Tren El Insurgente – Mexico City to Toluca

The Tren interurbano “El Insurgente” México-Toluca is now fully open, running between Observatorio and Zinacantepec (Toluca)

The last section, from Santa Fe to Observatorio, was inaugurated by President Sheinbaum on February 2nd, 2026.

I rode the El Insurgente for the first time, from Santa Fe to Zinacantepec back in November 2024:

And I rode the Tren El Insurgente – Mexico City to Toluca, for a second time, from Observatorio to Zinacantepec on February 3, 2026, the day after the last section of the line, from Observatorio to Santa Fe, was inaugurated by President Sheinbaum.

Nomadic Backpacker at the Zinacantepec Station (2026):

The first section of the ‘CDMX – Toluca commuter train​’ between Zinacantepec and Lerma was completed in September 2023.

The section from Lerma to Santa Fe opened in September 2024.
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The whole project is 57.7 kilometres in length, with 4.9 km of viaduct, 48.4 km of elevated viaduct, and 4.9 km of tunnel.

Each train consists of five carriages with a total capacity of 719 passengers.

Nomadic Backpacker at the Zinacantepec Station (2024):

The seven Interurbano stations are:

• Zinacantepec
• Toluca Centro
• Metepec
• Lerma
• Santa Fe
• Vasco de Quiroga (connection to the Cablebus Línea 3)
• Observatorio (end station of the pink line, Línea 1 on the Metro)

The comfortable interior of the CDMX – Toluca Commuter Train. There are no toilets on board, and WiFi is not available:

Posing at Zinacantepec station in 2024:

​How to buy tickets for the El Insurgente Train?

There is NO contactless option.

There are four ways to buy tickets (pay for the ride):

• Queue up and buy a QR code ticket. Cash only.
• Use the ticket machine to get a QR code (was only possible with cash – the card option wasn’t working at the time).
• Use your Mexico City Metro Card
• Download the app “App CDMX”, add money, and use your phone to pay for the ride (Android only for now):

Queuing up to buy the Código QR (cash only):

You can top up your Mexico City Metro Card at this machine, cash only (or at any Metro/Metrobus station):

People buying tickets at at Zinacantepec station:

Ticket machines for the Interurbano train to buy your Código QR. They should accept card payment, but the machines in Zinacantepec were still only accepting cash as of February 3, 2026

How much are the tickets for the El Insurgente?

These are the ticket prices for the El Insurgente train from Mexico City to Toluca, in neighbouring Estado de México:

Timetable of the El Insurgente

Here are the times of the first and last trains out of Observatorio and Zinacantepec stations:

The trains are running every 15 minutes.

The ticket to Zinacantepec is 100 pesos. To Toluca Centro is 90 pesos, the same price as I paid for the bus back in December.

If you are visiting Toluca, get off at the Toluca Centro station as it is nearer to the Centro Histórico. 4.3 km.

FREE transportation service from Toluca Bus Terminal to Toluca Station Interurban Train Center see Diario Metropolitano del Transporte on Facebook.

Zinacantepec is 5 km from the centre of town.

When you get off the metro at Observatorio, follow the signs for the El Insurgente:

View at Observatorio station:

I bought a QR code ticket (Código QR) on the way out:

Nomadic Backpacker at Observatorio Station in CDMX, February 3, 2026:

The train took 57 minutes to Zinacantepec, compared to the 1 hour 15 for the bus, which can be a lot more if the highway is slow.

Coming back, I just topped up my Metro Card. You must swipe on entry and exit!

Coming back, the train took 57 minutes.

Santa Fe railway station (Mexico City):

Nomadic Backpacker at Zinacantepec Station, February 3, 2026:

The train is smooth, comfortable, clean and secure. No food or drinks are allowed, and you cannot place bags on the seats – security personnel are walking up and down the train constantly.