Low cost Train to Machu Picchu or Cusco - PeruRail Expedition
4.8

Low cost Train to Machu Picchu or Cusco - PeruRail Expedition

By PeruRail - Expedition
Recommended by 96% of travellers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 0-99, max of 9 per group
Duration: 3–5 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket

Highlights

  • Ambiental music
  • Informative audios along the route
  • Onboard sales
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Restroom on board
What's not included
  • Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Sanctuary
  • Bus to and from Machu Picchu Sanctuary
  • Tour of Machu Picchu Sanctuary
  • Entry/Admission - Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu


Start:Multiple meeting point options.
  • Option 1
    PeruRail - Train to Machu Picchu, Alameda Pachacuteq s/n, Cusco 08000, Peru
    Av. Pachacuteq s/n, Distrito de Wanchaq, Cusco
  • Option 2
    PeruRail - Train to Machu Picchu, s/n Las Orquídeas, Aguas Calientes 08681, Peru
    Machu Picchu Pueblo s/n, Barrio Las Orquideas, Machu Picchu Pueblo, Cusco
  • Option 3
    PeruRail - Train to Machu Picchu, Valle Sagrado, Av. Ferrocarril, Ollantaytambo 08675, Peru
    Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Ollantaytambo, Valle Sagrado, Cusco
  • Option 4
    PeruRail - Train to Machu Picchu, Cascaparo S/N, Cusco 08002, Peru
    Calle Cascaparo S/N Cusco
End:
  • Option 1
    PeruRail - Train to Machu Picchu, s/n Las Orquídeas, Aguas Calientes 08681, Peru
    Machu Picchu Pueblo s/n, Barrio Las Orquideas, Machu Picchu Pueblo, Cusco
  • Option 2
    PeruRail - Train to Machu Picchu, Alameda Pachacuteq s/n, Cusco 08000, Peru
    Av. Pachacuteq s/n, Distrito de Wanchaq, Cusco
  • Option 3
    PeruRail - Train to Machu Picchu, Valle Sagrado, Av. Ferrocarril, Ollantaytambo 08675, Peru
    Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Ollantaytambo, Valle Sagrado, Cusco
  • Option 4
    Belmond Hiram Bingham, Calle Roldan s/n, Distrito de Poroy, Cusco 08600, Peru
    Calle Roldan s/n, Distrito de Poroy, Cusco
  • Option 5
    PeruRail - Train to Machu Picchu, Cascaparo S/N, Cusco 08002, Peru
    Calle Cascaparo S/N Cusco

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Pushchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Near public transportation
  • Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 86540P5

