No road reaches Machu Picchu: almost every traveller takes the train to Aguas Calientes and then a bus up to the citadel. Two companies, PeruRail and Inca Rail, run on the same line through the Urubamba canyon with different timetables and services. This guide explains which to choose, which service suits you, which station to leave from and when to buy your ticket.
PeruRail or Inca Rail
They are the two authorised operators on the route and are more alike than they seem: same line, similar journey times and arrival at the same Aguas Calientes station. What changes is which timetable fits your Machu Picchu entry time and the type of service on board.
- PeruRail runs the Expedition, Vistadome and Vistadome Observatory services and leaves from Ollantaytambo and Poroy. It is backed by the Belmond group, which also runs the Hiram Bingham, its luxury train to Machu Picchu.
- Inca Rail runs The Voyager, The 360°, The Prime, The First Class and The Private, leaving from its Ollantaytambo station. From Cusco, it includes a bus to that station.
Which service to choose
| Level | PeruRail | Inca Rail | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Expedition | The Voyager | Travellers who put price and timetable first. Comfortable carriages with large windows |
| Panoramic | Vistadome: windows in the walls and roof | The 360°: panoramic windows and an open-air observation car | Enjoying the canyon scenery |
| Premium | Vistadome Observatory: observation car with 360° views and a live show | The Prime: priority boarding, live music and Andean cuisine | A cultural experience on board |
| Luxury | Hiram Bingham (Belmond) | The First Class (three-course menu, bar car and balcony) and The Private (private carriage) | Special occasions |
A practical rule: the panoramic service is at its best on the way out, when you are fresh and the morning light is on the canyon, and the standard one is enough for the return. If you are travelling as a family or on a budget, either company’s standard service is more than enough.
Which station to leave from
- Ollantaytambo. The busiest station, with trains from both companies and the shortest journey, about an hour and three quarters. From Cusco it is another hour and three quarters by road, and it fits neatly with a day in the Sacred Valley. More in our Ollantaytambo guide.
- Poroy, on the outskirts of Cusco. PeruRail only. About three and a half hours by train, with no change of vehicle.
- From Cusco by bus and train. Both operators sell the combined journey: PeruRail with a change at Pachar station and Inca Rail with a bus to its Ollantaytambo station. Between January and April, because of the rains, it is the usual way to leave from the city.
Every train arrives at Aguas Calientes station (Machu Picchu Pueblo). From there, the bus climbs to the citadel gate in about 25 minutes. What to do in town and when it is worth staying the night are in our Aguas Calientes guide.
How much the train costs
Neither company publishes a fixed fare: the price depends on the service, the date, the time and availability, and the most popular trains sell out first in high season, from June to August and from December to January. To compare, search your date on the official websites of PeruRail and Inca Rail; the Machu Picchu entrance ticket is paid separately.
The Local Train is not an option for foreign visitors: it is reserved for residents of Machupicchu and of the provinces of Anta, Urubamba and La Convención, with a few seats for Peruvian tourists and in-person sales with a Peruvian ID or residence card.
If you would rather not work it out, the return train is included in our Machu Picchu Full Day, on the Voyager or Expedition depending on availability, together with transfers, bus, entrance ticket and guide, from USD 305 per person depending on group size. All our prices are in Cusco private tour prices.
When to buy your ticket
PeruRail recommends booking two to four weeks ahead, and earlier in high season. But the order matters: first get your Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which has quotas by circuit and time, and then choose the train that gets you to Aguas Calientes with time to catch the bus. You can check the quotas on our Machu Picchu ticket availability page and choose a circuit in the Machu Picchu circuits.
Luggage and documents
- Hand luggage. Only a backpack or bag of about 5 kilos is allowed on the train. Your big suitcase stays at your hotel in Cusco or the valley.
- Original passport. It is checked when you board the train and at the citadel gate, and must match your tickets.
- Arrive early at the station, especially if the train follows a road transfer.
How to fit the train into your trip
- In one day from Cusco: a pre-dawn start, the train from Ollantaytambo and back at night, about sixteen hours. That is our Machu Picchu Full Day.
- With the Sacred Valley: tour the valley, sleep in Ollantaytambo and take an early train. We explain it in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 2 days.
- Staying in Aguas Calientes: an afternoon train, a night in town and Machu Picchu first thing.
If you are torn between the train and the walking routes, we compare every option in how to get to Machu Picchu.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you catch the train to Machu Picchu?
At Ollantaytambo station, in the Sacred Valley, used by both companies. PeruRail also leaves from Poroy, on the outskirts of Cusco, and both sell combined bus and train journeys from the city.
How long is the train ride to Machu Picchu?
About an hour and three quarters from Ollantaytambo and about three and a half hours from Poroy, depending on the service. From Aguas Calientes, the bus to the citadel takes about 25 minutes.
Which is better, PeruRail or Inca Rail?
They run the same route in similar times. Choose by the timetable that fits your entry time and the level of service you want: Expedition and The Voyager are the standard services; Vistadome and The 360° the panoramic ones.
Does the train ticket include Machu Picchu entry?
No. The entrance ticket is bought separately, with quotas by circuit and time, and it is best to secure it before the train.
How much is the train to Machu Picchu?
It depends on the service, the date and the time: the companies do not publish a fixed fare. Compare your date on their official websites; the standard service is the cheapest.
Can a foreign tourist use the local train?
No. The Local Train is for residents of Machupicchu and of the provinces of Anta, Urubamba and La Convención, with limited seats for Peruvian tourists.
