The vast majority of tourists visit Machu Picchu through the classic train trip departing from the city of Cusco. The other two ways are more adventurous but long: the Inca Trail 4 days or the route by Hydroelectric 2 days. The train trip allows a round trip in only 1 day. However, many tourists do not know where to take the train to Machu Picchu. Know the different train stations and all the necessary information for the train trip to the Wonder of the World.

• Where to take the train to Machu Picchu?
• What are the train stations to Machu Picchu?
• And where to take the train back to Cusco?
• How to get to Ollantaytambo?
• What are the train companies to Machu Picchu?
• What are the available trains to Machu Picchu?
• Questions and answers about where to take the train to Machu Picchu

Aguas Calientes Train Station – Machu Picchu Town

Where to take the transportation to go to Machu Picchu by Hydroelectric?
The route from Cusco to Machu Picchu by Hydroelectric is an alternative to the classic train ride. This route starts in the city of Cusco. The visitor must hire a group tourist transport through one of the many tourist agencies in Cusco. The cost varies between 15 to 20 dollars, depending on the tourist agency you hire. The trip is 5 hours to Hydroelectric in the jungle of Cusco. Then there is a 2-hour hike to the town of Aguas Calientes. Finally, day 2 concludes with the transportation (or hike) to Machu Picchu. The return trip follows the same route. This is the most economical way to get to Machu Picchu.

Where to take the train to Machu Picchu?

• The train to Machu Picchu departs from Cusco, in the Andes Mountains of Peru.
• Depending on the train service you choose, you can board your train at Cusco City Station, Poroy Station, or Ollantaytambo Station.
• Most train services depart from Ollantaytambo station in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is a small town 2 hours away from the city of Cusco by bus.
• If you are making the trip on your own, remember to organize your time very well. The train schedule you choose, must match the type of Machu Picchu ticket you have chosen, believe us, you will not like to miss your entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain, for not being on time at the entrance to this mountain.

Wanchaq Train Station – Cusco

What are the train stations to Machu Picchu?

These are the train stations for the trip to Machu Picchu:

• San Pedro Station – The San Pedro train station is located in the historic center of Cusco, in front of the small square and the famous San Pedro market. In addition to the sale of train tickets, a few tourist services such as Expedition and Vistadome depart from there. The trip to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu town) takes approximately 4 hours.
• Wánchaq Station – The Wánchaq station is also in the center of Cusco. It is the main station from where a few tourist trains such as Expedition and Vistadome depart, as well as the buses for the transfer to Ollantaytambo station. From Wánchaq the train ride takes 4 hours.
• Poroy Station – Poroy Station is located about 15 kilometers from the city of Cusco (30 minutes by road). From there depart some tourist train services such as Expedition, Vistadome, and Hiram Bingham. From there the trip to Aguas Calientes takes 3 hours 30 minutes on average.
• Ollantaytambo Station – Ollantaytambo station is located 61 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco. It is the station most used by tourists as it offers the most daily departures including Expedition, Vistadome, Hiram Bingham, as well as the local train for Peruvians. The trip to Aguas Calientes takes 1 hour 45 minutes on average.

Train Station – PeruRail

And where to take the train back to Cusco?

• The final station of the train to Machu Picchu is at the Aguas Calientes station. Just 2 blocks from it, inside the town’s handicraft market, is the train station. The same point of arrival will be where you will have to board the return train. Remember to be at the station half an hour before the train departure time. The return trip to Ollantaytambo takes 1 hour 40 minutes. Then you continue with a bus ride of 1 hour 45 minutes to the city of Cusco.

How to get to Ollantaytambo?

• Ollantaytambo is one of the most used train stations by visitors because it offers the largest number of daily departures to Machu Picchu.
• Ollantaytambo is located 61 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco, passing through tourist towns like Chinchero and Urubamba.
• From the city of Cusco, you must take public or private tourist transportation. The tourist transport minivans leave from Pavitos Street and have a duration of 1 hour 45 minutes (the cost is 12 Peruvian soles). Private tourist transport can be contracted with a tourist agency in Cusco, either online or in person at an authorized agency.
• Another option is to buy a train ticket that includes the bus to Ollantaytambo. This type of service is called ‘Bimodal’ and is offered by both Peru Rail and Inca Rail, the two train companies to Machu Picchu.

Ollantaytambo train station

What are the train companies to Machu Picchu?

