{"id":18973,"date":"2026-03-19T12:42:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T17:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/?p=18973"},"modified":"2026-03-19T15:01:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T20:01:05","slug":"all-aboard-3-amazing-train-trips-in-peru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.viajesmachupicchu.travel\/en\/all-aboard-3-amazing-train-trips-in-peru\/","title":{"rendered":"All Aboard! 3 Amazing Train Trips in Peru\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You haven\u2019t really experienced Peru until you\u2019ve spent way too many hours on a bus, slightly squished, watching the same mountain curve repeat itself while questioning your life choices. It\u2019s kind of a rite of passage\u2026 but also, it doesn\u2019t have to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because here\u2019s the thing: Peru by train is a completely different experience. Instead of gripping your seat on winding roads, you\u2019re gliding past mountains, rivers, and tiny villages, with views so good you actually forget to check your phone. It\u2019s slower, yes\u2014but in a good way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And no, trains here aren\u2019t just a way to get from point A to point B. They\u2019re part of the trip. Sometimes, even the best part.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, you\u2019ll find three of the best train itineraries in Peru\u2014ranging from the iconic route to Machu Picchu <\/strong><\/a>to a high-altitude journey across the Andes and even a lesser-known ride that feels like a real adventure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each one offers something different, depending on how you like to travel. So if you\u2019re ready to swap bumpy roads for panoramic windows, let\u2019s get into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Tips Before You Hop on a Train <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Book early.<\/strong> Trains fill up fast, especially those for Machu Picchu. So, make sure to book your train tickets in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pack layers. The weather<\/strong> in the Peruvian Andes can be treacherous, even during the rainy or dry season. That\u2019s why we recommend packing layer clothes and having a good pair of waterproof, comfortable shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snacks? <\/strong>Yes. Always yes. There are certain spots where some of them are available but are way too expensive, probably 3 or 4 times more, so make sure to bring some with you before riding a train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Altitude is real<\/strong>. Please, take it easy the first day; altitude sickness is no joke. The more days you spend at the altitude, the more you\u2019ll get used to the Andes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Window seats = gold. <\/strong> Make sure to book your window seat; Andean landscapes are really breathtaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Train Itineraries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Itinerary #1: Cusco \u2192 Machu Picchu, the Classic Bucket List Trip <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is probably the most scenic and famous train ride in Peru. The road from Cusco to the ancient citadel covers rivers and mountains and even has jungle vibes, all in one trip. You\u2019ll also see magic villages in the Sacred Valley, local houses, and, as you go deeper, wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we want you to see the list we made for you about the types of trains to Machu Picchu <\/strong><\/a>you need to know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Expedition (PeruRail \u2013 budget option)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the most affordable and basic tourist train. It provides comfortable seating with large (but not full panoramic) windows, allowing decent views of the Sacred Valley. The service includes a small snack and drink, making it practical for travelers who want a simple, cost-effective journey without added luxury. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Vistadome (PeruRail \u2013 mid-range panoramic)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Vistadome is designed for travelers who want the journey to be part of the experience. It features panoramic windows on the sides and roof, offering immersive views of the Andes. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Seats are more comfortable, and passengers receive regional snacks and onboard entertainment, sometimes including cultural shows. It\u2019s a balance between comfort and price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vistadome Observatory (PeruRail \u2013 enhanced experience)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A variation of the Vistadome, this train adds an observatory car with open-air views, plus features such as live music and cultural presentations. It\u2019s ideal for photography and a more interactive travel experience. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Hiram Bingham Train (PeruRail\u2014luxury)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is the most luxurious train option not only in South America but also one of the best in the world, often compared to a luxury Orient Express\u2013style journey. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Hiram<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It includes gourmet meals, bar service, live music, and an observation car, along with high-end service throughout the trip. Some packages also include guided tours and entrance logistics, making it an all-inclusive premium experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trip Breakdown<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your trip to Machu Picchu will start in Ollantaytambo<\/strong><\/a> Train Station (you need a bus to take you there) or in Poroy. The train will take you all the way to the Sacred Valley; you\u2019ll end up in Aguas Calientes town. (also called Machu Picchu town)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What many travelers like you do is spend the night in Aguas Calientes, visit Machu Picchu the next day, and then come back to Cusco. Also, you can spend another night in Aguas Calientes after your Machu Picchu tour and come back to Cusco the next day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Itinerary #2: Cusco \u2192 Puno, the High-Altitude Adventure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to one of the highest train routes in the world, the Belmond Andean Explorer<\/strong><\/a>. This journey connects the Andes with the Altiplano. The Cusco\u2013Puno train route is more than just transportation\u2014it\u2019s a scenic experience where ever-changing landscapes unfold, revealing Peru’s incredible diversity at its finest. Travel in luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the Experience Is Like<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a full-day train; the trip will take approximately 10 hours, so it is not a quick ride. As we said before, this is a luxury train, so you\u2019ll have buffet food, music and dance shows, and an observation car where you can take your best pics while breathing some fresh air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To top it off, this train also has a spa car where you can receive luxury treatments to relieve back or neck pain, or simply to relax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what about if you need to hit the sack? The Andean Explorer has 14 suites, 5 double cabins, and 16 twin cabins, all designed for a pleasant rest and adapted to the Andean environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, the cabins are 5.5 m\u00b2, and the twin-bed cabins are 7.4 m\u00b2 and can be converted into two single beds. Finally, the suite cabins have a double bed, a chair, a table, air conditioning, oxygen tanks, and more. Everything in a space of 131 m\u00b2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, first-class service is guaranteed, perfect for those who love slow travel, panoramic views, or fans of mountain and high-altitude landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Route Breakdown<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This train ride will take you from Cusco, crossing dramatic and high-altitude landscapes, to reach Puno, around the Lake Titicaca<\/strong><\/a> area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This journey can also be combined with some incredible experiences in Puno that you won\u2019t want to miss, such as visiting the Uros Floating Islands<\/strong><\/a>, exploring Lake Titicaca, or discovering the fascinating Sumbay Caves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For that reason, we recommend taking your time to fully explore these destinations. Many travelers choose to spend an additional 2 to 3 days after the train journey to enjoy Puno and its surroundings at a relaxed pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Itinerary #3: Lima \u2192 Huancayo, the Underrated Local Experience<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If the Machu Picchu train is the famous one, this is its quieter, slightly wild cousin. The train from Lima to Huancayo isn\u2019t polished or luxurious\u2014and that\u2019s exactly why it\u2019s interesting. Fewer tourists, more locals, and a route that climbs deep into the Andes in a way that feels almost unreal at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You start near the coast in Lima<\/strong><\/a> and slowly climb higher and higher into the mountains. And when we say “climb,” we mean it. The train zigzags up steep slopes, passes through dozens of tunnels, and crosses bridges that make you wonder how they were even built in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the kind of trip where you spend more time looking out the window than doing anything else. Also, it\u2019s way less touristy. You\u2019re not surrounded by people taking the same photo\u2014you\u2019re just\u2026 there, experiencing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re looking for luxury, this isn\u2019t your train. But if you\u2019re looking for something a little different\u2014something that feels like an actual adventure\u2014this might end up being one of the most memorable parts of your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, there\u2019s a decent chance you\u2019ll spend half the ride thinking, “How is this train even up here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You\u2019ll See Along the Way<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The scenery varies significantly on this route, which is part of what makes it so memorable. At the beginning, you\u2019re leaving Lima\u2019s dry, coastal landscape behind. It feels dusty and wide open. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But as the train climbs, everything starts to shift. Mountains get steeper. Valleys get deeper. The air gets thinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll pass through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n