Both PeruRail and Inca Rail run the same route: through the Urubamba Canyon to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town for Machu Picchu. They share the same track, the same scenery, and broadly similar journey times. The real differences come down to service class, price, and inclusions — and which train has tickets available when you search.
This page breaks down every class, price, and departure point so you can make a fast, informed booking.
At a Glance: The Key Differences
| PeruRail | Inca Rail | |
|---|---|---|
| Route monopoly | Poroy + Ollantaytambo | Ollantaytambo only |
| Entry-level price | From ~USD 40 (OLL) | From ~USD 55 (OLL) |
| Budget class name | Expedition | Explorer |
| Mid-range (panoramic) | Vistadome (~USD 75–95) | 360° (~USD 90–110) |
| Luxury tier | Belmond Hiram Bingham (~USD 450) | The Voyager (~USD 130) |
| Snack included in budget class | No | Yes |
| Booking site | perurail.com | incarail.com |
Bottom line: PeruRail is usually cheaper at the entry level and the only operator from Poroy. Inca Rail offers better inclusions in its base class and a slightly more boutique experience. For most travellers the decision comes down to which operator has availability on the date you need.
PeruRail: Classes and Prices
PeruRail is the larger operator and runs from both Poroy (close to central Cusco) and Ollantaytambo. It is the dominant operator with the most daily departures.
Expedition (Budget)
- Departure points: Poroy and Ollantaytambo
- Price from Ollantaytambo: approximately USD 40–55 one-way as of 2026
- Price from Poroy: approximately USD 65–80 one-way as of 2026
- Seats: Standard reclining seats, panoramic side windows
- Food and drink: Not included; a café car sells snacks and drinks
- Luggage: One carry-on (23kg max)
- Best for: Budget-conscious travellers who don’t need meals or extra legroom
Expedition is the workhorse service — functional, comfortable, and with perfectly adequate windows for the scenery. Most independent travellers use it.
Vistadome
- Departure points: Poroy and Ollantaytambo
- Price from Ollantaytambo: approximately USD 75–95 one-way as of 2026
- Price from Poroy: approximately USD 85–110 one-way as of 2026
- Seats: Wider seats with larger windows; glass panels in the roof
- Food and drink: Light meal and a welcome drink included
- Luggage: One carry-on (23kg max)
- Best for: Travellers who want a more refined experience without paying luxury prices
The Vistadome’s glass roof panels make a genuine difference in a deep river canyon where the landscape towers overhead. If you’re going once and want to see the mountains properly from the train, the price step-up is worth it.
Belmond Hiram Bingham
- Departure point: Poroy only
- Price: approximately USD 430–490 one-way as of 2026 (full day return from USD 800+)
- Included: Full gourmet meals (brunch outbound, high tea and dinner return), welcome cocktails, live music, Machu Picchu entry ticket
- Best for: Special occasions, luxury travellers, those who want an all-inclusive Machu Picchu day
The Hiram Bingham is a restored 1920s-style Pullman train — genuinely beautiful rolling stock. It is priced as a full-day luxury experience and should be evaluated as such rather than compared to standard rail tickets. Book directly on perurail.com.
Inca Rail: Classes and Prices
Inca Rail is the smaller operator, departing only from Ollantaytambo. It runs fewer daily services than PeruRail but its trains are often newer and its base class includes more.
Explorer (Budget)
- Departure point: Ollantaytambo only
- Price: approximately USD 55–70 one-way as of 2026
- Seats: Reclining seats, panoramic windows
- Food and drink: Snack and welcome drink included
- Luggage: One carry-on (23kg max)
- Best for: Budget travellers who want inclusions at the base price
The Explorer is priced slightly above PeruRail Expedition but includes a snack and drink — the total value is comparable. The Inca Rail coaches are typically newer than equivalent PeruRail Expedition stock.
360° (Mid-Range)
- Departure point: Ollantaytambo only
- Price: approximately USD 90–110 one-way as of 2026
- Seats: Full glass-ceiling panoramic car; the entire roof is glazed
- Food and drink: Full meal service included
- Luggage: One carry-on (23kg max)
- Best for: Travellers who prioritise views and a full meal
The 360° car’s ceiling-to-floor glazing genuinely does give a 360-degree impression when the canyon walls close in. The difference vs PeruRail Vistadome is marginal but real — slightly more glass, slightly wider seats.
