Trains to Machu Picchu Pueblo
The Inca city of Machu Picchu receives more than 5940 tourists every day. Of the total of these intrepid travelers, 90% arrive by train to Machu Picchu. Well, this is the easiest, fastest and safest way to get to Machu Picchu.
However, despite the fact that there are two railway companies that operate this route, it is not always possible to find availability of train tickets Cusco - Machu Picchu, because there is a high demand. Therefore, it is convenient to make the reservation of your train ticket to Machu Picchu in advance. And in this way you will avoid inconveniences and setbacks.
About the trains
The train departure is punctual, the train does not wait so the train company recommends being half an hour before the train station.
Although the trains to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) are not the cheapest, they offer you a time to relax and enjoy the beautiful nature of the Sacred Valley of Cusco along the Urubamba River before reaching the Machu Picchu sanctuary.
Aside from the beautiful scenery, you will see typically dressed locals and colorful little towns. But the big question is what train options are there to go to Machu Picchu? and which one to take?.
Before we move on to this question and look at the different train options, let's take a closer look at three important points:
- There is no train that stops "DIRECTLY" in Machu Picchu. The last stop is Aguas Calientes, a small town below Machu Picchu. From here they can pay for the bus that takes about 20 minutes to reach the entrance or they can walk for approximately 1.5 hours.
- PeruRail and Inca Rail are the only train companies that offer the train trip to Aguas Calientes. The price differences of the two trains are usually very low and may increase slightly in high season.
- Neither we as a tour operator, nor you as clients who make your reservation online, can influence the choice of seat. However, if you are traveling as a couple, it is almost always possible to arrange the seats so that they can sit next to each other (the cabin crew will also help if the seats were not arranged next to each other in advance).
Which train to choose to travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu? Peru Rail vs Inca Rail
Both PeruRail and Inca Rail have adequate services to travel by train to Picchu. Therefore, the choice of any of these companies will depend on the type of service you want to take. However, it goes without saying that PeruRail is the company that offers the highest frequency and availability.
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PerúRail
It is the main freight and passenger rail operator in southern Peru. It operates several routes; but, its main route of operations is: Poroy - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
It has 4 tourist train services to Machu Picchu: Hiram Bingham luxury train, Sacred Valley train, Vistadome train and Expedition train. In addition, it also has a local train service for Peruvian residents and passengers.
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Inca Rail
It is the second railway company that provides passenger transport service from Cusco to Machu Picchu. It has the following services: The Voyager, The 360º, The First Class and The Private.
Which PERURAIL or INCA RAIL service to choose to travel to Machu Picchu?
It will depend on your budget and the quality of the services you will want to enjoy:
Train Belmond Hiram Bingham - PERURAIL
It is the most luxurious train to make your journey to Machu Picchu and live magical and unforgettable experiences. It is considered one of the most spacious and comfortable trains to Machu Picchu in the world. It has modern and comfortable cars, inspired by the Pullman cars of the twenties. It has large and comfortable chairs furnished in polished wood and bronze. It offers an exclusive, personalized service full of comfort and luxury.
The Belmond Hiram Bingham is equipped with a dining car, bar car and observatory car, and offers you:
- Welcome show with typical Cusco dances and typical and international music shows on board.
- The most delicious Peruvian cocktails.
- Gourmet lunch.
- Dinner.
- Live music show.
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu in English or Spanish.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Private bus to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
- Tea time at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge hotel starting at 4:00 p.m.
- VIP room at the Machu Picchu station.
This luxury train to Machu Picchu departs, every day except the last Sunday of each month, from Poroy station.
The Private – INCA RAIL
It is the most exclusive Inca Rail service with capacity for 8 people. Their wagons are comfortably furnished and decorated and have large panoramic windows.
The main services that The Private Inca Rail train offers are:
- A private car to enjoy luxury and exclusivity.
- Outdoor balcony.
- Gourmet menu.
- Bar and free drinks.
- Live music show.
- Private bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Sacred Valley - PERURAIL
PeruRail Sacred Valley, also inspired by the elegance of the twenties, unites the Sacred Valley (Urubamba) and Machu Picchu. However, on his way he makes a momentary stop at the Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado to board and disembark only the guests of this hotel, from his private station.
Like the Hiram Bingham, the Sacred Valley train has a dining car and observatory car bar where they offer you:
- Reception with an Andean infusion.
