ticket sales close 30 minutes before the train departs. So, to avoid any hassles, it's best to secure your tickets well before your travel day.
In December, I had a family member visit for Christmas, and they still needed Maya train tickets. They took the shuttle from the Cancun Airport to the Maya train station and couldn't purchase them because of this 30-minute window. That resulted in them spending $100 to get from the Maya train station to the ADO bus station. But I didn't know what was happening; they just handled it because they were ready to get to Merida. With the current schedule, you may need to adjust your travel plans, taking the train a day before or a day after your flight from Cancun to accommodate your schedule to reach Merida or vice versa.
Additional Tips
There have been some hiccups, such as one of the trains breaking down and passengers having to unload and take a bus back to the origin point of their trip. President AMLO also said recently that the Cancun section to Tulum will be open on February 29th, but that is a massive departure from the entire system being fully operational that day. They're now expecting the full train to be operational, or at least all the routes to be open, in late April or early May. But it's still a work in progress, so until the kinks are fully fleshed out, I highly recommend taking the ADO if you have travel plans or going the day before or the day after to take the train.
Conclusion
If you're considering taking the train, do it for the experience and pack your flexibility. In the comments below, I'd love to hear about your recent experiences with the Maya train. What are your main concerns if you still need to take it? Is it cost, scheduling, or the lack of information? For more insights, watch the video added above.
Until next time,
Mexit Plans out!
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