Train to Machu Picchu: PeruRail vs Inca Rail, Stations, Travel Times and Tickets

Train to Machu Picchu: The Short Answer

There is no direct train from central Cusco to Machu Picchu, and no train reaches the citadel itself. Every train ends at Machu Picchu station in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). Most travelers board in Ollantaytambo, where PeruRail runs 15 daily departures and the ride takes 1 hour 22 minutes to 1 hour 46 minutes.

PeruRail’s direct train from Poroy, about 20 minutes outside central Cusco, runs only from May to December. From January to April, PeruRail lists all Cusco departures to Machu Picchu as bimodal service. In Aguas Calientes, a shuttle bus climbs to the entrance in about 25 to 30 minutes, or you can walk up in about 2 hours.

Two companies sell regular trains on the line: PeruRail and Inca Rail. Belmond runs the luxury Hiram Bingham. We are a Cusco-based tour operator, and this guide shares how we plan train days for our own travelers.

PeruRail vs Inca Rail: Train Classes Compared

Both operators run several classes on the same track. The difference is comfort, food and windows, not the scenery. We do not quote fares per class, because prices change by date and hour.

The levels in the table below are our own general guide as a local operator, not fare bands published by PeruRail or Inca Rail.

PeruRail Expedition

Expedition is PeruRail’s standard service and its lowest-priced train to Machu Picchu. It is also the outbound class in the standard combination on our 1-day tour.

PeruRail Vistadome

Vistadome adds panoramic windows on the sides and in the roof, so you can look up as well as out. A snack is included. Some departures also include cultural performances on board.

PeruRail Vistadome Observatory

Vistadome Observatory has an observatory car with a balcony, 360° views and a live show. Choose it if the ride is part of the experience for you.

Belmond Hiram Bingham (Luxury)

The Belmond Hiram Bingham departs from Poroy, Rio Sagrado (Urubamba) or Pachar, according to Belmond, and includes a private bus to the citadel. The train ticket does not guarantee entry to Machu Picchu, so you still need your entrance ticket. For the full experience, read our guide to luxury train journeys in Peru.

Inca Rail The Voyager

The Voyager offers wide seats and panoramic windows, with snacks available on board. Compare its live fare on incarail.com.

Inca Rail The 360°

The 360° has an open-air observatory car and UV-protected windows. Inca Rail promotes it as its top train for photography.

Inca Rail The Prime

The Prime offers more space, a dining car, priority boarding, a VIP transfer and a regional menu. It suits travelers who want more comfort and a proper meal.

Inca Rail The First Class and The Private

The First Class serves gourmet dining with drink pairings. It also has a bar-lounge car with a balcony.

The Private is Inca Rail’s private train option. Inca Rail publishes its details on incarail.com, and we can ask about it for you when we plan your trip.

PeruRail vs Inca Rail: Which One Should You Pick?

Both operators use the same track and post similar travel times. We choose by three things: which departure times are still available, your budget and the type of carriage you want.

• Schedule first. PeruRail runs 15 daily departures from Ollantaytambo. If your ideal time is gone with one operator, check the other.
• Budget. Expedition is PeruRail’s lowest-priced class. On Inca Rail, compare The Voyager’s live fare on incarail.com.
• Views and photos. Vistadome Observatory or The 360°.
• Food and comfort. The Prime or The First Class.

Cusco to Aguas Calientes Train: Stations and Seasons

For the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu, your station depends on the month and the operator. PeruRail uses three stations in Cusco: San Pedro, Wanchaq and Poroy.

San Pedro and Wanchaq are about 5 minutes by car from central Cusco, and Poroy is about 20 minutes. Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley, is about 1 hour 30 minutes by road.

Check PeruRail’s official schedules and frequencies for your date.

Poroy Station (Direct Train, May to December)

PeruRail’s direct train from Poroy leaves at 7:35 a.m. and takes 3 hours 17 minutes to reach Aguas Calientes. It runs only from May to December.

