Inca Rail vs. PeruRail: Complete Comparison of the Machu Picchu Train (2026)

Only two companies operate the trains to Machu Picchu: PeruRail and Inca Rail. They share the same tracks and basically the same scenery, so the real decision comes down to service class, price, and available schedules for your date — not which “company is better.” Here’s the full comparison so you can choose with data, not guesswork.

Departure stations and trip duration

Both companies depart from the same stations:

Route	Approximate duration
Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes	~1 hour 30 minutes
Poroy (Cusco) → Aguas Calientes	~3 hours 30 minutes

Ollantaytambo is by far the more commonly used route — it’s shorter, and both companies run more departures from there. Poroy is convenient if you’re staying in Cusco city and don’t want to travel to the Sacred Valley first, but the train ride itself is twice as long.

Still deciding which station to leave from? We’ve written a dedicated comparison: Poroy vs. Ollantaytambo Station: Which One Should You Choose?

Classes and approximate prices (one-way, per person)

Prices vary by date, season, and how far ahead you book — these are reference ranges, confirm the exact fare on each company’s official site before booking.

Company	Class	Approximate price	What’s included
PeruRail	Expedition	$60 – $85	Standard seats, regular windows, light snack
PeruRail	Vistadome	$90 – $145	Panoramic roof and side windows, snack, occasional folkloric show
PeruRail	Hiram Bingham	$400 – $480+	Full luxury: gourmet lunch or dinner, bar, rear balcony, only from Poroy
Inca Rail	Explorer / Tourist	$55 – $80	Standard seats, basic service
Inca Rail	The 360°	$125 – $200+	Transparent panoramic roof, observatory car, premium snack
Inca Rail	First Class	$425+	Open-air balcony, gourmet menu, personalized service

For most travelers, the mid-tier (Vistadome on PeruRail or The 360° on Inca Rail) is the best price-to-experience ratio: the panoramic windows genuinely make a difference for taking in the Sacred Valley and Urubamba canyon scenery.

Practical differences between the two companies

• Departure frequency: PeruRail generally has more schedule options per day, especially from Ollantaytambo.
• Luxury: Only PeruRail operates the Hiram Bingham, the most exclusive train on the route (departs only from Poroy/Cusco).
• Observatory car: Inca Rail is the only one with a separate observation car in its 360° class.
• Luggage policy: Both companies allow the same amount — 5 kg and 62 linear cm (length + width + height) per passenger for the regular trip. If you’re carrying large suitcases, leave them at your Cusco hotel; neither train has storage space for large luggage.
• Where to buy: Always book directly on perurail.com or incarail.com. Reseller agencies commonly charge $5 to $20 extra per ticket with no added benefit.

How far in advance should you book?

• High season (June–August): book 2 to 3 months ahead, especially if you want an early departure (the first trains of the day sell out first).
• Shoulder season (April-May, September-October): 1 to 2 weeks is usually enough.
• Low season (November–March, except holidays): you can sometimes find availability just days before, though it’s risky if your itinerary is tight.

Our recommendation

If price is your priority, Inca Rail Explorer or PeruRail Expedition work equally well — they reach the same station over the same tracks. If you want the ride itself to be part of the experience (and you’re taking it during daylight, to actually see the scenery), the upgrade to Vistadome or The 360° is worth it. The Hiram Bingham and First Class only make sense if you’re after a special occasion, not out of transportation necessity.

Getting to your station on time

The train doesn’t wait — it departs exactly at the time printed on your ticket, no exceptions. The part most people underestimate is the transfer from the airport or your hotel to Ollantaytambo or Poroy. We have a detailed guide on that: Cusco Airport to Ollantaytambo Transfer.

Already have your train ticket? Message us on WhatsApp with the exact time and we’ll arrange your private transfer timed so you arrive with margin, never rushed.