The fastest and safest way to travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu is by train. To get a ticket, the most important thing is to book it days or weeks in advance. To do this, go to the official Peru Rail or Inca Rail website. After filling in your personal information, make the payment online and you're all set!
Trains from Cusco to Machu Picchu
Trains depart for Machu Picchu mainly from two stations: Poroy (Cusco) and Ollantaytambo.
Trains departing from Poroy station to Aguas Calientes take an average of 3 hours. The departure frequency is not as frequent as from Ollantaytambo station. Both Peru Rail and Inca Rail trains operate from this station.
Trains departing from Ollantaytambo station take an average of 2 hours to reach Aguas Calientes. The vast majority of trains depart from this station.
How to book train tickets online?
To book a train ticket, you must visit the Peru Rail or Inca Rail website. To ensure availability, reservations should be made weeks in advance.
How to book with Peru Rail?
- Go to the official Peru Rail website.
- Fill in the fields with your travel details: destination, route, date, and number of passengers. Finally, click on "Find your train."
- Check availability and choose your preferred train. Do the same for your return train.
- Verify that the train schedules and prices are correct.
- Fill in the fields with your personal information.
- Verify the validity of your personal information and the details of your train trip.
- Select a payment method: PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, or bank transfer. Accept the terms and conditions and make the payment.
- After making the payment, you can print your tickets and present them on the day of your trip.
How to book with Inca Rail?
Go to the official Inca Rail website.
Fill in your travel details: departure and return dates, number of passengers, and currency. Click on ‘Buy Tickets’.
Select a route and check that your preferred train is available.
Complete the passenger registration with each passenger's personal information.
Verify the validity of the information. Then select a payment method and fill in the required fields. Finally, click on ‘Start Payment’.
After making the payment, simply print your purchased tickets and present them on the day of travel.
How to buy train tickets in Cusco (Peru)?
Not sure about booking your train ticket online? You can also do so in person in Peru. To do this, you must purchase them directly at authorized Peru Rail or Inca Rail offices in Lima and Cusco.
Peru Rail – Authorized Offices:
In Lima:
Larcomar Shopping Center: Av. Malecón de la Reserva 610, Stand 214 – Plaza Gourmet – Miraflores, Peru.
Jorge Chávez International Airport: Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Domestic Departures, 2nd Floor (between gates 13 and 14) – Callao, Peru.
Plaza Norte Shopping Center: Av. Alfredo Mendiola 1400, 1st Floor (South Gallery) – Lima, Peru.
In Cusco:
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport: Av. Velasco Astete s/n, Wanchaq, Cusco.
Plaza de Armas: Portal de Carnes 214, Plaza de Armas, Cusco.
Plaza Regocijo: Plaza Regocijo 202 – Cusco.
Avenida El Sol: Av. El Sol 409 – Cusco. Wanchaq Station: Av. Pachacutec s/n, Wanchaq District – Cusco.
Poroy Station: Calle Roldan s/n, Poroy District – Cusco.
Urubamba Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Urubamba, Sacred Valley – Cusco.
Ollantaytambo Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley – Cusco.
Machu Picchu Station: Machu Picchu Pueblo s/n, Las Orquídeas Neighborhood – Cusco.
Inca Rail – Authorized Offices:
In Cusco: Plaza de Armas: Calle Portal de Panes 105, Plaza de Armas – Cusco.
Ollantaytambo Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley – Cusco.
Machu Picchu Station: Machu Picchu Pueblo Train Station s/n – Cusco.
How much do train tickets cost?
The price of trains depends on the type of service.
Peru Rail offers four types of service: Expedition, Vistadome, Hiram Bingham Luxury Train, and Local Train.
Peru Rail train prices: Cusco – Machu Picchu (round trip)
Train Service Price in US dollars
Expedition Train $140
Vistadome Train $190
Hiram Bingham Luxury Train $950
Local Train (only for Peruvians) $6
Inca Rail offers three types of service: Economy Class, Executive Class, and First Class.
Inca Rail train prices: Cusco – Machu Picchu (round trip)
Train Service Price in US dollars
Economy Class $140
Executive Class $150
First Class $398
How far in advance should I book my train ticket?
Train tickets should be booked as soon as you know the date of your visit to Machu Picchu. It is recommended to purchase them a week in advance.
If you plan to travel during the peak tourist season in Machu Picchu (April to October), you should book your tickets a month in advance.
During May, June, and July, it is recommended to book train tickets a month or more in advance. The number of visitors and passengers increases significantly in Cusco and Machu Picchu during these months.
Tips for getting your train ticket to Machu Picchu: Book your Machu Picchu entrance tickets in advance. Once you know the date of your visit to this Wonder of the World, book your train tickets online.
Train ticket prices tend to increase if you book at the last minute. Book weeks in advance to get the best fares.
Inca Rail offers a private train service where tourists can travel with their companions in a private carriage.
Peru Rail offers a service called ‘Sacred Valley,’ which stops at the Belmond Río Sagrado Hotel in Urubamba to allow guests to board the train.
For security reasons, train payments to Machu Picchu only accept Visa and MasterCard with a security code. The best alternative is to pay with PayPal.
Trains only allow one piece of luggage per person, no more than 5 kg. Pack only what you need. If you need more luggage, request additional space from the train services.
Remember that if you do not board the train at the scheduled time, you will forfeit your trip without a refund.
