Mexico’s Tren Maya Reaches Three Million Passengers as Rail Tourism Expands Across Five South Eastern States

Mexico’s Tren Maya has reached a landmark three million passenger journeys since launching operations in December 2023, marking a significant achievement for railway connectivity and tourism development across Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán and Quintana Roo. The milestone was officially announced by Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR) on 30 October 2026, highlighting the railway’s growing role in connecting international and domestic travellers with cultural attractions, archaeological sites, coastal destinations and local communities throughout the country’s south-east.

The achievement comes as the Mexican government continues to expand railway services, improve connections between stations and tourist destinations, and promote Tren Maya internationally. With a 1,554-kilometre network, 34 passenger stations and a fleet of 42 trains, the project has become an important part of Mexico’s regional transport infrastructure.

Tren Maya Achieves Three Million Passenger Journeys as Mexico Strengthens Regional Tourism

Tren Maya began passenger operations on 16 December 2023. By 8 October 2026, the railway had carried 2.944 million passengers across 16,444 operations. The figure subsequently reached three million, according to SECTUR’s announcement on 30 October.

The milestone reflects the increasing use of the railway for journeys across south-eastern Mexico. Its connections allow passengers to combine several destinations within a single trip rather than restricting their travel to one city or coastal resort.

The government’s tourism strategy also aims to spread economic opportunities beyond established tourism centres by improving access to smaller destinations and local communities. Gob México+1

Mexico’s 1,554-Kilometre Railway Connects Five States Through 34 Stations

Tren Maya operates across seven railway sections and connects five Mexican states known for their cultural heritage, landscapes, archaeological attractions and tourism experiences.

Its network supports travel between the Caribbean coast and inland destinations, helping visitors explore different parts of the Yucatán Peninsula and neighbouring states.

Some attractions require additional road transport from the nearest railway station.

This regional connectivity is central to the Mexican government’s efforts to create a more integrated tourism network across the south-east.

Fleet of 42 Trains Supports Passenger Travel, Dining Experiences and Longer Journeys

According to the Mexican Presidency’s official briefing on 8 October 2026, Tren Maya operates a fleet of 42 trains, including 32 hybrid trains and 10 diesel trains.The fleet comprises 31 regular-service trains, eight restaurant-service trains and three long-distance trains.

At the time of the briefing, the railway reported 24 regular commercial services alongside two restaurant services, bringing the total to 26. The government also reported passenger satisfaction of 96%, reflecting the results presented in its operational assessment. The different train categories allow Tren Maya to serve conventional transport needs while developing leisure-oriented experiences for tourists exploring the region. Gob México

Mexico Introduces Restaurant Train Experiences to Showcase Yucatán’s Culinary Heritage

Gastronomy has become an additional feature of Tren Maya’s tourism offering. The railway introduced regular Sunday restaurant-train journeys on the Mérida–Izamal–Chichén Itzá corridor from 13 September 2026. The service, promoted under the Domingos de Sabor concept, combines railway travel with regional food experiences.

Passengers can explore Yucatán’s cultural landscape while enjoying a journey designed around the area’s culinary traditions. For tourism businesses, the initiative provides another type of railway experience that can be incorporated into cultural and leisure itineraries. The development also demonstrates how Mexico is expanding Tren Maya beyond conventional passenger transport. Gob México

Improved Airport and City Transfers Make Tren Maya More Accessible to Travellers

Access between railway stations and city centres remains an important part of the project’s development. On 15 August 2026, Tren Maya introduced three additional intermodal transport routes serving Cancún and Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo. These connections were designed to improve access between railway stations, airports, central urban areas and tourism attractions.

A further service began on 15 September 2026, linking Mérida-Teya station with Paseo de Montejo and Mérida’s historic centre. These transport connections are particularly relevant for visitors who need onward travel after arriving at a railway station. They also support the government’s objective of making railway journeys easier to combine with wider tourism itineraries.

United States and Canada Become Priority Markets for International Railway Tourism Promotion

Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism has incorporated Tren Maya into its international destination-marketing activities. Government promotion includes specialised tourism fairs and travel trade roadshows, particularly in the United States and Canada. The strategy introduces the railway’s connections and regional travel experiences to travel agents, tour operators and tourism industry representatives. SECTUR also conducts monthly coordination meetings with Tren Maya representatives to assess progress, establish objectives and address operational and tourism development challenges. The wider aim is to connect transport investment with opportunities for local businesses and communities throughout south-eastern Mexico.

Mexico Tren Maya Travel Guide for Tourists Planning a Railway Holiday

Travellers planning to use Tren Maya can choose routes linking major cities, coastal destinations and archaeological areas. The Mexican government has identified four fare categories covering different passenger groups.

• Special fare: Available to eligible students, teachers, older adults and passengers with reduced mobility.
• Local fare: Available to qualifying residents of the five states served by Tren Maya.
• National fare: Designed for Mexican passengers.
• International fare: Applies to foreign visitors.

The following examples were provided during the government’s 8 October 2026 briefing.

Official illustrative fares in Mexican pesos, reported on 8 October 2026. Travellers should check current fares and timetables before booking. Gob México Travellers should also consider transfer times between stations and their intended attractions, particularly for archaeological sites and destinations outside major urban centres.

The railway additionally offers tourism packages combining services such as rail transport, accommodation, ground transfers, meals and visits to archaeological attractions. The government reported 16 permanent tourism packages available for the remainder of 2026.

Tren Maya Targets Four Million Passengers by 2030 as Mexico Expands Railway Operations

Mexico has outlined further development plans for Tren Maya through 2032. Freight operations are scheduled to begin during the first half of 2027, initially involving four terminals, a branch line and a bypass. During 2028, the government plans to advance combined passenger and freight operations, supported by five additional freight terminals.

The longer-term programme includes a passenger target of four million annually by 2030 and a freight objective of 4.7 million tonnes. These remain future targets rather than achieved results. The government also anticipates reaching the project’s planned financial break-even point in 2032. Gob México

Three Million Passenger Milestone Strengthens Mexico’s Railway Tourism Development Strategy

Tren Maya’s three-million-passenger milestone represents an important stage in the railway’s development and Mexico’s wider tourism connectivity programme. Its growing network of passenger services, restaurant experiences, transfers and tourism packages provides additional ways to explore south-eastern Mexico. The government continues to position the railway as an instrument for regional mobility, tourism diversification and community participation.

Although the passenger milestone demonstrates railway usage, it does not independently establish the number of additional tourists or tourism revenue generated by the project. With new services and infrastructure planned through 2032, Tren Maya remains a central component of Mexico’s efforts to develop a more connected tourism economy.

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