• Two train companies cover the routes from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, Peru Rail, and Inca Rail; both have multiple frequencies and services.
• Peru Rail is the older company, however, it offers more daily departures at San Pedro, Wánchaq, Poroy, and Ollantaytambo stations. It also offers the local train for Peruvians.
• Inca Rail is the other train company to Machu Picchu. It has important services with very similar prices to Peru Rail, including Bimodal services. It has daily departures from Ollantaytambo station and the city of Cusco.

PERURAIL company train

What are the available trains to Machu Picchu?

These are the trains available for the trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu:

Peru Rail Trains:

• Expedition – Tourist train for foreigners departing from all available stations: San Pedro, Wánchaq, Poroy, and Ollantaytambo. It offers all the comforts, as well as attention on board.
• Vistadome – Tourist train for foreigners departing from all available stations: San Pedro, Wánchaq, Poroy, and Ollantaytambo. It offers all the amenities, as well as upper and side windows, as well as snacks, complimentary drinks, and shows on board.
• Hiram Bingham – Luxury tourist train departing from Poroy and Ollantaytambo stations. It offers a dining car, observatory car (with balcony), gourmet lunch (or gourmet dinner), free bar, live music show, entrance and guide in Machu Picchu, and more. It is one of the most luxurious trains in the world.
• Local Train – Economical tourist train but available only for visitors from Cusco and Peru. Its purpose is to be used by people who need daily transportation along the route. It does not offer tourist services, only seats and windows.

Inca Rail Trains:

• The Voyager – Tourist train for foreigners available at Ollantaytambo station. It is the most economical service for foreigners. It offers all the comforts such as seats, tables, large windows, background music, and a musical show on board (Ollantay drama).
• The 360 – Tourist train for foreigners is available at Ollantaytambo station. It is characterized mainly by its upper and side windows with beautiful views. It offers snacks, complimentary drinks, as well as a musical show on board (drama Ollantay).
• The Private – Luxury tourist train departing from Ollantaytambo station. It offers a lounge bar car with an open-air balcony, drinks, a three-course gourmet menu, a live music show, a musical show (drama Ollantay), as well as a bus, an entrance, and a professional guide in Machu Picchu.

Questions and answers about where to take the train to Machu Picchu

• What is the best train station for Machu Picchu?

  Definitely from Ollantaytambo train station depart most services. It is the most recommended station, located 2 hours by road from Cusco.

• Where is Cusco and where is Machu Picchu?

  Cusco and Machu Picchu are just over 100 kilometers apart. The fastest route is by bus and train leaving from Ollantaytambo station.

• What are the Peru Rail trains?

  Peru Rail offers up to four types of services: Expedition, Vistadome, Hiram Bingham, and local trains (only for Peruvians).

• What are the Inca Rail trains?

  Inca Rail offers up to three types of services: The Voyager, The 360, and The Private.

• Where does the local train for Peruvians to Machu Picchu depart from?

  The local train for Peruvians to Machu Picchu departs from two stations: San Pedro station and Ollantaytambo station.

• Can I get to Machu Picchu on foot?

  Yes, the best-known walking route to Machu Picchu is the 4-day Inca Trail. This trekking route starts at kilometer 82 of the railway and ends in Machu Picchu through the sun gate, the Intipunku.

• Is it mandatory to take the train to Machu Picchu?

  The train is the fastest and safest route to Machu Picchu. The other routes are the Inca Trail and the Hydroelectric route. The latter starts from Cusco to the Hydroelectric station in the jungle of Cusco (5-hour trip). Finally, it is a 2-hour hike to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu village).

• How to get to Machu Picchu from Lima city?

  To get to Machu Picchu from Lima (the capital of Peru), you must first make a trip to the city of Cusco, either by bus or plane.

• What is the most expensive train to travel to Machu Picchu?

  The most expensive train to travel to Machu Picchu is Peru Rail’s Hiram Bingham luxury service and Inca Rail’s Private luxury service.

• Where to take the return train from Machu Picchu to Cusco?

  The return train from Machu Picchu to Cusco is taken in the town of Aguas Calientes. The trip can be to Ollantaytambo station (then by bus) or directly to San Pedro station in Cusco.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Sandra V

“Incredible“

“One of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. I went up the Machu Picchu mountain because I didn't manage to book the tickets to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain. I like this mountain, it is higher than Huayna Picchu mountain but easier to climb, and you can take nice pictures of it. I was so amazed with Machu Picchu, that I returned home with several books about Machu Picchu and the Inca culture.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, March 20, 2024