One of the options we have to be able to reach the wonder of the world of Machu Picchu, is with a pleasant trip of the train service offered by the companies of Peru rail and inca rail we Machu Picchu Exploration we can help you in this adventure by having service options and rates depending on the type of service.
How to get to Machu Picchu by train?
- To get to Machu Picchu by train you must book your tickets online in advance with either Peru Rail or Inca Rail. You must do it right after buying the tickets and knowing the date of visit to the Wonder of the World.
- Once in the city of Cusco (Peru), the visitor must go to the chosen train station (Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo station). It is advisable to be there 30 minutes before the scheduled travel time.
- All train services have as their final destination the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). From there you just have to board one of the buses that take you to the gate of Machu Picchu in about 20 minutes.
Machu Picchu, being one of the seven wonders of the world, requires that tickets for both trains and income to Machu Picchu be made in advance.
Train travel map
The reservation of train tickets
To book train tickets you must enter the website of the only 2 companies that provide the service: Peru Rail or Inca Rail. Once on the website of these companies, you have to choose the dates and the type of service that suits you best. Peru Rail and Inca Rail have economical and very luxurious options.
It is important to make the reservation as soon as you know the date of entry to Machu Picchu. The tickets are as much in demand as the entrance tickets to the Wonder of the World.
Peru Rail or Inca Rail – Which one to choose to travel by train to Machu Picchu?
Currently there are two companies authorized to travel the train tracks to Machu Picchu. Peru Rail has 4 services of different quality: Vistadome, Expedition, Sacred Valley and the luxury train Hiram Bingham.
Inca Rail has 4 different services: The Voyager, The 360º, The First Class and The Private. Both train companies have services suitable for tourists with different options and prices. Below we detail what is included in each of them.
Peru Rail
Peru Rail is the largest train company with the most train options to Machu Picchu.
- Expedition Train: The Expedition train is the most comfortable economy option, with soft seats and large windows for viewing the scenery. Coffee, tea, juice and water are served on board. Departure stations: Poroy (1 departure daily; about 3.5-4h) and Ollantaytambo (4 departures daily; about 1h50m). Price: From US$55 per person (one way).
- Vistadome Train: Like the IncaRail train, the Vistadome has panoramic windows through which you can contemplate the rolling landscape while sipping teas such as coca (which helps fight altitude sickness) or wild mint, or the sweet and fresh chicha morada, made from purple corn. Food varies according to the train, but you can buy sandwiches such as tomato and cheddar and sweets such as oatmeal and raisin cookies. Departure station: Poroy (2 daily departures; about 3h50m); Urubamba (1 daily departure; about 3h); and Ollantaytambo (7 daily departures; about 1h20m-40m). Price: From US$85 per person (one way).
- Sacred Valley Train: Departure station: Urubamba (1 departure daily; about 3h). Price: From US$ 190 per person (one way). On the trip to Machu Picchu, the bar car of this luxury train offers a pisco (brandy) tasting, a fun way to mingle with other guests. The culinary team uses Peruvian ingredients in its three-course meal, preparing such things as roast chicken with Andean herbs, mashed yucca and Sacred Valley root vegetables with salt from Maras, a Sacred Valley village. Meals are served with a glass of red or white wine and complemented with tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
- Belmond Hiram Bingham: It is one of the most luxurious trains in the world, exclusive and with on-board service. It has 4 cars, dining car, bar car, gourmet dinner, transportation and Machu Picchu tickets.
Inca Rail
Inca Rail is the second authorized train company that can take passengers to Machu Picchu.
- The Voyager train: This bright train, with its 480 reclining leather seats, large windows and skylights, is a great economical option. It runs between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu five times a day, with the first train leaving Ollantaytambo at 6:40 am and the last returning at 9:30 pm. Drinks are served on board, including teas made with Andean herbs (no food). Departure station: Ollantaytambo (5 daily departures; about 1h30m). Price: From $65 per person/$128 round trip.
- The 360º Train: Take in the scenery on this 312- or 120-seat train through its large panoramic windows while listening to the audio guide’s narration. If the weather is hot, you can sit in the open-air bar car and sip tea or a pisco sour, a Peruvian classic. Departure stations: Poroy (1 departure daily; about 3-3.5h) and Ollantaytambo (2 departures daily; about 1h30m). Price: $83 per person/$191 round trip.
