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It’s been over two months since the Maya Train was officially inaugurated on December 16th, as the Campeche – Cancun section officially began operations.
The arrival of the eagerly awaited and ambitious project marked the beginning of a new era for tourism in the Yucatán Peninsula – one marked by increased regional connectivity, more convenient and affordable travel options for tourists, and economic growth for local communities.
However, “seamless” doesn’t exactly sum up how the whole business has unfolded, as the project has faced significant setbacks since construction began.
The whole route was supposed to start operations by December 1st 2023, yet a skyrocketing budget, construction delays, reports of damage to fragile cenote ecosystems and Mayan archeological sites, and other problems, have pushed back the date of the project’s completion, potentially until summer.
Despite these issues, the Maya Train has proven to be a hit, with bookings nearly full during its first 55 days of operations.
With 22 active stations out of the total 34 on the railway circuit, the Maya Train welcomed aboard 50,976 passengers during this time, according to Óscar David Lozano Águila, the director of the project.
@turismo.tren.maya The Mayan Train is an infrastructure project thats seeks to promote tourism and economic development in the southeastern region of México. Follow us to know more about the Mayan Train. #TrenMaya #mayantrain #mayantrainroutes ♬ sonido original – Turismo Tren Maya
The trains are currently transporting an average of 927 passengers every day, reaching up to an impressive 84% occupancy rate across its five diesel trains.
What makes this the more impressive is the fact that the highly anticipated section 5, connecting Cancun and Tulum, has not even been opened yet.
The route got split into two parts, with the Cancun-Playa del Carmen section opening on February 29th.
However, construction on the Playa del Carmen-Tulum route just hit pause after a court ruling on environmental grounds, making its completion date a big question mark.
@nomaddeals Tickets for Mexico’s 🇲🇽 new Maya Train (Tren Maya) are now on sale. Join the weekly email list for more digital nomad news and travel hacks. #digitalnomad #travel #traveltok #traveling ♬ original sound – Nomad Deals
Which Are The Most Popular Maya Train Routes Right Now?
Not surprisingly, the Cancun Airport is currently the busiest Maya Train station, not only due to the airport’s substantial traffic but because it also offers travelers a much-needed alternative to expensive private transfers and sketchy taxi rides.
This becomes evident when you take a look at the most in-demand routes, as most feature a stop at the Cancun Airport. Here’s the full list:
- Merida Teya – Cancun Airport
- San Francisco Campeche – Merida Teya
- Cancun Airport – Merida Teya
- Merida Teya – San Francisco Campeche
- Cancun Airport – Valladolid
Right now, the train follows four departure schedules – two from Cancun International Airport at 7:00 and 9:00 AM, and two from the Palenque station.
@mexitplans Unveiling the Maya Train's Seven Sections! 🚆🌴 From Palenque to Yucatan, it's a journey of a lifetime! 🇲🇽✨ #MayaTrainAdventure #MexicoTravel #DiscoveringSections
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It’s also easy to see why Merida Teya station is also a top pick, as the trip from this station on its way to Cancun Airport features stops at three major tourist destinations in the Yucatán state: the Chichén Itzá archeological site and the Magical towns Izamal and Valladolid.
But there’s little doubt that the opening of the Playa del Carmen – Cancun route (Section 5 North) will quickly become one of the hottest among tourists, as it will offer a seamless connection between these two Mexican Caribbean hotspots.
Yet, as we’ve seen, the completion date of the Section 5 – which includes the Tulum – Playa del Carmen route ( Section 5 South) – remains uncertain.
Nevertheless, the high booking numbers, even without the most sought-after section being operational yet, only goes to show that demand will continue to grow and likely skyrocket once it’s opened.
Where To Buy Maya Train Tickets
Right now, the easiest and fastest way to buy Maya Train tickets is on the official Maya Train website, which you can find here.
However, Lozano Águila has highlighted that ticket sales at the station’s ticket booth remain the primary choice of users so far.
Over 46,170 tickets have been issued at 14 Maya Train stations and two commercial points, the Nia Tower Building in Mérida, Yucatán, and Plaza Galerías in San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche.
Still, sticking to the official Maya Train website remains the recommended option for international travelers, as it’s the best way to stay up-to-date on potential pricing and schedule changes.
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