Travelling by train is part of the magic of Peru. The railway to Machu Picchu follows the Urubamba River from the Sacred Valley into the cloud forest, and the line from Cusco to Lake Titicaca crosses the high Andes past alpacas and snowy peaks. Peru also has two of the most celebrated luxury trains in South America, both run by Belmond: the Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu and the Andean Explorer sleeper train.
Most luxurious to Machu PicchuBelmond Hiram Bingham, or Inca Rail’s The Private
Sleeper trainBelmond Andean Explorer: Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa
Main departure pointsPoroy (Cusco) and Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley)
Book aheadSeveral months for the luxury trains in high season
This guide compares every train to Machu Picchu and across the Andes, from the basic classes to the most exclusive, and explains what is included, where each one leaves from and which suits your trip.
Peru’s trains at a glance
| Train | Operator | Route | On board | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiram Bingham | Belmond | Cusco (Poroy) or the Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu | 1920s-style carriages, bar and observation cars, live music, gourmet meals | $$$$ |
| Andean Explorer | Belmond | Cusco – Lake Titicaca – Arequipa, sleeper | Cabins with private bathroom, spa car, observation car, all meals | $$$$ |
| The Private | Inca Rail | Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu | Your own carriage, balcony and four-course menu | $$$$ |
| The First Class | Inca Rail | Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu | Premium carriage with bar car and gourmet menu | $$$ |
| PeruRail Titicaca | PeruRail | Cusco – Puno (Lake Titicaca) | Three-course lunch, afternoon tea, observation car with open-air balcony | $$$ |
| Vistadome Observatory | PeruRail | Cusco or Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu | Panoramic windows, open-air balcony car, snacks, show on the return | $$ |
| Vistadome / The 360° / The Prime | PeruRail / Inca Rail | Cusco or Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu | Panoramic windows and snacks | $$ |
| Expedition / The Voyager | PeruRail / Inca Rail | Cusco or Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu | Comfortable seats and large windows; snacks to buy on board | $ |
Price levels are a guide: from $ for the standard classes to $$$$ for the luxury trains. Fares change with the season and the direction of travel, and we quote the current price with your trip.
Belmond Hiram Bingham: the luxury train to Machu Picchu
The Hiram Bingham is named after the explorer who brought Machu Picchu to the world’s attention in 1911. Its blue and gold carriages recreate the golden age of rail travel, with polished wood, two dining cars, two bar cars, an observation carriage and live Peruvian music.
- Route: from Poroy, on the edge of Cusco, or from the Sacred Valley (Rio Sagrado in Urubamba, or Pachar) to Machu Picchu station in Aguas Calientes.
- On board: gourmet meals and drinks, with tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge on the way up.
- Included: the bus between Aguas Calientes station and the citadel. A bilingual guide at Machu Picchu is offered subject to availability.
- Not included: the Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which must be booked separately with the Ministry of Culture. We book it with your train.
It is the train to choose for a special occasion: a honeymoon, an anniversary or simply a day you want to remember. See our guide to the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel next to the citadel.
Belmond Andean Explorer: Peru’s sleeper train
The Andean Explorer was South America’s first luxury sleeper train. Over two nights it travels from Cusco to Arequipa via Lake Titicaca, crossing the Andes at La Raya, at 4,335 metres the highest point of the line.
- Cabins: 35 cabins, with twin beds or bunk beds and a private bathroom.
- On board: the Picaflor spa car, an open-air observation car, a bar car and dining cars serving the best of Peruvian cuisine.
- Off the train: excursions on Lake Titicaca and in the high Andes, depending on the route.
Overland, train or boat
The journey links naturally with Bolivia: from Puno you can continue to La Paz. See our Bolivia itinerary.
PeruRail Titicaca: the day train to Lake Titicaca
The PeruRail Titicaca is a luxury day train from Cusco to Puno, on the shore of Lake Titicaca. The journey takes about a full day, with a three-course lunch in the dining car, afternoon tea, a pisco sour demonstration and an observation car with an open-air balcony. It stops at La Raya, the highest point of the route at 4,335 metres.
It is the most comfortable way to travel from Cusco to the lake, and the start of the classic overland route from Peru to Bolivia.
Vistadome, First Class and The Private: comfort to Machu Picchu
PeruRail Vistadome and Vistadome Observatory
The Vistadome has panoramic windows in the sides and the roof, so you can see the peaks above the Urubamba valley. The Vistadome Observatory adds a carriage with an open-air balcony. Both include snacks and drinks, and on the way back from Machu Picchu to Cusco there is a show with traditional music and an alpaca fashion parade.
Inca Rail First Class
Inca Rail’s premium class from Ollantaytambo, with a bar car and a gourmet menu served at your table.
