Taking the Tren Maya: A New Way to Travel from Cancun to Tulum and Beyond

We’re no strangers to traveling to Mexico’s beautiful Yucatán Peninsula, it’s one of our favorite tropical destinations. This trip, however, was a little different. For the first time, we decided to try the Tren Maya to get to our first stop on our trip: Tulum.

We booked our one-way tickets in advance for $25 per person. In the past, we’ve opted for private transfers to Tulum, often paying around $150, so this felt like a refreshing (and more affordable) alternative.

Getting to the Train Station from Cancún Airport

After landing at Cancún International Airport, we grabbed a taxi to the train station. The ride took about 15 minutes and cost roughly $25.

One important thing to know if you’re planning to take the train: it departs exactly on time. There’s no waiting for late passengers. Be sure to allow extra time for airport delays, baggage claim, and the taxi/b ride over. Building in a buffer will help you avoid unnecessary stress.

Overall Experience

Once we boarded, the experience was immediately enjoyable. The train is clean, modern, and comfortable, with spacious seating and a calm, relaxed atmosphere.

If possible, we recommend booking forward-facing seats for the most comfortable ride. Overall, it felt like an easy, stress-free way to travel across the peninsula, especially compared to some of the more fast-paced driving we’ve experienced in the past. This time, we were able to sit back, relax, and truly enjoy the journey.

Arriving in Tulum

When we arrived at the Tulum train station, we originally planned to grab a taxi to our hotel, but quickly learned that taxis aren’t available there.

Instead, there’s a convenient shuttle bus that runs to downtown Tulum, typically departing about 10–15 minutes after each train arrives. Tickets cost $3 per person and can be purchased at the kiosk inside the station. The ride takes about 10 minutes and drops you at the main bus terminal in town.

From there, we took a taxi to our hotel in the hotel zone, which cost around $35.

After a few nights in Tulum, we hopped back on the Tren Maya and continued our journey south to Bacalar.

If you’re planning a trip through the Yucatán Peninsula, Tren Maya is definitely worth considering. Whether you’re heading to Tulum, exploring more of the region, or simply looking to switch things up, it offers a convenient alternative to buses and private transfers.