The Voyager (Premium)
- Departure point: Ollantaytambo only
- Price: approximately USD 130–160 one-way as of 2026
- Included: Panoramic car, gourmet meal, welcome cocktail, dedicated host
- Best for: Travellers who want a premium experience without PeruRail Hiram Bingham prices
The Voyager sits in a gap that PeruRail doesn’t directly fill — premium but not ultra-luxury. It competes on value against PeruRail Vistadome for travellers who want a proper meal included.
Departure Stations: Ollantaytambo vs Poroy
Both operators run from Ollantaytambo. Only PeruRail runs from Poroy.
Ollantaytambo (recommended for most travellers)
Ollantaytambo station sits in the Sacred Valley, approximately 80km from Cusco. Getting there:
- Shared colectivo from Cusco terminal: approximately S/10–S/18 per person, departs frequently from early morning
- Private taxi from central Cusco: approximately S/80–S/120 for the vehicle
Journey time to Aguas Calientes: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Total door-to-door from Cusco: approximately 3–4 hours.
The Ollantaytambo approach adds a stop at the Inca fortress town — worth a half-day visit, and easily combined with an early colectivo from Cusco. See our Sacred Valley guide for what to see at Ollantaytambo before your train.
Poroy (PeruRail only)
Poroy station is approximately 8km northwest of Cusco’s centre — about a 25–35 minute taxi ride (approximately S/25–S/40 as of 2026). Journey time to Aguas Calientes: approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. Trains from Poroy cost roughly 20–30% more for the same class than equivalent trains from Ollantaytambo.
Use Poroy if: you’re arriving into Cusco very late the day before and can’t sensibly get to Ollantaytambo, or if it’s the only option with availability.
How to Book
- PeruRail: perurail.com — search by date, departure station, and class. The site accepts international cards.
- Inca Rail: incarail.com — same process. Occasionally has availability when PeruRail doesn’t, particularly mid-week.
Booking tips:
- Check both operators on the same date before committing — availability differences are common
- Book train tickets and Machu Picchu entry at the same time; Machu Picchu entry is more restricted and should be secured first
- June–August trains sell out weeks ahead; book as soon as your entry ticket date is confirmed
- Return trains also sell out — book both directions together
- Combination tours that include train, entry, and a guide are available via Machu Picchu tours from Cusco — useful for first-timers who want everything arranged
What Happens After the Train
Both trains terminate at Aguas Calientes (officially Machu Picchu Pueblo). From there you have two options to reach the citadel, approximately 400m above town:
-
Consettur shuttle bus — departs from Avenida Hermanos Ayar (5-minute walk from the station). Round-trip approximately S/48 as of 2026. Buses run from approximately 05:30. Buy tickets at the blue booth kiosk near the bus queue — not from street sellers.
-
Walk up — a signed trail from behind town gains the 400m in 45–60 minutes. Steep and potentially muddy in wet season, but free. Many travellers walk up and take the bus down.
For accommodation in Aguas Calientes, see hotels in Aguas Calientes.
Which Train to Choose: Our Verdict
Take PeruRail Expedition if: price is the priority and you’re happy without food service. It is the cheapest standard option and the most widely available.
Take PeruRail Vistadome if: you want genuine panoramic roof views and a light meal without paying Inca Rail 360° prices. Good value upgrade from Expedition.
Take Inca Rail Explorer if: the base price gap vs Expedition doesn’t bother you and you prefer newer rolling stock with inclusions.
Take Inca Rail 360° if: views and a full meal are the priority and you’re travelling from Ollantaytambo — marginally better glass coverage than Vistadome at a similar price.
Take PeruRail Hiram Bingham if: this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and you want an all-inclusive luxury experience with Machu Picchu entry included.
In practice: search both operators for your date, compare availability and prices, and book whichever has seats in your preferred class. On many dates the decision is made for you.
For the full picture on all routes to the citadel — including the budget Hidroeléctrica walk and trekking options — see how to get to Machu Picchu.
✈️ Book your flights to Peru 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM