The “Tequila Train” from Guadalajara is back

After more than nine years, the… Tequila Express Train between Guadalajara and the city of Tequila is ready for use again.

Officially launched last month, the relaunch was the result of a $9 million collaboration between various government, tourism and railway companies to transport both locals and tourists in Guadalajara west to Tequila, a Pueblo Magico and the center of the Tequila production in Jalisco.

There are currently other train options running between the two cities, but the return of the Tequila Express fills a gap in the service. The other options currently available are tied to specific tequila brands and are more like branded tours than general transportation.

For example, both Jose Cuervo and Herradura offer Luxurious train experiences with multiple cabins transporting people from Guadalajara to Tequila. However, a specific itinerary is set for the day, which includes stops at the brand’s facilities, and the train is only used in one direction (a bus is used for the other leg of the journey).

Although the Tequila Express train serves food and of course tequila on board, it is not branded and serves more as a means of transportation between Guadalajara and Tequila.

Upon arrival in Tequila, an included shuttle takes passengers from the train station to downtown Tequila, where they can explore the city on their own or meet with local tour operators.

The original Tequila Express launched in 1997 but was discontinued in 2015, in part due to competition from the aforementioned branded tours. Jose Cuervo began his train travels in 2012.

The town of Tequila serves as a hub for the larger agricultural and growing region. A trip through this area is like traveling through California’s wine country – out the train window, pristine agave fields lie as far as the eye can see, with tasting rooms and production facilities idyllically situated in the middle of the farmland.

In the town of Tequila itself, accommodations, bars, restaurants and branded tasting rooms surround a picturesque town square. Other interesting attractions such as the National Tequila Museum offer the opportunity to further your education.

Tequila Express tickets are available every weekend, Friday through Sunday purchased online. There are currently two classes to choose from: Executive and First. The former costs about $87 for a round trip, while the latter costs about $108. The schedule is designed to give visitors the opportunity to try tequila on a day trip from Guadalajara or make it a weekend.

Jalisco’s landscape is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, honoring both its historical significance and its natural beauty. The cultivation of blue agave began there in the 16th century.