HOW TO GET FROM CUSCO TO MACHU PICCHU

By Train: The Easiest Way to Reach Machu Picchu

The easiest and most popular way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is by taking a train directly from Poroy, just outside of Cusco to Aguas Calientes. This direct train route is offered by both Peru Rail and Inca Rail and takes about 4 hours one way.

 

Inca Rail Service

 

Bi-Modal Service: A Seamless Connection to Machu Picchu

The bimodal service to Machu Picchu is also offered by both Peru Rail and Inca Rail. The bimodal service combines a private bus transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station with a train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The main advantage of this ticket over the direct train route is that it offers the option to spend a couple of hours exploring Ollantaytambo, depending on the length of your layover, and can be cheaper. 

 

Bi-Modal Train to Machu Picchu

 

Train from Ollantaytambo: The Scenic Journey to Machu Picchu

Another option for getting from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is to find your own means of transportation (either taxi or public bus) from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, before taking the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. There are two main advantages of this option. First, you can spend as much time as you want to explore Ollantaytambo and it’s definitely worth a stop. This cobbled street town with several picturesque squares is also home to a fascinating and stunning archaeological site that is definitely worth a visit. You can also do this option at the end of a Sacred Valley tour that leaves you in Ollantaytambo instead of returning to Cusco.

 

Ollantaytambo

 

The Different Classes of Train to Machu Picchu

There are 2 train companies that operate the route from Cusco to Machu Picchu - PeruRail and IncaRail.  Both companies offer several different levels of service from basic economy tickets to luxurious private cars offering meals and live music, meaning round-trip tickets can vary in price from about $125 per person to over $1,000 per person for the highest-end ticket on The luxury Hiram Bingham service.

 

PERU RAIL

Local Train

PERU RAIL belongs to the Orient Express group and offers several levels of services to arrive at Machu Picchu. Peru Rail offers 4 different services to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. Travelers and non-Peruvians can take three of these different trains as the 4th option, or the local train is restricted to Peruvians and residents. This service is subsidized by Peru Rail so that staff from hotels, restaurants, porters, and local people can travel cheaply between the town and the city.
 

Peru Rail Trains on The Machu Picchu Route

 

Expedition Service

This is the essential tourist service and the least expensive to get to Machu Picchu. It offers fewer viewing opportunities than the other services, and the schedules are often later at night. It is often used by those who are trekking in the region. The Expedition train is the most economical train for tourists to reach Aguas Calientes on their trip tp Machu Picchu.

 

Vistadome

The wagons of this train are equipped with panoramic windows for an impressive view of the Andean scenery along the way to Machu Picchu.  Surrounded by glass, even on the roof, passengers will have the impression of being part of this beautiful Peruvian landscape. Hot drinks and refreshments are offered on board and there is more leg space than on the Expedition train and is not much more expensive. This train departure is from Ollantaytambo, which is 1:30hrs from Cusco City.

 

Hiram Bingham 

This service is the most exclusive option to head to Machu Picchu by train. Several travel magazines consider this the most refined train trip in the world; this is a unique experience to arrive at Machu Picchu in the lap of luxury. Taking you back in time to the days of The Orient Express. you will glide through The Sacred Valley in exquisite comfort, with a free bar, and incredible viewing platform, gourmet dining,  and a top-notch service to the Inca citadel. This superb service offers brunch and dinner on board, a private shuttle up to the Machu Picchu citadel, entrance to Machu Picchu, with a guided tour and afternoon tea in the hotel Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. 

 

Hiram Bingham

 

INCA RAIL

The other railway company that operates between the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu is called Inca Rail. Inca Rail is a not-so-famous train service with fewer departure times and only departs from Ollantaytambo in The Sacred Valley. If you’re staying in Cusco, you will generally take a taxi or the combi/colectivo (public van) from Cusco to Ollantaytambo to catch the train. Alternatively, on a tour package, transport is included to Ollantaytambo, if you are traveling on this service.  This company is newer, beginning its service to Machu Pichu 10 years after PeruRail. Inca Rail offers various schedules and services ranging from standard tourist class to Luxury class, however, there is no subsidized service for locals with this company.

