After coordinating more than 800 train trips to Machu Picchu and dozens on the Andean Explorer, I can tell you with certainty: the way you get to a destination matters as much as the destination itself. And in Peru, luxury trains have turned transportation into an experience in its own right.

The train trip to Machu Picchu isn’t simply “how you get there.” It’s crossing the Sacred Valley while the Urubamba River runs alongside the tracks, watching the mountains grow more dramatic with every kilometer, feeling how the high jungle begins to envelop you. And doing it with champagne in hand, in a panoramic car, with five-star service.

The Andean Explorer, on the other hand, is a completely different experience: a luxury train in the style of the Orient Express that traverses the Andes from Cusco to Puno (or vice versa), with private suites, a gourmet dining car, and an observation car where you spend hours simply watching the endless altiplano parade by.

The Trains to Machu Picchu: A Complete Guide

There is only one way to get to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) without walking: by train. There is no road. This means absolutely all visitors to Machu Picchu (except those doing the Inca Trail) take the train.

But NOT all trains are the same. The difference between the basic train and the luxury train is abysmal.

Belmond Hiram Bingham: The Orient Express of the Andes

The Hiram Bingham is not transportation. It’s an event. It’s the most exclusive luxury train in South America.

The Concept:
Inspired by the 1920s Pullman trains, when Hiram Bingham III (the archaeologist who “rediscovered” Machu Picchu for the world) traveled through the Andes. Operated by Belmond (the same company as the Orient Express).

The Journey:
Departure: Poroy Station (25 min from Cusco) at 9:00 AM
Arrival: Aguas Calientes 12:30 PM
Duration: 3.5 hours
Return: Aguas Calientes 5:50 PM → Poroy 9:00 PM

The Cars:
Only 4 cars for a maximum of 84 passengers (many trips run with 40–60 passengers, never full):

• Dining Car: Two dining cars with four-person tables, impeccable white linens, fine china, elegant glassware. Art deco décor in noble woods, polished brass, period lamps.
• Bar Car: Full bar with mahogany counter, leather armchairs, live music (usually a guitar and cajón duo playing traditional Peruvian music and Latin jazz).
• Observation Car: Open-air car with wide windows, and an exterior platform where you can step out to feel the wind and take photos without glass in the way.

The Outbound Experience (Cusco → Aguas Calientes):

9:00 AM – Welcome:
• Reception at Poroy station with red carpet and Belmond staff
• Welcome champagne or pisco sour on the platform
• Table assignments (maximum 4 people per table)

9:15 AM – Boarding:
• You enter a car that looks straight out of the 1920s
• Each table has fresh flowers, a personalized welcome card
• Staff present the day’s menu

9:30 AM – Departure:
• The train begins the descent into the Sacred Valley
• Views of cornfields, Andean villages, the Urubamba River
• Live music begins in the bar car

10:00 AM – Gourmet Brunch:
The 4-course brunch is served as the scenery rolls by:

Starter: Trout ceviche with leche de tigre, or alpaca carpaccio with ají amarillo reduction

Main Course (choose one):
• Alpaca loin with crispy quinoa and wine reduction
• Urubamba trout with Andean vegetables
• Quinoa risotto with local mushrooms
• Vegetarian/vegan option always available

Andean Cheeses: Selection of artisanal Peruvian cheeses with Andean fruit chutneys

Dessert: Suspiro limeño, or chocolate tart with aguaymanto, or lúcuma ice cream

Everything in the brunch is included, with:
• Unlimited premium Peruvian wines
• Champagne
• Pisco sours
• Signature cocktails
• Non-alcoholic beverages

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:
• After brunch, most head to the bar car for live music
• Or to the observation car for photos
• The landscape becomes more dramatic: taller mountains, denser vegetation
• Staff circulate with more champagne and canapés

12:30 PM – Arrival in Aguas Calientes:
• The train stops at the station
• Belmond staff guide you to the bus that goes up to Machu Picchu
• INCLUDED: Bus ticket up, Machu Picchu entrance, private or group guide (as you prefer), buffet lunch at Sanctuary Lodge (the only hotel next to the ruins)

Visit to Machu Picchu:
• 2–4 hours in the ruins with your guide
• Lunch at Sanctuary Lodge (gourmet buffet with views of the ruins)
• Free time if you want

5:30 PM – Return to the Station:
• Bus down to Aguas Calientes

The Return Experience (Aguas Calientes → Cusco):

5:50 PM – Boarding the return train:
• Welcome with pisco sour
• Live music starts immediately

6:15 PM – Gourmet Dinner:
A 4-course dinner even more elaborate than brunch:

Amuse-bouche: Mini causa
Starter: Squash cream soup with crispy quinoa and Andean herb oil

Main Course (choose one):
• Tenderloin with native potato purée and ají panca sauce
• Sea bass with quinoa risotto
• Patagonian lamb with roasted vegetables
• Fresh pasta with rocoto sauce and Andean cheese (vegetarian)

Dessert: Chocolate soufflé with coca ice cream, or lúcuma tart with passion fruit cream

Unlimited wines, champagne, and cocktails throughout dinner.

