TRAINS TO MACHU PICCHU - INCA PERU TRAVEL

There are many ways to get to Machu Picchu, you can go hiking like: Inca Trail, Inca Jungle, Lares, Amazon Route, Salkantay, but without a doubt there is a route for clients who do not like to do long walks or spend many days in Cusco , this is the train route, in this case, you can get to know Machu Picchu in 1 day or also with a connection Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu 2 Days. Travel time by train from Cusco is approximately 4 hours and from Ollantaytambo approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. They are the same times for the trains that return from Machu Picchu Pueblo, better known as Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.

Without a doubt, the train trip is an unforgettable adventure for tourists who visit Machu Picchu, since in the section they make they cross through beautiful landscapes of the Andes and enter the eyebrow of the Cusco jungle.

Currently, there are two railway companies that go to Aguas Calientes, these are Inca Rail and Peru Rail, both have different categories and prices, from the cheapest to the most expensive and luxurious.

We will detail the different categories of Peru Rail company trains:

Table of Contents

PERÚ RAIL:

Railway company, since 1999 has been providing tourist services to Machu Picchu. It has trains that operate the following routes:

Cusco – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Poroy – Machu Picchu – Poroy
Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo
Cusco – Puno – Cusco
Cusco – Arequipa – Cusco

As for the categories of tourist trains that offer to Machu Picchu we have:

EXPEDITION TRAIN:

It is the most economical and quality regular tourist service. It is decorated with motifs from the Inca culture. This train service has the routes from Cusco, Poroy, Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and vice versa, it has the following specifications:

Wide windows
Comfortable seats
Service on board
Background music on board

VISTADOME TRAIN:

Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley, The Vistadome has panoramic windows on the walls and on the roof of the carriages. In the same way, on a return trip, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the fashon show with the best collection of garments made in baby alpaca that, if you are interested, you can buy. This train service has the routes from Cusco, Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and vice versa, it has the following specifications:

Panoramic windows
Dance show (trips from Machu Picchu)
Fashion show on board (Trips from Machu Picchu)
Snack on board (Quinoa cookie, quinoa bar, chocolate, candies, infusions)
Ambiental music
Explanatory audio of the routes

VISTADOME OBSERVATORY TRAIN:

It has routes from Cusco and Machu Picchu and offers you a unique experience as it has panoramic windows and an observatory car from where you can observe the beauty of the landscapes of the Sacred Valley and the mountains. In addition to delighting you with the typical music and dance of the Saqra. During the trip, passengers will be able to move around the panoramic car and the elegant observatory car. This train service has the routes from Cusco, Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and vice versa, it has the following specifications:

Panoramic windows
Dance show
Fashion show on board (Trips from Machu Picchu)
Observatory car
Snack on board (quinoa cookie, quinoa bar, chocolate, candies, infusions)
Ambiental music
Explanatory audio of the routes

TREN BELMOND HIRAM BINGHAM

This is the most luxurious category of train to go to Machu Picchu, with its pullman carriages from the 20s and exclusive decoration, this train has a sophisticated dining car, bar car and observatory car, from where you can appreciate the wonderful landscapes, in the company of a Peruvian cocktail and live music.

The experience begins with a welcome cocktail and during the tour you will enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch with the best of Peruvian cuisine. On the return trip, you can also enjoy a dinner, in both cases you can accompany it with hot and cold drinks as well as a great selection of wines. This train operates the Routes from Cusco, Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu and vice versa. Departures are on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The Hiram Bingham includes:

ONE-WAY TRAIN:

Welcome show with typical dances
Gourmet lunch on board
Bar car with Peruvian cocktails
Observatory car
Live music show
VIP waiting room
Bus up to Machu Picchu
Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
Professional English/Spanish guide
Afternoon tea at the Sanctuary Lodge hotel

RETURN TRAIN:

Afternoon tea at the Sanctuary Lodge hotel
Bus down to Aguas Calientes
VIP waiting room at the Machu Picchu station
Gourmet dinner on board
Bar car with the best Peruvian cocktails
Live music

NOTE: If you buy the Roundtrip ticket, it includes everything mentioned above.

None of the points mentioned below will affect the rest of the services included when traveling on this train:

On dates with a high influx or high season, the visit to Machu Picchu will only include circuit 3.
If you buy the ticket within 30 days before your trip, the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is not guaranteed.
If you request Modifications/Cancellations once the train ticket has been issued, you will lose the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHOOSE TRAIN TICKETS:

If you only go to Machu Picchu for one day, the recommendation is that you take trains that leave Ollantaytambo from 05:05 to 08:30 AM. You should bear in mind that the transportation from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. You have to be at the train station always 30 minutes before the departure of the train. The travel time from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and vice versa is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. To take the return train, you can choose at times starting at 15:20 PM.
If you go to Machu Picchu for two days, you can take advantage of visiting the Sacred Valley on the first day and at night take the train at 7:04 PM and the next day take the return train to Ollantaytambo at 2:55 PM .

You should always take into account your tour the next day, for example. If after Machu Picchu you have a tour to the Rainbow Mountain or the Humantay Lake, you cannot choose a very late return train, since these tours start at 4:00 AM and arrive at your Machu Picchu hotel at 1:00 AM. :00 AM will not be favorable for your dreams.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS:

How much do train tickets to Machu Picchu cost?

Regarding costs, below is an approximate cost with departures in the sections: Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes and Aguas Calientes-Ollantaytambo:

In the Expedition category, prices range from: US$60 to US$80 per leg.
In the Vistadome category, prices range from: US$85 to US$105 dollars per section
In the Vistadome Observatory category; Prices range from US$95 to US$125 per leg.
In the Hiram Bingham category; Prices range from US$500 to US$600 per section.

How can I buy train tickets?

You can buy online, always with time in advance and the correct data. If you book a tour or travel package, the chosen travel agency will make all the purchases for you.

Is there a discount for children?

Children under 2 years of age do not pay a ticket, as long as they go in the same seat as their father or mother.
Children from 3 to 11 years old pay 50% of the total ticket price.

How much is the baggage allowance?

The luggage to be carried in the wagons must not exceed 5 kg, for hold luggage 15 kg, but it must be requested by email to luggage@perurail.com if it exceeds these weights, the approximate amount per extra kg is $5 Dollars.

Are they punctual in the schedules?

Definitely, yes, you always have to be there 30 minutes before the train leaves, the train will leave on time and will not wait for you. If you arrive late, unfortunately you will lose your ticket and you will have to buy another one at another time.