Train to Machu Picchu – Definitive Guide
The option to go by train to Machu Picchu is the easiest, safest and fastest way to get to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu receives about 5 thousand tourists every day, of which about 80% arrive by train to the wonder of the world. The main reason is that the train is the safest and easiest way to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu.
There are two train companies that operate the Cusco – Machu Picchu route: PERU RAIL and INCA RAIL. Of these 2, the one with more service options and departures is PeruRail.
In high season (May, June, July and August), it is not always possible to find availability of Machu Picchu tickets or train tickets from Cusco to Machu Picchu. That is why it is recommended to buy many months in advance the 2 tickets, i.e. Machu Picchu and the train ticket.
How to get to Machu Picchu
There are 3 ways to get to Machu Picchu, as we said, the fastest and most uncomplicated is by train. The other option is to hike for 4 days or more and the third option is to do a combination of bus and hike which is more economical and tiring.
Here is the most popular way to get to Machu Picchu.
- First you must take a bus or cab to Ollantaytambo station which is 2 hours from Cusco.
- Take the train from Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes station.
- In Aguas Calientes you can choose to take a 20 minute bus ride or walk 2 hours to reach the main entrance of the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Read more: How to get o Machu Picchu.
Train trip Map to Machu Picchu
This map shows the route taken by the Peru Rail and Inca Rail trains and the different stations from which they depart and arrive. The map show us that both companies have the same route and the difference is in the types of services and train baggage.
Trains to Machu Picchu: Peru Rail vs Inca Rail
The only two companies offer different types of services and schedules. You can choose any of the companies mentioned above, it all depends on your budget, availability and the service you want to take.
Peru Rail
The Peru Rail is the main company and railway operator for freight and passengers in southern Peru. Peru Rail operates several routes, one of the best known is Cusco – Puno – Arequipa in its luxury train “Andean Explorer”, but its main route of operations is: Poroy – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
From 2019 it has a new route: San Pedro (in the city of Cusco) – Poroy – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.
Peru Rail has 4 types of train services to Machu Picchu for foreign tourists (Expeditions, Vistadome, Hiring Bingham and Sacred Valley) and 1 local train service only for Peruvians and foreign residents.
The Vistadome Train
The Vistadome Train is a type of train with wide carriages, with panoramic windows on the roof and on the sides that will allow you to see taking pictures of the whole landscape of the Andes along the route of the train.
This train is ideal for observing the impressive natural landscape that surrounds the train between Cusco and Machu Picchu. Has large panoramic windows on both sides of its carriages and the roof. It offers onboard snack service with ingredients from Andean products and includes non-alcoholic beverages. And, on the return trip, it offers a parade of traditional clothes made with baby alpaca and an Andean dance show.
The Vistadome Perurail train for guests of the Belmond Río Sagrado Hotel offers an exclusive service of its trains: Vistadome 601 (out) and Vistadome 304 (return).
The Expedition Train
The Expedition train has wagons that are fully covered by panoramic windows and have services on board such as Sandwiches and Peruvian food.
Services we can find:
- Snack
- Hot and cold drinks
The Sacred Valley
This train, as its name indicates, connects Urubamba with Machu Picchu in a luxurious journey through the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It includes lunch (or dinner) in the observatory car or dining car.
Like the Hiram Bingham train, the Sacred Valley train has a dining car and an observatory bar car where we can meet:
- Reception with Andean infusion tea.
- Gourmet lunch.
- Gourmet dinner.
- Drinks.
The luxury train “Hiram Bingham”
The Hiram Bingham train is one of the most luxurious trains in the world, very exclusive and with full service. It has 4 wagons, dining wagons, bar wagons, gourmet dinner, transportation and the option of tickets to Machu Picchu.
Services:
- Welcome show with typical dances from Cusco and typical and international music shows on board.
- The most delicious Peruvian cocktails.
- Gourmet lunch.
- Dinner.
- Live music show.
- Guided tour in Machu Picchu in English or Spanish.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu.
- Private bus to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
- Tea time at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge from 16.00 pm.
- VIP room at the Machu Picchu station.
- The luxury train (Hiram Bingham) to Machu Picchu departs every day except the last Sunday of each month from Poroy station.
