Train to Machu Picchu: Complete Guide to Classes, Stations and Tickets

Can You Take a Train to Machu Picchu? How the Route Works

Yes. A train is the most common way to reach Machu Picchu, but it stops in Aguas Calientes, not at the ruins. From the Aguas Calientes station, travelers walk a few minutes to the bus stop and ride about 25 minutes up to the entrance, or hike the stairs for about 1.5 hours.

No road connects Cusco directly to Aguas Calientes, so the railway along the Urubamba River is the only motorized way into town. That is why train tickets often sell out before Machu Picchu entry tickets in busy months.

Every route to the citadel, including treks and the budget Hidroeléctrica path, is compared in our guide on how to get to Machu Picchu. This page focuses only on the rail journey.

Which Companies Run the Machu Picchu Train?

Two operators run the Machu Picchu train: PeruRail, the larger company with departures from Poroy, Ollantaytambo and Urubamba, and Inca Rail, which runs mainly from Ollantaytambo with bus connections from Cusco. Belmond operates the luxury Hiram Bingham train on PeruRail's tracks. All trains finish at Aguas Calientes.

• PeruRail: Expedition, Vistadome, Vistadome Observatory and the Belmond Hiram Bingham.
• Inca Rail: The Voyager, The 360°, First Class and private carriages.
• Both companies use the same single track, so the scenery and travel time are almost identical.
• Each company sells tickets on its own website, and travel agencies can book either one.

Choosing between the two brands is mostly about departure times and fares on your date. A short side-by-side follows in the class table below.

What Train Classes Are There? Expedition, Vistadome, 360 and More

Machu Picchu train classes fall into three levels: standard (PeruRail Expedition, Inca Rail Voyager), panoramic with extra windows and light snacks (Vistadome, Vistadome Observatory, Inca Rail 360°), and luxury with full meals (Inca Rail First Class, Belmond Hiram Bingham). All classes take the same route; comfort, windows and service change.

Service details change by season, so confirm what is included on the operator's site before paying. The Hiram Bingham is a full luxury experience explained in our Hiram Bingham train guide; for a fully arranged high-end trip see our Machu Picchu luxury tour.

Which Train Is Best for You? A Quick Decision Guide

The best Machu Picchu train depends on your budget and trip style. Expedition or Voyager suits travelers who want the lowest fare. Vistadome or 360° is the sweet spot for first-time visitors who want views. First Class or Hiram Bingham fits couples and celebrations. On a one-day trip, pick by departure time, not class.

• Tight budget: Expedition or The Voyager, and spend the savings on a guide or a Huayna Picchu climb.
• First visit, normal budget: Vistadome or The 360° on the way in, standard class on the way back in the dark.
• Traveling with kids: any morning departure from Ollantaytambo keeps the ride under 2 hours.
• Photographers: Vistadome Observatory or The 360° for the open-air car.
• Honeymoon or milestone birthday: Inca Rail First Class or the Belmond Hiram Bingham.
• Day trip from Cusco: the earliest departure you can get, whatever the class.

Evening return trains run after dark for most of the year, so paying extra for big windows on the way back adds little.

Where Does the Train Leave From? Machu Picchu Train Stations

Machu Picchu trains leave from three stations: Poroy, about 20 to 30 minutes by car from central Cusco; Ollantaytambo, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Cusco in the Sacred Valley; and Urubamba, with limited departures. Some services start in Cusco city as a bus plus train combination. Every train arrives at Aguas Calientes station.

If you plan a night before the train, our Ollantaytambo town and ruins guide covers what to see there.

Ollantaytambo Station (Sacred Valley)

Ollantaytambo is the busiest Machu Picchu train station, served by PeruRail and Inca Rail with the most departures. The ride from here to Aguas Calientes takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Travelers reach Ollantaytambo from Cusco by shared van, taxi or private transfer in about 1.5 to 2 hours.

How Long Is the Train to Machu Picchu From Cusco?

The train from Cusco's Poroy station to Machu Picchu takes about 3 hours 30 minutes, according to PeruRail. From Ollantaytambo, the ride takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Add the 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and the 25 minute bus up, and door to gate is usually 4 to 5 hours.

Times and distances are approximate and vary by departure. The track drops more than 1,000 m between Poroy and Aguas Calientes, which is why the trip suits people adjusting to altitude; see the Machu Picchu elevation guide for details.

How Much Is the Train to Machu Picchu?

A train to Machu Picchu usually costs about $60 to $100 one way in standard class, a bit more in panoramic classes, and several hundred dollars in Inca Rail First Class. The Belmond Hiram Bingham costs much more. Fares change by date, time and demand, so early morning and holiday seats cost the most.