Wanchaq Station and the January to April Bimodal Service

The bimodal service combines a bus and a train. The bus usually leaves Wanchaq station, and you change to the train in Ollantaytambo or, on selected schedules, Pachar. Outbound bimodal trips from Cusco take 4 hours 5 minutes to 4 hours 41 minutes in total.

From January to April, all PeruRail frequencies to and from Cusco are bimodal, and some use it all year. In the rainy season, PeruRail says part of the track can close due to landslide risk (locally called huaicos).

The Pachar transfer began on September 1, 2025, because a local ordinance bans vehicles over 14,330 lb (6,500 kg) on the road to Ollantaytambo station. PeruRail calls the change temporary, so confirm your transfer point on your ticket.

San Pedro Station

San Pedro sits close to central Cusco. Since September 1, 2026, PeruRail runs a train from San Pedro (and Wanchaq) to Ollantaytambo. For Machu Picchu, its timetable lists the San Pedro departures as bimodal service, so check the connection on your ticket.

Inca Rail From Cusco

Inca Rail’s Cusco service starts with a bus from its office on Av. El Sol to Ollantaytambo, which takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. The full trip takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.

Our local advice: for most travelers staying in Cusco, the best plan is to reach Ollantaytambo by road and board the train there. That is where both operators offer the most departure times. Since September 1, 2026, PeruRail also runs a train from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, which you can compare with the road transfer.

Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes Train: Schedule and Travel Time

Inca Rail says the Ollantaytambo route is shorter and has more frequent trains. It puts the distance at about 27 miles (43 km).

PeruRail Departures From Ollantaytambo

PeruRail’s first train leaves Ollantaytambo at 5:05 a.m. and the last at 9:00 p.m. The timetable stays the same all year, including the January to April rainy season.

Inca Rail Departures From Ollantaytambo

Inca Rail’s ride from Ollantaytambo takes 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. Inca Rail does not publish a fixed number of daily departures. Check its live timetable on incarail.com for your first and last train.

Morning or Afternoon Train?

Your train time should follow your Machu Picchu entrance time, not the other way around. Inca Rail advises leaving at least 1 hour between your arrival in Aguas Calientes and your entry time.

Our own rule is more generous: we aim to arrive 1.5 to 2 hours before entry, because bus lines form and trains sometimes run late. For an early entry, sleep in Aguas Calientes the night before.

You can also pair the train with a day in the Sacred Valley, starting with our Sacred Valley tour from Cusco.

Other Routes: Urubamba and Hidroeléctrica

PeruRail’s regular Sacred Valley service from Urubamba ended in March 2020. PeruRail’s January to April timetable still shows one afternoon return to Urubamba, so check your date.

Today, Belmond lists Rio Sagrado (Urubamba) as a Hiram Bingham departure. PeruRail’s FAQ does not list it, so official sources disagree.

If your hotel is in the Sacred Valley, plan to board in Ollantaytambo rather than Urubamba.

PeruRail also lists trains from Hidroeléctrica at 7:54 a.m. and 2:50 p.m. Travelers who reach Hidroeléctrica by road or on a trek use these. We cover those routes in our guide to other ways to get to Machu Picchu.

You may also hear about the Local Train. It requires a Peruvian DNI (national ID), so foreign travelers cannot use it.

Machu Picchu Train Tickets: How to Book, Step by Step

Machu Picchu train tickets and entrance tickets are sold separately. Buy them in the wrong order and you can end up with a train seat but no way into the citadel.

Booking Order: Entrance Ticket, Train, Bus

1. Check availability for both at once. Look at entrance tickets and train seats for your date before paying for either.
2. Buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket on tuboleto.cultura.pe. Daily spaces are limited.
3. Book your train on perurail.com or incarail.com, both outbound and return.
4. Buy the Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes to the citadel. According to PeruRail, it costs US$12 one way or US$24 round trip for a foreign adult.
5. Save your tickets and carry your passport. Keep digital and printed copies of every ticket.

PeruRail’s own planning guide puts booking your hotel first, before the entrance ticket. Inca Rail offers an All-Inclusive fare that bundles the train, the Machu Picchu entrance, the Consettur bus and a guide.

