In this article
- Quick answer
- Where the trains leave from
- Train times, May to December 2026
- Train classes and fares
- Luggage on the train
- Documents and boarding
- The Km 104 stop: Short Inca Trail
- Local train and Hidroeléctrica
- Delays and interruptions in 2026
- From Aguas Calientes to the ruins
- Tours with the train included
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
Two companies run tourist trains to Machu Picchu: PeruRail and Inca Rail. No road reaches Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), so you arrive by train or on foot. This guide covers where the trains leave from, the 2026 timetables, the classes and their fares, luggage, documents and the Km 104 stop for the Short Inca Trail. Timetables and fares checked on the official websites on 29 October 2026.
Quick answer
- Most trains leave from Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley: 1 h 22 min to 1 h 45 min to Machu Picchu Pueblo. From Cusco, a road transfer to Ollantaytambo takes about 1 h 45 min.
- From Cusco by train: PeruRail runs from Poroy (3 h 14 min to 3 h 46 min) and San Pedro (4 h 12 min to 4 h 41 min) from May to December 2026. From January to April, the services “from Cusco” are bus + train from Wanchaq station.
- Inca Rail does not use Poroy or San Pedro: it sells bus + train from its office on Av. El Sol in Cusco, with the train from Ollantaytambo.
- Fares are dynamic. On 29 October 2026, one way from Ollantaytambo started at USD 62 with both companies (PeruRail Expedition and Inca Rail Voyager) for a trip on 18 November.
- Pack light and bring your passport: both companies allow one small bag of about 8 kg and ask for your passport or ID.
Where the trains leave from
| Station | Company | When (2026) | Time to Machu Picchu Pueblo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) | PeruRail and Inca Rail | All year | 1 h 22 min–1 h 45 min (PeruRail) · 1 h 21 min–1 h 42 min (Inca Rail) |
| Poroy (outside Cusco) | PeruRail | May–December | 3 h 14 min–3 h 46 min |
| San Pedro (Cusco city, next to San Pedro Market) | PeruRail | May–December | 4 h 12 min–4 h 41 min |
| Urubamba | PeruRail | May–December | About 3 h 10 min (train 83, 06:06 → 09:15) |
| Wanchaq (5 minutes from central Cusco) | PeruRail, bus + train | All year; the only option from Cusco from January to April | Bus to Poroy, Pachar or Ollantaytambo, then the train |
| Av. El Sol 843 (Cusco) | Inca Rail, bus + train | All year | About 4–5 h in total (bus to Ollantaytambo, then the train) |
All trains arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo station in Aguas Calientes; some PeruRail trains also stop at Av. Imperio de los Incas, in the same town. PeruRail’s FAQ still says its regular Cusco service runs “April to December”, but its official 2026 timetable and its announcement of 27 April 2026 confirm that trains from Poroy and San Pedro came back on 1 May 2026.
New in 2026: since 1 September, PeruRail also runs a train between Cusco and Ollantaytambo through the Sacred Valley: train 33 (Wanchaq 05:40 → Ollantaytambo 08:22), train 203 (San Pedro 07:30 → 10:22) and train 604 back (Ollantaytambo 19:08 → San Pedro 21:52).
Train times, May to December 2026
From PeruRail’s official May–December 2026 timetable, which matched its booking engine for 18 November 2026. PeruRail notes that “times may vary for operational reasons”. An asterisk (*) marks trains that can drop hikers at the Km 104 stop.
| Ollantaytambo → Machu Picchu | Train | Machu Picchu → Ollantaytambo | Train |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05:05 → 06:37 | 71* | 05:35 → 07:44 | 50 |
| 06:10 → 07:40 | 81* | 08:53 → 10:52 | 72 |
| 07:05 → 08:27 | 301* | 10:55 → 12:32 | 302 |
| 07:45 → 09:15 | 83* | 12:46 → 14:19 | 602 |
| 08:00 → 09:25 | 601 | 13:37 → 15:04 | 204 |
| 08:29 → 09:54 | 33* | 14:55 → 16:31 | 74 |
| 08:53 → 10:29 | 501 | 15:20 → 17:08 | 34 |
| 09:15 → 10:52 | 31* | 15:48 → 17:29 | 304 |
| 10:32 → 12:11 | 203* | 16:22 → 18:10 | 504 |
| 11:52 → 13:34 | 91 | 16:43 → 18:31 | 32 |
| 12:55 → 14:25 | 73 | 17:23 → 19:02 | 604 |
| 13:27 → 14:50 | 303 | 18:10 → 19:51 | 606 |
| 15:37 → 17:02 | 603 | 18:20 → 20:05 | 84 |
| 19:04 → 20:45 | 75 | 20:50 → 22:20 | 86 |
| 21:00 → 22:45 | 51 | 21:50 → 23:37 | 76 |
Trains from and to Poroy and San Pedro (PeruRail)
| Route | Times |
|---|---|
| San Pedro → Machu Picchu | 06:40 → 10:52 (train 31) · 07:30 → 12:11 (train 203) |
| Poroy → Machu Picchu | 06:40 → 09:54 (33) · 07:35 → 10:52 (31) · 08:25 → 12:11 (203) · 09:05 → 12:24 (11, Hiram Bingham) |
| Machu Picchu → Poroy / San Pedro | 15:20 → 19:05 Poroy (34) · 16:43 → 20:23 Poroy, 21:23 San Pedro (32) · 17:23 → 20:52 Poroy, 21:52 San Pedro (604) · 17:50 → 21:16 Poroy (12, Hiram Bingham) |
Temporary change, 8 October to 31 December 2026: train 34 ends at Poroy and continues by bus to Wanchaq, arriving at 19:45, and trains 304 and 32 let passengers get off at Pachar. The Hiram Bingham runs every day except the last Sunday of each month.
