Trains: Cusco to Machu Picchu

Everything about the trains in Cusco to get to Machu Picchu

The best means of transportation to Machu Picchu will be through the train, and in this guide we will give you all the information about the trains that take you to Machupicchu .

The first question you should be asking yourself is: How did you get to Machu Picchu by train?

Book the Tickets for the trains

The first thing you have to do is book your tickets for internet, besides doing it in advance. Therefore we recommend that you do so immediately; Knowing the date on which you want to visit Machu Picchu, keep in mind that tickets are as much in demand as tickets to Machu Picchu.

You must enter the website of the only 2 companies that provide the service, which are PERU RAIL or INKA RAIL.

Already in Cusco; You must go to the train station you have chosen (Station: Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo). We recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes before the train departures.

Something you should know is that all the services these trains give you have the final destination of the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Finally from there it only remains to board one of the buses that will take you to the Puerta de Machu Picchu itself (the trip here will only take 30 minutes).

But what trains to choose to travel to Machu Picchu? PERU RAIL? or INKA RAIL?

PERU RAIL:

It is the oldest company, authorized to operate the Machu Picchu route and has different services. Its website is www.perurail.com, it also offers us 4 services of different qualities:

• Expedition: The Expedition has wagons fully covered by normal windows and on-board service; appetizers and Peruvian food.
• Vistadome: It is a train with wide wagons; what characterizes it are its panoramic roof windows and the sides that will allow you to take photographs of the entire journey through the valley.
• Sacred Valley: This train unites Urubamba with Machu Picchu on a trip to all luxury through the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Includes lunch (or dinner) in the observatory car or dining car.
• Belmond Hiram Bingham: It is one of the most luxurious trains in the world, exclusive and with service all on board. It has 4 cars: dining car, bar car, gourmet dinner, transportation and entrances to Machu Picchu.

INCA RAIL:

Inca Rail is a Peruvian company that offers rail transportation services from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu. Their website is:  www.incarail.com. It offers 4 different services.

• The Voyager: The cars have comfortable seats, folding tables and panoramic windows. Set with Latin American music. There is service on board and a selection of drinks made with Andean fruits and herbs. 
• The 360 ??° Train: They have wide panoramic windows, set with Latin American music; service on board, with a selection of hot and cold drinks, as well as the sale of craft products on board.
• The First Class: It has background music, natural flowers and covered tables. It will serve you a welcome cocktail, lunch and / or gourmet dinner. It is only open during the high tourist season (from April to October) and special dates.
• The Private: With capacity for 8 people. The wagon, known as the ‘Inca Princess’ is of the presidential class. And the wagon has many details in its decoration, food on board, open bar. This train operates only by request.

Where to take these trains to Machu Picchu?

What you should know is that there are 3 boarding stations for trains traveling outward, and there is only one station to board trains that are going back.

One-way

Cusco City

• Urubamba Station: Av. Ferrocarril s / n, Urubamba, Sacred Valley (Cusco).
• Poroy Station: Calle Roldan s / n, Poroy District, Cusco.

Ollantaytambo City

• Ollantaytambo station: Av. Ferrocarril s / n, Ollantaytambo, 

Return Train:

• Aguas Calientes Station: Machu Picchu Pueblo, s / n, Las Orquídeas neighborhood (next to the Aguas Calientes Artisan Market).

Finally we can tell you that in most cases; You will board your train to Machu Picchu at the Ollantaytambo station. The Poroy season is restricted by security during the rainy season (between November to March)

The place where all the trains arrive is the Aguas Calientes station (Machu Picchu town). One block from the train station you can board the buses to Machu Picchu. They leave every 15 minutes and the box office is right in front.

How long does the train trip to Machu Picchu take?

The duration of the train journey (one way) will depend on the station where to board the train.

• Poroy (Cusco): The trip lasts 3 hours and 15 minutes approximately.
• Urubamba: The trip lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes, approximately.
• Ollantaytambo: The trip lasts a little less than 2 hours.

How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost?

The prices of the trains depend on the type of service you take, the amount tends to increase the closer the date of the trip, take this data into account.

Peru Rail train prices (round trip):

How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost?
Train service ‘Peru Rail’	Price in dollars	Price in soles
Train ‘Expedition’	$ 140	S /. 459
‘Vistadome’ train	$ 190	S /. 623
‘Hiram Bingham’ luxury train *	$ 950	S /. 3115
Local train (only for Peruvians) – LESS QUALITY TRAIN	$ 6	S /. 20

Inca Rail train prices (round trip):

How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost?
Train service	Price in dollars	Price in soles
The Voyager	$ 140	S /. 459
The 360º	$ 150	S /. 491
The First Class	$ 398	S /. 1305

What are the conditions to board the train to Machu Picchu?

In order for you to board any of these trains that we have mentioned, you must follow the following instructions:

• When you board the train, you must show your travel ticket and your identity document or passport.
• The railway company will review your ticket before and during the trip.
• If you cannot prove that you are the ticket holder, you will be prevented from boarding the train, without option to claims.
• They will not let you board the train if your health is poor. So also women in a state of gestation greater than or equal to seven months.
• They will prevent you from boarding the train if you are obviously intoxicated or under the influence of other substances.
• Young children must also be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

What are the train schedules to Machu Picchu?

Another important fact for you is that the train schedules are fixed and punctual. Most services depart from Ollantaytambo station:

Peru Rail

“Expedition” train times (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes)

Departure	time Arrival time
6.10 am	7.40 am
7.45 am	9.15 am
8.29 am	9.54 am
12.55 pm	2.25 pm
7 pm	8.45 pm
1.27 pm	2.50 pm
9 pm	10.45 pm
6.40 am (Poroy – Cusco)	9.54 am

“Vistadome” train times (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes)

Departure	time Arrival time
7.05 am	8.27 am
8 am	9.25 am
8.53 am	10.29 am
9.15 am	10.52 am
10.32 am	12.11 pm
1.27 pm	2.50 pm
3.37 pm	5.02 pm
7.35 am (Poroy – Cusco)	10.52 pm
8.25 am (Poroy – Cusco)	12.11 pm

“Sacred Valley” train schedule (Urubamba – Aguas Calientes):

Time departure	Time of arrival
10:30 am	1:34 pm

Train times “Hiram Bingham” (Poroy Cusco) – Aguas Calientes)

Departure	time Arrival time
9.05 am	12:24 pm

Train times Inca Rail:

Train times ” Voyager ”(Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):

Departure	time Arrival time
6.40 am	8.01 am
11.15 am	12.45 pm
11.30 am	1.06 pm
4.36 pm	6.09 pm
7.27 pm	9.09 pm

Train times  “The 360” (Ollantaytambo – AguasCalientes):

Departure time	Arrival time
7.22 am	8.48 am
12.36 pm	2 pm
5.55 am (Poroy – Cusco)	8.48 am

Train times “The First Class” (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):

Departure	time Arrival time
11.15 am	12.41 pm
9.28 am (Poroy – Cusco)	12.41 pm

Train times “The Private” (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes ):

Departure	time Arrival time
6.40 am	8.01 am
11.15 am	12.45 pm
4.36 pm	6.09 pm