The 12 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 combines the 12 to 16 km short Inca Trail with Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, the Sun Gate, and a full Machu Picchu tour. English or Spanish-speaking guides lead groups of up to 16, with chef-prepared trail meals, one hotel night, and a Vistadome train ride home. Guide names vary, with past groups praising Gilbert, Jason, Alejandro, and Abelardo.

“fantastic experience. the guides were brilliant. the company were efficient and well organised and were were lucky to be with a great group of people. the whole trek was hard, but to arrive at Machu Pichu this way, after having to make a really effort, made the whole experience so much more worthwhile.”

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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 an observatory carriage, three-course meals, drinks, live music, a guided citadel visit, and private bus transfers. The package begins at 11:15 am and includes a Cusco VIP waiting room, though your hotel-to-station transfer is not included.

“Everything was great - from Machu Picchu pick-up, complimentary dinner in the restaurant near the station to the train experience and live music. I got to be the only first class passenger so it felt even more luxurious.”

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3.1-day Machu Picchu Tour by Train

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

Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by tourist train, with hotel pickup, round-trip rail, bus tickets, entrance, and a two-hour guided visit. Guides such as Richard, Eric, Miguel, and Juan Carlos Quiño bring Inca history to life. Expect a very long day, changing train times, and possible waiting in Aguas Calientes.

“We were abit anxious about the 15hrs day trip but Libertrek Peru Travel arranged a very good itinerary for the day. The highlight of course was visiting Machu Picchu. Our guide Richard and driver Yuri were very helpful making sure our trip went smoothly. Richard was very accommodating and gave us a pretty good briefing about this historical site and took us to the best locations for photos. The scenic ride with PeruRail was also another highlight. Highly recommended. Richard is your man..”

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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 Aguas Calientes, stay one night, then tour Machu Picchu with an English-speaking guide. The package covers trains, buses, breakfast, entrance, hotel transfers, and lodging. Ask about guide assignments, since Luis and driver Gonzalo earned special praise for their care and professionalism.

“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. The next morning, a guide leads you through Machu Picchu. Groups are limited to 10, with English, Spanish, or Portuguese guides, hotel pickup, rail tickets, buses, lunch, and one hotel night included.

“Guide Viktor & Carlos did an excellent job! Super good organization from FlyCusco!”

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6.5-Day Salkantay Trek with Panoramic Train

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

Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu via Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass, with glamping at 4,150 meters, cloud-forest huts, a Pachamanca feast, coffee tasting, and a night overlooking the citadel at Llactapata. Small groups of up to 16 travel with English or Spanish guides, cooks, muleteers, and a panoramic train back to Cusco.

“Fantastic trip! All of the staff were incredible. The food was delicious and better than the restaurant food we had in aquas calientes. Cesar was a brilliant guide and looked after us really well. Some highlights. Salkantay mountain standing over our campsite first night. The night sky first night. The very distant view of macchu picchu on the fourth night. Some tips - you need cash in Peru. Be prepared. Altitude was a problem on the first day of the trip and medication (acetazolamide) helped those who had it.”

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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 minibus and train, stay one night in Aguas Calientes, then enter Machu Picchu early with a private English or Spanish-speaking guide. You get a two-hour guided visit, free time at the citadel, return transport, breakfast, and tickets, while meals, hot springs, and mountain hikes cost extra.

“Heidi was super helpful organising this trip. After booking this trip, we contacted her to get an upgrade of the train to a vistadome carriage and she was able to sort that for us without any issues. She was also able to meet us in Cuzco and explain our trip, even upgrade us to have a tour of the sacred valley the day before! In addition, she managed to secure a discount for a Moras and Moray trip for us too (highly recommend). The whole trip went smoothly and she was there every step of the way. I encourage anyone who has any questions about the booking, including booking huaynapichu…”

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8.Tour To Machupicchu 2 Days by Train

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

This two-day trip takes you from Cusco to Machu Picchu by train, with one night in Aguas Calientes and an early morning walk to the citadel. You get entrance arrangements, a guided visit, dinner, breakfast, and return transport. Carlos, Nixon, and guide Jorge have been praised for thoughtful service, though ticket confirmation and hotel details need checking.

“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

You’ll hike the classic Inca Trail from KM-82 to Machu Picchu over four demanding days, passing Llactapata, Dead Woman’s Pass, Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Inti Pata, and Wiñay Wayna. A guide, cooks, porters, meals, private tents, permits, and the return train are included. Bring strong fitness, patience, and careful questions about pickup and equipment.

“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.One Day Tour to Machu Picchu with Train Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 28 reviews · 4 hours - 1 day · from $170Best value

You leave central Cusco at 3:50 AM, ride to Ollantaytambo, then take a 110-minute train to Aguas Calientes. A bilingual English or Spanish guide leads a two-hour Machu Picchu visit covering the terraces, Temple of the Sun, and Sacred Rock, followed by free time and the return journey.

“An unforgettable day exploring Machu Picchu. Great communication, punctual service, and an amazing overall experience. Highly recommended!”

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11.Machu Picchu Day Trip with Train + Entrance ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $333

Travel from central Cusco to Machu Picchu by bus, train, and shuttle with a certified English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide. You will get a two-hour guided visit, free time in Aguas Calientes, and round-trip transport. Freddy may be available as your guide, subject to scheduling.

“I would like to pay gratitude to Freddy who provided me and my friend a very in-depth explanation of the spots at Machu Picchu. He also took good photos for us and took good care of me and my friend throughout the trip. I highly recommend this tour for everybody who would opt for going to Machu Picchu”

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12.Rainbow Mountain tour and Machu Picchu tour by train

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 13 reviews · 2 days · from $370

This two-day Peru tour pairs Vinicunca, the 5,020-meter Mountain of Seven Colors, with a guided Machu Picchu visit by train. You get Cusco hotel pickup, meals on the Rainbow Mountain day, train and bus tickets, entrance fees, and English or Spanish guides. Guides such as Caesar and Louis have helped make the demanding schedule easier to manage.

“Agency met us the day before tours to explain logistics & deliver all tickets we needed for a stress free trip! I would highly recommend this two day tour! Rainbow mountain hike w/ Caesar was challenging but an amazing experience! A 4am start, but can sleep in the van to breakfast. After 2 hrs you arrive at the start of the 3.25 mile round trip hike. It’s not steep, but still a moderate hike ending at 16,400ft. People on our tour got altitude sickness & recommend acclimating in Cusco beforehand. Guide had everything to help us hike, but you can pay for a horse or bike ride up. Plenty of…”

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