• One way vs round trip: many sites quote round-trip prices, so a $134 fare can mean two legs, not one.
• Time of day: the earliest and most convenient departures sell first and cost more.
• Season: June to August and holidays push prices up; rainy months are often cheaper.
• Station: trips from Poroy usually cost more than from Ollantaytambo.
• Children: both operators list child fares; confirm age rules when booking.

These ranges come from published operator fares and current travel guides, which disagree with each other. Always check the live fare on PeruRail or Inca Rail for your date. Entry ticket prices are separate and listed in our Machu Picchu tickets guide.

How to Book Machu Picchu Train Tickets, Step by Step

Book Machu Picchu train tickets online on the PeruRail or Inca Rail website, or through a travel agency, after securing your Machu Picchu entry ticket. Choose your station and date, pick a departure that lands you in Aguas Calientes at least 90 minutes before your entry time, enter passport details exactly, and save the e-ticket.

1. Buy your Machu Picchu entry ticket first, because entry times are the scarcer item.
2. Pick your station: Ollantaytambo for the most options, Poroy to avoid the drive.
3. Choose an outbound train arriving at least 90 minutes before your entry time.
4. Choose a return train at least 2 hours after your expected exit from the ruins.
5. Enter each name and passport number exactly as printed in the passport.
6. Pay by card and download the e-ticket for every passenger.
7. Book the bus up to the ruins, or plan to walk the stairs.

In June to August, book trains as soon as your entry ticket is confirmed. If you want one team to line up the entry ticket, train and bus, our Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco includes all three.

What Are the Machu Picchu Train Schedules?

Machu Picchu trains run from early morning to evening. Outbound trains from Ollantaytambo usually start before 6 am and continue every 30 to 90 minutes until early afternoon, while return trains from Aguas Calientes leave from late morning until about 9 pm. Poroy has fewer departures. Exact times change by season and operator.

• Day trip: take a departure around 5 to 7 am and return in the late afternoon or evening.
• Overnight stay: a midday train in, then visit the ruins early the next morning.
• Last train back: book it only with a clear time buffer, because missing it means an unplanned night in Aguas Calientes.
• Rainy season (roughly January to April): Poroy trains are often replaced by bus plus train via Ollantaytambo.

Check the current timetable on the operator site when you book, since schedules shift every season. Weather by month is covered in our Machu Picchu weather guide. The busiest and quietest months for trains are explained in our best time to visit Machu Picchu guide.

What Luggage Can You Take on the Machu Picchu Train?

Each passenger on the Machu Picchu train can bring one carry-on bag of about 5 kg (11 lb), plus a small personal item. Bags must fit above or beside your seat. Large suitcases are not allowed in the carriage, so most travelers leave them at their Cusco or Sacred Valley hotel for free.

• Pack a daypack with one night of clothes, rain jacket, passport and medicine.
• Store your big suitcase at your hotel before leaving Cusco.
• Hiram Bingham and First Class passengers often get a larger allowance; confirm when booking.
• Extra luggage rules and fees vary by operator, so check before you travel.

Tips for Riding the Train to Machu Picchu

To ride the Machu Picchu train smoothly, arrive at the station at least 30 minutes early (Inca Rail's guidance), carry your original passport, and sit on the left side heading to Aguas Calientes for more river views. Bring a jacket, because carriages can be cool in the morning, and keep snacks for long Poroy rides.

• Bring the same passport used for your ticket; staff check it before boarding.
• Left side outbound tends to face the river for more of the ride.
• Use the station restroom before boarding on short standard-class rides.
• Keep your train ticket handy for the return, and know your exact departure time.
• Altitude drops as you ride, so most people feel better in Aguas Calientes than in Cusco.

Can You Get to Machu Picchu Without the Train?

Yes, but only on foot or by a long road-and-walk combination. Hikers reach Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail or treks like Salkantay, and budget travelers ride a van to Hidroeléctrica and walk about 11 km to Aguas Calientes. Even trekkers usually take the train back to Ollantaytambo or Cusco.

The classic hiking route needs a permit, explained in our Inca Trail permits guide. Permit-free treks such as Salkantay and Lares still end with the train home, so trekkers need a return ticket from Aguas Calientes.

PeruRail or Inca Rail? Short Comparison

PeruRail and Inca Rail run the same track with similar times and comfort, so the better choice is usually whichever has the right departure on your date at a good fare. PeruRail offers more departures and stations, including Poroy near Cusco. Inca Rail is often praised for smaller carriages and its open-air 360° car.

If you already know your hotel area, pick the operator with the most convenient station and time. Mixing operators, for example PeruRail out and Inca Rail back, is common and works fine.

For a class-by-class breakdown, read our full PeruRail vs Inca Rail comparison.