There is no road from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), the town at the foot of the citadel. There are three ways to get there: by train, the most common, from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo; by road to Hidroeléctrica and from there by train or on foot; or on foot along the Inca Trail, only with an authorized agency. From Machu Picchu Pueblo you go up to the citadel by bus, in 25 to 30 minutes, or on foot. Here are the stations, the PeruRail and Inca Rail trains, the travel times and the rules in force in 2026.
Data as of 19 October 2026. Train schedules may change for operational reasons; confirm them with the operator when you buy. The sources are listed at the end of the article.
- 1 h 30 minapproximately by train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo
- 2 operatorsof trains: PeruRail and Inca Rail
- 25 – 30 minby bus from Machu Picchu Pueblo to the citadel
The ways to get there at a glance
| Route | What it involves | Approximate time to Machu Picchu Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Train from Ollantaytambo | Car or bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (1 h 30 min) and train | Train: 1 h 20 min to 1 h 50 min |
| Train from Cusco (Poroy) | Direct PeruRail train | 3 h 15 min to 3 h 45 min |
| Train from Cusco (San Pedro) | Direct PeruRail train | 4 h 10 min to 4 h 40 min |
| Bus and train from Wanchaq | PeruRail bus from Cusco and train from Poroy, Pachar, Ollantaytambo or Urubamba | About 4 h |
| Via Hidroeléctrica | Mountain road of several hours, then train or hike | Train: about 45 min · on foot: about 2 h 30 min |
| Inca Trail | Multi-day hike, only with an authorized agency | Depends on the route |
The train times are those of PeruRail’s official May to December 2026 timetable.
Train to Machu Picchu: stations in 2026
- Cusco: PeruRail has been using the San Pedro and Poroy stations again since 1 May 2026. It also sells a bus-and-train service from Wanchaq, 5 minutes from the center, changing to the train at Poroy, Pachar, Ollantaytambo or Urubamba depending on the schedule.
- Urubamba: PeruRail has departures from Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley.
- Ollantaytambo: this is the station with the most departures. PeruRail’s timetable lists about 20 a day, between 5:05 and 21:00. Inca Rail departs only from Ollantaytambo; from Cusco it sells a bus there, a ride of about 2 hours.
The “Machu Picchu” station is in Machu Picchu Pueblo, not at the citadel. The train ticket does not include entry to Machu Picchu, except on PeruRail’s Hiram Bingham and Inca Rail’s The Private.
PeruRail trains
| Service | What it offers, according to PeruRail |
|---|---|
| Expedition | Panoramic windows and audio guide. Snacks and drinks for sale on board (not included). |
| Vistadome | Side and roof windows, a snack made with local ingredients, Andean music and a cultural show on the return trip. |
| Vistadome Observatory | Observatory car with an open-air balcony, live Andean music and dance, snacks and drinks. |
| Hiram Bingham | Belmond luxury train with lunch, live music and an observatory bar car. The round-trip ticket includes the bus to the citadel, the entrance ticket and a guide. It runs every day except the last Sunday of each month; from May to December it departs from Poroy. |
Inca Rail trains
| Service | What it offers, according to Inca Rail |
|---|---|
| The Voyager | Large windows and background music. Snacks and drinks for sale (not included). |
| The 360° | Open-air observatory car, panoramic windows and complimentary Andean snacks. |
| The Prime | Its newest service: complimentary snack, live Andean music, priority boarding and reclining seats. |
| The First Class | Three-course meal, open-air balcony and priority boarding. |
| The Private | Exclusive car for your group. Includes a private guided tour, bus and entrance to Machu Picchu. |
Fares from both operators change by date and class, so we do not publish them: check them on the operator’s website when you book.
Rules for traveling by train
- Document: bring your valid national ID (DNI) or passport; it is checked at boarding.
- Time: arrive 30 minutes before departure.
- Luggage: one bag or backpack of up to 8 kg. On PeruRail, up to 115 cm adding height, length and width; on Inca Rail, up to 118 cm. PeruRail stores luggage free of charge at its Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu stations.
- Children: on PeruRail, children aged 0 to 2 travel free if carried on their parents’ lap; those aged 3 to 11 pay the child fare.
Works in Ollantaytambo (2026). Since 13 April 2026, for about eight months, there have been road works in the center of Ollantaytambo. According to PeruRail, the station is reached by the alternative route Vía de Evitamiento – Rumira – San Isidro – Puente Calicanto – Av. Ferrocarril. Allow extra time to get to the train.
The Hidroeléctrica route
This is the road route: from Cusco you travel several hours along a mountain road, through Santa María and Santa Teresa, to the Hidroeléctrica power plant, at about 1,890 m above sea level. From there, there are two options to Machu Picchu Pueblo:
- By train (PeruRail Expedition): about 45 minutes according to the official timetable, with departures from Hidroeléctrica at 7:54 and 14:50.
