Excitement As New Maya Train Starts Running From Cancun To Tulum

It has taken a while, with rumors that it might be canceled completely, but now the Maya Train stretch from Cancun to Tulum is officially open. This gives travelers a great way to travel to the popular resort town with its idyllic beaches and ancient Mayan ruins.

Maya Train opens route from Cancun to Tulum

Tourism officials and locals celebrated the launch of the Maya Train from Cancun to Tulum after a three-year waiting period. After the already successful Merida-bound route in operation as of December 2023, tracks started being laid on the section of the track.  Anyone planning on taking an inaugural journey from Cancun to Tulum this fall should book their tickets quickly as they are selling fast.

Tulum is one of the most popular destinations on the Mayan Riviera due to its year-round warm weather, crystal clear waters and pristine white sand beaches. However, it is also popular for its Mayan ruins overlooking the sea.

While Cancun only started gaining popularity in the early 1970s before becoming a mega tourist attraction, Tulum has a more ancient and interesting history, starting from the 13th century. Before the Spanish colonization of Mexico, Tulum played host to the Mayan culture, a pre-Columbian civilization that built pyramids, underwater denotes and cities made entirely of stone.

Moreover, the city’s archaeological zone is one of the best Mayan sites, from the El Castillo pyramid to the temple perched on the cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. International travelers and Americans alike head here to see the Tulum ruins.

Getting to Tulum from Cancun

With the launch of the Cancun to Tulum stretch of the Maya Train, getting to Tulum is now much easier. According to the official Maya Train website, the southbound train departs once each day from Cancun Airport, making stops in Playa del Carmen, Tulum itself, Tulum Airport and the small town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

Leaving Cancun Airport to travel to Tulum takes one hour and thirty-six minutes from airport to airport with the full commute just under two hours. For travelers heading from Cancun Airport to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, that stretch takes three hours and twenty-seven minutes.

The Maya Train departs from Cancun Airport at 8 am, stopping at Playa del Carmen at 8:45 am and Tulum city center at 9:36. The train reaches Tulum Airport at 9:58 and reaches the current terminus at Felipe Carrillo Puerto as 11:27.

As for ticket prices, international and American travelers pay the “International Tourist” fare of 384.50 Mexican pesos (roughly $20). First-class tickets, which offer more comfortable seats and fewer seats per carriage start at 519.50 Mexican pesos (around $26.69) for the International Premium rate.

Travelers can book their tickets on the Maya Train website here. Meanwhile, tickets can also be purchased at the Maya Train stations in Cancun or Tulum.

While onboard, depending on the seating category, guests can enjoy drinks welcoming and snacks. Meanwhile, all classes of travel enjoy air conditioning, panoramic windows to watch the lush scenery go by, toilets and a cafeteria car.

Find out more about the Maya Train here.