The 10 types of trains on the trip to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the tourist destination that everyone wants to know. And the safest and fastest way to get there is through a comfortable train ride. There are only two companies that offer train travel to the Inca citadel: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both offer comfortable, safe and, in some cases, luxurious train services. Learn about the ten types of trains for the trip to Machu Picchu and decide how to get to know the Wonder of the World
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How to get to Machu Picchu without the train trip? – There are two options to get to Machu Picchu without the train trip. The first is the route through Hidroeléctrica, a 5-hour bus trip to the jungle of Cusco and the subsequent 2-hour walk to the town of Aguas Calientes. The other is the Inca Trail, the hiking route that, after 4 or 2 days, reaches Machu Picchu through the upper part of the mountains, just as the Incas did. Both offer experiences as incredible as the train trip.
Peru Rail local train
The Peru Rail local train offers a very economical train trip for Cusco residents who, for work or other reasons, need to travel daily along the route to Machu Picchu. In addition, the train offers transportation to citizens of Peru, as long as they find availability. The purchase must be made in person in the city of Cusco 3, 4 or 5 days in advance.
The local train is not a tourist service so it does not have tables, service on board or sale of snacks and drinks on the train. Even many local residents who purchase a ticket at the last minute travel standing (the train can be packed). Most trains depart from Ollantaytambo station. The times are: 5.05 am, 9.50 am, 12.55 pm, 7.04 pm and 9 pm. In addition, a train leaves the city of Cusco at 7.02 am.
- How to buy?: Purchase in person at the Peru Rail ticket offices in the city of Cusco (San Pedro station) -only for Peruvians-.
- How much does it cost?: The ticket costs 12 soles per round trip or return.
Peru Rail Expedition Train
The Expedition train is Peru Rail’s most economical tourist service. That is, it offers a relaxing trip with comfortable seats, tables, large windows, on-board service, music with informative audios, as well as the sale of snacks and drinks on board. The purchase of the train ticket can be made in the city of Cusco or online through the Peru Rail website. It is recommended to do it approximately 1 month in advance.
The train also offers the option of Bimodal service (bus + train). Most trains depart from the Ollantaytambo station, but also from the San Pedro (city of Cusco) and Poroy stations. From Cusco they leave at 6.40 am, 7.30 am and 8.25 am. From Ollantaytambo, at 5.05 am, 6.10 am, 7.45 am, 8.29 am, 9.15 am, 10.32 am, 11.52 am, 12.55 pm and 7.04 pm. The train is one of the favorite services for tourists from all over the world.
- How to buy?: On the Peru Rail website or at the Peru Rail ticket offices in Cusco.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 50 to 60 dollars.
Peru Rail Vistadome Train
The Vistadome train is one of Peru Rail’s most famous services as it combines a pleasant trip with on-board entertainment. Its main feature is its large side and upper windows, which allow you to better appreciate the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The train also includes comfortable seats, tables, large windows, on-board service, complimentary snacks and drinks, and even a music show, dance, and alpaca clothing parade.
The Vistadome train has daily departures from the stations of San Pedro (Cusco), Poroy and, mainly, Ollantaytambo. In addition, it offers the Bimodal service, which adds the first bus trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, the station with the most daily departures. These depart every day at 7.05 am, 8 am, 8.29 am, 9.15 am, 10.32 am, 12.55 pm and 3.37 pm. The trip to Machupicchu town (Aguas Calientes) takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
- How to buy?: On the Peru Rail website or at the Peru Rail ticket offices in Cusco.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 70 to 90 dollars.
Vistadome Observatory Train by Peru Rail
Peru Rail’s Vistadome Observatory train offers the same amenities as the Vistadome train, but adding an observatory car where you can enjoy the train ride with an outdoor balcony, as well as a live music show. That is, this train offers: panoramic views, a typical dance show, informative audio, complimentary snacks and drinks, a parade of clothing collections made of alpaca (only on the return train) as well as an observatory car.
The Vistadome Observatory train also has comfortable seats, tables and large top and side windows that allow a stunning view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The trains depart from the Ollantaytambo station at two daily times: at 7.45 am and at 1.27 pm. On the return trip, it departs from Aguas Calientes at 10.55 am. This train allows incredible photographs and a memorable experience on the trip to Machu Picchu.
- How to buy?: On the Peru Rail website or at the Peru Rail ticket offices in Cusco.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 85 and 95 dollars.
Peru Rail Hiram Bingham Train
Peru Rail’s Hiram Bingham train is one of the most luxurious in the world. It departs from the Poroy station (located 15 kilometers from the city of Cusco) and includes excellent quality services such as: welcome show with Cusco dances, bar car with Peruvian cocktails, gourmet lunch (or dinner), observatory car with balcony, show live music, VIP waiting room in Machupicchu town, bus to Machu Picchu, entrance ticket to Machu Picchu and tour guide around the archaeological site.
