Frequently Asked Questions about the Mayan Train
a) What happens if my ticket doesn’t arrive in my email?
Should you not receive the electronic ticket for the Tren Maya in your email, the ticket counters are ready to provide assistance. Simply show the payment receipt with the charge to your card and provide the reservation details, and the staff to help you print your tickets.
b) What does the Premier class of the Mayan Train include?
Include a Box Lunch, but if the Standard Tren Maya Premier Class ticket is for a full route (Cancún Airport – Palenque – Cancún Airport), 2 Box Luch services are provided.
c) Can I bring bicycles on the Mayan Train?
Yes, you can bring bicycles on the Mayan Train, but there’s a limit of four bicycles per train, not per carriage.
d) Can I board and disembark at any station/stop on the Mayan Train?
Yes, you can disembark from the Mayan Train before reaching your destination. However, you cannot re-board the train with the same ticket; you’ll need to purchase another ticket for the alternate destination.
e) Can alcoholic beverages be consumed on the Mayan Train?
Yes, alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on the Mayan Train, along with food options. However, please note that consuming outside alcoholic beverages is not permitted on board.
f) Can I bring pets on the Mayan Train?
At the moment, the only animals allowed are support animals with proper documentation, which must be registered before boarding the Mayan Train.
g) Is it safe to travel on the Mayan Train?
Of course, the Mayan Train has National Guard personnel on the trains. Additionally, the entire route is monitored by various corporations and units.
h) What is the estimated completion date for the Maya Train project?
It is expected that by late August 2024, all stations, stops, and the route of the Mayan Train will be completed.
i) How often does the Mayan Train run?
For now, the Mayan Train operates on a fixed schedule. It is expected that once all 42 trains are in service, the frequency will be every 30 minutes.
j) What does TSÍIMIN-K’ÁAK mean in the Mayan Train?
The name “TSÍIMIN” was bestowed upon the horse by the Mayan people due to its resemblance to the native Tapir (Tsíimin). Since the horse was an unknown species to the Mayans, comparing it to the Tapir allowed them to find a similarity and, therefore, a name to refer to it. “K’ÁAK” means fire, blaze, hearth, bonfire, so the Mayan Train is known as the Fire Horse.
k) How long does it take for the Maya Train to complete the entire route?
The Maya Train will take 6 hours to travel the route from Palenque Chiapas to Cancún Airport. Currently, this journey takes 10 hours due to reduced speeds at stations and stops. However, there will be trains that travel directly to the destination without making stops, significantly improving travel times.
l) What is the speed of the Maya Train?
The passenger service of the Maya Train will travel at a speed of 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), while the cargo service of the Maya Train will traverse the route at 75 miles per hour (120 km/h). Currently, in 2024, the route’s speed ranges between 80 km/h and 120 km/h.
m) Is the Maya Train fully operational?
Although the Maya Train has already been inaugurated, it is not yet 100% complete. Sections are being inaugurated as they are finished. It is expected that by the end of August 2024, the entire route of the Maya Train will be completed.
n) Because train tickets for the Mayan Train can only be purchased one week in advance?
At the moment, due to the limited number of trains operating on the Mayan Train route (8 out of 41), the ticket purchase window is restricted. More trains are being delivered each month by the manufacturer Alstom Bombardier, and it is expected that all 42 trains will be delivered by the end of this year 2024.