Perurail or Incarail, which is better?

Both Peru Rail and Inca Rail have different services to travel by train to Machu Picchu. Therefore, the choice of any of these companies will depend on the type of service you wish to take. However, you should know that PeruRail is the company that offers the highest frequency and availability, Peru Rail vs Inca Rail.

Peru Rail

It is the main freight and passenger railroad operator in southern Peru. It operates several routes, one of the best known is Cusco – Puno – Arequipa in its luxurious train “Andean Explorer”, but its main route of operations is: Poroy – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

As of 2019 it has a new route: San Pedro (Cusco city) – Poroy – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.

Peru Rail has 4 types of train services to Machu Picchu for foreign tourists 1 local train service for Peruvians only.

Expedition Train

The Expedition train has cars fully covered by panoramic windows.

This train is the most basic of all the services offered by PeruRail.

2. Vistadome Train

It is a train with wide cars, with panoramic windows on the roof and on the sides that will allow you to take pictures of the entire journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Ideal for observing the impressive natural scenery that surrounds the railroad between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It has large panoramic windows on both sides of its cars and on the roof. It offers snack service on board with Andean ingredients and includes non-alcoholic beverages. And, on the return trip, it offers a fashion show of traditional clothing made with baby alpaca and an Andean dance show.

The Vistadome Perurail train for guests of the Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado offers an exclusive service of its trains: Vistadome 601 (outbound) and Vistadome 304 (return).

Services:

• Snack
• Hot / cold beverages

Sacred Valley Train

This train connects Urubamba with Machu Picchu on a luxurious journey through the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Includes lunch (or dinner) in the observatory car or dining car.

Like the Hiram Bingham Train, the Sacred Valley Train has a dining car and an observatory bar car where you are offered:

• Reception with an Andean infusion.
• Gourmet lunch.
• Gastronomic dinner.
• Beverages.

4. Hiram Bingham – luxury train

It is one of the most luxurious, exclusive and full-service trains in the world. It has 4 cars, dining car, bar cars, gourmet dinner, transportation and tickets to Machu Picchu.

PeruRail’s Belmond Hiram Bingham Train is equipped with a dining car, bar and observatory car, and has the following services:

• Welcome show with typical dances of Cusco and typical and international music shows on board.
• The most delicious Peruvian cocktails.
• Gourmet lunch.
• Dinner.
• Live music show.
• Guided tour in Machu Picchu in English or Spanish.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Private bus to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
• Tea time at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge starting at 4:00 pm.
• VIP lounge at Machu Picchu station.

This luxury train(Hiram Bingham) to Machu Picchu departs, every day except the last Sunday of each month, from Poroy station.

5. Local Train

The local train is exclusive for Peruvians and residents of Machu Pichu Pueblo, it can not be purchased online, it is done in the offices of Peru Rail in Cusco (Wanchaq Station).

Inca Rail

It is the second railway company that provides passenger transportation services from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

It has the routes 1: Poroy – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes and 2: Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.

1. The Voyager

The cars have comfortable seats, folding tables and panoramic windows. Set to Latin American music. There is onboard service and a selection of drinks made with Andean fruits and herbs.

Services:

• Snacks.
• Hot and cold drinks.
• Ambient music.

2. The 360º

They have large panoramic windows, Latin American music, on-board service with a selection of hot and cold drinks, as well as the sale of handcrafted products on board.

Services:

• Andean snacks.
• Hot and cold drinks.
• Onboard entertainment system.
• Sale of handicraft products on board.

3. The First Class

It is a service that has ambient music, natural flowers and lined tables. You will be served a welcome cocktail, lunch and/or gourmet dinner. It is only available during high tourist season (April to October) and special dates.

Services:

• Welcome cocktail.
• Gourmet lunch and dinner.
• Open-air observatory wagon.
• Gourmet menu
• Free bar and beverages
• Live Music Show
• Bus to Machu Picchu.

