Both companies run the same route between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes on the same track, and the ride takes about the same time either way. PeruRail has more departures and more stations to choose from, including Poroy and San Pedro in Cusco during the dry season. IncaRail runs primarily from Ollantaytambo, with a bimodal bus-plus-train option from central Cusco. For our tours from Cusco, we book whichever company has the departure time that fits your itinerary and Machu Picchu entry ticket slot — brand loyalty doesn’t save you money or time on this route.
If you’re planning the rest of your trip, our complete Machu Picchu guide covers permits, altitude, and the full logistics chain from Cusco to the citadel. This article focuses on one decision: which train company to book, and why.
The two operators and what actually differs
PeruRail and IncaRail both run the Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes line on the same tracks, with modern, comfortable trains and the same dramatic Urubamba River canyon scenery regardless of operator. The difference comes down to schedule availability, station options, and which class fits your budget on your specific travel date. Yapa Explorers
PeruRail is the larger, better-known operator, with more train types and more departure points — Cusco, Poroy, San Pedro, and Ollantaytambo, depending on the train. Its lineup runs from the entry-level Expedition to Vistadome, Vistadome Observatory, and the luxury Hiram Bingham. Championsperutravel
IncaRail was founded in 2009 and built a reputation as a competitive alternative, particularly for pricing and its 360° panoramic service. Its standard class is The Voyager, and The 360 cars have slightly larger windows, with an open-air balcony car on some departures. Yapa ExplorersPeru Spirit
Neither company is objectively “better” on the shared stretch of track. On the Ollantaytambo route they’re close to interchangeable — same gauge, same scenery, comparable carriages, near-identical pricing. Where they diverge is in the details below. Peru Spirit
Stations: Poroy, Ollantaytambo and San Pedro
This is the part most first-time travelers get wrong, and it affects your morning more than the choice of company does.
PeruRail trains depart primarily from three stations: San Pedro in central Cusco, Poroy, and Ollantaytambo. Poroy operates mainly in the dry season from April to December, San Pedro has limited departures, and Ollantaytambo is the year-round hub where most trains actually leave from. Trenes MachupicchuTrenes Machupicchu
IncaRail also operates mainly from Ollantaytambo, but offers a bimodal bus-plus-train service from Cusco: the bus departs from Wanchaq station or central hotels and connects to the train at Ollantaytambo. The Cusco-side pickup for that bus is an office on Av. El Sol, not a passenger rail station, and the bus transfer to Ollantaytambo takes roughly 2.5 hours. Trenes MachupicchuUros Expeditions
Practically: unless you’re staying in Cusco proper and want to sleep in, the Ollantaytambo departure is the efficient option for both companies, and it’s what we build into our itineraries whenever the schedule allows. Cusco to Ollantaytambo by private vehicle takes 1.5 hours in our tours — faster than the bimodal bus option from either company.
Schedules and how they affect your day
Your train time decides your whole Machu Picchu day, not just the ride. The site opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 5:30 PM, and entry is by assigned time slot, so a late morning train can eat into your guided visit window.
PeruRail runs daily trains to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo, Poroy, and San Pedro, with a bimodal bus-plus-train option in the dry season and direct trains from Cusco on select departures. It has more schedules available during the day, especially from Ollantaytambo, which gives you more flexibility if you want an early entry or a late return. ChampionsperutravelTrenes Machupicchu
IncaRail publishes fewer daily departures on the Ollantaytambo route, which narrows your options if you need a specific early-morning slot. On our tours, we lock in the train that lines up with your Machu Picchu entry window — the 2.5-hour guided visit we run there — and work backward from that to the Cusco or Sacred Valley pickup time.
If you’re going with the classic route from Cusco, how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco breaks down the road, rail, and bus segments in order.
