Inca Rail or Peru Rail? which train to Machu Picchu choose?

Inca Rail or Peru Rail? A question that leads us to a trip of one hour and forty minutes through cars pulled by a traditional locomotive or also through modern railcars that move between high Andean landscapes that go down to the rainforest. These train services have fares equivalent to their category of service.

Whether Inca Rail or Peru Rail, they are the most used means of transportation to get to one of the seven wonders of the world, that’s right, we are talking about the Inca built of Machu Picchu. Join Auri Peru to compare the two current companies that provide train service to the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu.

How to get to Machu Picchu? 

Some data mention that about 70% of the total amount that arrives in Aguas Calientes is by railroad. This is because there is no paved road or trail to get to Aguas Calientes, the only way to get there is by walking through some trek as the Inca Trail or the trail from Hidroelectrica. The other way to get there, much faster, is of course the train.

Inca Rail or Peru Rail?

There are two train companies that go to Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu. Leaving from Ollantaytambo, it covers a route of approximately 43 kilometers. And, Ollantaytambo, is a town that is located just over an hour and a half from the city of Cusco.

So, being the tourist train the fastest and most used option, which company should we choose? Inca Rail or Peru Rail? which category of service should we choose? what are the differences between both companies? Let’s see below and very quickly the answer to… Inca Rail or Peru Rail?

About Peru Rail

Peru Rail is the train operator, which was created in 1999 as well as FETRANSA, the railroad concessionaire in the south and southeast of Peru. Both were created by the same investors. Currently, its owners are the English corporation Orient-Express and its Peruvian partner Peruval Corp. Peru Rail S.A.

Peru Rail operates routes between Cusco, Arequipa and Puno. Its main route of operations is the section between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. In this video we will only focus on this train route.

About Inca Rail

Meanwhile, Inca Rail is another operator that was created in 2007 and belongs to the CROSLAND Business Group and the Carlyle Group. Unlike Peru Rail which transports passengers and heavy cargo through the southeast of Peru. Inca Rail is only dedicated to operate passengers on this route to Machu Picchu.

Which category service choose, Inca Rail or Peru Rail?

There are several categories of service in both companies, but in this post, we will mention the main and most used ones. Let’s see first the main categories of both companies.

Peru Rail Service Categories

In this post we will only mention four categories of service offered between the Poroy and Machu Picchu sections and the main route which is between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. Each service has improvements over the previous one and of course a price increase according to the service:

Peru Rail local train

This is a train service exclusively for Peruvian residents. It is a basic train, but at a very comfortable price, 10 peruvian soles per section, which would be about 3 dollars. This service departs exclusively from Ollantaytambo station and Hidroeléctrica station.

Expedition train

This is Peru Rail’s most economical and popular tourist train. It has been designed for adventurous passengers with the basic comforts necessary for the trip. Seats upholstered with Inca motifs, panoramic windows on both sides of the car and windows on the roofs. Snacks are available on board.

Vistadome train

This category has large panoramic windows on both sides of the carriage and on the roof. It includes a light snack service on board, prepared with Andean products and includes non-alcoholic beverages. Additionally, on the return frequencies, a small dance show and a fashion show with baby alpaca garments are offered. In this service there are sections that go from the stations of Poroy, Ollantaytambo and an exclusive service from Urubamba.

Hiram Bingham

It is the most luxurious train to Machu Picchu, probably the most luxurious in South America only behind the Andean Explorer of the same company (the latter covers the route between Cusco and Arequipa). Hiram Binhgam is one of the most spacious and comfortable trains in the world. It is equipped with a dining car, a bar car, an observatory car, as well as multiple services such as a welcome show, music and dance on board, food and drinks on board, just to mention some of these services.

If you wish to travel on this luxury service, expect to pay at least $400 for a one-way or return trip from the train stations.

Inca Rail Service Categories

On the other hand, speaking of Inca Rail, this company operates the routes between Poroy and Machu Picchu and of course also the main section between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. In this article we will highlight the following services (although there are more):

The Voyager

It is the most popular service of Inca Rail. It is a cozy train with small windows on the roofs and seats with folding tables. Unlike its equivalent, the expedition in Peru Rail, it offers a small free snack service.

The 360° service

This category has modern carriages. Larger and panoramic windows compared to the previous service. It also has an observatory car and offers Andean snacks and non-alcoholic beverages during the service.
First Class: This is one of the most comfortable categories of this company. The cars are spacious, have panoramic windows, decorated and decorated tables and personalized attention on board. It offers a welcome cocktail and a gourmet lunch or dinner depending on the schedule. It also has an open-air observatory car.

The Private Train

It is the most exclusive service of Inca Rail with capacity for only 8 people. This service has an exclusive car, furnished and exquisitely decorated. It has excellent panoramic views. Exclusivity is the hallmark of this Inca Rail service. It offers a gourmet menu, bar and free drinks. It also has an open balcony and live music. In addition, the Private offers its passengers personalized cooking classes.

Other differences between Inca Rail or Peru Rail

Once we have quickly reviewed these categories of service, let’s compare some advantages that each company offers over the other:

Price differences between Inca Rail and Peru Rail

We should mention that the prices in both companies are very similar. This of course is subject to compare prices between similar categories. Perhaps the most notable difference between the two companies is that Peru Rail has more train frequencies, more departure times than its competitor Inca Rail.

Peru Rail train rates (round trip)

Inca Rail train rates (round trip):

The beautiful views traveling on the train to Machu Picchu

Whichever company you choose, if we take the route from Ollantaytambo to the town of Aguas Calientes, a relatively short trip awaits us, since the journey time is one hour and 45 minutes on average. Once this is said, see the option that best accommodates to your preferences and, of course, your pocket.

Finally, it is highly recommended to travel during the day, because if there is something that both companies enjoy with all their categories, services, schedules and routes, it is breathtaking scenery.

The railroad tracks cross imposing snow-capped mountains that seem to touch the sky, picturesque Andean villages and the tropical exuberance of the rainforest that surrounds the final destination of these trains, the great Inca city of Machu Picchu.

Peru has many amazing places waiting for you, discover the most enigmatic and beautiful places in Peru with us. Working for many years in the travel industry, Auri Travel is pleased to help you with your travel plans to Machu Picchu either by train with Inca Rail or Peru Rail, and several destinations around Peru, come and enjoy a memorable adventure with us!