The 11 Best Train Journeys in Peru

1.Machu Picchu 2-Day Inca Trail with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 260 reviews · 2 days · from $582Our pick

This two-day trip takes you from Cusco to Machu Picchu by train and foot. You hike from Km 104 past Chachabamba and Wiñaywayna, enter through the Sun Gate at sunset, sleep in Aguas Calientes, then tour Machu Picchu at sunrise before returning on the Vistadome train.

“Our guides were literally the best! We couldn’t have asked for better! The only thing we would recommend to improve on. My husband and I train tickets were not seats next to eachother and the whole group was on different trains on the ride back. The bag drop off and transportation back to our hotels process could improve. There was a lot of waiting around and extra steps that seems could be done more streamlined and organized especially when participants are tired and ready to go back to their hotels. Thank you!!”

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2.The First Class Machu Picchu Train by Inca Rail

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 182 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $855

Travel from Cusco toward Machu Picchu in Inca Rail First Class, with Sacred Valley views, an observatory carriage, three-course meals, drinks, live music, a guide, and private buses to the citadel. The trip begins at 11:15 am and takes about two to four hours.

“I am writing to tell you that this is the worst operation I have ever seen.”

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3.1-day Machu Picchu Tour by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 138 reviews · 12 hours · from $360Best value

Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by tourist train in a small group, with hotel pickup, round-trip rail tickets, shuttle buses, entrance fees, and a two-hour guided visit. Guides such as Richard, Eric, and Juan Carlos have helped make the site’s Inca story clear and engaging.

“Amazing guide! Miguel! So enthousiastic and talks with passion about the city and its divercity in vegetation and animals that live around here. Also the taxi to the trainstation, the trainrides, the busrides and the taxi back to the hotel were perfectly booked for us.”

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4.2-Day Machu Picchu Tour by train from Cusco ( All included )

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 85 reviews · from $485Top rated

Travel from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo, then ride the train to Aguas Calientes for one night. A local English-speaking guide leads your two-hour Machu Picchu visit. Luis and driver Gonzalo have earned special praise for friendly, careful service.

“Excelente experiencia hicieron hasta lo imposible para acomodar nuestras necesidades muy complacidos éramos cuatro y todos estamos muy contentos, nuestro guía Luis super professional, muy amable y con mucho conocimiento. El conductor Gonzalo respetuoso, educado y muy profesional. Lo recomendamos 100%”

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5.Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour by Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 79 reviews · 2 days · from $499

Travel from Cusco through Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo before taking the train to Aguas Calientes. Your small group then visits Machu Picchu with an English-speaking guide. Victor, Carlos, Martin, and Efrain have all led this route, which includes hotel pickup, train tickets, meals, and one night in town.

“Our trip was incredible. Day 1, Victor picked us up right on time and guided us through the Maras Salt Mines, Sacred Valley, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo with exceptional knowledge and insight. Everything was perfectly organised (tickets sorted, timings seamless), meaning whole day felt completely stress-free. The buffet lunch in Urubamba was more than we expected, with loads of choice for different dietary needs. The PeruRail journey was genuinely one of the best train experiences ever. On Day 2, we met Carlos (A. Sullcaccori Sifyentes), and from the first moment his expertise and kindness really stood out. He carefully guided us up to Circuit 1 at Machu Picchu at a comfortable…”

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6.5-Day Salkantay Trek with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 5 days · from $655

Spend five days hiking from Cusco through icy peaks, cloud forest, coffee country, and Llactapata. TreXperience provides guides such as Cesar, Roger, José, and Elias, hearty meals, glamping, camping, and a Vistadome or 360° train to Cusco.

“Fillo was the most amazing guide I’ve ever met! He took care of everything in every detail and helped alot with the headaches during hiking as I wasn’t used to that altitude. Amazing experience that I will never forget! Fillio, you gave us an outstanding experience during the Salkantay trek! Big up for the cook, Estevan, amazing chef and the peruvian food was top notch. And for the porters, all my respect, they are so hardworking. Totally recommend, the locations, the staff, the schedule, 10/10!”

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7.Machu Picchu 2-Day Adventure by Train with Overnight Stay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $597

Travel from Cusco through the Sacred Valley by train, sleep one night in Aguas Calientes, then enter Machu Picchu early with a private English or Spanish guide. Ronal is one guide associated with this tour. You also get free time at the citadel before returning to Cusco.

“I cannot say enough about how great Heidi Travel is! We had made a reservation with a different company who canceled on us the day before we were arranged to leave (looking at you Machu Picchu USA). In a panic, we tried desperately to find another company who could get us into Machu Picchu on a two-day notice. This is where Heidi worked her magic. Her and I arranged to combine our Machu Picchu tour with a Sacred Valley tour, which we planned on taking later in our vacation anyway. She booked those tours together (staying in Ollaytantambo instead of returning to Cusco in order to begin our Machu Picchu…”

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8.Tour To Machupicchu 2 Days by Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $399

Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by train with Mega Expeditions, spend one night in Aguas Calientes, and enter the citadel early with a guide. Carlos and Nixon handle trip coordination, while Jorge is one guide named in the tour experience. You walk to the ruins instead of taking the shuttle bus.

“Excellent tour company with a very helpful staff. They held my bags for me while I went to Macchu Picchu and sent them to my hotel. Everyone was so thoughtful and hospitable. Great company.”

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9.4 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu by 360° Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $820

Follow the classic four-day Inca Trail from KM-82 to Machu Picchu with a group of up to nine. You will cross 4,215-meter Dead Woman's Pass, visit Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñay Wayna, then return by train and bus to Cusco.

“DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY "HAPPY GRINGO TOURS" This company is hopeless. Very bad communication and management. They never contact and share any booking details until very last minute. Finally they contacted us 1.5 days before the inca trial start date was to inform us the start date need to PUSH BACK ONE DAY. Happy Gringo Tours claimed there is a new ticket system from Machu Picchu new management and everyone in the tour will be affected but ended up it is a LIE. We have to reschedule our accommodation and other planned activities because of this last minute change. Do not book with them unless you want a…”

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10.2-Day Sacred Valley and Machupicchu by Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 days · from $499

Travel from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu in two well-organized days. Visit Awana Kancha, Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo, then ride the train to Aguas Calientes. Guides such as Justino and Judy may lead different portions, with a maximum group size of 10.

“Everything was well-organized. Our guides were informative. Transportation service was above average, with newer and smaller cars than the competition.”

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11.2-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu & Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 2 days · from $624

Start at Km 104 and follow the Inca Trail through Chachabamba, Wiñay Wayna, and the Sun Gate before sleeping in Aguas Calientes. Your small group, English or Spanish guide, and next-day Machu Picchu visit include trains, buses, hotel, meals, and entrance tickets. Guides such as Saul, Franco, and Noemie have earned strong praise.

“Très belle marche à partir du km 104, accompagnée des interessantes explications de notre guide Noemie. Le lendemain, lever à l'aube pour admirer le Machu Picchu encore enveloppé dans la brume matinale. Après la visite, pas grand chose d'intéressant à faire à Aguas Calientes”

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