Service levels compared across companies
PeruRail’s Expedition Train is its basic tourist service, with comfortable seats, big windows, overhead luggage space, staff assistance, and simple onboard snacks. Above that sits Vistadome, then Vistadome Observatory, which adds a dedicated observatory bar car with a full glass roof, side panels, live Andean music, and complimentary snacks and drinks. At the top, the Hiram Bingham is a restored 1920s-style scenic train with gourmet dining and butler service. Inca Rail vs PeruRail: Complete Guide to Trains to Machu Picchu | Champions Peru Travel +2
IncaRail’s equivalent standard class is The Voyager, described earlier, with The 360 as its panoramic step-up.
Luggage rules differ slightly between the two: PeruRail allows one item up to 8 kg (backpack) or 12 kg (carry-on) on the Machu Picchu route, with extra fees for larger bags, while IncaRail allows one hand item up to 8 kg and offers a custody service at its Ollantaytambo and Cusco offices for anything larger. If you’re traveling with trekking gear, that custody service is worth knowing about before you show up at the platform.
For a full class-by-class breakdown, see the three train classes compared.
Booking, changes and cancellations
This is where the two companies genuinely diverge, and it’s worth reading before you pay.
PeruRail: you can change your ticket’s travel date up to 24 hours before departure by submitting a modification form; after that window, changes aren’t accepted. Refunds go through as a credit note, with a 10% administrative charge, and the cancellation request is rejected if submitted less than 24 hours before departure or if the ticket was bought at a promotional rate. Fares use dynamic pricing, and flexibility varies by fare type — some are non-refundable and non-modifiable, and the specific terms are shown at checkout. Troubleshooting | PeruRail +2
IncaRail: Light fares can be changed or refunded up to 24 hours before departure, while Plus, Flex Plus, and All-Inclusive fares allow changes or refunds up to 15 days before departure, subject to fare differences. Refund processing carries a 10% administrative charge and, for in-person requests, must be handled at IncaRail’s office at Portal de Panes, Plaza de Armas in Cusco. Promotional fares are not eligible for refunds. FAQ +2
Neither policy is generous. If you book through us, we hold your train tickets against your confirmed Machu Picchu entry slot, so date changes on our side are handled through the tour booking rather than you dealing with either rail company’s refund desk directly. For the wider question of what to do if a departure is disrupted, see booking tips for when your train is cancelled.
Which we book and why
We book both companies, and the choice on any given date comes down to two things: which one has a departure time that lines up with your Machu Picchu entry slot, and which one has seats left once you’re inside the June–August booking window, when trains sell out fastest.
What we can say from running both routes: reserve with 3 months of advance notice if you’re traveling between June and August, since that’s also when Huayna Picchu permits and hotel rooms in Aguas Calientes tighten up. Passport details on the train ticket must match your passport exactly — no photocopies accepted — and a licensed guide is mandatory for entry to the site since 2024, which is why our 6, 7, and 8-day packages travel with a private guide throughout.
For a shorter trip, our 2-day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco includes the Expedition train and private transport built into the itinerary, so you don’t have to choose a train company at all — we handle it against your entry window. If you’re combining Machu Picchu with more of the Sacred Valley and Cusco, the 6-day Cusco and Machu Picchu tour runs with a private guide and gives more flexibility on which train slot we book for you. And if a single day is all your schedule allows, visiting Machu Picchu in one day walks through how tight that train-to-entry window really is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PeruRail or IncaRail cheaper?
Pricing is close to identical for equivalent classes on the Ollantaytambo route, and both use dynamic pricing that shifts with season and booking date.
Can I book PeruRail and IncaRail for the same trip?
Yes. Some travelers take one company outbound and the other on the return, based on which departure times are available for their entry ticket slot.
Do I need my passport for both companies?
Yes. Both PeruRail and IncaRail require your passport at boarding, and the name on the ticket must match it exactly. Photocopies aren’t accepted.
How far in advance should I book my train?
Book as soon as your Machu Picchu entry ticket is confirmed. If you’re traveling between June and August, reserve at least 3 months ahead — both trains and entry permits sell out in that window.
