Train to Machu Picchu, the ultimate and complete guide in 2022

Many people choose to trek for several days to Machu Picchu, one of the most extraordinary destinations on the planet, whether it is the famous Inca Trail, the Salkantay trek, the Inca Jungle, Hidroelectrica or one of the many other routes that exist. These routes take a day or more and are ideal for adventurous people who have plenty of time. However, there is a quicker and more comfortable option for those who are pressed for time in Cusco, the train to Machu Picchu!

Join Auri Peru to see the details of this simple, modern and above all very beautiful option to reach one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Inca city of Machu Picchu.

What is Aguas Calientes? Where is it? How to get to Aguas Calientes?

Machu Picchu town is known as Aguas Calientes which is located in the jungle eyebrow or rainforest at an altitude of 2050 meters above sea level. It is the town located at the base of the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes is a purely tourist town, with great commercial activity, a large hotel plant and a great diversity of restaurants.

The town of Aguas Calientes is reached by any of the classic routes to Machu Picchu, either Inca Trail, the route of Hidroelectrica that connects with the route of the snowy Salkantay or Inca Jungle and the train route from Ollantaytambo, the latter is the most used. Once we are in Aguas Calientes, we must use the buses up to Machu Picchu or take a walk of more than two hours to the entrance to the great Inca complex.

Aguas Calientes has some tourist attractions outside of Machu Picchu. The main ones are the thermal baths with medicinal properties, the Mandor waterfalls, the Manuel Chavez Ballón museum which is the site museum of Machu Picchu, the handicraft market, the food market or the butterfly farm.

The train to Machu Picchu

To get to Machu Picchu through the train option you must purchase tickets in advance. The acquisition of these tickets can be done virtually or in person. There are two companies that operate this route to Machu Picchu, Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Here are some general information about the train trip to Machu Picchu:

Train companies to Machu Picchu

Today, there are two train operators to Machu Picchu, Inca Rail and Peru Rail. Both with different categories of service and with prices that can be almost equivalent depending on the category of service.

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 to the south of Peru. Its main route of operations is the section between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the famous route to Machu Picchu.

Inca Rail

Meanwhile, Inca Rail is another operator that was created in 2007 and belongs to the CROSLAND Business Group and the Carlyle Group. Inca Rail offers unique travel experiences to and from Machu Picchu. Unlike Peru Rail which transports passengers and heavy cargo through the southeast of Peru. Inca Rail has focused on offering its services to foreign passengers on the route to Machu Picchu.

Train route options to Machu Picchu, how is the train route to Machu Picchu?

Short train route to Machu Picchu

This route starts from Ollantaytambo train station (2 hours drive from Cusco) and is the most used train route to Machu Picchu. It covers a route of approximately 43 kilometers/27 miles to the train station in the town of Aguas Calientes, the closest town to Machu Picchu. The route descends from 2700 meters to 2050 meters, the altitude of the town of Aguas Calientes.

Long train route to Machu Picchu

This other route is longer because it departs from Poroy station (30 minutes from Cusco city) and covers a distance of approximately 66 km/41 miles to Aguas Calientes station in Machu Picchu town. This route covers the Anta pampa and crosses into the Sacred Valley of the Incas to go into the mountains following the right bank of the Vilcanota or Urubamba River descending from the Andes into the rainforest at the Aguas Calientes town station.

Train stations to Machu Picchu

Poroy Train Station

This station is located on Calle Roldan s/n in the district of Poroy, 30 minutes from the city of Cusco. Both Inca Rail and Peru Rail operate this train route with its so-called long section to Machu Picchu, a journey of about 3 hours and 20 minutes approximately.

This route crosses an area that usually presents landslides in the rainy season in the Cusco region between the months of December and March. Due to this fact, the station remains closed to the public between January and March, the rainiest months. During the rest of the year the station operates normally with varied train frequencies.

Ollantaytambo Train Station

This train station is located in the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The distance to Machu Picchu from this train station is 43 kilometers, the trip takes 1 hour and 45 minutes on average. Both Peru Rail and Inca Rail operate their services from this station. Most train frequencies to Machu Picchu depart from this station.

Hidroelectrica Train Station

Hidroelectrica is the cheapest route to Machu Picchu. Although it is called a station, there is no infrastructure as mentioned. It is more of a train route for travelers who venture along this route. The only company that reaches this town is Peru Rail with a few frequencies. The trip lasts between 30 to 40 minutes crossing beautiful jungle landscapes following the course of the Vilcanota river.

Urubamba Train Station

This station has a peculiarity, it is exclusive of Peru Rail and only for people staying at the hotels Tambo del Inca or Belmont Rio Sagrado.The station is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley and only offers four train frequencies in the Vistadome service and the Sacred Valley service of Peru Rail. The trip takes about two hours and 20 minutes.

Aguas Calientes train station

It is the train station that is located in the town of Aguas Calientes also called Machu Picchu village. It is the station where all train frequencies to Machu Picchu end up arriving. It has a waiting room of regular size, toilets, and external ticket offices.

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 onboard.

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 a 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.

How long does the trip by train to Machu Picchu take?

The duration of the train trip depends on the aforementioned stations where you board the train. These durations vary very slightly between outbound and return frequencies.

• From Poroy train station the trip takes 3 hours and 20 minutes.
• From Ollantaytambo train station the trip takes an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• From Hidrolectrica train station the trip to Aguas Calientes takes between 30 to 40 minutes.
• From Urubamba train station in the Sacred Valley, the trip takes 2 hours and 20 minutes, approximately.

Train schedules and prices to Machu Picchu

Train schedules from and to POROY station

Peru Rail

Train schedules from and to OLLANTAYTAMBO station

Peru Rail

Inca Rail

Train schedules from and to HIDROELECTRICA station

Peru Rail

Train schedules from and to URUBAMBA station

Peru Rail

Conditions for Boarding the Train to Machu Picchu

• When boarding the train, you must show your travel ticket and your identity card or passport.
• The train company will check your ticket before and during the trip.
• If you cannot prove that you are the ticket holder, you will be prevented from boarding the train, with no option for claims.
• You will not be allowed to board the train if you are in poor health. Women who are more than or equal to seven months pregnant will
• not be allowed to board the train.
• You will not be allowed to board the train if you are obviously drunk or under the influence of other substances.
• Young children must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians.

Discounts for the Train Ticket to Machu Picchu

• In Inca Rail, children under 2 years old do not pay admission and can travel on their parents’ spleens.
• In Peru Rail, children under 3 years old do not pay, they can travel carried in the arms of their parents.
• Peru Rail has a 50% discount for children under 12 years old.
• Inca Rail offers 50% discount for children under 13 years old.

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 and various places around Peru, come and enjoy a memorable adventure with us!