Cusco Train Journeys: the 13 Rides Worth Booking

1.Machu Picchu 2-Day Inca Trail with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 260 reviews · 2 days · from $582Our pick

This two-day TreXperience tour combines a challenging 16-kilometer Inca Trail hike with Chachabamba, Wiñaywayna, the Sun Gate, and guided Machu Picchu visits. English or Spanish-speaking guides such as Gilbert, Abelardo, Jason, and Alejandro lead groups of up to 16. You get trail meals, a hotel night, buses, and a Vistadome train home.

“Abelardo was the best guide! Me and Dimitris had a great time! Also the food was great, as of quality, diversity and taste, more than expected!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 a VIP waiting room, observatory carriage, meals, drinks, live music, private bus transfers, and a certified guide at the citadel. The $855 price includes entrance and dining, but check the train station transfer details before booking.

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Excursion to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu by Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $590Top rated

Travel from Cusco through the Sacred Valley, stopping at Pisac, its artisan market, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo before taking the train to Aguas Calientes. The next morning, a private guide leads your two-hour Machu Picchu visit. Guides Rubin and Samuel are associated with the experience, which uses small groups of up to 13 people.

“Fantastic experience, our guides Rubin and Samuel were the best! Enjoyed beautiful sites and learned a lot. Highly recommended this trip! All of the logistics were planned flawlessly”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Excursion to Machu Picchu in 1 day from Cusco with Vogager Train Inca Rail

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 10 to 16 hours (approx.) · from $475

Leave Cusco at 4:30 am for a full-day visit to Machu Picchu. You get private round-trip transfers to Ollantaytambo, Inca Rail tourist-class train service, buses to the citadel, entrance, and a professional guide. The group is limited to eight people, but the long day and strict nonrefundable policy require careful planning.

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Inca Trail 4 Day Adventure to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $950

You’ll hike the classic Inca Trail from Km 82 to Machu Picchu over four days, crossing Dead Woman’s Pass and visiting Patallacta, Wiñaywayna, and the Sun Gate. Local guides such as Paulo and Raul lead groups of up to 16, while porters, cooks, camping gear, meals, permits, and the return train are included.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Belmond Hiram Bingham Train to Machupicchu – Full Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $2,250

Ride the Belmond Hiram Bingham from Cusco toward Machu Picchu with breakfast, wine, Pisco Sours, live music, and an onboard observation car. At Machu Picchu, a professional guide leads your visit, followed by afternoon tea at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. The day lasts about 12 hours and runs Tuesday through Thursday.

“What a pleasurable experience. Travel on the Belmond Hiram Bingham train to Aguas Calientes was spectacular. The accommodations, food, service and entertainment was excellent. The guided tour of Machu Picchu and the afternoon tea at the Belmond Sanctuary was amazing. Highly recommend this tour. An unforgettable experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Machu Picchu Day Tour by Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $399Best value

Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by private vehicle and panoramic train, with a private guide, included bus tickets, and door-to-door service. You can choose Voyager, Vistadome, or Vistadome Observatory service. Guides such as Carlos, Martin, and Edwin have earned praise for clear explanations and thoughtful help throughout the long day.

“Our experience with this tour was absolutely fantastic from start to finish! We were picked up from our hotel in Cusco in a top-notch, comfortable vehicle for our drive to Ollantaytambo. The journey was smooth, and our driver was courteous and professional. Upon arriving at Ollantaytambo, we boarded the train to Aguascalientes, where we were greeted at the station by another friendly team member who guided us to the bus line to Machu Picchu. Once at Machu Picchu, our guide truly made the experience unforgettable. She led us from the entrance to the site with a perfect pace—giving us plenty of time to take in the breathtaking surroundings without feeling…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Excursion to MachuPicchu with Train Vistadome Full Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 31 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $403

Leave Cusco at 4:00 AM for Machu Picchu, traveling by road and train through Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. A guide leads a 2-hour-30-minute visit to the citadel, followed by free time for lunch before the return journey. The group is limited to 15, and guide Gregory has earned praise for his clear, detailed explanations.