Inca Rail times
Inca Rail does not publish a full timetable. Its booking engine showed these trains with seats for 18 November 2026:
- Ollantaytambo → Machu Picchu: 06:40 → 08:01, 07:22 → 08:48, 11:15 → 12:41, 12:36 → 14:00, 16:36 → 18:09 and 19:27 → 21:09.
- Machu Picchu → Ollantaytambo: 08:30 → 10:10, 10:32 → 12:12, 14:30 → 15:56, 19:00 → 20:41 and 21:30 → 22:54.
- Bus + train from Cusco (Av. El Sol): the bus leaves between 04:10 and 15:45 and you arrive at Machu Picchu between 08:01 and 21:09.
Train classes and fares
One-way “from” fares shown by the official booking engines on 29 October 2026 for a trip on 18 November 2026, adult fare. Both companies use dynamic pricing, so the fare changes with the date, the time and demand, and the booking step where we read them did not ask for nationality. Use them as a reference.
| Class | What it includes | One way from Ollantaytambo |
|---|---|---|
| PeruRail Expedition | Panoramic windows, audio tour and music; snacks for sale | From USD 62 |
| PeruRail Vistadome | Side and roof windows, snack included, cultural show; alpaca fashion show on the way back | From USD 69 |
| PeruRail Vistadome Observatory | Open-air observation car, live music and dance, snacks and drinks included | From USD 99 |
| Belmond Hiram Bingham (PeruRail) | Luxury train with gourmet lunch, Machu Picchu entrance, guide and bus | From Poroy; fare not shown in the booking engine |
| Inca Rail The Voyager | Wide windows; snacks for sale; live theatre on the way from Ollantaytambo | From USD 62 |
| Inca Rail The 360° | Open-air observation car, live music, Wi-Fi | From USD 79 |
| Inca Rail The Prime | Complimentary tasting and an Andean musician | From USD 100 |
| Inca Rail The First Class | Bar-lounge, balcony, 3-course menu and premium transfer | From USD 376 |
From Cusco it costs more. On the same date, PeruRail from Poroy or San Pedro started at USD 99 (Expedition), USD 120 (Vistadome) and USD 170 (Vistadome Observatory); PeruRail’s bus + train from Wanchaq started at USD 89 and Inca Rail’s from Av. El Sol at USD 82. PeruRail gives 5% off when you book the return trip together.
Which class? Expedition and Voyager are the simplest and usually the cheapest; Vistadome and The 360° add more windows or an open-air car. On our tours you choose the class when you book, and most of our travelers choose Vistadome or Voyager.
Luggage on the train
- PeruRail: one backpack of up to 8 kg and 100 cm (length + width + height) or one carry-on of up to 12 kg and 115 cm, according to its luggage page. Its FAQ and travel recommendations say 8 kg and 115 cm, so plan for 8 kg. Extra luggage costs USD 15 per carry-on and USD 25 per checked suitcase. Free luggage storage at Ollantaytambo station (04:15–21:00) and Machu Picchu station (05:00–22:00).
- Inca Rail: one piece of up to 8 kg and 118 cm per ticket. There are no luggage racks on board, and its luggage storage is only in Ollantaytambo.
Leave big suitcases in your Cusco hotel or with your tour operator. More tips in our Aguas Calientes guide.
Documents and boarding
- Passport or ID: both companies ask for it together with your ticket. PeruRail accepts the ticket printed or on your phone.
- Arrive early: PeruRail asks you to be at the station 30 minutes before departure. Inca Rail recommends 30 to 60 minutes; boarding starts 20 to 30 minutes before.
- Children on PeruRail: under 3 travel free and children aged 3 to 11 pay 75% of the fare. Check Inca Rail’s child fare when you book.
- The train does not include Machu Picchu. Except on the Hiram Bingham, you need a separate entrance ticket for a time that fits your train: see Machu Picchu tickets.