- On foot, alongside the railway track: about 2 h 30 min.
It is the most economical option, and the one used by our bus tour to Machu Picchu (2 days). But it is also the most exposed to rain: in January and March 2026 there were mudslides (huaicos) in the Mandor sector (km 114 – 115) and the Ministry of Culture temporarily suspended the footpath between Hidroeléctrica and Machu Picchu Pueblo. In the rainy season, check the state of the route before you travel.
Inca Trail (Red de Caminos Inka)
This is the arrival on foot along the Inca trails of the Historic Sanctuary of Machupicchu. It can only be done with an authorized tour agency, which handles the permits. These are the best-known official routes:
- Route 01: from Piscacucho (km 82), the classic Inca Trail, about 45 km in 4 days and 3 nights according to PromPerú.
- Route 02: from Qoriwayrachina (km 88).
- Route 03: from Salkantay.
- Route 05: from Chachabamba (km 104), the shortest. Some PeruRail trains stop at km 104 for those who hike it.
Daily capacity is set per route: 500 people on routes 01 to 04 and 250 on route 05, a figure that includes guides and porters. On arrival, Inca Trail hikers enter the citadel via route 3-B, with exclusive places that are bought through the agencies.
Closures. The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance (in 2026, from 1 to 28 February). It was also closed on 18 August 2026 because of damage from heavy rains, and entry via routes 1, 2 and 3, from km 82, officially resumed on 6 September.
From Machu Picchu Pueblo to the citadel
The last stretch is done by bus along the Hiram Bingham road, in about 25 to 30 minutes, or on foot up the stone stairs from Puente Ruinas, in about 2 hours. We tell you everything in our guide to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
Which way should you choose?
- If you only have one day: the train from Ollantaytambo, as on our Machu Picchu Full Day tour, with an early-morning pickup at your hotel in Cusco.
- If you want to take it slow: two days with a night in Machu Picchu Pueblo, by train or combining the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, a way to acclimatize to the altitude (see altitude of Machu Picchu and Cusco).
- If you are on a tight budget and enjoy walking: the Hidroeléctrica route, outside the rainy season.
- If you are looking for a multi-day adventure: the Inca Trail, booking well in advance with an authorized agency.
Compare our options in Machu Picchu tours from Cusco and check the tickets, routes and rules in the guide to visiting Machu Picchu.
Sources (checked in October 2026):
- PeruRail: train services, official timetable May – December 2026, travel recommendations, frequently asked questions, Hidroeléctrica and notice on the works in Ollantaytambo.
- Inca Rail: services, frequently asked questions and luggage policy.
- Red de Caminos Inka: capacity per route, RM 000294-2025-MC; entry via route 3-B (RM 000306-2025-MC), Andina; 2026 closures: PromPerú and El Peruano; PromPerú (classic trail).
- Hidroeléctrica in 2026: Gestión, citing GERCETUR Cusco.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get to Machu Picchu by car or bus from Cusco?
Not all the way to Machu Picchu Pueblo. By road you can only get as far as Hidroeléctrica, and from there you continue by train (about 45 minutes) or on foot (about 2 h 30 min). The most common way is the train from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo.
Which stations does the train to Machu Picchu leave from in 2026?
PeruRail departs from Cusco (San Pedro and Poroy, since 1 May 2026), Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, and sells a bus-and-train service from Wanchaq. Inca Rail departs only from Ollantaytambo, with a bus from Cusco.
How long is the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu?
About 1 h 30 min. In PeruRail's official 2026 timetable, between 1 h 20 min and 1 h 50 min depending on the train. From Poroy it takes about 3 h 15 min to 3 h 45 min and from San Pedro, 4 h 10 min to 4 h 40 min.
What is the difference between Expedition, Vistadome and Vistadome Observatory?
According to PeruRail, the Expedition has panoramic windows and snacks for sale; the Vistadome adds roof windows, a snack and a show on the return trip; and the Vistadome Observatory has a car with an open-air balcony and live music and dance.
How much luggage can you take on the train?
One bag or backpack of up to 8 kg: on PeruRail up to 115 cm adding height, length and width, and on Inca Rail up to 118 cm.
Does the train ticket include entry to Machu Picchu?
No. The entrance ticket is bought separately, except on PeruRail's Hiram Bingham and Inca Rail's The Private, which include it.
Do you need a permit for the Inca Trail?
Yes. It can only be hiked with an authorized tour agency, which handles the permits. Daily capacity is limited per route and includes guides and porters, and the trail closes every February for maintenance.