Inca Rail The Private
Your own carriage to Machu Picchu, with an open-air balcony, a private lounge and bar, and a four-course menu. It is the most exclusive way to travel for families and small groups, and its all-inclusive fare can add a private guide, the bus and the Machu Picchu entrance.
The standard trains: Expedition, The Voyager, The 360° and The Prime
For travellers who want a comfortable, good-value ride, PeruRail’s Expedition and Inca Rail’s The Voyager have large windows, reclining seats and frequent departures from Ollantaytambo, with snacks to buy on board. Inca Rail’s The 360° and The Prime sit between the standard and premium classes.
How the train to Machu Picchu works
The train is the only practical way to reach Machu Picchu town, unless you walk the Inca Trail. Trains run from Cusco and the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of the mountain, and buses climb from there to the entrance of the citadel.
| Station | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Poroy | On the edge of Cusco | Departure of the Hiram Bingham and of direct trains from Cusco in the dry season |
| Ollantaytambo | The Sacred Valley | The main departure point: most trains to Machu Picchu leave from here |
| Machu Picchu station | Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) | Buses take you up the mountain to the entrance of the citadel |
| Wanchaq | Cusco city | Departure of the Andean Explorer towards Lake Titicaca |
- From Cusco, most services combine a bus to Ollantaytambo with the train. The direct train from Poroy runs only part of the year.
- From the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo station is minutes from most hotels, which is one reason we suggest sleeping in the valley before Machu Picchu.
- From Lima there is no train: fly to Cusco first.
Plan the whole route with our Peru itinerary guide, which also explains the Machu Picchu circuits and tickets, and our guide to a Machu Picchu day tour or 2-day trip.
Luggage, tickets and documents
- Small bags only. On the trains to Machu Picchu, PeruRail allows one backpack of up to 8 kg or one carry-on bag of up to 12 kg per person. Leave your suitcase at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley and travel with an overnight bag.
- The Machu Picchu entrance is a separate ticket for a specific time and circuit, and it sells out in high season. Book it at the same time as your train.
- Bring your passport or official ID: it is checked when you board.
Which train should you choose?
- For a once-in-a-lifetime day: the Hiram Bingham, with its meals, music and the bus to the citadel included.
- For privacy: Inca Rail The Private, ideal for families and small groups.
- For the best views at a fair price: the Vistadome or Vistadome Observatory.
- For a slow journey across the Andes: the Andean Explorer sleeper, or the PeruRail Titicaca by day.
- For value: the Expedition or The Voyager, and spend the difference on a night in Machu Picchu town.
Many of our travellers mix them: the Vistadome on the way to Machu Picchu in the morning, and the Hiram Bingham back in the evening, with dinner on board. We book every train in Peru as part of your trip; see our Machu Picchu tours, all our Peru tours, or start planning a tailor-made trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most luxurious train to Machu Picchu?
The Belmond Hiram Bingham, with its 1920s-style carriages, gourmet meals, bar and observation cars and live music. Inca Rail’s The Private offers a whole carriage for your group.
Does the Hiram Bingham include the Machu Picchu entrance?
No. It includes the bus between Aguas Calientes and the citadel, but the Machu Picchu entrance ticket must be booked separately. We book both together.
Where does the Hiram Bingham leave from?
From Poroy station, on the edge of Cusco, or from the Sacred Valley at Rio Sagrado in Urubamba or Pachar. It arrives at Machu Picchu station in Aguas Calientes.
Is there a sleeper train in Peru?
Yes, the Belmond Andean Explorer, which travels over two nights from Cusco to Arequipa via Lake Titicaca, with cabins, a spa car and an observation car.
Can you take a train from Lima to Machu Picchu?
No. There is no railway between Lima and Cusco. Fly from Lima to Cusco, then take the train from Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
How much luggage can I take on the train to Machu Picchu?
On PeruRail, one backpack of up to 8 kg or one carry-on bag of up to 12 kg per person. Larger suitcases stay at your hotel and travel separately.
Is the Vistadome worth it?
For most travellers, yes. The panoramic roof windows show the mountains above the Urubamba valley, and snacks and the return show are included. The Observatory version adds an open-air balcony car.
How far ahead should I book the train to Machu Picchu?
For the Hiram Bingham and the Andean Explorer in high season, several months ahead. Standard trains are easier to find, but the Machu Picchu entrance tickets sell out first, so book them together.
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Wilfredo Zúñiga Huamanguillas
Anthropologist & Hospitality Professional | South America Travel ExpertAnthropologist, hospitality professional and South America travel expert with 11 years of experience in tourism, trained at the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco. Wilfredo writes about the people, traditions and landscapes of the continent, from the Andes and Machu Picchu to Patagonia, Brazil and the Amazon.
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