The Km 104 stop: Short Inca Trail
In PeruRail’s May–December 2026 timetable, seven trains from Ollantaytambo can drop hikers at the Km 104 stop, where the Short Inca Trail and the 1-day Inca Trail start: the 05:05 (71), 06:10 (81), 07:05 (301), 07:45 (83), 08:29 (33), 09:15 (31) and 10:32 (203). These are the departure times from Ollantaytambo; the time at Km 104 is not published. You need an Inca Trail permit for this route: see Short Inca Trail permits by date.
Local train and Hidroeléctrica
- Local train: PeruRail reserves it for residents of the communities along the line with a Peruvian ID (DNI); foreign travelers cannot use it.
- Hidroeléctrica: PeruRail runs a short train between Machu Picchu Pueblo and Hidroeléctrica: 06:45 → 07:30 and 13:30 → 14:15, and back 07:54 → 08:36 and 14:50 → 15:34. It is useful on the budget route by road; see how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco.
Delays and interruptions in 2026
- 4–5 August: a forest fire near Km 107 caused rockfall on the line, and 10 departures were cancelled. PeruRail resumed service gradually with changed times.
- 2 October: an incident between an Inca Rail train and a PeruRail train near Pampacahua stopped traffic; PeruRail reported no injuries and service resumed at 18:35 the same day.
If a train is delayed or there is a strike, we wait for the official notices from the train company and from the Machu Picchu ticket office before deciding anything, and we keep you informed.
From Aguas Calientes to the ruins
From the station, a bus climbs to the entrance of Machu Picchu in 25 to 30 minutes, or you can walk up in about 2 hours. In January and April 2026 the press reported a fare of USD 24 return for foreign visitors; check the current price when you buy. Details in our Aguas Calientes guide.
Tours with the train included
On these tours we book the train, the bus and your Machu Picchu entrance for you:
Train included
Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco by Train
See itinerary & dates →
Train included
Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley 2-Day Tour
See itinerary & dates →
Frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
Yes, from May to December: PeruRail runs trains from Poroy and San Pedro stations. From January to April, and with Inca Rail all year, you travel by bus from Cusco to the Sacred Valley and take the train from there.
How long is the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
From Poroy, 3 h 14 min to 3 h 46 min; from San Pedro, 4 h 12 min to 4 h 41 min. From Ollantaytambo, the most common station, it takes 1 h 22 min to 1 h 45 min.
How much is the train to Machu Picchu?
Fares are dynamic. On 29 October 2026, one way from Ollantaytambo started at USD 62 (PeruRail Expedition and Inca Rail Voyager) for a trip on 18 November; from Poroy or San Pedro, from USD 99.
Which is better, PeruRail or Inca Rail?
Both run comparable trains between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. PeruRail publishes 15 departures a day each way from Ollantaytambo and runs the only trains from Poroy and San Pedro; Inca Rail allows a bag of 118 cm and runs its bus + train from Av. El Sol, in central Cusco. Choose by the time that fits your Machu Picchu ticket and by price.
Do I need my passport on the train?
Yes. Both companies ask for your passport or ID together with your ticket. Bring the same passport you used to buy your Machu Picchu entrance.
How much luggage can I take on the train to Machu Picchu?
One small bag of about 8 kg: PeruRail allows a backpack of up to 8 kg and 100 cm, or a carry-on of up to 12 kg and 115 cm; Inca Rail allows one piece of up to 8 kg and 118 cm. Leave the rest in Cusco or in the free storage at Ollantaytambo station.
Can foreign tourists take the local train?
No. PeruRail reserves the local train for residents of the communities along the line with a Peruvian ID (DNI).
Which trains stop at Km 104?
In the May–December 2026 timetable, PeruRail trains leaving Ollantaytambo at 05:05, 06:10, 07:05, 07:45, 08:29, 09:15 and 10:32. You need a Short Inca Trail or 1-day Inca Trail permit to get off there.
When should I book the train?
Fares change with the date, the time and demand, so book as soon as you have your Machu Picchu entrance time. On our tours we book the train together with your ticket so the times match.
Sources
- PeruRail: May–December 2026 timetable (PDF); return of the Poroy and San Pedro trains (27 April 2026); Cusco–Ollantaytambo train (21 August 2026); temporary changes from 8 October 2026; luggage; travel recommendations; FAQ.
- Inca Rail: boarding points; luggage policy; help center.
- Fares and Inca Rail times: official booking engines of PeruRail and Inca Rail, checked on 29 October 2026 for 18 November 2026.
- 2026 incidents: PeruRail, 5 August 2026; NTN24, 5 August 2026; PeruRail, 2 October 2026.
- Bus fare: Infobae, 6 January 2026; Diario del Cusco, 3 April 2026.
- Altitudes: INEI, Compendio Estadístico Cusco 2025 (district capitals).