- The first-class train: The journey is as exciting as the destination on this 60-seater train, where passengers are greeted with a welcome cocktail and live music. To drink there are fresh local fruit juices and herbal teas from the Sacred Valley; the set menu includes dishes such as sautéed vegetable carpaccio, trout fillet with cranberry sauce and potato gratin with Andean cheese, nicely paired with South American red and white wines. Tickets for this train include a private bus transfer from the train station to Machu Picchu itself. Departure station: Ollantaytambo (about 1h30m). Price: $216 per person/$398 round trip.
- The Private Train: This eight-seater train is the only private charter up Machu Picchu, a luxurious party on rails that begins with the popping of champagne and continues with an open bar and a three-course tasting menu of local ingredients. The kitchen prepares delicious dishes such as smoked trout satay and yellow gnocchi, paired with South American wines. Cheer on to Machu Picchu with live music by local musicians, a winning soundtrack to Peru’s most scenic train ride. Departure station: Ollantaytambo. Price: US$ 5,500 per group / US$ 9,000 round trip.
Where to board the trains to Machu Picchu?
There are 4 boarding stations for outbound trains. There is only one station for boarding the return train.
Stations for outbound trains:
- Ollantaytambo Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley (Cusco).
- Poroy Station: Roldan Street s/n, District of Poroy, Cusco.
- Urubamba Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Urubamba, Sacred Valley (Cusco).
- San Pedro Station: San Pedro Market (Cusco).
Return train stations:
- Aguas Calientes Station: Machu Picchu Pueblo, s/n, Barrio Las Orquídeas (next to the Artisan Market of Aguas Calientes).
In most cases, you will board your train to Machu Picchu at Ollantaytambo station. The Poroy station is restricted for security during the rainy season (November to March). And the Wanchaq station is exclusively for the Peru Rail company and has few departures.
The place where all trains arrive is the Aguas Calientes station (Machu Picchu village). One block from the train station you can board the buses to Machu Picchu. They leave every 15 minutes and the ticket office is right in front.
After the pandemic we already have train services that leave from Cusco and the town of poroy where our customers can enjoy the views of the typical landscapes of the Andes and the entrance to the high jungle the time it takes from Cusco to the town of Machu Picchu are approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. You also have the train services from the town of Ollantaytambo to the town of Machu Picchu which is approximately 2 hours in the same way the views are impressive.
How long does it take to travel by train to Machu Picchu?
The duration of the train trip (one-way) depends on the station you arrive at:
- From San Pedro station (Cusco) to Aguas Calientes (one-way): The trip takes 4 hours approximately.
- From Poroy station (Cusco) to Aguas Calientes (one-way): The trip takes 3 hours and 15 minutes approximately.
- From Urubamba (Urubamba station) to Aguas Calientes (one-way): The trip takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, approximately.
- From Ollantaytambo station) to Aguas Calientes (one-way): The trip takes 2 hours approximately.
Train Trip to Machu Picchu Video
This video is a small sample of how the adventure of traveling by train to Machu Picchu is lived. Video of Peru Rail with its Vistadome train.
Train schedules to Machu Picchu
After the pandemic, train schedules have already normalized. We can find trains in the morning being the first train from 5 in the morning and the last train 9 at night both out and back. We recommend you to go one night before to be able to rest in the hot water town and be able to visit Machu Picchu at the first times.
Peru Rail train schedules
Train times ‘Vistadome’ (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 7.05 a.m. | 8.27 a.m. |
| 8 a.m. | 9.25 a.m. |
| 8.53 a.m. | 10.29 a.m. |
| 9.15 a.m. | 10.52 a.m. |
| 10.32 a.m. | 12.11 p.m. |
| 1.27 p.m. | 2.50 p.m. |
| 3.37 p.m. | 5.02 p.m. |
| 7.35 a.m. (Poroy – Cusco) | 10.52 p.m. |
| 8.25 a.m. (Poroy – Cusco) | 12.11 p.m. |
Train timetable ‘Expedition’ (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 6.10 a.m. | 7.40 a.m. |
| 7.45 a.m. | 9.15 a.m. |
| 8.29 a.m. | 9.54 a.m. |
| 12.55 p.m. | 2.25 p.m. |
| 7 p.m. | 8.45 p.m. |
| 1.27 p.m. | 2.50 p.m. |
| 9 p.m. | 10.45 p.m. |
| 6.40 a.m. (Poroy – Cusco) | 9.54 a.m. |
Train schedule ‘Sacred Valley’ (Urubamba – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 10:30 a.m. | 1:34 p.m. |
Train times ‘Hiram Bingham’ (Poroy (Cusco) – Aguas Calientes)
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 9.05 a.m. | 12:24 p.m. |
Inca Rail train schedules
Train times ‘Voyager’ (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 6.40 a.m. | 8.01 a.m. |
| 11.15 a.m. | 12.45 p.m. |
| 11.30 a.m. | 1.06 p.m. |
| 4.36 p.m. | 6.09 p.m. |
| 7.27 p.m. | 9.09 p.m. |
Train timetable ‘The 360º’ (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 7.22 a.m. | 8.48 a.m |
| 12.36 p.m. | 2 p.m. |
| 5.55 a.m. (Poroy – Cusco) | 8.48 a.m. |
Train timetable ‘The First Class’ (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 11.15 a.m. | 12.41 p.m. |
| 9.28 a.m. (Poroy – Cusco) | 12.41 p.m. |
Train times ‘The Private’ (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 6.40 a.m. | 8.01 a.m. |
| 11.15 a.m. | 12.45 p.m. |
| 4.36 p.m. | 6.09 p.m. |
How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost?
