Traveling by train from Cusco to Machu Picchu is a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscapes and learn about the rich cultural heritage of the area. Enjoying the trip is as important as reaching the final destination, the great citadel of Machu Picchu. In this blog we tell you which are the best trains from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
Currently, there are 3 ways to travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu: walking, by train and by car. The most popular route is by train and the most challenging is via the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Keep in mind that there is no direct bus from Cusco to Machu Picchu, so you will have to make some stops along the way.
The Inca Trail is the most famous hike to reach Machu Picchu, accessing through the Sun Gate or Intipunku. Other hikes include the Short Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trail, Lares, Choquequirao, and Huchuy Qosqo.
If you don't like walking or don't have much time, this option is the most convenient. Train tours offer a great experience because you'll be able to appreciate the rural landscape of Peru while traveling by train to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
This is the most popular alternative route to Machu Picchu. You'll need to take a shuttle to Hidroeléctrica and then walk along the train tracks to the town of Aguas Calientes. From Hidroeléctrica it's also possible to take a train.
Traveling by train to Machu Picchu is the easiest, fastest, and most comfortable way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The train ride from Cusco to Machu Picchu takes on average about 3 hours. Trains depart from several stations, including San Pedro, Wanchaq, Poroy, and Ollantaytambo and wind through the stunning Sacred Valley before arriving at the town of Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu Mountain.
Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) is the final stop for all trains, regardless of which company you travel with. From Aguas Calientes, passengers must take a bus to the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Buses leave every few minutes and the journey takes about 25 minutes.
There are 2 train companies to Machu Picchu; Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both operate trains from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo (also called Aguas Calientes town) and trains from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo. Each offers different types of trains, excellent service, and comfortable facilities, with Peru Rail being the more luxurious option.
There is a slight difference in prices; However, this will depend on your departure time. At TreXperience, we offer tours with both trains based on availability.
Peru Rail
The first private company to Machu Picchu. They started taking travelers to Machu Picchu in 1999. They have more trains than the other company and different prices and services. Peru Rail has a long history and has played a major role in the development of Peru's rail network and is one of the main leaders in the rail industry.
Inca Rail
Inca Rail is the newest company to Machu Picchu and they started operating in 2007. They have different services from Cusco and Ollantaytambo. It also offers other services such as Machu Picchu tours and luxury trains.
Standard trains to Machu Picchu
Expedition Train (Peru Rail)
This is PeruRail's regular, standard and most affordable train. The carriages are immersed in the designs of the Inca culture, making you feel like you are in Machu Picchu after boarding the train.
Voyager Train (Inca Rail)
The standard and most affordable version on IncaRail. These trains have comfortable seats and excellent service. Plus, you can book trips from Cusco or Ollantaytambo.
The Premium & Lounge (Inca Rail)
This version has larger windows and more comfortable seats than the standard version.
Machu Picchu Panoramic Trains
Vistadome Train (Peru Rail)
The Vistadome trains have much wider windows than the others, meaning you will have panoramic views of the beautiful rural landscape as you travel along the Urubamba River. All TreXperience tours include round-trip travel on these trains.
360° Train (Inca Rail)
This is the panoramic version of Inca Rail with glass windows on the roof and an observation car. This train is an experience in itself because it takes you through the most spectacular landscapes in Peru, including the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes. It has more comfortable seats than the standard version.
Luxury Trains to Machu Picchu
Sacred Valley Train (Peru Rail)
This premium train connects Urubamba to Machu Picchu. It includes meals, drinks, and an observation lounge to enjoy the views. This train is currently not operating.
Hiram Bingham Train (PeruRail)
The Hiram Bingham is Belmond's luxury train. If you travel here, expect to find an elegant dining room, a bar, and an observation lounge where you can enjoy the fresh air accompanied by a traditional Peruvian cocktail and live music. This luxury train to Machu Picchu is operated by Peru Rail.
Private Train (Inca Rail)
The only private charter train to Machu Picchu; an exclusive train aimed at small groups with music, a bar, and food on board.
First Class Train (Inca Rail)
The luxurious Machu Picchu train with maximum comfort. Includes an observation lounge, live music, and gourmet meals.
Before we get into the best trains to Machu Picchu, you should know that there are several train stations. Here are the most important ones:
PeruRail is the only company that departs from the San Pedro train station; these trains cover the longest distance and are only available in 2 shifts. Also, during the dry season, these trains only run from late April to late December.
San Pedro train station is located in the city center, a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas; Travelers will be able to enjoy the views as they leave the city of Cusco, and it also allows them to enjoy the views of the Anta plains, the Huarocondo canyon, and finally reach the Sacred Valley and follow the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu.
These trains are recommended for those travelers who want to enjoy different landscapes, take their time and relax on the train and reach their destination in almost 5 hours.
These 4 trains will continue from Poroy to San Pedro Train Station. Please note that this option is the longest train ride, and very late arrivals.
Poroy Train Station is a 40-minute drive from Cusco City. This train station offers the second longest train ride after San Pedro Train Station. All trains leaving from San Pedro also stop in Poroy, and it is possible to book and board the trains.
Trains from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) leave in the afternoon and take almost 4 hours to reach Poroy Train Station. From there, you will have to travel by car for about 40 minutes to Cusco City.
Ollantaytambo is the most popular train station; this town is beautiful and the most comfortable and fastest way to travel by train and bus to Machu Picchu. To get to the Ollantaytambo train station, you will need to travel by car from Cusco on a 2-hour trip.
This is the train station we will use on our TreXperience tours unless the tour is confirmed with a specific train.
To board the train from Ollantaytambo, you must travel by car from Cusco and arrive at least 30 minutes before the train departs. The train ride takes around 1.5 hours to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes).
Inca Rail trains depart from Ollantaytambo with a welcome show. If you are traveling to Aguas Calientes, we recommend upgrading your train to the Premium Lounge service.
The Bimodal Train Service to Machu Picchu is a one-of-a-kind trip that allows you to see the amazing ruins of Machu Picchu in a new and different way. You will travel from Cusco by bus to Ollantaytambo and by train to Machu Picchu. The return is the same way, half by bus and half by train.
All train services from San Pedro and Poroy stations will be converted to Bimodal services during the rainy season. The Bimodal service is perfect for those who prefer an all-inclusive service where the train company covers all transportation from Cusco to Cusco.
To embark on the Perurail Bimodal service, you will need to arrive by taxi at the WANCHAQ train station; from there the buses will depart to Ollantaytambo. After a 2-hour journey, you will arrive at the Ollantaytambo train station, where you will board the 1.5-hour train to Aguas Calientes.
You will need to take a taxi to the Inca Rail office located on Avenida el Sol in Cusco. From there, buses will depart to Ollantaytambo and board the trains to Machu Picchu. You can choose to take a taxi, or you can also choose a service that includes hotel pickup.
