Tequila Express: Luxury Train, First-Time Riders, and a Party on Rails in Mexico

In Mexico, where rail travel is rare, a luxury tourist train is turning a simple journey into a full-scale experience. For many locals, it’s not just about tequila; it’s their very first train ride.

Rail travel in Mexico is limited, but those who do board a train may experience one of the most memorable journeys of their lives. One such example is the Tequila Express, a luxury tourist train where passengers can sample Mexico’s iconic spirit during the journey.

Tequila is widely associated with Mexico, and the country knows well how to capitalise on its popularity. This has led to growing support for so-called tequila tourism. One of its attractions is the Tequila Express, a train where passengers can sample special cocktails, learn about tequila production, and enjoy a unique onboard experience. The train travels through agave landscapes in the state of Jalisco and ends in the town of Tequila, the birthplace of the drink and home to around 25 distilleries.

On Board the Tequila Express: The Journey Is Part of the Destination

When boarding the train in Guadalajara, passengers are welcomed by a local guide holding a bottle of tequila, who begins handing out filled shots almost immediately after departure. The train interior is polished and luxurious. A bartender prepares carefully crafted cocktails behind a marble counter, while the guide explains the flavour profiles and characteristics of different drinks. Traditional mariachi music plays through the speakers.

Outside the windows, the landscape is filled with cacti and agave plants, which is the key ingredient for tequila production. After two hours, 65 kilometres travelled, and an unlimited number of drinks consumed, the train arrives in Tequila. There, passengers can continue with further experiences. The town has around 45,000 inhabitants, and dozens of distilleries export tequila worldwide. Visitors can tour distilleries, visit agave fields, dine in local restaurants, and after extensive tastings, even dance to traditional folk music.

How The Tequila Express Train Powers Jalisco’s Tourism //t.co/0TDTI4NvZ0 pic.twitter.com/i6eiQGPt37

— SF Tequila Shop (@tequila_sf) February 23, 2026

From Uncomfortable Local Train to Exclusive Experience

The Tequila Express first operated in 1997 to support the emerging tequila tourism around the town. At that time, it was mainly aimed at Mexican tourists, and the experience was far from today’s luxury, with simple wooden seating.

Operations were suspended in 2015, and from 2017 the train was used for a similar purpose in cooperation with the tequila brand Herradura. The COVID-19 pandemic then halted tourism entirely, and in 2020 the train stopped running altogether.

Only in 2023 did tourists begin returning to Tequila in larger numbers. As a result, the government decided to invest significantly in the once-popular attraction, allowing the Tequila Express to return to service in September 2024 in a new, more luxurious form. The experience is now sought mainly by wealthier middle-aged Mexicans, although international tourists also appear on board.

\

The Tequila Express is truly exceptional in Mexico, not only because of its comfort and unique concept, but also because of the overall state of the country’s railway system. Train travel remains rare for most Mexicans. "For us Mexicans, even travelling by train is a special experience. There are only a few railways in the whole country. I am fifty-five and I am riding a train for the first time in my life," one passenger told the BBC. Tourist routes like this are therefore among the most prominent railway experiences in Mexico.