  • Most travellers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travellers

  • All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 86540P5

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Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • Pass by
    Cusco
    Ollantaytambo
  • 1
    Your train journey will arrive at Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you can later take a bus up to the Sanctuary. (Bus not included)
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
  • PeruRail - Expedition
    4.8 of 5 bubbles3,956
    Ollantaytambo, Peru
    Joined in March 2007
  • 488bayliem
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Train ride from Machu Picchu
    It was a lovely train ride. Boarding was efficient and timely. Jane was our host on our car and was great! She was very attentive and helpful throughout the trip. There were lovely views and was a smooth ride.
    Written 17 March 2025
  • 446rutau
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent service
    It’s very well organized and super well presented . You just need to be on time and DONT forget your passports . You have complimentary water onboard and and you can buy coffee or drinks if you wish later. The staff is very nice and welcome . Has its character but is very clean and staff has high customer service education
    Written 16 March 2025
  • Diego V
    0 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Can’t switch trains, but good overall.
    I would’ve given it a 5/5, but we did have one issue. Our day in Machu Picchu finished early and we wanted to try to get an earlier train but apparently that’s not allowed. I would’ve preferred to be able to easily switch if an earlier train wasn’t full. Other than that it was fine, the train was clean and the views were spectacular.
    Written 16 March 2025
  • foodie_escapades
    0 contributions
    1.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worst rail ever
    Currently writing my review while waiting for the Peru rail to olataytambu from macchu picchu: Don’tride this train, my tour operator booked this for our macchu picchu trip and it’s the worst train. The train was delayed for 2 hrs and we got stuck in the middle of the ride for another hour. Since al the trains were seated we were told we can ride any train. The agent told me at 8pm train 84 is arriving in 30 minutes. It dish t arrive they called 85 . We are stuck here for more than 2 hours and not sure if we are able to ride the train tonight!!
    Written 14 March 2025
  • villa131982
    0 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Could be better
    The staff (specifically Listt) was very nice. I would only say that for the price of the tickets, some kind of snack would be nice and, to be fair, kind of expected. It’s surprising because even in the small restaurants in Perú, you get some snacks but the fanciest transport to the iconic place, you get nothing but water.
    Written 12 March 2025
  • Leo M
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pleasant experience
    It was a very pleasant and beautiful experience with Manuel. He helped us during the trip to Aguas Calientes. Very nice experience
    Written 9 March 2025
  • andrewiR1691XJ
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best way to travel
    It was great, comfortable, saw so much and Listt Huarancca took care of us. I would do it again and again and again and again
    Written 25 February 2025
  • 884kiarrag
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful views, don’t miss this!
    Beautiful trip. Very comfy seats, incredible views, delicious snacks. Lis was a great host, would highly recommend!!
    Written 25 February 2025
  • masn2025
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excelent
    Very good trip and very nice and plesent stuff specaly Paola Salas y Jennifer Cruz I Will come back very soon ...............
    Written 20 February 2025
  • 500addie
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorgeous and easy
    Such a gorgeous and easy trip with great service. Soledad and Naysha were so nice and accommodating! Highly recommend it
    Written 19 February 2025
  • C4187DQjessd
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best Customer Service (Manuel B.)
    I just received the best customer service from Manuel B. After receiving some misinformation and missing the train, he made sure I caught the next train so that I could enjoy my hike to Machu Picchu before having to return. A special thanks to him for his amazing support.
    Written 8 February 2025
  • d_nielp2025
    0 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best thing about Perurail, that it didn't derail
    Monopol/Doupol markets always create lazy service. Perurail isn't different - it will take you to Aguas Calientes, but nothing more. The tickets are overpriced, they ask you for personal ticket validation at least 24 hours before train departure, when T&C only requires 1 hour. You have to be at the station 30 minutes before departure, but probably the bus/train will arrive late to your destination. And be prepared to be asked for your tickets+passports at least 20 times during your journey. On the positive side, Perurail colleagues are nice and helpful.
    Written 2 January 2025
  • brianwE5027ZJ
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Peru Rail Experience
    Great experience. Lots of windows to see the surrounding landscape. Great service on board and friendly staff. The attendants Soledad Tecsi and Luz Maria made my trip unforgettable. Thank you to them! I would have no problem using PeruRail again next time.
    Written 6 December 2024
  • Global30201506358
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    😎
    An unforgettable experience, the landscape, the villages, the train and the attention they gave us we took it with us, thank you very much to the young jhonkaiber for his good service, we did not want to get off the train thank you very much
    Written 30 November 2024
  • 167abreum
    0 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fabuloso
    It has been a trip with beautiful landscapes and a very nice attention, grateful to the young John Keiver for his attention and his good energy
    Written 30 November 2024
See all 3,956 reviews
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Learn more about our review moderation.
4.8
4.8 of 5 bubbles2,786 reviews
Excellent
2,557
Very good
131
Average
35
Poor
16
Terrible
47

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

Bill-777
18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Seat is very comfortable. Bathroom is very clean. View along the route is amazing. Serve free water, tea or coffee. They sell snack on the train but the price on train is a lot higher than the price in market. I bought the same chocolate on train 1 bar for 20 sol. I bought chocolate in market 1 bar for 8 sol.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear rujirosej, We are happy to know that you enjoyed your train ride to Machu Picchu aboard one of our train. We will congratulate the staff on board for their great job. We hope to see you again soon. Regards! The PeruRail Team
Written 8 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