The Hiram Bingham train owes its name to the American scientist who in 1911 broke the world news of the existence of Machu Picchu. The train departs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The train trip lasts approximately 3 hours. The train leaves Poroy station at 9.05 in the morning. It is recommended to buy the train ticket at least a month in advance since the availability of entry to Machu Picchu is limited.
- How to buy?: On the Peru Rail website or at the Peru Rail ticket offices in Cusco.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 470 and 500 dollars.
The Voyager by Inca Rail
The Voyager train is the most economical service offered by Inca Rail, the second company that operates the train route to Machu Picchu. The train is a tourist service that includes comfortable seats, large windows, tables, background music (with information throughout the trip), sale of snacks and drinks, as well as a musical show of the famous Quechua drama ‘Ollantay’, whose origin is dates back to Inca times.
The Voyager train also offers the Bimodal service, which begins with bus transportation from the city of Cusco to Ollantaytambo and the subsequent train trip from there to the town of Aguas Calientes. The Bimodal service departs from Cusco every day at six times: from 4.20 am, 4.50 am, 8.30 am, 9.55 am, 1.30 pm and 4.15 pm. From the Ollantaytambo station it departs at 6.40 am, 7.22 am, 11.15 am, 12.36 pm, 4.36 pm and 7.27 pm.
- How to buy?: On the Inca Rail website or at the Inca Rail ticket offices in Cusco.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 50 to 60 dollars.
The 360 by Inca Rail
Train 360 is one of Inca Rail’s most recommended tourist services since it offers a great experience during the trip. Its main feature is its carriages with large side and upper windows, which allow you to appreciate the splendid landscape of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In addition, it offers comfortable seats, tables, snacks, drinks, on-board service, as well as an open-air observation car.
The 360 train also offers a USB port for charging mobile devices and a waiting room at the Ollantaytambo station. Departures are daily from Cusco (Bimodal service. The buses depart from Avenida El Sol 843 at two times: at 4.50 am and at 9.55 am. All Inca Rail services allow you to add, for an extra cost, the bus to Machu Picchu, the tour guide service and even the entrance to the Inca citadel.
- How to buy?: On the Inca Rail website or at the Inca Rail ticket offices in Cusco.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 55 and 65 dollars.
The Premium & Lounge by Inca Rail
The Premium & Lounge train is a new Inca Rail service, which offers a VIP experience on the trip to Machu Picchu. It offers an exclusive package during the train trip: preferential boarding in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (entry to the car without the need to queue), live music, snack included, bar service (drinks not included) as well as a car with an open balcony for get excellent photographs.
As with all Inca Rail trains, the Premium & Lounge service also offers the staging of the musical drama ‘Ollantay’ on board. The train departs from Ollantaytambo station. However, you can also add the Bimodal bus that takes tourists from the city of Cusco to said station. The purchase can be made with any credit or debit card. The boarding pass is sent to the tourist’s email. The train leaves Ollantaytambo at 11.15 am.
- How to buy?: On the Inca Rail website or at the Inca Rail ticket offices in Cusco.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 85 and 95 dollars.
The First-Class by Inca Rail
The First Class train is an executive service of Inca Rail, which stands out for the exquisite cuisine served on board. In addition to comfortable seats, panoramic windows and maximum comfort, it includes: an outdoor balcony to appreciate the beautiful landscapes, ambient Andean music, gourmet menu (lunch or dinner), as well as wine tasting on board. Of course it also offers the performance of the Ollantay drama.
The Inca Rail First Class train cars have elegant Andean-style decoration. It also offers comfortable seats with ample space. All passengers have a welcome cocktail. It even offers a bus trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. The train departs every day from Ollantaytambo station. You can also add the Bimodal bus trip from the city of Cusco, as well as the entrance to Machu Picchu.
- How to buy?: On the Inca Rail website or at the Inca Rail ticket offices in Cusco.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 105 and 115 dollars.
The Private by Inca Rail
The Private train is a luxury service from Inca Rail. It has many all-inclusive services for a trip such as: observatory car, gourmet menu (lunch or dinner), private bus to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, live music (musical show), welcome champagne, as well as an open bar with the best wines and cocktails. The train offers beautiful Andean decoration in complete luxury.
The Private train operates any day of the year at the request of the tourist (maximum for 8 passengers). Reservations are made by email to consultations@incarail.com. The gourmet menu consists of three courses: starter, main course and dessert. All prepared by the best chefs in Cusco. Drinks include pisco sour, white wine, red wine, mineral water, fresh juices and more. It is a luxury trip to Machu Picchu.
- How to buy?: Through an email to consultations@incarail.com.
- How much does it cost?: Between approximately 470 and 500 dollars.
By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, November 18, 2023