Where and When to Buy

PeruRail recommends booking at least 3 months ahead in high season, which it defines as April 1 to November 14 and December 21 to 31. It sells tickets online and at sales points in Lima and Cusco. PeruRail accepts Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Amex, SafetyPay and PayPal.

Inca Rail sells online and accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Diners, PayPal and Apple Pay.

Ticket Prices and Children’s Fares

Train fares change by date, departure time and class, so any fixed price goes out of date quickly. Check the live fare on the operator’s website for your exact date. For a full budget, see what a Machu Picchu trip costs.

On PeruRail, children aged 0 to 2 ride free on an adult’s lap. If they need their own seat, a child fare applies. Children aged 3 to 11 need their own ticket at 75% of the regular fare.

Luggage Limits on Machu Picchu Trains

Luggage space on Machu Picchu trains is tight, and both operators publish clear limits. Plan to travel with a small backpack only. Our advice: leave your large suitcase at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

PeruRail Luggage Policy

On Expedition, Vistadome and Vistadome Observatory, you can bring one backpack up to 17.6 lb (8 kg) and 39 in (100 cm) in linear size. Or you can bring one small carry-on bag up to 26.5 lb (12 kg) and 45 in (115 cm).

On Machu Picchu routes, excess luggage costs US$15 per piece. Checked luggage up to 50.7 lb (23 kg) costs US$25 from Machu Picchu to Cusco.

PeruRail offers free luggage storage at Ollantaytambo station from 4:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It also stores bags free at Machu Picchu station from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Hiram Bingham allows no extra luggage on board.

Inca Rail Luggage Policy

Inca Rail allows one carry-on per ticket, up to 17.6 lb (8 kg) and 46 in (118 cm) in linear size. The rule is the same in every class. Inca Rail trains have no luggage racks, so you keep your bag with you during the ride.

What to Pack in Your Day Bag

Our train-day checklist:

• Original passport, plus digital and printed copies of your Machu Picchu entrance ticket and train tickets.
• A reusable water bottle and light, sealed snacks.
• High-SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, a warm fleece layer and a breathable rain jacket.
• Phone or camera with an external power bank for a long day.
• Small bills in Peruvian soles (S/) for snacks and tips.

For the full list by season, see our Peru packing list.

Which Train to Choose for Your Trip

There is no single best train to Machu Picchu. The right choice depends on your entry time, where you sleep and what you want from the ride.

Outbound and Return: Our Local Pick

Our standard plan is Expedition, or another budget class, on an early outbound train. At that hour the view matters less, and the goal is to reach the citadel early. On the way back, we book Vistadome, so you can watch the valley through the roof windows.

This is the standard combination on our 1-day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco. If photos are your priority, choose The 360° (Inca Rail) or Vistadome Observatory. For comfort and food, choose The Prime or The First Class.

Day Trip or a Night in Aguas Calientes?

On our 1-day tour from Cusco, pickups are usually around 4:00 a.m. or earlier, and we confirm the exact time when you book.

A night in Aguas Calientes gives you a buffer if a train runs late. It also lets you enter the citadel early the next morning, without a predawn drive. Our 2-day Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour gives you the option to spend night 1 in Aguas Calientes.

On Travel Day: Boarding, the Bus Up and Service Disruptions

Most problems on train day come from timing, not from the train itself.

Boarding Tips

Inca Rail asks passengers to arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure. In our experience, boarding gates close about 5 minutes before departure, so do not cut it close.

Carry your original passport. Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket is linked to your passport number, so keep the passport with your tickets.

In Aguas Calientes, the Consettur bus reaches the entrance in about 25 to 30 minutes. Walking up takes about 2 hours.

If Trains Are Suspended

Service on this line can stop with little notice. On September 15, 2025, PeruRail temporarily suspended operations between km 83+600 and 87+600 due to rockfall and protests. It offered affected passengers a date change or a refund.

If it happens to you, check the operator’s official notices first. Save PeruRail’s phone number, +51 1 625 4848, before you travel. Consider travel insurance, and book through a local operator who can rebook trains, tickets and hotels for you.

