{"id":418,"date":"2026-01-26T18:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T23:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/?p=418"},"modified":"2026-05-06T16:13:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T21:13:54","slug":"trains-to-machu-picchu-companies-schedules-and-how-to-choose-the-best-option-complete-guide-to-traveling-by-train-to-machu-picchu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/en\/trains-to-machu-picchu-companies-schedules-and-how-to-choose-the-best-option-complete-guide-to-traveling-by-train-to-machu-picchu\/","title":{"rendered":"Trains to Machu Picchu: companies, schedules, and how to choose the best option Complete guide to traveling by train to Machu Picchu"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Traveling by train to Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular experiences in Peru. Along the route, you\u2019ll enjoy Andean landscapes, Sacred Valley views, and the Urubamba River before arriving at the majestic Inca citadel. In this guide, we explain which companies operate the route, available schedules, and how to choose the ideal train for your trip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udccd Main route:<\/strong> Cusco \/ Ollantaytambo \u2013 Machu Picchu Pueblo
\u23f1\ufe0f Travel time:<\/strong> 1.5 to 4 hours (depending on the departure station)
\ud83d\ude86 Type of transport:<\/strong> Tourist train<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfe2 Train companies to Machu Picchu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, there are two main railway companies<\/strong> operating the route to Machu Picchu:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude86 PeruRail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most well-known companies, offering several service categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • \ud83d\ude83 Expedition:<\/strong> affordable and comfortable option<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \ud83c\udf04 Vistadome:<\/strong> panoramic windows and onboard entertainment<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \ud83d\udc8e Vistadome Observatory:<\/strong> panoramic carriage + open-air balcony<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • \ud83d\udc51 Hiram Bingham:<\/strong> all-inclusive luxury experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83d\ude86 Inca Rail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Ideal for travelers seeking comfort and personalized service:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • \ud83c\udf92 The Voyager:<\/strong> practical and affordable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \ud83c\udf3f The 360\u00b0:<\/strong> wide windows and snacks included<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \u2728 The First Class:<\/strong> premium service with lunch and bar<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • \ud83d\udecb\ufe0f The Private:<\/strong> exclusive carriage for groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
      \n\n\n\n

      \u23f0 Train schedules to Machu Picchu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Schedules vary depending on the company and departure station:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \ud83d\ude89 Main departure stations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro \u2013 dry season)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Ollantaytambo (the most commonly used)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        \ud83d\udd54 Frequency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • Departures from early morning<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Returns from Machu Picchu Pueblo until late afternoon\/evening<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udca1 Recommendation:<\/strong> book in advance, especially during high season (May\u2013September).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          \ud83e\udd14 How to choose the best train to Machu Picchu<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          To select the best option, consider the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83c\udfaf Budget:<\/strong> options range from economy to luxury
          \ud83d\udc40 Experience:<\/strong> panoramic trains offer better views
          \u23f3 Time:<\/strong> traveling from Ollantaytambo is shorter
          \ud83c\udf92 Type of trip:<\/strong> solo, couple, family, or group<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udca1 Traveler tip:<\/strong> if you want great views and comfort without overspending, a panoramic service is ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          \u2600\ufe0f Best time to travel by train<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udcc5 April \u2013 October (dry season)<\/strong>
          \ud83c\udf24\ufe0f Better weather and clear landscapes
          \ud83d\udcf8 Ideal for photography<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83c\udf27\ufe0f November \u2013 March (rainy season)<\/strong>
          \ud83c\udf3f Greener landscapes and fewer tourists
          \u26a0\ufe0f Possible delays due to rain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n\n\n\n

          \ud83c\udf0d Travel to Machu Picchu with GT Peru Travel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          At GT Peru Travel<\/strong>, we help you choose the best train to Machu Picchu<\/strong>, manage your tickets, and organize your complete experience from Cusco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \u2714\ufe0f Personalized assistance
          \u2714\ufe0f Secure reservations
          \u2714\ufe0f Professional guides
          \u2714\ufe0f Worry-free logistics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \ud83d\udce9 Contact us and experience Machu Picchu with total peace of mind and confidence.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Traveling by train to Machu Picchu is one of the most spectacular experiences in Peru. Along the route, you\u2019ll enjoy […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":416,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-418","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=418"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1347,"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/418\/revisions\/1347"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=418"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=418"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gtperutravel.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}