Trains to Machu Picchu: PeruRail and Inca Rail Classes, Stations and Schedules (2026)

The train is the most practical way to reach Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), because no road goes all the way there. Today two companies run tourist trains: PeruRail and Inca Rail. In this guide we explain which stations they leave from, which classes each one offers, what the schedules look like, how much luggage you can bring, what children pay and how to book. We rely first on the companies' official pages, and when a figure comes from an agency or we could not verify it, we say so.

Every train arrives in Machu Picchu Pueblo, not at the citadel: from there you go up by bus or on foot, as we explain in our guide from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

PeruRail vs Inca Rail: quick comparison

Train prices change with the date, the departure time and the class. Neither company publishes a fixed fare on its information pages: both send you to their booking engine. That is why the amounts in this guide come from agencies and should be taken as a reference only.

Stations and seasons

San Pedro is about 10 minutes from central Cusco, Wanchaq 5 and Poroy 20, according to PeruRail. Ollantaytambo is the station with the most departures: it is roughly 1 h 30 min from Cusco by road, and from there the train takes 1 h 30 min according to PeruRail and 1 h 30 min to 2 h according to Inca Rail. From Poroy it takes 3 h 30 min, and from San Pedro 4 h 30 min. The distance of each leg is in our guide to the distance from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

From January to April, the rainy season, PeruRail does not run trains out of Cusco: all its services to and from Cusco operate as a bimodal service, with a bus from Wanchaq and a train from a Sacred Valley station. Since September 1, 2025, some bimodal departures transfer at Pachar station. PeruRail's bimodal takes about 4 h, and Inca Rail's 3 h 30 min to 5 h. To compare every way of getting there, see our guide to Machu Picchu from Cusco.

PeruRail train classes

• Expedition: the most practical and cheapest option, with panoramic windows and the most departures. It leaves from San Pedro, Poroy, Ollantaytambo and Hidroeléctrica.
• Vistadome: panoramic windows that extend into the roof, a snack included and, on some departures, cultural shows. About USD 78–123 per leg (agencies, unverified).
• Vistadome Observatory: a fully panoramic observatory car with an open-air balcony, snacks and drinks included and live music. It leaves from Cusco (San Pedro and Poroy), Urubamba and Ollantaytambo.
• Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train: the luxury train. It leaves from Poroy and includes a gourmet lunch, a bar car, an observatory car and, on the outbound trip, citadel entry and the bus up. It runs every day except the last Sunday of each month. Price unverified.

The old Backpacker train has not existed since 2010: today PeruRail's cheapest class is Expedition.

Inca Rail train classes

• The Voyager: a car with wide windows, background music and snacks for sale. It is the company's cheapest class.
• The 360°: panoramic windows, an open-air observatory car, a tasting of Andean flavors and live music. From about USD 82 per leg (agencies, unverified).
• The Prime: an elegantly designed car with roomy seats, a snack and premium drink, live music and priority boarding.
• The First Class: a three-course gourmet menu, an open-air balcony and a lounge-bar car. It includes the bus up to the citadel.
• The Private: a private car with personalized dining; it can include a VIP transfer from Cusco.

Inca Rail does not publish fixed prices for The Prime, The First Class or The Private on its information pages. All its classes leave from Ollantaytambo; if you start in Cusco, its bimodal includes the bus from Av. El Sol.

Schedules

PeruRail (May to December 2026 timetable):

• From Ollantaytambo: the first train leaves at 5:05 and arrives at 6:37; the last leaves at 21:00 and arrives at 22:45.
• From Poroy: departures at 6:40, 7:35 and 8:25, plus the Hiram Bingham at 9:05 (arrives at 12:24).
• From San Pedro: departures at 6:40 and 7:30.
• From Urubamba: one Vistadome Observatory departure at 6:06.
• Bimodal from Wanchaq: the first bus leaves at 3:20 and the train reaches Machu Picchu Pueblo at 7:40.
• Hidroeléctrica: departures to Machu Picchu Pueblo at 7:54 and 14:50.