Inca Rail
Inca Rail is the second railway company that offers passenger transport services from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Routes: Poroy – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.
Like Perurail, it has several types of services that have different prices.
Inca Rail doesn’t have an especial services for local people who live around the route or Aguas Calientes.
The Voyager train
The Voyager has wagons with comfortable seats, folding tables and panoramic windows. With Latin American music. There is service on board and a selection of drinks made with Andean fruits and herbs. It is similar to Perurail’s Vistadome train.
Services:
- Sandwiches.
- Hot and cold drinks.
- Ambient music.
The 360º train
In this type of train, we will find Large panoramic windows, Latin American music, onboard service, a selection of hot and cold drinks, as well as the sale of handmade products on board. This type of train is similar to Perurail’s Expedition train.
Services:
- Andean sandwiches.
- Hot and cold drinks.
- On-board entertainment system.
- Sale of handcrafted products on board.
The First Class train
It is a train service that has ambient music, natural flowers and lined tables. You will be served a welcome cocktail, a gourmet lunch and/or dinner. It is only available in high tourism season (April to October) and on special dates. We can compare it to the train in the Sacred Valley of Perurail.
Services:
- Welcome cocktail.
- Gourmet lunch and dinner.
- Outdoor observatory car.
- Gastronomic menu
- Free bar and drinks
- Live music show
- Bus to Machu Picchu.
The Private train
With capacity for 8 people. The wagon, known as the “Inca Princess” is of the presidential class. The car has many details in its decoration, food on board, open bar. This train only works on request. This train of Incarail is similar to the Hiring Bingham of Perurail.
Services:
- A private car to enjoy luxury and exclusivity.
- Outside balcony.
- Gourmet menu.
- Bar and free drinks.
- Live music show.
- Private bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Train schedules to Machu Picchu
In this section, we will show the tables of the different train schedules to Machu Picchu according to company and stations.
Peru Rail Trains Schedules
- Boarding station: San Pedro, Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
- Arrival station: Aguas Calientes station.
| BOARDING STATION | TYPE TRAIN | DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | PRICE | ARRIVAL STATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Pedro | Vistadome | 06:40 | 10:52 | 86 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| San Pedro | Vistadome | 07:30 | 12:11 | 86 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | Expedition | 06:40 | 09:54 | 70 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | Vistadome | 07:35 | 10:52 | 105 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | Vistadome | 08:25 | 12:11 | 115 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | Hiram Bingham | 09:05 | 12:24 | 450 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Urubamba | Vistadome | 06:50 | 09:24 | 95 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Urubamba | Sacred Valley | 10:30 | 13:34 | 170 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Expedition | 05:05 | 06:35 | 65 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Expedition | 06:10 | 07:40 | 65 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Expedition | 07:45 | 09:15 | 65 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Expedition | 08:29 | 09:54 | 65 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Expedition | 11:52 | 13:34 | 65 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Expedition | 12:55 | 14:25 | 65 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Expedition | 19:04 | 20:45 | 65 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Expedition | 21:00 | 22:45 | 55 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Sacred Valley | 11:52 | 13:34 | 170 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Vistadome | 07:05 | 08:27 | 95 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Vistadome | 08:00 | 09:25 | 95 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Vistadome | 08:53 | 10:29 | 85 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Vistadome | 09:15 | 10:52 | 95 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Vistadome | 10:32 | 12:11 | 85 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Vistadome | 13:27 | 14:50 | 75 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | Vistadome | 15:37 | 17:02 | 85 USD | Aguas Calientes |
- Boarding station: Aguas Calientes Station.
