To get to Machu Picchu by train, you must book tickets online in advance. It is recommended to do it immediately after knowing the date of visit to the Wonder of the World.
Once in the city of Cusco (Peru), the visitor must approach the chosen train station (Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo station). It is advisable to be 30 minutes before the scheduled travel time.
All train services have as their final destination, the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). From there it only remains to board one of the buses that lead to the door of Machu Picchu in approximately 30 minutes.
What is Peru Rail and what services does it offer?
Peru Rail is the oldest company that offers the transfer by train to Machu Picchu (it operates from 1999 to date).
It also offers routes from Cusco to Puno or Arequipa (and vice versa).
The tourist services from Cusco to Machu Picchu that they offer are: Expedition, Vistadome, Sacred Valley and the Hiram Bingham luxury train.
The tourist services offered to Puno are: Belmond Andean Explorer and the Peru Rail Titicaca.
The tourist service to Arequipa is the Belmond Andean Explorer.
Peru Rail has departures from up to 6 stations: San Pedro (Cusco), Poroy (Cusco), Urubamba (Sacred Valley), Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley), Hidroeléctrica (La Convencion) and Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu).
Train Types of Peru Rail
There are different train types that offers Peru Rail:
Hiram Bingham Luxury Train
The Hiram Bingham Train will transport passengers on a spectacular journey, through different landscapes, lush fields, colorful villages and a beautiful view of the Andes. This is the Best Train from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
Leaving from Poroy station, (20 minutes from downtown Cuzco) the Hiram Bingham train tour begins its daily tour slowly. Meanwhile a delicious Brunch is offered and the guides appear to explain and clarify all the most important and interesting points of the route, just as the guides do in the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Vistadome Train Perú
The Vistadome Train Perú is the first-class service from PeruRail, for the nature-loving traveler who seeks to be in contact with the environment and appreciate the wonderful route to Machu Picchu.
Expedition Train
For that adventurous traveler who likes to discover each destination at his own pace. The Expedition is the best option to Machu Picchu.
The traveler on the Expedition will be comfortable and relaxed, and will also be informed about the most important points that this millenary route has and that every adventurer should know.
The Expedition has wagons fully covered by panoramic windows so that the traveler can immerse himself in the beauty of the natural landscape, and make his experience to Machu Picchu begin on the train.
Vistadome Valley Train Perú
The Vistadome Sacred Valley Train Perú is a service between the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu. The journey begins in the cities of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, in the heart of the magnificent valley, to finally reach the ancient and legendary citadel of Machu Picchu.
Expedition Valley Train
For that adventurous traveler who likes to discover each destination at his own pace. The Expedition is the best option to Machu Picchu.
The traveler on the Expedition will be comfortable and relaxed, and will also be informed about the most important points that this millenary route has and that every adventurer should know.
The Expedition has wagons fully covered by panoramic windows so that the traveler can immerse himself in the beauty of the natural landscape, and make his experience to Machu Picchu begin on the train.
Andean Explorer Train
This spectacular rail journey begins in the historic city of Cuzco and heads south to the beautiful city of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
On the journey the train makes a slight ascent to the highest and coldest points. The first part of the journey is dominated by the magnificent Andes that like towers over the deep valleys meanders through the Huatanay River. Then you come to the gentlest part of the trip, the plains, where vicuñas and alpacas can be seen. If you are traveling aboard the Andean Explorer, the glass walls of the train will give you the opportunity to perfectly observe the beautiful exteriors.
Peru Rail advantages
Peru Rail is the only company that offers the local train service to Machu Picchu for Peruvians. The cost of this service is 20 Peruvian soles (7 US dollars) one way and return. The service is not allowed for foreign tourists.
It is also the only company that offers the train service from the Hydroelectric station. This is one of the cheapest services to Machu Picchu.
Peru Rail is famous for including one of the most luxurious train services in the world. It is the Hiram Bingham train, which includes a gourmet menu, open bar, ticket to Machu Picchu, tour guide and much more.
It is the only company that offers tourist trips to Puno and Arequipa with all the necessary amenities.
Peru Rail offers packages that combine roundtrip services to meet the schedules and expectations of visitors.
It has an interactive and easy-to-use website. Most tourists buy their tickets there.
What are the train schedules to Machu Picchu?
Train schedules are fixed and punctual. Most services depart from the Ollantaytambo station.