 

Machu Picchu Train

 

Servicio Turista

The wagons seat 48 passengers and have plush seats, which have been specially created to assure the comfort of passengers. The Tourist Class of Inca Rail differs slightly from Peru Rail’s Expedition train in that it has more legroom. Where PeruRail’s Expedition seating is more like airline seating, Inca Rail’s Tourist class has two seats opposite another set of two seats, separated by a small table. There are generally no meals served on this service.

 

Servicio Ejecutivo

For those who appreciate good comfort and relaxation, this service offers padded seats and slightly smaller panoramic windows, than the PeruRail Vistadome service and the enthusiastic personnel will assure you of a beautiful journey. A selection of biscuits, dried fruit and nuts of the region, delicious chocolates, and a variety of hot and cold drinks are also included.

 

Servicio Primera Clase

This unique service is made for the sophisticated traveler who appreciates comfort. On the arrival of your train, you will be welcomed with a delicious welcome drink and a thin towel perfumed with natural essences to refresh yourself. During the journey to Machu Picchu, gastronomic cuisine is served with relaxing background music.

 

Servicio presidencial

This exceptional service, with only eight seats per wagon, is a luxurious service to enjoy all the gastronomic enchantment of Peru and impressive top-end services. It is a lot more economical than The Hiram Bingham, and it is a few levels below than the Peru Rail version, yet still a wonderfully luxurious experience!

 

Inca Rail First Class

 

Inca Trail: The Most Iconic Trek to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is by far the most popular choice, and for very good reason. You will hike along the original Inca road and visit plenty of ruins along the way. This is a must for any Inca aficionado or history buff. However, the government implements restrictions to limit the amount of tourists allowed on the trail every day, which means the Inca Trail gets booked out way in advance. If you have your heart set on doing this hike to Machu Picchu, start looking at booking it up to six months in advance or you may miss out.

 

Inca Trail

 

The Salkantay Trek: A Remote and Rewarding Adventure

The Salkantay Trek is another great option to hike to Machu Picchu. It combines comfortable camping (you won’t be hauling your tent or cooking your own meals) with breathtaking scenery. This trek allows you to see a wide array of Peru’s climates and terrain and includes hikes to Humantay Lake, a trek through the Salkantay Pass, and both mountain and jungle scenery before culminating in a visit to Machu Picchu.

 

Soraypampa, Salkantay Trek

 

The Lares Trek: Discover an Off-the-Beaten-Path Experience

The Lares Trek is likely the third best alternative Inca trail hikes to Machu Picchu and is presented in various versions, from a 3-day hike up to a 5-day hike. Instead of entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, all of these Lares treks end in the Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo, where tourists jump on trains towards the Aguas Calientes town, the city below Machu Picchu. The Lares trek hikes through stunning Andean scenery and through traditional Andean communities for a hike that is more connected to cultural aspects as opposed to archaeological sites. Take the Lares Trek to get to know about real life in the Peruvian Andes, where you will witness a more authentic way of life of the Quechua People living in this part of Cusco. Learn about their wisdom, religion as well as their philosophy.

 

Lares Trek

By Car: A Budget-Friendly Option to Reach Machu Picchu

This is definitely the cheapest option to visit the ruins, but it’s also the least fun. Getting to Machu Picchu by bus requires two days. The village of Hydro-electrica is a six-hour drive from Cusco and the last town accessible by road before Machu Picchu. You then have to walk along the train tracks for 2 hours to reach Aguas Calientes. From Cusco, it’s easy to book a bus or car to this stop. However, this trip does not include a night of accommodation in Aguas Calientes, any meals, the shuttle bus up to the archaeological site, or the entrance into Machu Picchu, so these are things to keep in mind if you choose this option.

 

The train tracks to Aguas Calientes

 

Ask us here for the best way to get to Machu Picchu for you and allow us to arrange your trip to the magical Inca citadel. We will take care of all the finer details such as trains, and transfers, and any hotels, so that you can concentrate on the exploration of this ancient Inca city!