Inca Rail: its timetable page relies on the booking engine, and we could not extract the full schedule. Its promotions page lists some departures from Ollantaytambo: The Voyager at 6:40, 12:36, 16:36 and 19:27, and The 360° at 7:22. On the way back, The Voyager leaves Machu Picchu Pueblo at 8:30, 14:30 and 21:30. Always check the times when you book.

Schedules may change for operational reasons. If you are visiting the citadel the same day, pick your train based on your entry time: our guides to Machu Picchu circuits, circuit 2A vs 2B and circuit 3 (Royal Machu Picchu) help you work out how long you will spend inside.

Luggage allowance

PeruRail: 1 backpack up to 8 kg (100 cm adding height, length and width) or 1 carry-on bag up to 12 kg (115 cm). On the Machu Picchu–Cusco route, excess costs USD 15 per backpack or carry-on and USD 25 per suitcase up to 23 kg. It has free storage at Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu stations, from 7:00 to 19:00.

Inca Rail: 1 carry-on bag up to 8 kg and 118 linear cm. Because of the capacity of its buses and cars it does not accept larger suitcases, but it offers free storage at its Av. El Sol office and in Ollantaytambo if you show your ticket (you must bring a padlock).

Some guides still quote a limit of 5 kg and 62 inches; that is not what the companies publish today. If you are staying overnight in the town, bring just a small backpack and leave your suitcase in Cusco or in storage.

Children and discounts

PeruRail: infants from 0 to 2 years travel free on a parent's lap; if they take a seat, they pay the child fare. Children from 3 to 11 pay 75% of the fare on Hiram Bingham, Vistadome and Expedition.

Inca Rail: infants from 0 to 35 months do not take a seat, and only one is allowed per adult. Children from 36 months to 11 years have their own fare, which is not published on its information pages.

Both companies advertise a 5% discount on round trips and discounts of up to 50% for Peruvians. PeruRail also offers 10% off its panoramic trains, and Inca Rail 10% off The 360° and The Prime with the MAGIA10 coupon. Check the conditions: promotional fares cannot be changed or refunded.

How and when to book

• Book ahead: Inca Rail recommends buying at least 30 days in advance, especially in high season. Its website sells tickets up to one day before, and ticket offices sell on the same day if seats remain.
• Tickets for 2027 are already on sale with both companies.
• Where to buy: PeruRail sells on its website, through its call center (+51 1 625 4848) and at its ticket offices, such as those at Wanchaq station and on Av. El Sol. Inca Rail sells on its website, on WhatsApp, by phone and at its ticket offices on the Plaza de Armas, on Av. El Sol, in Ollantaytambo and in Machu Picchu Pueblo.
• Changes: PeruRail accepts changes up to 24 hours before departure, subject to availability. With Inca Rail, the Light fare allows changes up to 24 hours before, and the Plus, Flex Plus and All Inclusive fares up to 15 days before.
• Arrive early: be at the station at least 30 minutes before departure.

First secure your Machu Picchu tickets and, if you want to climb a mountain, see our guide to Huayna Picchu tickets; then book the train around that time. If you arrive in Machu Picchu Pueblo without a ticket, read about buying tickets in Machu Picchu Pueblo, and don't forget the entry requirements.

Local Train for Peruvians and residents

PeruRail also runs the Local Train (Tren Local), a social, non-tourist service for residents of the communities along the line between Cusco and Machu Picchu Pueblo. It has non-commercial fares and is bought by proving residence with a DNI. Peruvians from other areas can use the lower-demand departures by showing their DNI, and foreigners cannot travel on it. We could not verify its fares from an official source.

Alternatives to the train

If the train does not fit your budget, there is a road route to Hidroeléctrica and a walk along the tracks. We explain it in our guides to Machu Picchu without the train and on a budget. If you are coming from the coast, also read how to get to Machu Picchu from Lima.