- Arrival station: San Pedro, Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
| TYPE TRAIN | DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | PRICES | ARRIVAL STATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition | 05:35 | 07:44 | 55 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Expedition | 08:53 | 10:52 | 55 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Expedition | 14:52 | 16:31 | 65 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Expedition | 15:20 | 17:08 | 65 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Expedition | 16:22 | 18:10 | 65 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Expedition | 18:20 | 20:05 | 65 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Expedition | 20:50 | 22:20 | 65 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Expedition | 21:50 | 23:35 | 55 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Vistadome | 10:55 | 12:32 | 75 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Vistadome | 13:37 | 15:04 | 75 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Vistadome | 15:48 | 17:29 | 110 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Vistadome | 16:22 | 18:10 | 95 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Vistadome | 16:43 | 18:31 | 110 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Vistadome | 17:23 | 19:05 | 95 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Vistadome | 18:10 | 19:51 | 85 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Sacred Valley | 19:30 | 21:28 | 170 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| Sacred Valley | 19:30 | 22:37 | 170 USD | Urubamba |
| Vistadome | 15:48 | 18:43 | 110 USD | Urubamba |
| Expedition | 15:20 | 19:05 | 65 USD | Poroy |
| Vistadome | 16:43 | 20:23 | 115 USD | Poroy |
| Vistadome | 17:23 | 20:52 | 110 USD | Poroy |
| Hiram Bingham | 17:50 | 21:16 | 430 USD | Poroy |
| Vistadome | 16:43 | 21:23 | 86 USD | San Pedro |
| Vistadome | 17:23 | 21:52 | 86 USD | San Pedro |
Inca Rail Trains Schedules
- Boarding station: Poroy or Ollantaytambo.
- Arrival station: Aguas Calientes.
| DEPARTURE STATION | TYPE TRAIN | DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | PRICE | ARRIVAL STATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poroy | THE FIRST CLASS | 08:28 | 12:41 | 200 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | THE 360° | 05:00 | 08:48 | 86 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | THE 360° BIMODAL | 10:16 | 14:00 | 87 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | THE VOYAGER | 08:28 | 12:41 | 71 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | THE VOYAGER BIMODAL | 04:10 | 08:01 | 75 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | THE VOYAGER BIMODAL | 08:40 | 12:41 | 71 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | THE VOYAGER BIMODAL | 16:15 | 21:09 | 82 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Poroy | THE 360° | 05:55 | 08:48 | 86 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | THE FIRST CLASS | 11:15 | 09:15 | 200 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | THE 360° | 07:22 | 08:48 | 86 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | THE 360° | 11:30 | 13:06 | 86 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | THE 360° | 12:36 | 14:00 | 77 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | THE VOYAGER | 06:40 | 08:01 | 68 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | THE VOYAGER | 11:15 | 12:41 | 59 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | THE VOYAGER | 16:36 | 18:09 | 75 USD | Aguas Calientes |
| Ollantaytambo | THE VOYAGER | 19:27 | 21:09 | 72 USD | Aguas Calientes |
- Boarding station: Aguas Calientes.
- Arrival station: Ollantaytambo or Poroy.
| TYPE TRAIN | DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL | PRICE | ARRIVAL STATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE FIRST CLASS | 19:00 | 23:35 | 200 USD | Cusco |
| THE 360° | 16:12 | 20:35 | 95 USD | Cusco |
| THE 360° BIMODAL | 10:32 | 14:32 | 87 USD | Cusco |
| THE VOYAGER | 19:00 | 23:35 | 87 USD | Cusco |
| THE VOYAGER BIMODAL | 14:30 | 18:30 | 79 USD | Cusco |
| THE VOYAGER BIMODAL | 19:00 | 23:00 | 87 USD | Cusco |
| THE VOYAGER BIMODAL | 21:30 | 01:15 | 60 USD | Cusco |
| THE 360° | 16:12 | 19:39 | 95 USD | Poroy |
| THE FIRST CLASS | 19:00 | 20:41 | 200 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| THE 360° | 10:32 | 12:12 | 77 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| THE 360° | 16:12 | 17:50 | 95 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| THE VOYAGER | 08:30 | 10:10 | 59 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| THE VOYAGER | 14:30 | 15:56 | 72 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| THE VOYAGER | 19:00 | 20:41 | 73 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| THE VOYAGER | 20:20 | 21:59 | 54 USD | Ollantaytambo |
| THE VOYAGER | 21:30 | 22:54 | 50 USD | Ollantaytambo |
How to buy your train ticket to Machu Picchu
On Peru Rail
Website
- Go to the PeruRail website.
- Make a search for service availability on the date you want to go, the type of service you want and from which station you want to take the train.
