Machu Picchu train: classes, stations and which to choose
The panoramic train to Machu Picchu runs along the Urubamba River, between mountains and cloud forest.
In this article
The Machu Picchu train takes you to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of the citadel, and from there you ride a bus up. Almost every traveler boards in Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley, for a ride of about 1 h 45; from Cusco it takes 3 to 4 hours. What changes from one ticket to another is the class: from a basic train with good windows to a panoramic one with a glass roof, or a luxury train with dinner on board.
This article is only about the train. To compare every way of getting there, including the hikes, see how to get to Machu Picchu.
How the train to Machu Picchu works
There is no road all the way to Machu Picchu, so the train is the core of the journey. The full trip has three legs:
- Cusco to the station: by road to Ollantaytambo (about 2 hours) or straight by train from Cusco.
- The train: follows the Urubamba River canyon, dropping from the Andes into the cloud forest, all the way to Aguas Calientes.
- The bus to the citadel: leaves Aguas Calientes and climbs a winding road to the entrance in about 25 to 30 minutes.
Tourist trains are run by two companies, PeruRail and Inca Rail. PeruRail also runs a local train reserved for Peruvian citizens, sold only in person at its Cusco office.
Where it leaves from: Cusco, Ollantaytambo and the rainy season
- Ollantaytambo: the station with the most departures and the most reliable all year round. Most tours, ours included, drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and board there. The train ride is shorter and you get to enjoy the Sacred Valley scenery on the way.
- Cusco: there are departures from stations near the city, with a 3 to 4 hour trip. From January to April, because of the rains, PeruRail covers that stretch by bus to the Sacred Valley and continues by train (a "bimodal" service). Outside those months it may also apply to some departures.
- Aguas Calientes: the end of the line for every train and the starting point for the return.
Train classes: from Expedition to Hiram Bingham
Every class follows the same route and arrives at the same station. The difference is in the windows, the service on board and the price.
PeruRail
- Expedition: the entry-level train, comfortable, with wide windows and snacks for sale. Ideal for the return, when it is already getting dark.
- Vistadome: panoramic, with bigger windows plus roof windows, a snack included and entertainment on board.
- Vistadome Observatory: adds an observation car open to the landscape. It is the one we use for the outbound leg on our day trip.
- Hiram Bingham: Belmond's luxury train, with gourmet dining, a bar and live music. An experience in itself, and the most expensive.
Inca Rail
- The Voyager: the entry-level class, with wide windows.
- 360°: panoramic, with an open observation car.
- First Class: the top class, with a served meal, bar and balcony.
On the way out there is daylight and you see the whole landscape; on the way back it is usually dark. That is why paying for the panoramic train in one direction only makes sense.
Which one to choose for your trip
- Tight budget: Expedition or The Voyager both ways. You arrive just as well and the windows are good. It is the train on our Machu Picchu Full Day on the Expedition Train.
- You want to enjoy the scenery: Vistadome or Observatory out and Expedition back. It is the combination we recommend most and the one on our Machu Picchu Full Day on the Vistadome Train.
- A special trip or honeymoon: Hiram Bingham or First Class, at least one way.
- A day trip: pick an early departure and an afternoon return, matched to your entry time. If you'd rather not rush, look at sleeping in Aguas Calientes on a 2-day tour.
Our Machu Picchu train tours
All of them leave Cusco by road to Ollantaytambo and board the train there. They include the train, the bus up to the citadel, the entrance ticket (subject to availability), an official guide and transfers:
- Machu Picchu Full Day on the Vistadome Train: Vistadome Observatory out and Expedition back, in a single day.
- Machu Picchu Full Day on the Expedition Train: Expedition both ways, in a single day.
- Machu Picchu 2D/1N on the Vistadome Train: Vistadome Observatory out and Expedition back, with a night in Aguas Calientes.
- Machu Picchu 2D/1N on the Expedition Train: Expedition both ways, with a night in Aguas Calientes.
Prices and how to buy your train ticket
The train fare depends on the class, the departure time and the season, and it changes through the year. The most popular departures, early morning and in high season, are the first to go up in price and sell out. That is why we don't quote a fixed fare: the right reference is each company's website on the day you buy.
- Where to buy: on the official PeruRail and Inca Rail websites, at their offices or through an agency.
- What you need: the ticket is personal, with your name and passport number. Bring the original on the day.
- In what order: buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket first, since that is what sells out, and then the train that fits your entry time.
If you'd rather not coordinate train, bus and entry times, our Machu Picchu tours include everything, already synchronized.
Luggage and travel tips
- Luggage: one small bag per person is allowed, around 8 kg depending on the company. Leave your big suitcase at your hotel in Cusco or at the station's storage.
- Be early: get to the station at least 30 minutes before departure.
- Warm layers: mornings in Ollantaytambo are cold and Aguas Calientes is mild and humid. Dress in layers, as we explain in what to wear in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
- What to carry that day: what is and isn't allowed into the citadel is in what to pack in your backpack for Machu Picchu.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the train to Machu Picchu?
From Ollantaytambo, about 1 h 45 to Aguas Calientes. From Cusco, 3 to 4 hours. Add about 25 to 30 minutes by bus up to the citadel entrance.
Does the train go all the way to the Machu Picchu citadel?
No. Every train ends in Aguas Calientes. From there you go up by bus or on foot along a steep trail of roughly an hour and a half.
What is the difference between Expedition and Vistadome?
They follow the same route. Vistadome is panoramic, with bigger windows plus roof windows and a snack included; Expedition is simpler and cheaper, with wide windows. Many travelers take Vistadome out and Expedition back.
Is there a direct train from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
There are departures from Cusco that reach Aguas Calientes in 3 to 4 hours, but from January to April they run by bus to the Sacred Valley and by train from there. The most practical option all year is to drive to Ollantaytambo and board there.
How far ahead should I book the train?
In high season, as soon as you have your Machu Picchu ticket, because the morning departures sell out first. In the rainy season there is usually availability a few weeks out.
At Inka Planet Adventure we take travelers to Machu Picchu by panoramic train every week. If you'd rather forget about timetables and stations, we coordinate it all for you.
