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.

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: Aguas Calientes Station.
• Arrival station: San Pedro, Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.

Inca Rail Trains Schedules

• Boarding station: Poroy or Ollantaytambo.
• Arrival station: Aguas Calientes.

• Boarding station: Aguas Calientes.
• Arrival station: Ollantaytambo or Poroy.

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 Train to Machu Picchu