- Choose and complete your personal data.
- Make the payment using your card or the available means that the web gives you.
- Finally you have print your train ticket or save in your phone.
At the office
- Larcomar Shopping Center: 610 Malecón de la Reserva Avenue, Stand 214, Miraflores District – Lima.
- Jorge Chávez International Airport: Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, between gate 13 and 14 for domestic flights, Lima.
- Plaza Norte Shopping Center: 1400 Alfredo Mendiola Avenue, first floor of Galería Sur, Lima.
- Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport: Av. Velasco Astete s/n, Cusco.
- Plaza de Armas: Portal de Carnes 214, Cusco.
- Regocijo Square 202, Cusco.
- 409 El Sol Avenue, Cusco.
- Wanchaq Station: Pachacutec Avenue s/n, Cusco
- Poroy Station: Roldan Street s/n, Cusco.
- Urubamba Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n Urubamba, Sacred Valley – Cusco.
- Ollantaytambo Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley – Cusco.
- Aguas Calientes Station: Las Orquídeas Neighborhood, Machu Picchu
On Inca Rail
Website
- Go to the Inca Rail website.
- Do a search for availability of dates and type of service.
- Choose a route and select the type of service.
- Fill in your personal details.
- Choose a payment method and make the payment.
- Finally you have print your train ticket or save in your phone.
In Office
- Portal de Panes 105, Cusco’s main square
- Av. el Sol N° 843, Cusco.
- Ollantaytambo Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, district of Ollantaytambo
- Aguas Calientes Station: district of Machu Picchu s/n
Recommendations for buying your train ticket to Machu Picchu
These are the recommendations that you should take into account when buying your train and going to Machu Picchu.
- Before buying your train ticket, you must first buy your ticket for the citadel of Machu Picchu, so that according to the date and time of entry to Machu Picchu, you can choose the train that suits you best.
- Buy your train ticket well in advance, especially for the high season, about 2 or 3 months before.
- Carry your valid identity card or passport.
- Please note that in the rainy season, trains cannot leave due to security issues and route closures, in which case you should go to the train company offices and reschedule.
- Only the traveler’s luggage is allowed, PeruRail has a free storage service. We recommend that you leave your luggage at the hotel where you are staying.
Frequently Asked Questions about Trains to Machu Picchu
No. But going through valleys, mountains and tunnels can be a little scary, but overall it’s a very exciting route.
Yes, there is a train service that takes you to Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu.
It depends on the type of company, service and date of purchase, train tickets are sold in the same way as airline tickets.
It usually takes about 2 hours or more to get to Aguas Calientes. It depends on which train station you take the service from.
Yes. Thera are 3 main train stations to take to go to Machu Picchu. 1. Cusco San Pedro, Poroy and Ollantaytambo.
There are 2 companies, in both, you can buy online and physically in specific places that are shown in detail on our page.
Prices vary according to the type of service, which company, how far in advance you buy it and according to seasons.
The train journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu typically takes about 3 to 4 hours. However, it’s important to note that most trains do not depart directly from Cusco city itself but from Poroy Station, which is about 20 minutes outside of Cusco. Some services, especially during the high season, also depart from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, which is about 1.5 to 2 hours by car or bus from Cusco.
To reach Machu Picchu by train, you have options from two main companies: PeruRail, offering the Vistadome, Expedition, and luxury Hiram Bingham services, and Inca Rail, providing The Voyager, The 360° Machu Picchu Train, and The First Class Train. Each service varies in comfort, amenities, and price, catering to different travel preferences.
The best train to Machu Picchu depends on individual preferences and budget. For a luxurious experience, PeruRail’s Hiram Bingham offers gourmet meals, wine, and guided tours, making it the most exclusive option. The Vistadome, also by PeruRail, provides a balance of comfort and price with its panoramic windows. For budget-conscious travelers, PeruRail’s Expedition and Inca Rail’s Voyager are more affordable yet comfortable choices. Inca Rail’s 360° Train is ideal for those seeking immersive scenic views, featuring large panoramic windows and an outdoor observation carriage. Each train service offers a unique experience, catering to different needs and expectations for the journey to the iconic Incan citadel.