When one has decided to visit the Inca city of Machu Picchu, planning how to get there is also necessary. There are many ways to arrive, such as the Inca Trail, which takes 4 days, or the Hydroelectric route, with an average duration of 8 hours; however, the train service is the fastest, most comfortable, and safest way to reach Aguas Calientes. Learn all the information here about the trains that offer travel services to Machu Picchu.
The route to reach Machu Picchu is made up of five main stations from the city of Cusco, which connect different points of the Sacred Valley and allow travelers to move in an organized way toward the Inca citadel.
The route to Machu Picchu has five stations from Cusco:
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PeruRail is the oldest company providing train services to two of Peru’s most iconic destinations: Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. The train services it offers on the Cusco – Machu Picchu route are:
The Hiram Bingham train cars are the most exclusive offered by PeruRail, named after the American explorer who rediscovered Machu Picchu.
The Hiram Bingham cars are distinguished by their blue and gold colors and warm interiors decorated in the Pullman style of the 1920s. They feature cozy seats made of wood and polished bronze with elegant upholstery.
This service includes four cars:
The journey in this carriage includes a range of additional services that elevate the experience and make it truly unique:
This service features cars completely surrounded by glass, with wide panoramic windows that offer unparalleled views of the route and are ideal for taking spectacular photographs while enjoying the scenery throughout the journey.
This service includes three cars:
The journey in this carriage includes additional services to immerse you in Andean culture:
Vistadome features carriages equipped with panoramic windows, allowing travelers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the natural landscape. Additionally, throughout the journey, passengers receive detailed information about the most important points along this ancient route, further enriching the travel experience. The cars are furnished with leather seats that adapt to the traveler’s body, providing greater comfort.
The journey in this carriage includes the following services:
The Expedition train features carriages with comfortable seating and décor inspired by Inca culture. In addition, its wide panoramic windows allow travelers to fully enjoy the scenery and experience a complete and immersive journey to Machu Picchu.
The journey in this carriage includes:
Unlike PeruRail, this company operates only between the Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu stations. However, it is possible to find departures from Cusco to Machu Picchu using the bimodal service, which includes a tourist bus to Ollantaytambo, where passengers board the train. The train services offered on the route to Machu Picchu are:
Designed for passengers seeking privacy, luxury, and maximum comfort, The Private offers an exclusive experience. With capacity for only 8 people, it features a finely decorated lounge where large panoramic windows stand out, allowing travelers to fully appreciate the landscapes along the entire route. In addition, the carriage features an elegant onboard bar, allowing travelers to relax and enjoy the journey while admiring the scenery on the way to Machu Picchu. Fully wood-paneled, with warm lighting and luxury finishes.
Reservations must be made at least 30 days in advance. Departures for this service can be scheduled from the Ollantaytambo train station.
The journey in this carriage includes the following additional services:
With only 30 passengers per carriage, this service features spacious and comfortable seats, carefully designed to ensure total passenger comfort. In addition, all seats include tables in front and panoramic windows to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
The First Class operates regularly on Inca Rail’s six frequencies during the high season between May and October, as well as on special dates such as Easter, Christmas, and New Year. Reservations or ticket purchases must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
The journey in this carriage includes the following additional services:
The 360° operates every day of the year on all six Inca Rail frequencies. These carriages have capacity for 42 passengers and feature comfortable seats, carefully designed to provide a pleasant travel experience throughout the journey. In addition, all seats include tables in front and panoramic windows to enjoy the scenery.
Tickets for this service can be purchased up to 30 minutes before train departure at the station ticket offices, or 24 hours in advance through the Inca Rail website or at its offices in Lima and Cusco.
The journey in this carriage includes the following additional services:
For this service, carriages with capacity for 48 passengers feature comfortable ergonomic seats, carefully designed to ensure maximum comfort. In addition, all seats include tables in front and panoramic windows to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
The Voyager operates every day of the year. Tickets for this service can be purchased up to 30 minutes before departure at the station or, in advance, 24 hours ahead through the Inca Rail website or at the company’s offices in Lima and Cusco.
The journey in this carriage includes the following additional services:
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