To travel by train to Machu Picchu, PERURAIL, the company that operates the Southern Railways, offers a wide variety of services which cover the needs of the different types of passengers to the former Inca citadel or the nearby area.
1. To take the so called INCA ROUTE Cuzco/Machu Picchu/Cuzco the train departs from the station of San Pedro. One can choose between different options: a) Vistadome ( also note as Autovagon or Autowagon ) , which is the fastest and most comfortable, as well as the most suitable for photography buffs, due to the large windows this train is equipped with; b) Inexpensive Tourism/Backpacker Express, which is the most economical means of travel, that has been created recently for passengers who enjoy adventure tourism, The train is equipped with suitable shelves in order to accommodate the camping equipment that these passengers often carry.
2. There is another route that also leads to MachuPicchu. It is similar to the previous one, but shorter. It is referred to as the OLLANTA ROUTE Ollantaytambo/Machu Picchu/Ollantaytambo. It begins in the main intermediate station, Ollanta. There are two different ways to take this route: a) by the Ferrostal Service, which has wagons equipped with large windows that are ideal for photography buffs; b) by the Backpacker Cerrojo, which is more economical than the previous option. This service has been created recently. It is also designed for adventures passengers who, after spending the night in the Sacred Valley, would like to travel to Machu Picchu from the Ollanta.
3. POROY MACHU PICCHU / MACHU PICCHU POROY ROUTES: The Poroy station is located 18 km. from Cuzco, at the right of the Urubamba valley. This official station allows passengers and travel agencies to choose between the usual winding route, which takes an hour longer in both directions, and a shorter route departing from or arriving at Poroy (add a 20 minutes drive to or from Cuzco).
Depending on the means of transportation and the time of the day that one chooses to travel to Machu Picchu, there are trains that depart to Machu Picchu starting at dawn and during the early morning hours.
These trains take 90 minutes to travel to or from the station of Aguas Caliente. This station is located in a small town near the Machu Picchu citadel. There are several shops, restaurants and different possibilities of lodging for travelers who decide to spend the night here. Such a stay also allows them to enjoy the impressive views of Machu Picchu and its surroundings at dawn and dusk. Some also choose to travel on foot between Aguas Calientes and the Machu Picchu citadel. This takes about an hour. However, usually the trip is made by bus. The return trip to the city of Cuzco is available in the mid afternoon or at dusk.
Travelers can also organize the trip to Machu Picchu on their own. One can purchase tickets in the main reservation station at Wanchaq station or through a travel agency. Most of the travel agencies are located in the Plaza de Armas in Cuzco or the surrounding area. They offer itineraries which include a guide and all services, including the option of picking up travelers at their respective hotels and taking them to the station.
The visit by train to Machu Picchu can be done in a day, departing from Cuzco at dawn and returning in the midafternoon or at dusk. Nevertheless, this form of travel is extremely tiresome and hasty.
One of the most espectacular attractions of Machu Picchu is being able to leisurely gaze at the citadel under the wide range of daylight that falls on each corner of the archaeological site as the day progresses, especially during the rainy season.
Once you decide how to get to Machu Picchu, you got to check our Machu Picchu Tour Packages, where you will find the best of our promotions in one of the most stunning transports, The Train.