Train Stations: Cusco-Machu Picchu

Here we provide all the key information about the train stations you need to know when traveling to Machu Picchu.

DEPARTURE STATIONS

Entrance to the train station in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), the final destination where tourist trains arrive and depart.

The train route to Machu Picchu has several boarding stations in the Cusco region. All routes conclude at Aguas Calientes Station (Machu Picchu Village), the final stop at the foot of the mountain where the Inca citadel is located. Below, we describe the main stations from which the tourist trains depart, their locations, and key differences:

San Pedro Station

Located in the heart of Cusco’s historic center (in front of San Pedro Market), this station offers a limited number of tourist services operated by PeruRail, mainly Expedition and Vistadome trains that travel directly to Machu Picchu.

The journey from San Pedro is the longest (approximately 4 hours to Aguas Calientes) since it begins at 3,400 meters above sea level in Cusco and gradually descends through the valley. Its central location makes it convenient for tourists staying in the city, although only a few trains per day depart from here.

Wánchaq Station

Also located in Cusco’s urban area (Av. El Sol, about 1.6 km from the Plaza de Armas), Wánchaq is another departure station for certain PeruRail tourist trains, especially during the dry season. The main services from here include Expedition and Vistadome.

Wánchaq also serves as the starting point for Bimodal service (bus + train), where passengers are driven by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and then connect with a train to Machu Picchu.

Poroy Station

Poroy Station is located on the outskirts of Cusco, in the rural district of Poroy, about 11 km northwest of the city center (25–30 minutes by car). It’s a popular alternative to avoid urban traffic, and many trains depart from here when inner-city rail service is limited.

The station is well-equipped, with a ticket office, waiting area, café, and more. It usually offers around 5 train departures per day, including Expedition, Vistadome, and even the luxurious Hiram Bingham.

A key benefit of Poroy is the shorter travel time: the journey to Machu Picchu takes about 3.5 hours.

Ollantaytambo Station

Ollantaytambo Station is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, approximately 61 km by road from Cusco (a 1.5–1.75 hour drive). It is the most used station by tourists, as it has the highest number of daily departures from both PeruRail and Inca Rail.

The station features extensive infrastructure: ticket offices, cafés, restrooms, waiting areas, and more, designed to handle the high volume of passengers.

On peak days, over 30 trains depart from Ollantaytambo toward Machu Picchu, covering all service levels from budget to luxury and including the local train for Peruvian residents.

A major advantage is that it operates year-round, even during the rainy season. The train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is the shortest, at about 1 hour and 40 minutes, due to the lower elevation (2,792 meters) and closer distance to Machu Picchu.

Urubamba Station

There is also a small station in Urubamba, where PeruRail operates select Vistadome services when there is demand. However, it has only 1–2 trains per day and closes during the rainy season, so most travelers opt for Ollantaytambo as the main departure point in the Sacred Valley.

ARRIVAL STATION

Since there is only one arrival station for all trains to Machu Picchu, this is Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Aguas Calientes Station

Located at the edge of the Vilcanota River, this modern and well-marked station is in the center of town and just 25–30 minutes by bus from the entrance to Machu Picchu. It serves as the final stop for all trains coming from Cusco, Poroy, Ollantaytambo, and Hidroeléctrica.

The station includes basic services such as ticket counters, waiting areas, bathrooms, shops, cafés, and walking access to hotels and the Consettur bus terminal (buses that take visitors up to Machu Picchu).