7:30 PM – 9:00 PM:
• After dinner, the party begins in the bar car
• The band plays more energetic sets
• Staff circulate with pisco sours
• Some people dance in the aisles (yes, people dance on the train)
• Others head to the observation car to watch the valley under the stars

9:00 PM – Arrival in Poroy:
• Private transfer to your hotel in Cusco included

Price: $650–750 per person (includes EVERYTHING: round-trip train, brunch, dinner, unlimited open bar, live music, bus to Machu Picchu, entrance to the ruins, guide, lunch at Sanctuary Lodge).

What Makes the Hiram Bingham Special:
It’s not just the physical luxury. It’s the full experience:
• You feel transported to the golden age of travel
• Service is impeccable (about 1 staff member per 6 passengers)
• The food is truly excellent (not “good for a train”—genuinely excellent)
• Unlimited open bar means you can celebrate the whole journey
• Live music creates a festive atmosphere
• You leave the train feeling like you’ve just lived something special

Who It’s Worth It For:
• Special occasions: anniversaries, proposals, milestone birthdays, honeymoon
• Travelers who value experience over price: if $750 per person doesn’t make you blink
• Lovers of historic luxury trains: if you’ve dreamed of the Orient Express, this is its Andean equivalent
• Those who want maximum comfort: everything is included and coordinated, zero stress

Who It’s NOT Worth It For:
• If your budget is tight (there are options at 1/5 the price that take you to the same place)
• If you’re casual about food/drink (you’re paying a lot for the culinary experience)
• If you only see the train as transportation from A to B

How to Book:
• Visit www.machupicchu-railway.com for information about the Andean Explorer
• Through specialized luxury agencies
• Book 4–6 months in advance (only ~40 cabins, limited trips per month)

Calendar:
The Andean Explorer does NOT operate year-round:
• Operates: March–November (mainly the dry season)
• Closed: December–February (rainy season)

Important Tips:
• Dress code: Smart casual for dinners (men: long pants and at least a collared shirt; women: equivalent). It’s relaxed during the day.
• Altitude: You’ll cross up to 4,321 m. If you’re sensitive: drink coca tea, take altitude pills.
• Bring binoculars: to see wildlife (vicuñas, condors, birds) from the windows
• Camera with extra battery: you’ll be photographing constantly
• Layered clothing: temperature varies (warm on the train by day, cold if you step out at stops)
• Books/e-reader: hours in the observation car are perfect for reading

Quick Comparison: Which Train to Choose?

To go to Machu Picchu:

If money is not an issue and it’s a special occasion → Belmond Hiram Bingham ($750 pp)
• Ultra luxury, complete experience, open bar, gourmet meals
• Worth it for: honeymoons, significant anniversaries, proposals, major birthdays

If you want an excellent experience without the stratospheric price → PeruRail Vistadome ($110–150 pp) or Inca Rail Voyager ($100–140 pp)
• Panoramic windows, glass ceiling, snacks, cultural shows
• Worth it for: most luxury travelers, families, first-time visitors

If you want the best of the Vistadome + outdoor balcony → Vistadome Observatory ($150–190 pp)
• For photographers and lovers of open air

If your budget is very tight → PeruRail Expedition ($70–95 pp)
• Basic but comfortable, regular windows, simple snack

To travel between Cusco/Puno/Arequipa:

If you want an epic luxury train experience → Belmond Andean Explorer ($2,200–6,000 pp depending on route)
• Once-in-a-lifetime experience, private cabins, gourmet dining, intentionally slow journey
• Worth it for: very special occasions, luxury train lovers, those with time and budget

If you only need transportation → Luxury tourist bus ($50–80 pp, 6–10 hours depending on route)
• Faster and much cheaper than the Andean Explorer
• But there’s no comparison in experience

Frequently Asked Questions about Luxury Trains in Peru

How far in advance should I book?

Belmond Hiram Bingham:
• High season (May–September): 3–6 months
• Low season: 1–2 months
• There is only one train per day, so it fills up fast

Vistadome/Voyager:
• High season: 1–2 months
• Low season: 2–3 weeks
• Multiple schedules, more flexible

Andean Explorer:
• Always 4–6 months in advance
• Operates only on certain days of the month
• Only 40 cabins

Can children go on these trains?

