Peru Rail offers a Local Train service that departs from the city of Cusco to the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). However, you should know that this train is not available for foreign tourists. Its operation is due to the number of people who live around Machu Picchu. The train is the only means that allows them to get around.

• What is the local train to Machu Picchu?
• Who can board the local train?
  • National Passenger
  • Resident National Passenger
• What is the price of the Local Train?
• Can I buy the Ticket to Machu Picchu on the local train, online?
  • Cuzco
  • Ollantaytambo
• What are the local train schedules?
• Local train features
• Tourist trains to Machu Picchu
• Prices of tourist trains to Machu Picchu
• Economic route to Machu Picchu by Hidroeléctrica
• Photo gallery
• Frequently asked questions about the local train to Machu Picchu

What is the local train to Machu Picchu?

The local train is a special service provided by the Peru Rail company for the citizens of Peru and the inhabitants of the Machu Picchu region.

These people have the local train service as their only means of transportation to and from their town.

This service also includes the citizen of Peru. However, it gives preference to the inhabitants of the region.

To ensure their trip to Machu Picchu, Peruvian citizens must purchase their local train ticket in person days in advance.

Local Train – Machu Picchu

Who can board the local train?

The local train is exclusively for national (Peruvian) tourists. People who have an Immigration Card with permanent residence in Peru can also access this benefit.

There are two types of national passengers::

• National Passenger: People coming from any part of Peru.
• Resident National Passenger: People who live in towns or cities near the town of Aguas Calientes.

What is the price of the Local Train?

The rate of the train ticket to Machu Picchu for people from any part of Peru is S/.24.00 soles, round trip.

The purchase of the local train ticket to Machu Picchu must be made by the traveler personally. For this, the person must present their current ID.

Can I buy the Ticket to Machu Picchu on the local train, online?

Currently, the Ticket to Machu Picchu on the local train cannot be purchased online; so you will have to go to the points of sale located at the following addresses.

• Cusco:

  • San Pedro Station

    Hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Address: Cascaparo street s/n, Cercado del Cusco.
    Telephone: (+51) 84 235201

  • Wanchaq Station

    Business hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Address: Av. Pachacútec s/n, District of Wanchaq, Cusco.
    Telephone: (+51) 84 221931 / (+51) 84 238722

• Ollantaytambo

  • Ollantaytambo Station

    Hours of operation: 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    Address: Av. Ferrocarril s/n, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Cusco.
    Telephone: (+51) 84 581414.

Regardless of the station where you buy the train ticket to Machu Picchu, you must board the train at the Ollantaytambo station. Remember to show up at the station 30 minutes before boarding time. If you arrive late, you lose the right to the ticket.

What are the local train schedules?

Departure times for the local train are as follows:

The Hidroeléctrica station also offers local train service. People who want to get to Machu Picchu by the long route of Santa María can board this train.

Local train features

• The local train has 5 passenger cars and some other freight cars. As we already mentioned, this train can only be used by Peruvians. The only way to address it is by presenting the DNI (National Identity Document).
• To tell the truth, the cars of the local train are not very comfortable. On this train it is allowed to transport passengers on foot and cargo on the passageways.
• The established schedules can be modified due to weather issues, road problems or others outside the company. Peru Rail is the only company that offers the local train service.
• If you prefer another type of service, ask about trains such as the Expedition or the Vistadome. If you wish, travel on the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu (one of the most luxurious trains in the world).

Tourist trains to Machu Picchu

Foreign tourists cannot travel to Machu Picchu on the local train. For them, there are the tourist trains to Machu Picchu. These services have more comfortable seats, on-board service, better lit cars and food and drinks on board.

Of course, the price is more expensive than the local train. The tourist train operating companies are: Peru Rail and Inca Rail.

Peru Rail ofrece 4 tipos de trenes turísticos: Expedition, Vistadome, Sacred Valley y Hiram Bingham.

Inca Rail también ofrece 4 tipos de servicios de trenes turísticos: The Voyager, The 360º, The First Class y The Private.

Prices of tourist trains to Machu Picchu

The price of tourist trains depends on the type of train service.

Economic route to Machu Picchu by Hidroeléctrica

Don’t want to spend that much to get to Machu Picchu? There is an alternative route called the ‘long route to Machu Picchu by Hidroelectrica’.

To get to the Hidroelectrica station, the visitor must take a bus (approximately 5 hours) to the Machu Picchu hydroelectric plant.

From there, you can board a train to the town of Aguas Calientes (30-minute ride). However, most tourists prefer to walk (2 hours) to Machu Picchu town.

Photos of the Train to Machu Picchu

Frequently asked questions about the local train to Machu Picchu

• 1) How long before booking the local train to Machu Picchu?

  Peruvian tourists must reserve the local train service 3 to 5 days in advance.

• 2) Can I stand up on the local train?

  Yes. The local train service allows you to travel standing up in case there are no more seats available. It is recommended to book in advance to get a seat.

• 3) Does the local train make stops along the way?

  Yes. The local train has some authorized stops for the inhabitants of the area to enter the wagons and be transported to Aguas Calientes or other places.

• 4) Is there a local train service that transports to Machu Picchu from the city of Cusco?

  Yes. There is a local train from the city of Cusco to Aguas Calientes. However, this service is exclusive to the residents of the area. Peruvian tourists cannot board this train.

• 5) Does the ‘Hidroelectrica’ train station take tourists from abroad?

  Yes. The ‘Hidroelectrica’ train station also takes foreign tourists. The cost is less than the ‘Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes’ route. However, many tourists prefer to walk from there to Machu Picchu town.

• 6) Does the local train leave at the exact time?

  Yes. The local train starts its journey at the scheduled time on the ticket. If the visitor is not present to board the train, they lose all rights to the purchased ticket.

• 7) Does the local train work in a pandemic?

  Yes, during the pandemic the local train works. This is the only means of transportation for the people who live around Machu Picchu.

• 8) Should I wear a mask to board the local train?

  Yes, during the pandemic the use of masks is mandatory on board the local train.

• 9) Is a vaccination card necessary to board the local train?

  No, the Covid 19 vaccine card is not mandatory. Neither is the use of masks.

• 10) Does the local train run all year round?

  Yes, the local train runs every day of the year except in special cases of emergencies such as natural disasters or blockage of the train tracks due to protests. Find out before you travel!

Advice from people who have been there

Train to Machu Picchu

By: Tony R.

“Comfortable seats“

“The sale of the local personal train and you can buy a maximum of 3 weeks in advance and if you are lucky you will get an expedition-touristic train.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024