- Gourmet lunch.
- Gastronomic dinner.
- Drinks.
The FirstClass – INCA RAIL
This Inca Rail service offers maximum comfort in space and personalized service on board. Their wagons have panoramic windows. Its tables are adequately covered and with natural flowers. However, this service is only available from April to October.
Offers:
- Welcome cocktail.
- Gourmet lunch and dinner.
- Open-air observatory wagon.
- Gourmet menu.
- Bar and free drinks.
- Live Music Show.
- Bus to Machu Picchu.
Vistadome – PERURAIL
Ideal to observe the impressive natural landscape that surrounds the railway between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It has large panoramic windows on both sides of its cars and on the roof. Provides snack service on board with ingredients from Andean products and includes non-alcoholic beverages. And, on the return trip, it offers a fashion show of traditional clothing made with baby alpaca and an Andean dance show.
The Vistadome Perurail train, for the guests of the Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado, offers an exclusive service of its trains: Vistadome 601 (one way) and Vistadome 304 (return).
The 360° – INCA RAIL
It has modern carriages and taller and wider panoramic windows, and an open-air observatory carriage with a bar. It is set with ambient music.
Provides:
- Andean snacks.
- Hot and cold drinks.
- On-board entertainment system.
- Sale of craft products on board.
Expedition - PERURAIL
It is the most popular tourist train in PERURAIL for the comforts it offers at a lower cost. This service is exclusively designed for adventurous passengers seeking comfort and safety. It has upholstered seats with Inca motifs, ample spaces for traveler's luggage and panoramic windows with pleasant views.
The sale services offered on board are: snack that includes a sponge cake and drink (hot or cold).
The Voyager – INCA RAIL
The Voyager train cars are beautifully furnished, with small panoramic roof windows and comfortable seats with folding tables.
On board, it offers:
- Snacks.
- Hot and cold drinks.
- Ambiental music.
Local train to Machu Picchu - PERURAIL
It is an exclusive service modality for residents of the Aguas Calientes district and passengers of Peruvian nationality, but not for foreign tourists. Being a mandatory requirement the presentation of the DNI both for the purchase of the train ticket and for boarding. In addition, this service is very limited due to high demand and the purchase of the local train ticket to Machupicchu is in person. The sale is available only at Wanchaq, San Pedro and Ollantaytambo stations. And, the sale of last minute tickets at the Aguas Calientes station, only for local residents.
Some characteristics of the local Perurail train are:
- It has 5 passenger cars and some other freight cars.
- It is only for local people living in the area and Peruvian travelers.
- The DNI (National Identity Document) must be presented to buy the train ticket and to board.
- The purchase is in person.
- It is not very comfortable, because it also transports passengers on foot and loads in its corridors.
- It is operated solely by PERURAIL.
- It is the service that can undergo the most modifications, due to: weather, road problems, cancellations to give access or ease to tourist trains and others.
What are the train stations between Cusco and Machu Picchu?
Departure stations from Cusco to Machu Picchu:
- Poroy Station. Located in Roldan s / n street, Poroy district. 20 minutes from the city of Cusco.
- Urubamba Station. It is located on Ferrocarril s / n avenue, Urubamba province, 80 minutes from the city of Cusco.
- Ollantaytambo Station. Located in the Ollantaytambo district, 2 hours from the city of Cusco.
Return station from Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu to Cusco:
- Aguas Calientes Station. It is located in the Machu Picchu district, 4 hours from the city of Cusco.
How much is the distance and the travel time by train to Machu Picchu?
Everything will depend on the station you choose to board your train. The approximate train travel time to Machu Picchu, is as follows:
And the distance and the travel time by bus to any of these stations, is as follows:
- Cusco - Poroy. Distance: 12.6 km. Travel time: 29 min.
- Cusco - Urubamba. Distance: 50.1 km. Travel time: 1 h 17 min.
- Cusco - Ollantaytambo. Distance: 76 km. Travel time: 1 h 45 min.
How to buy your train tickets to Machu Picchu in Perurail?
Via Internet:
- Enter the website of Perurail.
- Complete the required data: destination, route, date and number of passengers. And click on the button Find your train.
- Check availability and choose the train of your choice, both round trip.
- Complete your personal information.
- Select a payment method: credit card (Visa, MasterCard), PayPal or bank transfer.
- Accept the terms and conditions and make the payment.
- Print your voucher or train ticket.