What You Can Expect from This Journey
Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m) likely sits on your bucket list—and once you visit, you return again. The train ride makes it easier to reach this famous Inca site. As you travel, expect the views to change from city rooftops to riversides and then into jungle slopes.
This guide walks you through everything needed to travel by train—routes, ticket options, schedules, departure points, onboard services, and child discounts. Two main companies run the services: PeruRail and Inca Rail.
PeruRail – What’s Offered
Established in 1999, PeruRail operates with tourism-grade services—Expedition, Vistadome, and Hiram Bingham trains—all running from Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), Sacred Valley (9,160 ft / 2,792 m), and other stations toward Machu Picchu.
These trains include padded seats, onboard restrooms, large windows, food services, and optional extras.
Expedition Train – Budget Option
Simple setup with wide, soft seats and big windows. You get small tables between seats and can buy tea, coffee or juices onboard.
Price: $140 (S/ 459 approx) – round trip
Outbound Schedule
| Train | San Pedro → Poroy → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes |
|---|---|
| Exp 31 | 06:40 am → 07:35 am → 09:15 am → 10:52 am |
| Exp 71 | 05:05 am → 06:35 am → — → — |
| Exp 81 | 06:10 am → 07:40 am → — → — |
| Exp 83 | 07:45 am → 09:15 am → — → — |
| Exp 33 | 06:40 am → 08:29 am → 09:54 am → — |
| Exp 203 | 07:30 am → 08:25 am → 10:32 am → 12:11 pm |
| Exp 91 | 11:52 am → 13:34 pm → — → — |
| Exp 73 | 12:55 pm → 14:25 pm → — → — |
| Exp 603 | 15:37 pm → 17:02 pm → — → — |
| Exp 75 | 19:04 pm → 20:45 pm → — → — |
| Exp 51 | 21:00 pm → 22:45 pm → — → — |
Return Schedule
| Train | Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo → Poroy → Cusco |
|---|---|
| Exp 34 | 15:20 pm → 17:08 pm → 19:05 pm → — |
| Exp 32 | 16:43 pm → 18:31 pm → 20:23 pm → 21:23 pm |
| Exp 504 | 16:22 pm → 18:10 pm → — → — |
| Exp 50 | 05:35 am → 07:44 am → — → — |
| Exp 72 | 08:53 am → 10:52 am → — → — |
| Exp 74 | 14:55 pm → 16:31 pm → — → — |
| Exp 604 | 17:23 pm → 19:02 pm → 20:52 pm → 21:52 pm |
| Exp 84 | 18:20 pm → 20:05 pm → — → — |
| Exp 86 | 20:50 pm → 22:20 pm → — → — |
| Exp 76 | 21:50 pm → 23:37 pm → — → — |
Vistadome Train – Panoramic Option
Glass-roof windows offer expanded views of the Andes and jungle. Onboard you’ll get light food, drinks (paid), a runway-style alpaca garment show, and a dance performed in the aisle.
Price: $190 (S/ 623 approx) – round trip
Outbound Schedule
| Train | San Pedro → Poroy → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes |
|---|---|
| Vtd 31 | 06:40 am → 07:35 am → 09:15 am → 10:52 am |
| Vtd 33 | 06:40 am → 08:29 am → 09:54 am → — |
| Vtd 203 | 07:30 am → 08:25 am → 10:32 am → 12:11 pm |
| Vtd 83 | 07:45 am → 09:15 am → — → — |
| Vtd 601 | 08:00 am → 09:25 am → — → — |
| Vtd 501 | 08:53 am → 10:29 am → — → — |
| Vtd 73 | 12:55 pm → 14:25 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 301 | 07:05 am → 08:27 am → — → — |
| Vtd 303 | 13:27 pm → 14:50 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 603 | 15:37 pm → 17:02 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 75 | 19:04 pm → 20:45 pm → — → — |
Return Schedule
| Train | Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo → Poroy → Cusco |
|---|---|
| Vtd 34 | 15:20 pm → 17:08 pm → 19:05 pm → — |
| Vtd 32 | 16:43 pm → 18:31 pm → 20:23 pm → 21:23 pm |
| Vtd 504 | 16:22 pm → 18:10 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 302 | 10:55 am → 12:32 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 602 | 12:46 pm → 14:19 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 204 | 13:37 pm → 15:04 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 74 | 14:55 pm → 16:31 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 304 | 15:48 pm → 17:29 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 604 | 17:23 pm → 19:02 pm → 20:52 pm → 21:52 pm |
| Vtd 606 | 18:10 pm → 19:51 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 84 | 18:20 pm → 20:05 pm → — → — |
| Vtd 76 | 21:50 pm → 23:37 pm → — → — |
Belmond Hiram Bingham – Full Luxury Option
Styled after British Pullman trains with wood décor, this train offers gourmet brunch and dinner, full open bar, guide commentary, and Andean music. It includes shuttle bus and entrance to the citadel.
Price: $950 (S/ 3,115 approx) – round trip
Outbound Schedule
| Train | Wanchaq (bus) → Poroy (train) → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes |
|---|---|
| HB 11 | 07:20 am → 09:05 am → 10:53 am → 12:24 pm |
Return Schedule
| Train | Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo → Poroy → Wanchaq (bus) |
|---|---|
| HB 12 | 17:50 pm → 19:25 pm → 21:16 pm → 22:10 pm |
Inca Rail – What You Find Onboard
Created in 2009 by Peruvian investors, Inca Rail offers tourist-level trains from Cusco, Sacred Valley, and Ollantaytambo (9,160 ft / 2,792 m) toward Machu Picchu. All include toilets, air conditioning, food, and big seats.
Voyager Train – Basic Reliable Option
Leather-upholstered seats, foldable tables, skylights and panoramic windows. Herbal drinks and Andean music onboard. Five departures a day.
Price: $140 (S/ 459 approx) – round trip
Outbound Schedule
| Train | Cusco Office → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes |
|---|---|
| Vyg | 04:20 am → 06:40 am → 08:01 am |
| Vyg | 13:30 pm → 16:36 pm → 18:09 pm |
| Vyg | 16:15 pm → 19:27 pm → 21:09 pm |
Return Schedule
| Train | Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo → Cusco Office |
|---|