The train from Machu Picchu to Cusco is a beautiful journey through the Sacred Valley of Cusco Peru. To book train tickets you must enter the website of the only 2 companies that provide the service: Peru Rail or Inca Rail. Aguas Calientes station is located in Machu Picchu Pueblo, s / n, Barrio Las Orquídeas (next to the Artisan Market of Aguas Calientes).
Train from Machu Picchu to Cusco
There are two companies with authorization to travel the train from Machu Picchu to Cusco: Peru Rail and Inca Rail, each one with different services.
PERURAIL
PeruRail operates a total of five different train types that connect Machu Picchu with the outside world and operate from Aguas Calientes train stations.
Expedition
It is the most affordable service to get to Machu Picchu. It offers comfortable wagons with panoramic views and windows in the roof. The traveler has access to tourist information and a small snack.
Vistadome
This is one of the most popular trains for travelers. The car is completely glass and has panoramic windows. The traveler will have an impressive view of the landscape, be comfortably seated and enjoy a delicious breakfast. The seats are very comfortable and the transport has air conditioning and heating. The service is unbeatable and the tourist enjoys an unbeatable experience.
Hiram Bingham
The Hiram Bingham train is a luxury service. Each car has 42 seats. They are similar to those of the famous Orient Express. The presentation is incredible. This transport is considered one of the best in its class. It has elegant decoration and upholstery. The train has four wagons, two wagons – dining room, a wagon – bar with observatory and a kitchen car. Inside the train there is free bar, music, hostesses and various services. The price includes breakfast, lunch or dinner. The trip lasts about four hours.
INCA RAIL
This train company offers four different service classes.
The Voyager Machu Picchu Train
In the tourist service the Inca Rail offers wide panoramic windows, comfortable seats and a delicious drink and snacks. In the executive service offers comfortable seats with tables and panoramic windows. The car has a capacity for 60 passengers. It also offers snacks made without preservatives, organic and natural drinks to choose.
Inca Rail offers the following services:
The Voyager Premium & Lounge
The Voyager Door to Door
The Voyager
First Class and The 360°
This service offers more comfort. It has been designed for travelers who like to travel relaxed and enjoying the landscape. The car has space for 30 passengers with very comfortable and spacious seats. It also has a Peruvian library that could take advantage of reading the way to Machu Picchu. Gourmet food is served, the car is finely decorated and has a spectacular service.
The Private
The First Class
The 360°
Benefits of traveling by train from Machu Picchu to Cusco
Do not worry, if you’re still not entirely convinced to consider this alternative for your trip. Next, we will mention the 5 main benefits of traveling by train from Machu Picchu to Cusco:
Most travel by train
90% of tourists who enter the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu travel by train. From there, you can appreciate the extraordinary landscapes without experiencing the fear of being affected by altitude, steep roads and heavy rains. In addition, the last train station to Machu Picchu is located in the town of Aguas Calientes, very close to the Inca construction.
You will save time
Traveling by train from Machu Picchu to Cusco gives you the possibility to make your trip in a single day, if you consider it convenient. Do not worry about your transfer to Aguas Calientes since it will take you two hours to get to that location. In this way, you can use the time you spend in visiting the other tourist attractions that are in the city of Cusco Peru.
Your luggage will be lighter
It requires a large luggage to make a Inca path trip to the Inca citadel, it is necessary to have tents, warm clothes, water, energy bars, flashlights, among other things. Quite the contrary, it happens when choosing an exclusive train to be transported to the sanctuary because the only thing you will worry about is to enjoy a true luxury experience in Cusco.
You will feel very comfortable
The exclusive trains to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu will offer you comfort. In this way, you will be able to appreciate the wonderful Andean landscapes, with good background music and getting to know other people, many from abroad, who, like you, long to reach the Inca fortress soon. In addition, all the services of this transport are of a great level.
You will travel with style
Make sure you choose the best train from Machu Picchu to Cusco and you will get a great luxury experience. When entering this type of transport you will be impressed with its great design, gourmet lunch, music shows and a large beverage menu. Because traveling is not synonymous with getting dirty with mud and getting out of breath, at least it is not if you replace the walks with the exclusive trains.
Recommendations to travel by train from Machu Picchu to Cusco
The Vistadome train of Peru Rail is completely surrounded by panoramic windows that allow you to enjoy the incredible landscapes of the Sacred Valley and the entire journey along the banks of the Urubamba River. And if you did not know, this short train route is considered among the most amazing in the world. Without a doubt it is an unforgettable experience.
If you do not book train tickets in advance, you will have to choose between the remaining services, which are usually the most expensive. Moreover, if you plan to come to Machu Picchu during the high season.
Train tickets sell out quickly, and you will not like having Machu Picchu tickets and not having how to get there, so, book train tickets (roundtrip) immediately after knowing the date you will enter Machu Picchu Picchu.
Although you can climb from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu walking, just next to the train station in Machu Picchu you will find the bus ticket to Machu Picchu and in front of it, the small station where you can board them. Aguas Calientes is a very small town and it will not be difficult to find these places.
Train tickets from Machu Picchu to Cusco
Is it necessary to get these train tickets? If you are doing the Inca Trail or other alternative Machu Picchu treks, we recommend you book this train ticket to return to Cusco. Usually, all trekking operators offer this ticket in their service. but it is very important to ask before booking the trip. In case it is not included, you will need to add your tour to U$ 75 or U$ 85 extra.
Today, there is a new Amazon route from Machu Picchu to Hidroelectrica, and from there, a bus to Cusco. It takes approx 8 hrs by driving. It is a heavy trip but it is the cheapest. This cost service is U$ 15 or U$ 20 approx.
There are a lot of treks to Inca city, but we mentioned the most important and known in Peru.