Prices of Peru Rail trains (round trip):
| Services / trains | How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost? | How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost in local money? |
|---|---|---|
| Train service ‘Peru Rail’ | Price in dollars | Price in soles (2022) |
| Train ‘Expedition’ | $ 140 | S/. 545 |
| Train ‘Vistadome’ | $ 190 | S/. 740 |
| Luxury train ‘Hiram Bingham’* | $ 950 | S/. 3700 |
| Local train (only for Peruvians) | $ 6 | S/. 24 |
Prices of Inca Rail trains (round trip):
| Services / trains | How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost? | How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost in local money? |
|---|---|---|
| Train service | Price in dollars | Price in soles (2022) |
| The Voyager | $ 140 | S/. 545 |
| Tren ‘Vistadome’ | $ 150 | S/. 585 |
| Luxury train ‘Hiram Bingham’* | $ 398 | S/. 1500 |
Discounts for the train ticket to Machu Picchu
The train ticket to Machu Picchu has these discounts.
- Peru Rail offers free admission to children under 3 years old. They must be carried by their parents.
- Inca Rail also allows free admission for children from 0 to 2 years old traveling in the seat of parents or guardians.
- Peru Rail offers a 50% discount to children under 12 years old.
- Inca Rail also has a 50% discount for children from 3 to 12 years of age.
How is the train trip to Machu Picchu?
The train ride to Machu Picchu starts from different stations.
The distance from the station of Poroy (Cusco) to Aguas Calientes is approximately 65.8 kilometers. The route goes through the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The trip takes 3 hours and 15 minutes approximately.
The distance from Urubamba to Aguas Calientes is 47.6 kilometers. The route is parallel to the Vilcanota River and the mountains. The trip lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes, approximately.
The distance from Ollantaytambo station to Aguas Calientes is approximately 30.5 kilometers. The train travels through the beautiful green Sacred Valley of the Incas along the banks of the Urubamba River. The trip takes just under 2 hours.
Along the route we will pass from about 3400 meters above sea level to about 2500 meters above sea level. Through mountains and valleys full of crops and remains of Inca constructions.
Conditions to board the train to Machu Picchu
You must follow the following instructions to board the train to Machu Picchu without complications on either Peru Rail or Inca Rail:
- When boarding the train, you must show your travel ticket and your identity card or passport.
- The train company will check your ticket before and during the trip.
- The ticket must have your personal data and only in this way is it valid.
- You will also not be allowed to board the train if you are in poor health. Also women in a state of gestation greater than or equal to seven months.
- You will be prevented from boarding the train if you are obviously intoxicated or under the influence of other substances.
- Young children must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.
- You must be on time, the train does not wait or delay for a second and departs at the scheduled time.
Conclusions
The train is the easiest and fastest way to get to Machu Picchu. Remember that before buying your train ticket you must have already secured your entrance to Machu Picchu.
We have tours and guided tours in Machu Picchu: Book our Machu Picchu tour by train 2 days.
FAQS about Trains to Machu Picchu
Depending on the station you take the train from, the time it takes to get to Machu Picchu will vary.
From Ollantaytambo station it is about 2 hours.
From Poroy station about 3 hours.
From the city of Cusco we have to take a cab or bus transportation to the station of Poroy or Ollantaytambo. And then the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Prices vary according to train company and service, starting from 50 USD one way and about 90 USD round trip.
We must go to the website of the company either Peru Rail or Inca Rail and then choose the dates and type of train.
The train ride from Ollantaytambo station to Machu Picchu Pueblo takes about 2 hours.