betteskid
Boston, MA1,353 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
We took this train to and from Machu Picchu and had a great time. The ride is pretty scenic and the train provides snacks and there was even a fashion show on the way back. There was also a performance by dancers in native costume that was very enjoyable. This was just plain fun and I recommend doing it when you are in the area and headed to Machu Picchu.
Written 14 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear betteskid, We are happy to know that you enjoyed your train ride to Machu Picchu aboard one of our train. We will congratulate the staff on board for their great job. We hope to see you again soon. Regards! The PeruRail Team
Written 14 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Dez P
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Friends
Visiting Cusco, I got to ride in this amazing train called PeruRail. My friends and I went from Cusco to Manchu Picchu and back and both time we had Sandra, Elsa, Giulissa and Wilbert who were absolutely amazing as servers and fashion models, I definitely recommend PeruRail for any going up to Manchu Picchu!!
Written 8 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Dez P, We are happy to know that you enjoyed your train ride to Machu Picchu aboard one of our train. We will congratulate the staff on board for their great job. We hope to see you again soon. Regards! The PeruRail Team
Written 9 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Michael P
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Friends
It has been intolerably frustrating dealing with this company. We purchased Expedition tickets through perurail.com over a week ago for which we were charged $183.00. As soon as the payment went through, we were redirected to the main screen. We never received an on-screen confirmation or a confirmation email, but we assumed we would eventually receive an email with the tickets. It has been over a week and still absolutely no indication that we purchased these tickets, even though my credit card still shows the $183.00 charge.

I contacted PeruRail and they kept terminating our chat session with them. They claim that they do not have a record of the charge and have been refusing to help us. I am a friendly and very reasonable person and I understand that mistakes happen, but it is never acceptable to charge almost 200 dollars and refuse to provide even basic customer service. I had to request a chargeback with my Chase card, which is extremely frustrating to have to do. I've heard that PeruRail is more comfortable than IncaRail, but it is obviously risky to try repurchasing tickets with PeruRail.

This situation might be uncommon or a total fluke, but it has been made very clear that if you happen to have any issues whatsoever, PeruRail's customer service is virtually nonexistent.
Written 23 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, D7927UKmichaelp We deeply regret the experience you had using our web platform. Please write to us at reservas@perurail.com detailing what happened, attaching the payment receipt, and indicating the following: - Outbound Trip: Exact date and preferred time. - Return Trip: Exact date and preferred time. - Number of Passengers: Adults and children (children considered 3-11 years and 11 months) The PeruRail Team
Written 25 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Maria Solange C
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Friends
Me and my friend, both over 65 years old, Brazilian, were prevented from traveling on the Peru Rail train even though we had our identity documents and our tickets purchased online that had our names and identification numbers.

Yesterday, a Peru Rai official from Ollantaytambo refused to validate our electronic tickets, saying that we had to have the card used to buy the tickets.

But But Rail never sent us any notice that we would have to bring on the trip or know which card number was used in the online purchase. Let me make it very clear: Peru Pail did not send any e-mail or other form of notice of this demand. And never in any country has anyone asked me at a train station for the card number used in an online ticket purchase.

The tickets had our names and document numbers. In other words, it was proven that they were ours.

I have heart problems and the official made me so nervous with all that absurdity that I almost had a heart attack. She then made us buy tickets for the same trip again. She, with our ID documents in her hands, sold us 2 new tickets by placing our dice on them. That is, we paid another 110 dollars to make the trip for which we already had tickets purchased, valid and even with our names.

Yesterday, I filled out the Peru Rail form to request a refund and they responded to my email today saying that they would not give us a refund because it was a "no show" and that Peru Rail would stop selling the seats that were empty. As in "no show". We were there. We were forced to pay again for the same trip.

We were financially disadvantaged. We paid 220 dollars for a trip that cost 110 dollars. We lose 110 dollars for Peru Rail. We even ran out of dollars for the rest of our trip.

A true absurdity, a lack of respect for 2 people looking forward to their first trip to Peru.

We were within our rights and were never notified by Peru Rail of the requirement to validate the ticket 24 hours in advance or of the requirement to have the card number used online.

I need the refund on my card because I am not from Peru and Peru Ray I did financial damage.
Google
Written 12 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola, marias0langec Gracias por compartir tu experiencia haciendo uso de nuestros servicios. Lo usual es que siempre se envíe un correo invitando al pasajero a validar y recoger sus tickets de manera presencial llevando la tarjeta con el que se realizó la compra y el documento de identidad del titular de la compra. Te hemos escrito por interno para poder conocer más al detalle lo sucedido. Quedamos atentos. El Equipo PeruRail
Written 14 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

João B
7 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Solo
I booked a ticket for the 24th May. There was a problem on obtaining my ticket to Macchu Pichu and I had to postpone my trip for the 2nd June.

By coincidence, there was a promo on the 24th because it's a Friday. I saved 10 euros.

When I wanted to change the ticket for the 2nd, I couldn't because "the policy says" promotional rates can't be changed.

