| Distance | 72 km (45.0 miles) |
| Price range | $59-$257 |
| Ride Duration Range | 3h 40m-4h 8m |
| Earliest Departure | 13:30 |
| Latest Departure | 21:12 |
| Most Popular Operator | Inca Rail |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest train: 3h 40m
Cheapest train: $59
The fastest: 3h 40m
The cheapest: $59
Pros
Excellent service
Great service and comfortable accommodations provided
The views!
Private transfer included
Cons
Luggage limitation
Snacks not always included
No other transport option
Usually non refundable
Limited departure times
POSSIBLE AMENITIES:
WC
A/C
Food
After your lifelong memories are made in Machu Picchu, there are still plenty of fantastic sights to visit in Peru in relation to the Incan civilization. Cusco, also known as Cuzco, was once the capital of the Incan Empire and so holds great historical importance. The city is nestled within a valley in the Central Peruvian Andes. During the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, some Incan architecture was destroyed and then built on top of by the Spaniards.
You can still witness examples of both the traditional Incan buildings and the Baroque Spanish style that juxtapose one another not just visually, but in the two very different cultures they represent. 19 kilometers (12 miles) outside of the city, a visit to the Sacred Valley is a must see for tourists visiting the region for the incredible natural sights and Incan architecture.
Train travel is the typical option for those wishing to travel the 64 kilometers (40 miles) from Machu Picchu to Cusco. There are only a few operators supplying the route, but each operator has several different class options such as Tourist, Panoramic, and Luxury, among others. The affordable Tourist option for the route is a popular choice for many as the incredible scenery from the window is all that is needed to make this journey special. However, if you want to take your journey to the ultimate experience, Luxury and First Class train travel will enrich your trip with extravagance and celebration.
Whatever type of train travel you choose, the journey from Machu Picchu to Cusco is a memorable experience in itself. Like so many destinations in Peru along the Inca trail, you will arrive in Cusco with a sense of wonder at the wild beauty and fascinating history of this old capital.
From Machu Picchu to Cusco, your journey starts in the town of Aguas Calientes which sits right on the Urubamba River and is the base for journeying to and from Machu Picchu. The railroad route travels parallel to part of the river and takes you through the mesmerizing mountains and valleys of the Peruvian Andes.
Lush green jungles mixed with snowy mountain peaks such as Salkantay Mountain is a wonder to behold and an exciting prospect for hikers. There are also many historical sights along the route including Tambomachay, where handmade waterfalls and aqueducts built by the Incas show their sophisticated building abilities and were supposedly made to worship water.
Taking a train
The most affordable option for train travel from Machu Picchu to Cusco is with the Tourist Train. This train is the cheapest option but is still a comfortable journey with all the standard train amenities you would expect like toilet facilities and snacks available to buy on board. Panoramic Trains are slightly more expensive than Tourist Trains but are a good option for those hoping to get the very best of the sights, as the special panoramic windows give a 360-degree view.
VIP Trains are middle of the road in terms of price and provide some perks such as complimentary snacks and reclining seats. Luxury and First Class trains are the priciest options by far but provide the best for those that want the ultimate travel experience. These luxurious trains have comfortable lounging areas, observation decks, live local music and a beautifully-made meal and drinks included in the price.
Some of the train services are in fact a combined bus and train service, with the bus departing from Cusco and a changeover to a train in Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. The train journey on average takes about 3.5 hours but is shorter with some services and longer if you take a bus and train option. Certain trains only operate during the high season, but there are other train services to take their place during the low season if you decide to travel during that time.
From sorting through train options to getting views of the Andes in the daylight, we’ll equip you with must-knows about traveling from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
There are five fundamental ways in which technology has transformed and continues to transform our trips and saves our lives.
We’ve compiled a list of symptoms and a few easy suggestions to help you deal with and overcome the challenge that is known as travel anxiety.
Bookaway.com makes it simple and easy to find, compare, and buy city-to-city tickets via bus, train, ferry, and more. We support over 13 languages and 23 currencies worldwide, and we believe that everyone should easily be able to find and purchase what they are looking for. We don’t just want to help you get where you want to go - we want you to enjoy the ride.
