Tips for buying the train ticket to Machu Picchu

by Peru PathTravel Path Travel

There are two railway companies that provide transport to Machu Picchu 4 days: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both trains depart from Cusco and end in the city of Aguas Calientes. The journey takes between 2 and 3 hours. The directions below will help you better organize your visit to the Inca city.

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The train ticket to Machu Picchu

· The train ticket to Machu Picchu offers a tourist trip from one of the stations of Cusco (San Pedro, Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo) to the final station of Aguas Calientes.

· There are different types of train tickets that offer different services in the Inca city.

· Peru Rail offers 4 services: Expedition, Vistadome, Sacred Valley and Hiram Bingham. Inca Rail offers 4 services: The Voyager, The 360º, The First Class and The Private.

· Train tickets are purchased at authorized offices in Cusco, Peru. However, most tourists do it online through the Peru Rail or Inca Rail websites .

· If you don't travel by train, the only way to reach the Inca city is via the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This hiking route lasts 4 days and follows the same path of the Incas hundreds of years ago.

Tips for buying a train ticket

· Purchase the train ticket through the Peru Rail or Inca Rail websites. You can do it from anywhere in the world.

· Machu Picchu is a popular destination, so it is necessary to book the train ticket at least 20 days in advance.

· In case of physical disability or special medical conditions, inform the railway company staff.

· They will not let you enter the car without presenting your ID or passport. If you do not have one, Peru Rail or Inca Rail staff will prevent you from boarding the train. Train tickets are non-refundable.

· If you wish to cancel your trip, be sure to do it thirty days in advance. Otherwise, you will have to pay a high economic penalty and even lose your train tickets.

· Arrival at the train station 30 minutes before departure. If you do not arrive in time, you will lose the right to the ticket without a complaint.

The train journey to Machu Picchu in the rainy season

· The rainy season takes place in Cusco and machu-picchu-2-days from November to April. During these months, constant rainfall is characteristic.

· Train departures from San Pedro and Poroy stations (near the city of Cusco) do not work from 1 January to 30 April; because of the constant rains and the dangers that this can represent for visitors.

· In those months, train departures are made at the stations of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. These stations operate throughout the year.

· From 1 May to 31 December, the train service operates throughout the year and in all stations.

Types of rail services for Machu Picchu

Both the Peru Rail and Inca Rail companies offer multiple types of services ranging from the tourist class to exclusive service trains.

Peru Rail:

· Shipping : comfortable tourist class service with large windows. The trip offers attention on board and sale of products on board. The car design is inspired by the Andean culture. It is one of the most popular trains for Machu Picchu.

· Vistadome : tourist class service with all the comforts needed to enjoy the beautiful scenery towards Machu Picchu. Includes free snacks and drinks. During the return journey there is a show of music, dance and fashion show with alpaca clothes.

· Sacred Valley : exclusive service that starts from the Urubamba station in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu by Train 2 Days of the Incas. Offers free snacks and drinks and a gourmet lunch. There is a dining car and an observatory bar car.

· Hiram Bingham: luxury service that has all the comforts on board such as: snacks, open bar, gourmet lunch, live music show and tour guide, bus and entry to Machu Picchu. It is considered one of the most luxurious train experiences in the world.

Inca Rail:

· The Voyager: tourist service with comfortable seats, panoramic windows and large tables. The trip includes assistance on board and sales of various products on board. It is the service with the most daily departures of Inca Rail.

· The 360º: tourist service characterized by large windows and comfort on board. It includes an open-air observatory wagon, a "packed lunch" and an interactive app inside the train that informs about the places that are beaten during the journey.

· First class: exclusive service with comfortable seating, large windows, observatory machine, bar, gourmet menu, live music show and bus service to Machu Picchu.

· The Private: luxury service that offers all the comforts on board, such as: welcome champagne, gourmet menu, private bus to the Inca city, music show, open bar and large, beautifully decorated spaces. This train leaves only at the request of the visitor (via e-mail).