It is a dream of most people to travel the world and see new and interesting things. Traveling can do all this for you, expand your mind, teach you about new and different cultures. Traveling to South America is no different. South America is a mystery to most people and it is only in the last decade that interest in the continent has been aroused. One of the most popular countries in the region is the Andean country. During the last years, Peru has become a popular attraction. Especially because most people want to see is the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. The Inca site has recently been voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and with good reason. Most of you will want to travel there and most of you will want to travel by train. So how do you get the train tickets to Machu Picchu? To answer this, we have prepared an article where we delve into the subject. Together with the experts of Machu Travel Peru, we want to make your vacations much easier.
Everything you need to know about the train tickets to Machu Picchu
- The train trip to Machu Picchu
- Where to take the train?
- Buying the tickets
- Types of trains
- Back to Cusco
THE TRAIN TRIP TO MACHU PICCHU
One of the most beautiful train trips in the world is between the colonial city of Cusco and the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. If you are looking to visit Machu Picchu, doing it on a comfortable train trip is one of the best ways. Two companies in Peru are in charge of taking travelers to the citadel. PeruRail and the Inca Rail operate this route. They take care of transporting hundreds of passengers to this historic site every day. Leaving the station in Cusco, the train to Machu Picchu passes through a narrow gorge and then into the Sacred Valley. Passengers usually board in Ollantaytambo and continue along the Urubamba River to the Machu Picchu station in Aguas Calientes. During this part of the trip, the landscape changes dramatically. The foothills of the Andes have become dense cloud forests. A show that is worth seeing.
WHERE TO TAKE THE TRAIN?
Trains to Machu Picchu depart mainly from 2 stations. The Poroy station, which is located in Cusco, and the Ollantaytambo station in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. From Poroy station, the train to Aguas Calientes takes an average of 3 hours. The departure frequency is not as dynamic as that of the Ollantaytambo station. Both Inca Rail and Peru Rail bring tourists from this station. The train from Ollantaytambo station takes an average of 2 hours to reach Aguas Calientes. Most of the trains leave from this location. Depending on your train tickets to Machu Picchu, you will board at one station or another.
BUYING THE TICKETS
ON THE ORIGINAL WEBSITE
The train tickets to Machu Picchu can be obtained in many different ways. But before buying your tickets, you must choose some of the many trains available. Once you decide which train from Cusco to Machu Picchu you want, you can enter the website of the train company of choice. Either Peru Rail or Inca Rail, the main companies in charge of providing train services. On the website, you can buy your tickets with your credit card. In this way, you will have your seat guaranteed and you will receive your ticket from the company.
Keep in mind that once in Aguas Calientes, you will need another ticket to get to the citadel. You will also need to buy your bus ticket to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes. Your entrance ticket to the site can also be obtained from the Peruvian government website. All of this must be purchased in advance and you will need to find a guide as you are not allowed to enter without one. This will save you some money but not time as some of these websites are complicated to manage. To make this process even easier, you can choose to leave these tasks to a company like us. If you are planning a trip to Peru, it is better that you organize it together with a trusted company.
BUY TICKETS FROM A TRUSTED COMPANY
Another option to buy your train tickets to Machu Picchu is to wait until you arrive in Cusco. From Cusco, you can buy the complete Machu Picchu package at any local tourist company. This can also save you some time and money, but the main risk is that there are no spaces on the trains and no entry tickets. Many agencies can help you go to Machu Picchu.
The preferred way and what most people do is to hire an online agency to buy their tickets for the train to Machu Picchu. In this way, you will be sure to secure your train tickets to Machu Picchu, as well as the entrance tickets. This will cost you more but in the long run, you will get what you want and arrive in Peru with peace of mind. The agency will also provide you with a qualified guide to learn about the history of the Inca Citadel and some amazing Machu Picchu facts. You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco and transferred to the train station in Cusco or Ollantaytambo. From here, you will be put on the train to Aguas Calientes. Once you arrive, your guide will be waiting for you to take your tour to Machu Picchu.
TYPES OF TRAINS
Travel packages to Machu Picchu are available throughout the year. Two different train companies offer train services to Machu Picchu.
- The first is PeruRail, which offers three different services. The cheapest is the Expedition train, a tourist train that has many departures and round trips per day. The train has large windows and comfortable seats. Higher up the Expedition is the Vistadome. This train is famous for its glass roof panels, which provide wonderful views of the mountains and luxurious leather seats. Then there is the exclusive Hiram Bingham train. If you have the means to travel to Machu Picchu on the Hiram Bingham, this is the most luxurious of the Peru Rail fleet. Free cocktails and lunch will be offered to you onboard and you will arrive in Aguas Calientes in luxury and style. For train enthusiasts, this is not to be missed on any trip to Peru.
- The other company that offers train trips to Machu Picchu is Inca Rail. This company has the same classes of luxury trains as Peru Rail but less frequently. The service is the same, so you should take a look at this company as well. Once you have arrived at Machu Picchu, opt to take a guided tour. Find out what this ancient site has to offer, the history and mystery that the site offers will not disappoint the history buff. After your guided tour, spend some time exploring on your own and revisit some of the special places. One of the best tours in Peru to enjoy.
BACK TO CUSCO
Once you’ve finished touring the site, a bus ride back to the pretty town of Aguas Calientes awaits. Aguas Calientes is a city below where is Machu Picchu located. The city has many small markets and some beautiful hot springs. The springs are ideal to visit after having hiked in Machu Picchu. From here, you will take the train back to Cusco. In general, when you buy your train tickets to Machu Picchu, you also buy the return tickets. A tour of Peru Machu Picchu will live in your memory forever. Be sure to do your research and decide how you want to buy your train tickets. Whether through company websites or a licensed travel agent, the experience will be memorable.
“THE TRAIN ALWAYS ARRIVE AT YOUR STATION. THE QUESTION IS WHICH ONE TO TAKE?.”
We hope together with the travel experts of Machu Travel Peru to have been of help for your next vacation. Getting train tickets is not something that takes too much time or effort. But if you are only looking to enjoy this wonderful country, it is advisable to leave this task to us. We will be happy to help you fulfill your dream trip to Machu Picchu. If you want to know more about our different travel programs, you can consult with our team of qualified advisers. We will be waiting for your soon visit to Peru!
