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Just a little over two weeks since its official inauguration, the long-awaited Cancun-Playa del Carmen section finally started welcoming tourists last Friday, March 15th.
This is fantastic news for travelers left wondering about the actual ticket prices and schedules, as these details had not been available to the public since the inauguration ceremony.
Tickets for the popular route are now readily available for purchase through the Maya Train website, as well as at ticket booths located at the stations and other authorized sales points.
To learn more about the new Cancun – Playa del Carmen route, including ticket prices, departures, stops, and more, keep reading!
Cancun – Playa Del Carmen Route Schedules & Ticket Prices
The new route, Section 5 North, introduces three departures from each station, one in the morning and two in the afternoon:
Cancun Airport – Playa del Carmen:
- 9:00 am
- 12:00 pm.
- 15:00 pm
Playa del Carmen – Cancun Airport
- 10:30 am
- 13:30 pm.
- 16:30 pm
Regarding ticket prices, there are 6 different ticket options divided in two categories – tourist and premier:
- International tourist: $197.00 pesos ($11.50 USD)
- International premier: $315.00 pesos ($18.50 USD)
- National tourist : $148.00 pesos ($9 USD)
- National premier: $236.00 pesos ($11.50 USD)
- Local ticket (only tourist class): $99.00 pesos ($6 USD)
- Special ticket (only tourist class): $78.50 pesos ($4.50 USD)
So, is it worth it? Well, compared to an average $16 USD ADO bus ticket, the Maya Train does indeed offer a more budget-friendly option.
Even the premier class ticket remains quite affordable, and it’s still a fraction of the price you’d pay for a private transfer (around $70 USD). So, it does look like a good deal overall.
Both schedules and prices can change without prior notice, though, so if you’re looking to book Maya Train tickets, it’s best to check the latest updates on the official website.
How To Get To The Maya Train Stations
To reach the Maya Train station at the Cancun Airport, you’ll need to take a shuttle from your airport terminal. Luckily, it’s free, and the journey takes about 15-20 minutes.
For the Playa del Carmen station things get a bit tricky, as it isn’t actually located in Playa del Carmen itself.
Instead, you’ll find it about a 15-minute ride away from the city’s downtown, specifically, between the Villas del Sol y Palma Turquesa communities.
There are no official transportation options available yet, so one of your options is to hire a taxi. But with prices ranging from $10 USD to $ 37 USD, you can imagine this alternative might not be ideal for some.
Fortunately, you can also take the ADO bus from the alternate terminal in Playa del Carmen to the station, departing at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, and 15:00 pm.
From the station to the city center, buses run at 10:10 am, 13:10 pm, and 16:10 pm, all costing $55 pesos ($3.30 USD).
There are also plans to introduce intermodal connections linking the Maya Train station to the bus terminal and other nearby tourist attractions by year-end.
How Long Does The Trip Take?
The Maya Train trip from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen takes about 25 minutes, nearly halving the duration of the usual 45-50 minute journey by car – which is genuinely impressive.
Right now, though, you can expect the total duration to be similar to the journey by car once you factor in the shuttle at Cancun Airport to the station, the train ride, and then a taxi or ADO bus to Playa del Carmen.
We can also expect this minor hassle to be resolved once the intermodal stations are in place, offering travelers a much more streamlined experience and making the Maya Train the de facto fastest way to travel between the two hotspots.
The Stops
Of course, not everyone in the lookout for Maya Train tickets is necessarily concerned with whether it’s the fastest or cheapest way to get to Playa del Carmen.
For many, it’s the experience itself—the excitement and adventure of exploring the heart of the Riviera Maya in a way that has not been possible until now.
Travelers taking the new Cancun-Playa del Carmen route won’t be disappointed, as it includes stops at three stunning Riviera Maya destinations: Puerto Aventuras, Puerto Morelos, and Akumal.
Each of these destinations offers unique experiences, yet they all have something in common: breathtaking natural beauty, a laid-back beach town charm, and a multitude of tourist attractions awaiting discovery.
The route also features a stop at Xcaret, providing a fast and convenient way to reach the popular theme park.
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Xcala
Monday 18th of March 2024
Tourists don't have access to Puerto Aventuras