“Great experience. Our tour guide Gregory was fantastic and such a wealth of knowledge. We look forward to coming back to Peru and Machu Picchu.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 20 reviews · 4 days · from $690

This four-day trip links Cusco, the Lares Trek, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Machu Picchu. You hike to 4,750-meter Condor Pass, camp beside the Blue Lagoon, meet weaving families, and travel back on the Vistadome train. Guides have included Manolo and Filio, while cooks handle meals and muleteers carry up to 7 kilograms of your gear.

“Un excellent trek a faire en famille ou entre amis, la difficulté est abordable. Cependant il faut noté que le manque d’oxygène et le froid la nuit diminuent nos capacités physiques. Il fait déjà être sportif ou à minima en bonne condition physique. Les paysages sont époustouflants et le guide suit notre rythme (vous pouvez faire autant de pauses que nécessaire) ! Nos chefs cuisiniers étaient excellent, je recommande vivement !!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 17 reviews · 4 days · from $552

Trek from Cusco over the 4,630-meter Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu with English or Spanish guides, small groups of up to 16, glamping, Andean huts, a Pachamanca meal, coffee making, and a Vistadome or 360° train return.

“This is my first time trekking overseas. Thank you very much for Trexperience the excellent and amazing experience on trekking to Salkantay mountain! My guide, ALEX, the chef FELIX and their team were excellent during the whole trek. I think the whole trip is well organised, from the pick up, route planning, locations of campsites, the meals and activities etc. They are really considerate & thoughtful on that! We have to the longest and the most challenging route to the top on the second day, and Trexperience selected a campsite, locates higher, so that we can be more adaptive to the altitude and we could make it easier on the…”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.2-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu & Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 2 days · from $624

Set out from Cusco at 4:00 AM, ride the train to Km 104, and hike past Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate. A guide such as Noemie, Saul, or Franco leads the small group. You’ll sleep in a 3-star Aguas Calientes hotel, tour Machu Picchu at sunrise, and return by Vistadome train.

“Très belle marche à partir du km 104, accompagnée des interessantes explications de notre guide Noemie. Le lendemain, lever à l'aube pour admirer le Machu Picchu encore enveloppé dans la brume matinale. Après la visite, pas grand chose d'intéressant à faire à Aguas Calientes”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Machu Picchu Private Day Trip on Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 15 hours · from $460

Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by panoramic train, with private hotel pickup, round-trip rail tickets, a private English or Spanish guide, entrance fees, and buses to the citadel. The Vistadome option adds wider windows, a local snack, drink, souvenirs, music, and entertainment. A Standard train option may lower the price.

“Wir hatten einen besonderen Abholungsort ausgemacht, einen privaten Guide gebucht - und jeder einzelne Treffpunkt, ab morgens in der Früh bis Abends spät hat auf die Minute geklappt. Unser Fahrer, Ronald, ein ruhiger, erfahrener driver hat unaufgeregt und unaufgefordert auf Sehenswürdigkeiten hingewiesen und Fotostopps angeboten. Aus all seinen fachkundigen Äusserungen sprach die Liebe zu seinem Heimatland Peru und so wächst auch jedem Fahrgast innert kürzester Zeit Land und Leute ans Herz. Herzlichen Dank! 🇵🇪🍀”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Excursion Cusco – Puno – Titicaca Observatory Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 10 hours · from $445

Spend about 10 hours crossing the Peruvian Andes by luxury train between Cusco and Puno. Your English or Spanish host helps with the journey, while the observatory car, three-course lunch, cultural show, Pisco sour demonstration, and stop at 4,300-meter Abra La Raya turn a long transfer into a full day of scenery and Peruvian culture.

“Excellent trip - well planned - great staff Lovely food and variety of entertainment - would recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review