All Aboard the Tequila: Train Mexico’s Spirited Rail Journey
Any tipsy traveler worth their salt knows that the best tequila in Mexico gets its start in Jalisco, where blue agave thrives, and distilleries dot the landscape. From Guadalajara to the town of Tequila itself, there's a lot of ground to cover for mezcal connoisseurs looking to maximize tastings on their trip. Luckily, there are not one but three tequila express trains waiting to ferry passengers around the region. Looking for a day of drinking and discovery? Get your tickets ready.
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The Tequila Train Trio of Guadalajara
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The José Cuervo Express
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The Tequila Express
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The Herradura Express
Adobe Stock | Stacy
Three tequila train experiences depart from Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco. Each offers tastings and a scenic ride winding through the UNESCO World Heritage agave fields sprawling across the countryside.
The name José Cuervo and tequila go hand-in-hand. This brand has been in the tequila business since 1795 and manufactures everything from affordable pre-bottled margaritas to top-shelf Reserva de la Familia. Now, José Cuervo has gotten into the travel game with its José Cuervo Express tequila train experience.
The José Cuervo Express runs every Saturday between Guadalajara and Tequila, the birthplace of this famous mezcal liquor. Ticket holders should be ready to hit the ground running for a 9 a.m. departure from the Ferromex station and the following twelve-hour day. Passengers will spend about two hours sipping and sampling on the rails before arriving in Tequila for a tour of the La Rojena, the oldest operating distillery in Mexico and the original producer of José Cuervo.
Your tasting experience will vary by cabin class. Express Class includes a tequila cocktail and a distillery tour, while Premium Plus includes an onboard tequila tasting and a wider menu of cocktails. The highest classes, Diamond and Elite, are not for the faint of heart—they include unlimited cocktails and guided tastings of top-shelf blanco tequila.
The train only runs one way, departing from Ferromex station in Guadalajara at sunrise or from the station in Tequila at sunset. Passengers will return via bus on the second leg of the trip in either direction.
The Tequila Express was born of the cooperation between tourism boards and railway proprietors. This express train is as much a functional transit option as it is a tequila-tourism experience. Originally launched in 1997, the train reopened to passengers in 2024, inviting them onboard for a day of drink and cultural celebration.
The tequila experience package includes seating in the First Class carriage, tequila cocktails onboard, a tour of the agave fields, a tour of the Casa Sauza tequila factory, and a guided tour of downtown Tequila. Passengers who booked a transportation-only ticket can still enjoy a taste of tequila in the Bar Carriage.
The train departs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and, unlike the José Cuervo experience, operates roundtrip between Guadalajara and Tequila. Although the theme of the day may seem adults-only, the Tequila Express welcomes families and travelers of all ages, while the José Cuervo route is strictly 18+.
The Herradura Express is the final of the three tequila trains, traveling roundtrip from Guadalajara to the town of Amatitán. Operated by Herradura Tequila, the experience includes a tour of the Herradura distillery, live Mariachi performances, a cultural showcase, a traditional Jaslico lunch, and—you guessed it—even more tequila.
Express Wagon passengers can nurse a menu of tequila cocktails on their journey to Amatitán, while Intermediate Wagon and VIP Vagón Club Bar passengers enjoy additional perks like aperitifs and live music. You must be eighteen years or older to book this tequila experience.