Peru Rail train times:
Train schedules ‘Vistadome’ (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure time | Arrival time |
| 7:05 a.m. | 8:27 a.m. |
| 8:00 a.m. | 9:25 a.m. |
| 8:53 a.m. | 10:29 a.m. |
| 9:15 a.m. | 10:52 a.m. |
| 10:32 a.m. | 12:11 p.m. |
| 1:27 p.m. | 2:50 p.m. |
| 3:37 p.m. | 5:02 p.m. |
| 7:35 a.m. | 10:52 p.m. |
| 8:25 a.m. | 12:11 p.m. |
Train schedule ‘Expedition’ (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. | 2.25 p.m. |
| 7.00 p.m. | 8.45 p.m. |
| 1.27 p.m. | 2.50 p.m. |
| 9 p.m. | 10.45 p.m. |
| 6.40 a.m. | 9.54 a.m. |
Train schedule ‘Sacred Valley’ (Urubamba – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure time | Arrival time |
| 10:30 a.m. | 1:34 p.m. |
Train schedules ‘Hiram Bingham’ (Poroy (Cusco) – Aguas Calientes):
| Departure time | Arrival time |
| 9.05 a.m | 12:24 p.m. |
How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost?
Train prices depend on the type of service. The amount tends to increase the closer the travel date is.
How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost?
| Train service ‘Peru Rail’ | Price in dollars | Price in soles |
| Train ‘Expedition’ | $ 140 | S/. 459 |
| Train ‘Vistadome’ | $ 190 | S/. 623 |
| Luxury train ‘Hiram Bingham’ * | $ 950 | S/. 3115 |
| Local train (only for Peruvians) | $ 6 | S/. 20 |
Peru Rail offices
Peru Rail offers the sale of its tickets in all its stations as well as in its stores in Lima.
In Lima:
- Av. Malecón de la Reserva 610, Stand 214 – Plaza Gourmet (Larcomar).
- Av. Elmer Faucett s / n, National departures 2nd. floor (Jorge Chávez Airport).
In progress:
- Av. Velasco Astete s / n, Wanchaq District (Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport).
- Portal de Carnes 214, Plaza de Armas del Cusco.
- Regocijo Square 202, Regocijo Square of Cusco.
- Av. El Sol 409, Cusco.
In Puno:
- Av. La Torre 224, Puno (Puno Station).
At the train stations:
- Av. Pachacuteq s/n, Wanchaq District (Wanchaq Station).
- Calle Roldán s/n, Poroy District (Poroy Station).
- Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Urubamba, Sacred Valley (Urubamba Station).
- Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo Station).
- Machu Picchu town s/n, Las Orquídeas neighborhood (Aguas Calientes Station).
- Calle Cascaparo s/n, Cusco (San Pedro Station).
- Railway Line Kilometer 122, Hydroelectric (Hydroelectric Station).
Discounts for the train ticket to Machu Picchu
- The train ticket to Machu Picchu has discounts for children under 3 years old.
- Peru Rail offers free admission to children under 3 years of age. They must travel loaded by their parents.
- Peru Rail offers a 50% discount to children under 12 years old.
Where to board the trains to Machu Picchu?
There are 3 boarding stations for outbound trains. There is only one station to board the return train.
One way train stations:
- Ollantaytambo Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley (Cusco).
- Poroy Station: Calle Roldan s/n, Poroy District, Cusco.
- Urubamba Station: Avenida Ferrocarril s/n, Urubamba, Sacred Valley (Cusco).
Return train stations:
- Aguas Calientes Station: Machu Picchu Pueblo, s/n, Las Orquídeas neighborhood (next to the Aguas Calientes Artisan Market).
In most cases, you will board your train to Machu Picchu at the Ollantaytambo station. Poroy station is restricted for safety during the rainy season (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 run every 15 minutes and the ticket office is right in front.
How long does the train trip to Machu Picchu take?
The duration of the train trip (one way) depends on the station where the train is boarded:
- From Poroy station (Cusco): The trip lasts approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.
- From Urubamba station: The trip lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes, approximately.
- From Ollantaytambo station: The trip takes a little less than 2 hours.
Touring Cusco and Machu Picchu is discovering endless mysterious places, with hidden stories in corners that you may have never seen before stepping on this country. We recommend you to visit another impressive destinations in Cusco like the tour to rainbow mountain peru or the humantay lake tour from cusco, which only takes one day. But if you are gonna to stay more days in Perú, other archaeological places you can know will be the choquequirao trek peru, the salkantay trek to machu picchu, and the classic inca trail 4 days 3 nights.
