The fastest and safest way to travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu is by train. Usually, all travelers are asking "How to get a Machu Picchu ticket", the most important thing is to book the ticket days or weeks in advance. For this you must enter the official website of Peru Rail or Inca Rail, also you can contact the Inca Trail Machu Tour Operator and our staff will give you all the information required for it. By booking the Machu Picchu tickets through the web, entrance to the Wonder of the World is guaranteed.
The train trip to Machu Picchu travels through the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley from Cusco (or Ollantaytambo) to Aguas Calientes, the final destination. This picturesque town is known as Machu Picchu town because it is located at the foot of the Wonder of the World.
During the train ride to Machu Picchu, you will appreciate the changing climate from Sierra to the Subtropical zone and the Vilcanota river roam, the journey (approximately 2 hours), the tourist can enjoy a quality onboard service. Depending on the type of service, there are dance shows on board, live music, welcome cocktails, gourmet lunch, and even a free bar.
This year the Perurail and Inca Rail companies created new protocols for aboard the trains. these protocols are the following:
RELATED READ: MACHU PICCHU NEW RULES
The trains leave for Machu Picchu mainly from 3 stations: San Pedro (Cusco), Poroy (Cusco), and Ollantaytambo.
The train journey to Machu Picchu is considered one of the most spectacular railway routes in South America. Although there are direct services from the city of Cusco (Poroy and San Pedro stations), the most common and strategic section is the one that connects the Ollantaytambo station with the Machu Picchu Pueblo station (Aguas Calientes).
This trip takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. The railway winds following the course of the Urubamba River (Vilcanota) through the Sacred Valley, flanked by rock walls and mountains. The highlight of the route is the change of scenery seen through the panoramic windows: the train descends from the Andean landscapes and snowy peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range (like the snowy Veronica) towards the lush vegetation of the cloud forest or jungle brow. The trip ends at the Aguas Calientes station, located at the bottom of the canyon, surrounded by a dense tropical forest.
To make the train trip to Machu Picchu, travelers must choose between the only two authorized operating companies: PeruRail and Inca Rail. It is important to clarify that both companies share the same railway infrastructure and offer equivalent safety and punctuality standards. The decision between one or the other will depend mainly on the schedules that best fit your itinerary, the preferred departure station, and the type of onboard experience you are looking for.
Below are listed the service categories offered by each operator:
Both companies cover a full range of options, from standard tourist services to exclusive luxury experiences. In the following sections, we will detail the specific features of each train to help you select the ideal option.
Peru Rail is the oldest train operator with the most frequent schedule on the route to Machu Picchu. It offers a range of services ranging from functional to ultra luxury. Among its services are:
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Inca Rail has established itself as the main competition, focusing on a modern user experience and different services. Among its services are:
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The price of Machu Picchu train tickets depends on the type of service.
Peru Rail offers 4 types of service: 'Expedition', 'Vistadome', 'Hiram Bingham luxury train' and 'Local train'.
Price of Peru Rail trains: Cusco - Machu Picchu (round trip)
| Train Service | Price in dollars |
| Train "Expedition" | USD 75 |
| Train "Vistadome" | USD 115 |
| Luxury Train "Hiram Bingham" | USD 450 |
Price of Inca Rail trains: Cusco - Machu Picchu (round trip)
| Train Service | Price in dollars |
| The Voyager | USD 75 |
| The 360° | USD 95 |
| The First Class | USD 180 |
In Peru Rail:
In Inca Rail:
Train schedules are set by Peru Rail and Inca Rail.
Choose the time and service of your preference according to the time and day of your visit to Machu Picchu.
Peru Rail 'Vistadome' train schedules (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. |
| 1.27 p.m. | 2.50 p.m. |
| 3.37 p.m. | 5.02 p.m. |
Peru Rail 'Expedition' train schedules (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. | 2.55 p.m. |
Train schedule Peru Rail 'Hiram Bingham' (Poroy (Cusco) - Aguas Calientes).
