Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes by Train

Operator and tier comparison

PeruRail runs the route through its booking platform rather than a fixed fare, so only the journey time is shown. Inca Rail runs three named tiers on this corridor. The Voyager is its Economy product and the cheapest way to ride.

The Prime and The 360 Degree are both Premium Economy, with more comfort on board. The cheapest Inca Rail seat in the snapshot below was $59 and the dearest was $133, both one way per passenger.

What the journey covers

The line follows the Urubamba river down through the Sacred Valley gorge, a narrow, single-track railway through steep terrain, which is one reason disruptions hit this route harder than an ordinary line would. The train stops at Machu Picchu Station, the small station in Aguas Calientes itself. It does not continue to the ruins, because there is no road and no rail to the citadel gate.

Journey time and arrival

SERNANP's access table puts the Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo commercial train leg at 60 km and about 2 hours 10 minutes. PeruRail's own FAQ separately lists Poroy to Ollantaytambo at about 1 hour 40 minutes, context for travellers boarding further upstream, not this leg. Whatever tier you book, the train arrives at Machu Picchu Station, in the town of Aguas Calientes itself, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo.

It does not arrive at the citadel. From the station it is a short walk through town to the bus depot, then a bus up the switchbacks, or a walk of roughly 6 km that takes about 90 minutes. Our page on the Aguas Calientes train station covers the arrival side in detail.

For a wider look at both operators and the full route from the city, see Cusco to Aguas Calientes.

Booking and disruptions

PeruRail does not publish a fixed fare for this specific leg on its own site. Its booking platform prices departures by date and demand. Its FAQ notes that refunds require a request at least 24 hours before scheduled departure and carry a 10 percent administrative charge, and that promotional fares cannot be refunded.

Both PeruRail and Inca Rail have suspended service on this corridor in recent memory: once after a fire and rockslide near km 107 that halted trains for a day, and once during a rail-line blockade tied to a bus-concession dispute in Aguas Calientes that stopped trains for about a week. Our transport strikes page explains how PeruRail handles a disruption, including rescheduling and refund options.

The three service tiers

Inca Rail runs three named services on the Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu route. The Voyager is its Economy tier and the budget choice, with comfortable seating but fewer extras. The 360 Degree is a Premium Economy product with larger windows for viewing the valley scenery.

The Prime is also Premium Economy and sits at the top of the range on this corridor. All three cover the same 60 km track in roughly the same time. The difference is comfort and on-board service, not speed.

What the fares actually are

On a live check of Inca Rail's own booking widget, one-way "from" fares per passenger on this route were: The Voyager from $59 to $85 depending on departure time, The Prime from $105 to $133, and The 360 Degree from $81. These are live, date-dependent quoted fares, not a fixed price list. The same seat can cost more next week, on a holiday, or in high season.

Departure time alone moved The Voyager's fare by $26 in the snapshot. Book early and compare times if price matters to you.

Luggage custody at Ollantaytambo

Inca Rail's carriages have no on-board luggage racks. If you are carrying more than your one allowed carry-on, Inca Rail offers a paid Luggage Custody Service, available only at its Ollantaytambo ticket office. Bags must be declared and locked, and Inca Rail may inspect them.

Flammable, perishable or odorous items are not accepted, nor are valuables worth more than $100 combined. Unclaimed bags after 30 days may be sold, destroyed or retained. No specific custody fee is published on Inca Rail's own page.

The drive from Cusco

PeruRail's own FAQ puts Ollantaytambo Station at about 1 hour 30 minutes by car from downtown Cusco. Trains from higher up the valley, such as Poroy and San Pedro stations in Cusco, take far longer to reach Machu Picchu Station because they cover the whole line, which is why many visitors transfer to a car or shared van to Ollantaytambo first. Shared colectivo vans and private transfers both run the route, and travellers often combine it with a stop in the Sacred Valley.

Why base yourself in Ollantaytambo

Many travellers stay a night in Ollantaytambo rather than racing from Cusco on the morning of their visit. The town sits by the station, has its own Inca ruins, and lets you catch an early departure without a pre-dawn drive from Cusco. If you would rather see the whole routing from the city in one place, our Cusco to Aguas Calientes page covers every option, including the alternatives that skip this train entirely.

The 8 kg carry-on rule

Both operators apply essentially the same cap. PeruRail allows one piece of carry-on luggage per ticket, maximum 8 kg / 17.64 lb and maximum 115 linear cm (roughly 55 x 35 x 25 cm). Inca Rail allows one piece of hand luggage up to 8 kg / 17 lb and up to 118 linear cm.

Neither operator has on-board luggage racks, and excess pieces are not allowed on board.

Storage options at the station

PeruRail's own FAQ states that free luggage storage is available at Ollantaytambo station from 04:15 to 21:00, useful if you are spending a night in the Sacred Valley with a heavy bag. Inca Rail does not offer a free equivalent, only the paid Luggage Custody Service described above, at its Ollantaytambo ticket office only. If you need storage at the far end of the line, see our luggage storage in Aguas Calientes page.

Buying tickets

Book direct with PeruRail or Inca Rail online, or through a reputable agency. Demand on this corridor is high in the dry season and the cheapest departure times sell out first, so booking well ahead is the norm. Whichever operator you pick, keep your ticket and identification handy for boarding.

Your citadel entry ticket is a separate purchase from the train, covered on our Machu Picchu tickets page.