Frequently asked questions

How many train companies go to Machu Picchu?

Two: PeruRail and Inca Rail. PeruRail also runs Belmond's Hiram Bingham.

What is the cheapest train to Machu Picchu?

For tourists, PeruRail's Expedition or Inca Rail's The Voyager, from about USD 62–63 per leg according to agencies. The Local Train is cheaper, but only for residents and Peruvians.

Is there a direct train from Cusco?

Yes, from May to December, from San Pedro and Poroy with PeruRail. From January to April there is only a bimodal service.

How much luggage can I bring on the train?

With PeruRail, one backpack up to 8 kg or one carry-on bag up to 12 kg; with Inca Rail, one carry-on bag up to 8 kg.

Do children pay for the train?

Infants on a parent's lap travel free. With PeruRail, children from 3 to 11 pay 75% of the fare; Inca Rail has its own child fare.

How far ahead should I book the train?

Ideally at least 30 days before, and earlier in high season.

In summary

To reach Machu Picchu by train you can choose between PeruRail and Inca Rail. Most travelers leave from Ollantaytambo, which has the most departures all year; from May to December there are also PeruRail trains from Cusco. If price matters most, pick Expedition or The Voyager; for views, Vistadome, Vistadome Observatory or The 360°; and for luxury, Hiram Bingham or The First Class. Travel light and book the train once you have your entry ticket.

Sources

1. PeruRail, compare train services (classes and journey time from each station): https://www.perurail.com/es/comparar-servicios-de-tren/
2. PeruRail, schedules and frequencies 2026: https://www.perurail.com/es/horarios-y-frecuencias/
3. PeruRail, May to December 2026 timetable (PDF): https://www.perurail.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Timetable-may-dic-2026.pdf
4. PeruRail, bimodal service: https://www.perurail.com/es/servicio-bimodal/
5. PeruRail, changes to the bimodal operation (Pachar station): https://www.perurail.com/es/comunicados/cambios-temporales-en-la-operacion-bimodal-a-partir-del-01-de-setiembre/
6. PeruRail, Expedition train: https://www.perurail.com/es/servicio-de-tren/perurail-expedition/
7. PeruRail, Vistadome train: https://www.perurail.com/es/servicio-de-tren/perurail-vistadome/
8. PeruRail, Vistadome Observatory train: https://www.perurail.com/es/servicio-de-tren/perurail-vistadome-observatory/
9. PeruRail, FAQ (stations, Hiram Bingham, children and Local Train): https://www.perurail.com/es/preguntas-frecuentes/
10. PeruRail, luggage allowance: https://www.perurail.com/es/equipaje/
11. PeruRail, Hidroeléctrica route: https://www.perurail.com/es/destinos/hidroelectrica/
12. PeruRail, stations and points of sale: https://www.perurail.com/es/ubicanos/
13. Inca Rail, trains to Machu Picchu (classes): https://incarail.com/es/trenes
14. Inca Rail, train comparison: https://incarail.com/es/trenes/compare-servicios-de-trenes
15. Inca Rail, The Private train: https://incarail.com/es/trenes/tren-private-machu-picchu
16. Inca Rail, FAQ (sales, changes, children and bimodal): https://incarail.com/es/centro-de-ayuda/preguntas-frecuentes
17. Inca Rail, luggage policy: https://incarail.com/es/centro-de-ayuda/politicas-de-equipaje
18. Inca Rail, promotion for Peruvians (departures and times): https://incarail.com/es/promociones/descuentos-para-peruanos
19. Inca Rail, Cusco–Machu Picchu route and bimodal service: https://incarail.com/es/ruta-cusco-machu-picchu
20. Inca Rail, Ollantaytambo–Machu Picchu route: https://incarail.com/es/rutas/ollantaytambo-a-machu-picchu
21. Tren Local, FAQ: https://www.trenlocal.pe/preguntas-frecuentes/
22. Train prices published by agencies (unofficial reference): machupicchuagency.com and railmachupicchu.com