4. The Private

With capacity for 8 people. The wagon, known as the “Inca Princess” is of the presidential class. The car has many details in its decoration, food on board, open bar. This train only operates on request.

Services:

• A private carriage to enjoy luxury and exclusivity.
• Outdoor balcony.
• Gourmet menu.
• Free bar and beverages.
• Live music show.
• Private bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Inca Rail does not have a local train for Peruvians or Aguas Calientes residents.

How long does the train ride to Machu Picchu take?

The duration of the train trip depends on the station where you board the train:

• From San Pedro Station (Cusco City): The trip takes 3 hours and 15 minutes approximately.
• 2. From Poroy station (30 minutes from Cusco): The trip takes 3 hours and 15 minutes approximately.
• 3. From Urubamba station (about 2 hours by car from Cusco): The trip takes 2 hours and 30 minutes, approximately.
• 4. From Ollantaytambo station (about 2 hours by car from Cusco): The trip takes a little less than 2 hours.

What are the train schedules to Machu Picchu?

Train schedules depend on the company you will take, schedules are punctual and fixed. Below we show the train schedules to Machu Picchu of the 2 train companies.

1. Peru Rail Train Schedules One Way

• Boarding: San Pedro station, Poroy station, Urubamba station or Ollantaytambo station.
• Disembarkation: Aguas Calientes Station.

2. Peru Rail Train Schedules Return or Reversion

• Boarding: Aguas Calientes Station.
• Disembarkation: San Pedro station, Poroy station, Urubamba station or Ollantaytambo station.

How to buy your train tickets to Machu Picchu on Perurail?

Online/Internet

• Go to the website of
  PeruRail
  .
• Perform an availability search of the service on the date you want to go, the type of service you want and from which station you want to take the train.
• Choose and complete your personal data.
• Make the payment using your credit card or the available payment methods provided by the website.
• Finally, print your train ticket.

In Office/Personal

• Larcomar Shopping Mall: Av. Malecón de la Reserva 610, Stand 214, district of Miraflores – Lima.
• Jorge Chávez International Airport: Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, between gates 13 and 14 of domestic flights, Lima.
• Plaza Norte Shopping Mall: Av. Alfredo Mendiola 1400, second floor of Galería Sur, Lima.
• Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport: Av. Velasco Astete s/n, Cusco.
• Plaza de Armas: Portal de Carnes 214, Cusco.
• Plaza Regocijo 202, Cusco.
• Av. El Sol 409, Cusco.
• Wanchaq Station: Av. Pachacutec s/n, Cusco.
• Poroy Station: Calle Roldan s/n, Cusco.
• Urubamba Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n Urubamba, Sacred Valley – Cusco.
• Ollantaytambo Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley – Cusco.
• Aguas Calientes Station: Las Orquídeas Neighborhood, Machu Picchu

How to buy your train ticket to Machu Picchu on Inca Rail?

Online/Internet

• Go to the Inca Rail website.
• Perform a search for availability of dates and type of service.
• Choose a route and select the service mode.
• Fill in your personal information.
• Choose a payment method and make the payment.
• Finally, print your train ticket.

In Office/Personal

• Portal de Panes 105, Cusco Main Square.
• Av. el Sol N° 843, Cusco.
• Ollantaytambo Station: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, district of Ollantaytambo
• Aguas Calientes Station: Machu Picchu district.

Frequently Asked Questions about Train to Machu Picchu

Recommendations for Buying Your Train Ticket to Machu Picchu

• Before purchasing your train ticket, you must first buy your entrance ticket to the citadel of Machu Picchu, so that according to the date and time of entry to Machu Picchu you can choose the train that suits you best.
• Buy your train ticket well in advance, especially for the high season, about 2 or 3 months in advance.
• Bring your valid ID or passport with you.
• You must take into account that during the rainy season, trains cannot depart due to security issues and route closures, in which case you must go to the offices of the train company and reschedule.
• Only the traveler’s own luggage is allowed, PeruRail has a free storage service. We recommend leaving your luggage at the hotel where you are staying.

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