Machu Picchu Tours With the Train Included

A Machu Picchu day depends on entrance tickets, trains and buses lining up. We book all three from our office in Cusco. Both of the tours below include the train.

• 1-Day Machu Picchu Tour from Cusco, from US$429 per person, with daily departures. It includes the round-trip train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (Expedition out and Vistadome back, or Expedition or Vistadome both ways). It also includes the entrance ticket, shuttle bus, a private English-speaking guide, pickup in Cusco or the Sacred Valley and lunch or dinner.
• 2-Day Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Tour, from US$649 per person. It includes the Machu Picchu entrance, the train and the shuttle bus, with upgraded train options on higher hotel categories. Night 1 is in Cusco or Aguas Calientes, with optional 3-, 4- or 5-star hotels.

Want a different pace or a longer stay in the Sacred Valley? Browse all Machu Picchu tours, and we will build the train plan around your dates.

Train to Machu Picchu FAQ

Can you take a train directly from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

Not year-round, and never from the stations in central Cusco. From May to December, PeruRail runs a direct train from Poroy station, about 20 minutes from central Cusco, leaving at 7:35 a.m. and taking 3 hours 17 minutes. From January to April, PeruRail lists all Cusco departures to Machu Picchu as bimodal service.

How long is the train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes?

The train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes takes 1 hour 22 minutes to 1 hour 46 minutes with PeruRail, and 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours with Inca Rail. PeruRail runs 15 daily departures from 5:05 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., on the same timetable all year.

Is PeruRail or Inca Rail better?

Neither is better overall, because both run on the same track with similar travel times. Choose by the departure times still available, your budget and the carriage you want. For photos, we suggest Vistadome Observatory or The 360°, and for food and comfort, The Prime or The First Class.

What is the bimodal service and when does it run?

The bimodal service is a PeruRail bus from Cusco, usually from Wanchaq station, followed by a train to Aguas Calientes from Ollantaytambo or Pachar. It runs on all Cusco frequencies from January to April and on some all year, and outbound trips take 4 hours 5 minutes to 4 hours 41 minutes. Since September 1, 2026, PeruRail also runs a train from San Pedro to Ollantaytambo, so check the connection on your ticket.

How far in advance should I book Machu Picchu train tickets?

PeruRail recommends booking at least 3 months ahead in high season, from April 1 to November 14 and from December 21 to 31. Buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket first, then the train, because entrance spaces are limited.

Should I buy my Machu Picchu entrance ticket or my train ticket first?

Check availability for both, then buy the Machu Picchu entrance ticket first on tuboleto.cultura.pe. Book the train next on perurail.com or incarail.com, and buy the Consettur bus last.

How much luggage can I take on the train to Machu Picchu?

PeruRail allows one backpack up to 17.6 lb (8 kg) and 39 in (100 cm), or one small carry-on bag up to 26.5 lb (12 kg) and 45 in (115 cm). Inca Rail allows one carry-on up to 17.6 lb (8 kg) and 46 in (118 cm) in all classes. Leave large suitcases at your hotel.

Do children pay full fare on the train to Machu Picchu?

Not on PeruRail: children aged 3 to 11 pay 75% of the regular fare. Children aged 0 to 2 ride free on an adult’s lap, and a child fare applies if they need their own seat. For Inca Rail, check the fare on incarail.com.

Does the train ticket include the bus up to Machu Picchu?

Usually not: PeruRail’s planning guide lists the Consettur bus as a separate purchase after the train. According to PeruRail, the bus costs US$12 one way or US$24 round trip for a foreign adult. Inca Rail’s All-Inclusive fare adds the Consettur bus, and the Belmond Hiram Bingham includes a private bus to the citadel.

What happens if the train to Machu Picchu is canceled?

When PeruRail suspended service on September 15, 2025, it offered affected passengers a date change or a refund. Check the operator’s official notices, save PeruRail’s number (+51 1 625 4848) and consider travel insurance.