Hiram Bingham:
• Yes, but it’s not ideal
• No specific kids’ menu
• The atmosphere is formal and adult
• Children under 5: will probably get bored
• Ages 8+: can enjoy it

Vistadome/Voyager:
• Perfect for families
• Relaxed atmosphere
• Cultural shows entertain children
• Panoramic windows keep their attention

Andean Explorer:
• Yes, they have family cabins (bunk beds)
• But 2–3 days on a train is a lot for small children
• Better for kids 10+ years

What happens if I miss my train?
Strict policy: no refund, no free change to the next train.

Recommendation:
• Arrive 30–45 minutes before departure
• If you’re staying in the Sacred Valley and boarding from Ollantaytambo: arrive 1 hour early (there can be traffic)
• Confirm the exact time 24 hours beforehand

If you miss the train: you’ll have to buy a new ticket (if available) or adjust your entire itinerary.

Can I bring large luggage on the train?
Restriction: only 5 kg of hand luggage allowed on trains to Machu Picchu.
Why? The cars are compact; there is no space for large suitcases.

Solution:
• Leave large luggage at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
• Bring only a small backpack with:

• A change of clothes if you’re staying in Aguas Calientes
• Camera, water, snacks, sunscreen
• Documents (passport, tickets)
  Hotels store suitcases for free while you’re at Machu Picchu.

Is there Wi-Fi on the trains?
Trains to Machu Picchu (Hiram Bingham, Vistadome, etc.): no reliable Wi-Fi. It’s 1.5–3.5 hours—disconnect and enjoy the scenery.
Andean Explorer: yes, but it’s limited and slow (you’re crossing remote Andes). Use it for urgent emails, not streaming.

What if there’s a strike or blockade?
Occasionally there are protests/strikes in Peru that block train lines.

Train companies:
• Monitor the situation constantly
• Notify you if your train is canceled
• Offer rescheduling or refunds

Serious luxury operators:
• Have contingency plans
• Can organize alternative routes

Travel insurance: covers force majeure cancellations.

Is the Hiram Bingham worth it or just marketing?
Honest opinion after coordinating it 200+ times:

Worth it IF:
• It’s a special occasion you want to make memorable
• You love the idea of traveling as in the 1920s
• You value the complete experience (not just transportation)
• The open bar with unlimited champagne and pisco sours excites you
• You enjoy gourmet food

NOT worth it IF:
• You see the train simply as a way to get to Machu Picchu
• You’re casual about food/drink
• You prefer to spend that $750 on another experience (nicer hotel, dinner at Central, extra day of travel)

Alternative: Vistadome outbound ($130), Hiram Bingham return ($750). Total $880 instead of $1,500. You experience the luxury on the way back when you’re celebrating having seen Machu Picchu.

Is the Andean Explorer worth $2,200–6,000?
It’s a lot of money. Is it worth it?

Worth it IF:
• You love luxury trains (you’ve dreamed of the Orient Express, Blue Train, etc.)
• For you, the journey is as important as the destination
• You have the time (2–3 days on a train is significant)
• Your budget allows it without stress
• It’s a VERY special occasion

NOT worth it IF:
• Budget is limited
• You prefer to spend on more days of travel or more destinations
• You get impatient with slow transport
• You just want to “go from Cusco to Puno”—a luxury bus costs ~$60 and takes ~6 hours

Real perspective: Of 500 luxury clients I’ve sent to Peru, perhaps 30 have taken the Andean Explorer. It’s a niche experience for train lovers. But those 30 consider it a highlight of the trip.

Can I combine different trains?
Absolutely. Common combinations:

Option 1:
• Outbound to Machu Picchu: Vistadome ($130)
• Return: Hiram Bingham ($750)
• Total: $880 (vs. $1,500 if you do Hiram Bingham round trip)

Option 2:
• Cusco → Puno: Andean Explorer 1 night ($2,200)
• Puno → Arequipa: Luxury tourist bus ($60)
• You experience the train without committing your entire budget

Option 3:
• Machu Picchu: Vistadome Observatory ($180 each way)
• Cusco → Arequipa: Andean Explorer 2 nights ($4,100)
• Combo of two premium train experiences

Luxury trains in Peru have transformed what is traditionally the “boring part of the trip” into experiences many consider absolute highlights.

The Hiram Bingham is not transportation—it’s a rolling celebration with champagne, live music, and gourmet food while the Sacred Valley passes by panoramic windows.

The Andean Explorer is not a way to get from Cusco to Puno—it’s a boutique hotel on rails crossing the Andes, where every curve reveals a more dramatic landscape than the one before.

These trains are the definition of “the journey is the destination.”

Ready to experience Peru through the windows of South America’s most spectacular trains?
At Luxe Andes Peru we coordinate all your train experiences—from reservations at the perfect moment to smart combinations that maximize experience and optimize budget, to contingencies if something goes wrong. All so you can simply board the train and enjoy.