Well, why the hell not?

I would pay the difference on the price, I would pay the 10% fee and I requested the change only an hour after my purchase. The company wouldn't lose a dollar.

However, they prefer to keep money from people because they know they are the only ones providing the service. That's why monopolies regulated...

Terrible experience. I hope they add other companies so people can boycott this type of companies when they screw with consumers.
Written 22 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear jo_obD4919LK, According to our modification policies, changes cannot be requested on tickets purchased in promotional campaigns. Remember that we are not a monopoly. We hope to see you again soon. Kind regards, The PeruRail Team
Written 3 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Christian
5 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Unfortunately very bad service. The air conditioning was so cold that everyone needed a jacket. Very uncomfortable; We asked the lady on the train (Isabel) if they could reduce it. Half an hour and more complaints later they finally decided to reduce it.
Apart from this, he charged us 10 soles for a mint tea without informing us that the other teas were included. When we asked him about what happened he just laughed and said that he had informed us, which is not true. Both we and our neighbors were surprised by their reaction. We were very frustrated having paid a (relatively) expensive ticket for such a bad service.
Google
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hola christiankB5240RO, Lamentamos mucho la mala experiencia que viviste haciendo uso de uno de nuestros servicios. Tus comentarios nos sirven para realizar una investigación interna y así mejorar la calidad de nuestros servicios. Esperamos volver a verte muy pronto. El Equipo PeruRail
Written 20 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Valerie T
23 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Family
I’ve traveled on the Peru rail several times on different occasions and I’ve never had a horrible experience ANYWHERE like I did this last time. A passenger who I’ve never met before approached me as I was looking through my things, turns out I dropped my vaccination card on my way from the waiting line to my wagon. She asked me if I was Valerie and I said yes, she said she found my vaccine card and gave it to one of the workers named Gabriela right outside the train. Immediately thereafter I tried to inform the lead representative/attendant on my wagon about the situation as passengers were still boarding. However, when I tried to let the attendant on my wagon know what was happening, she COMPLETELY dismissed me and walked away. I kept trying to explain what happened but she just kept cutting me off and telling me to have a seat. I pleaded to simply ask on the walkie talkie she was carrying but would not even talk directly to me as she dismissively asked me to take a seat. This went on for minutes until she locked the door and the train started rolling. At that point she she finally approached me and asked when I was leaving back to my country because apparently Gabriela left it at the Aguas Calientes station. She didn’t offer help in mitigating the situation, we know the train waits for no one, but her dismissive attitude was the escalatory factor in the whole experience. We rode the train back to Cusco without her offering the things to our table that she was offering everyone else which was very unprofessional. 3 hours into a 4 hour ride her supervisor approached us and basically encouraged us to file a complaint with no real solution.

I’m not sure if our more expensive tickets to Machu Picchu provided us with better service than our less expensive tickets on the return to cusco when this all happened but tickets this expensive should come with basic customer service.

I believe there is one alternative for getting to Machu Picchu that doesn’t require Peru Rail as we will never purchase tickets from them again
Written 17 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Valerie T, Thank you for sharing your travel experience with the TripAdvisor community. Your feedfack helps us to improve our service quality. We hope to see you on board again. Regards! The PeruRail Team
Written 20 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jack E
9 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Machu Piccu is a wonder well worth visiting however the necessity of taking the PeruRail train makes it much less enjoyable. When we boarded the train it was incredibly hot and at no point in the journey was the temperature lowered or any apology made for the unbearable temperature. Instead the snack trolley charged $15/litre for water making it very clear why the train was so hot as it was clearly a significant and unpleasant revenue source.
Written 28 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, jacke758 We are sorry you lived a bad experience using one of our train services. Your opinion will help us to improve the quality of our services. We hope to see you again soon. Regards! The PeruRail Team
Written 31 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Evan Krasnick
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
Terrible experience dealing with them. Awful customer service. Literally robbing people. This train is also always packed because they discount prices for non-tourists. Go to IncaRail much better company, great experience over there.
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, evank1212 Thank you for sharing your experience using our trains. Our deals & promotions apply to everyone. Not just resident people. We hope to see you again soon. Regards! The PeruRail Team
Written 24 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

Low cost Train to Machu Picchu or Cusco - PeruRail Expedition provided by PeruRail - Expedition

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