Train from Cusco to Machu Picchu: Prices, Stations and How to Book
Train from Cusco to Machu Picchu: Prices, Stations and How to Book
No road reaches Machu Picchu directly. Unless you hike the Inca Trail or another trek, the only way in is by train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), then a bus up to the citadel. This guide covers what you need to choose and book well: prices, stations, companies and how to fit it all with your entrance ticket.
The short answer
- Price: from about US$70 each way on the budget service. Round trip, double that.
- Recommended station: Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley. It's the shortest (1 h 30 min) and cheapest ride.
- Companies: PeruRail and IncaRail. Both are safe and comfortable.
- The train doesn't leave from downtown Cusco and doesn't drop you at the citadel: it arrives in Aguas Calientes, and you still need the bus up.
- Book ahead from May to September: the best times sell out.
Machu Picchu train prices
Approximate prices per person, each way, from Ollantaytambo. They vary by departure time, season and how far ahead you book:
| Service | Company | Price each way (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition / The Voyager | PeruRail / IncaRail | US$70–90 | Best value |
| Vistadome / The 360° | PeruRail / IncaRail | US$110–170 | Panoramic windows and on-board service |
| Hiram Bingham | PeruRail | From US$500 | Luxury, gourmet dining and bar |
Money-saving tip: early-morning and mid-afternoon departures are usually the most in demand. If you're flexible, compare several departures on the same day: the price difference can be big.
Which station should you leave from?
The train doesn't leave from downtown Cusco. These are the options:
| Station | Where it is | Time to Aguas Calientes |
|---|---|---|
| Ollantaytambo | Sacred Valley, ~1 h 45 min from Cusco by road | ~1 h 30 min (the most used) |
| Poroy | About 20 min from Cusco | ~3 h 30 min (longer and pricier) |
| Urubamba | Sacred Valley | ~2 h 30 min (few departures) |
Our advice: go by road to Ollantaytambo and take the train there. It's faster and cheaper than leaving from Poroy, and you can use the day to see the Sacred Valley. In the rainy season, some Poroy departures are replaced by a bus leg to Ollantaytambo, so confirm your route when booking.
PeruRail vs IncaRail: which to choose?
| PeruRail | IncaRail | |
|---|---|---|
| Budget service | Expedition | The Voyager |
| Panoramic service | Vistadome | The 360° |
| Luxury service | Hiram Bingham | First Class |
| Departures | Very frequent | Frequent |
The marketing-free truth: for the average traveler, both deliver. Pick the departure that best fits your Machu Picchu entry time, and the price. The difference between budget and panoramic is the roof windows and on-board service; the Urubamba river scenery is spectacular from either.
Schedules: how to choose yours
There are departures from Ollantaytambo from early morning to the afternoon, and returns from Aguas Calientes into the evening. To choose:
- Going and coming back the same day: take one of the first morning trains and a mid-afternoon return. Leave at least 2 hours between leaving the citadel and your train back.
- Sleeping in Aguas Calientes: travel in the afternoon, rest, and go up to the citadel early the next day. The most comfortable option.
- Work backwards from your entry time: if you enter Machu Picchu at 10:00, you need to reach Aguas Calientes with time for the bus line (it can be long) and the 25-30 minute ride up.
How to book the train
- Buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket first. It's what sells out fastest. Check the circuits in our ticket guide.
- Then the train, on the official PeruRail or IncaRail website, or through an agency.
- Use the same passport for the train and the entrance: it's checked when you board.
- Download or print your tickets: mobile signal in Aguas Calientes is patchy.
Luggage allowance
Trains allow one carry-on bag of about 5 kg (157 linear cm). Leave your big suitcase at your hotel in Cusco or Ollantaytambo: everyone does, and hotels usually store it free of charge.
Don't forget the bus up
The train drops you in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of the mountain. From there, a bus climbs a zigzag road for about 25–30 minutes to the entrance. It's a separate ticket. The alternative is walking up (~1 h 30 min of steep stairs).
The hassle-free option: train already included
The hard part isn't the train, it's making train + bus + entrance + time slot fit together. That's why our packages include everything, coordinated:
- Machu Picchu 2D/1N — US$280: round-trip tourist train from Ollantaytambo, transport from Cusco, bus, entrance, guide and a hotel night with breakfast.
- Machu Picchu Full Day: there and back in a day, with train, bus, entrance, guide and lunch.
To compare every way to get there (train, Inca Trail, Salkantay, Hidroeléctrica), read how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
From about US$70 each way on the budget service (Expedition or The Voyager), and US$110-170 on the panoramic one. Round trip, double that.
Is there a direct train from downtown Cusco?
No. The closest stations are Poroy (about 20 minutes from Cusco) and Ollantaytambo (1 h 45 min by road). Most travelers go by road to Ollantaytambo and board there.
PeruRail or IncaRail: which is better?
Both are safe and good quality. For the average traveler either one works: choose by the departure that fits your entry time, and by price.
How long is the train ride?
From Ollantaytambo, about 1 h 30 min. From Poroy, about 3 h 30 min.
Does the train go up to the citadel?
No: it arrives in Aguas Calientes. From there you still need the 25–30 minute bus up (separate ticket) or a 1 h 30 min hike.