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 9.05 a.m. | 12.24 p.m. |
Inca Rail 'The Voyager' (Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes)
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 6.40 a.m. | 8.01 a.m. |
| 11.15 a.m. | 12.41 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. |
Inca Rail 'The 360°' (Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes)
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 7.22 a.m. | 8.48 a.m. |
| 12.36 p.m. | 2 p.m. |
Inca Rail 'First class' (Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes)
| Departure Time | Arrival Time |
| 11.15 a.m. | 12.41 p.m. |
To book a Machu Picchu train ticket, you must enter the Peru Rail or Inca Rail website. To get availability, the reservation must be made weeks in advance.
Are you not sure about booking the Machu Picchu train tickets online? It is also possible to do it personally in Peru. For this, you must buy them directly at the offices authorized by Peru Rail or Inca Rail in Lima and Cusco Peru.
In the capital of the Incas - Cusco:
Inca Rail - Authorized offices:
In Cusco:
The purchase of train tickets must be handled immediately after having secured the entry ticket to the Machu Picchu citadel. Since entry to the archaeological site has a strict time, it is essential that the train schedule is perfectly synchronized with that entry. The recommended booking times vary according to the season and the traveler's flexibility:
1. High Season (May to October): During these months, especially in June, July, and August, demand is highest. It is recommended to buy train tickets at least 2 to 3 months in advance. The most convenient schedules (early morning departures from Ollantaytambo and afternoon returns) are the first to sell out.
2. Low Season (November to April): Although there is more availability, you should not rely on last-minute buying. It is recommended to book at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance to ensure standard rates and logical schedules.
3. General Rule: While it is possible to find seats days before, prices tend to rise as the date gets closer and it is likely that only the less practical schedules (very late at night) or the most expensive services remain available.
1. Do children pay the normal price of the train ticket to Machu Picchu?
No. Children from 0 to 3 years old do not pay the price of the train ticket as long as they travel in the arms of their father or mother. Children from 3 to 12 years old have a 50% discount.
2. How long does it take to travel by train to Machu Picchu?
The train ride from the city of Cusco takes more than 3 hours. The Urubamba section is 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the section from Ollantaytambo is a maximum of 2 hours.
3. Who can not take the train to Machu Picchu?
People who are drunk or under the influence of drugs can not board the train.
4. How to get to Machu Picchu without a train?
The most used way to get to Machu Picchu without a train is the alternative route through Hidroeléctrica. This form is longer (6 or 7 hours) but it is the most economical.
5. How to get to the train station?
You can take a taxi or book a private car. Depending on your train tickets to Machu Picchu, the transfer price is more. For example:
6. How to get to the Machupicchu train station?
The Machupicchu town is small, you don't a taxi or transfers. You can walk around the small city.
7. How to buy the entrance fee, train and guide for Machu Picchu ?
If you want to book both tickets, we recommend you click in this link: Entrance fee to Machu Picchu, train tickets and professional tour guide.
During your visit to Machu Picchu, you can choose between a variety of tours. These range from a full-day excursion to Inca Trail tours through the Sacred Valley. The multi-day tours can be combined with climbing the Huayna Picchu mountain or walking along the Urubamba Riverside, following in the footsteps of the classic Inca Trail 4 days on their original paths, visiting other archaeological sites such as Llactapata, Sacsaymarca, Phuyupatamarca, Wiñay Wayna. Also, you can combine them with the Rainbow mountain tour. A trek through the Andes villages with living traditions.
If you are looking for adventure, the best hiking option is the Short Inca Trail or alternative treks to Machu Picchu. These trails are the best hiking alternatives to the lost city of the Incas.
On the day trips, travel by train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Enjoyed the beautiful scenic trail during the trip.
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Av Tupac Amaru PP-10B, Santiago, Cusco, Peru 
info@incatrailmachu.com
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