Getting to Machu Picchu by Train Just Got Easier
Peru Rail offers various levels of service to Machu Picchu from Cusco (as well as to Lake Titicaca). Because there is no road access to Machu Picchu, one must arrive by train or by foot. Thanks to some recent changes by Peru Rail...
Published on 02-09-2014, por Inca World
Peru Rail offers various levels of service to Machu Picchu from Cusco (as well as to Lake Titicaca). Because there is no road access to Machu Picchu, one must arrive by train or by foot*. Thanks to some recent changes by Peru Rail, you can now by train tickets online vía paypal, making tickets easy to buy in the 203 markets where the latter is present. This makes purchasing tickets internationally much easier for many people.
According to a paypal representative, Peru is one of the best-placed Latin American countries for increased online transactions. However, there are still some aspects of your trip to Machu Picchu that can't be paid for online or with credit card, namely:
- transport from Cusco to the train station in Poroy or Ollantaytambo (where the train service begins)
- transport from Aguas Calientes (where the train service ends) to Machu Picchu Citadel
- entrances to Machu Picchu Citadel
Travelers must arrange these parts of their trip in Cusco or Aguas Calientes, or through a travel agency or local hostel, which will charge commissions. Most local agencies are limited to accepting cash transfers, especially through Western Union, but others like Inca World also accept paypal and credit cards.
Once you've got your tickets, there's one more thing to keep in mind: train passengers are restricted to one piece of luggage each, not exceeding 11 pounds and 62 inches (length plus height plus width. Because of this weight restriction, most travelers leave the majority of their luggage behind in Cusco, at whatever hotel or hostel they have previously stayed at or are planning to stay at after their excursion.
*If you've noticed some tours marked Machu Picchu by Bus or Machu Picchy by Car, this is possible without road access because these excursions only take you most of the way to Aguas Calientes. The short final strech is done by train (much cheaper than taking the train from the Sacred Valley) or by walking along the train tracks.
Peru Rail offers various levels of service to Machu Picchu from Cusco (as well as to Lake Titicaca). Because there is no road access to Machu Picchu, one must arrive by train or by foot. Thanks to some recent changes by Peru Rail...
Published on 02-09-2014, por Inca World
Peru Rail offers various levels of service to Machu Picchu from Cusco (as well as to Lake Titicaca). Because there is no road access to Machu Picchu, one must arrive by train or by foot*. Thanks to some recent changes by Peru Rail, you can now by train tickets online vía paypal, making tickets easy to buy in the 203 markets where the latter is present. This makes purchasing tickets internationally much easier for many people.
According to a paypal representative, Peru is one of the best-placed Latin American countries for increased online transactions. However, there are still some aspects of your trip to Machu Picchu that can't be paid for online or with credit card, namely:
- transport from Cusco to the train station in Poroy or Ollantaytambo (where the train service begins)
- transport from Aguas Calientes (where the train service ends) to Machu Picchu Citadel
- entrances to Machu Picchu Citadel
Travelers must arrange these parts of their trip in Cusco or Aguas Calientes, or through a travel agency or local hostel, which will charge commissions. Most local agencies are limited to accepting cash transfers, especially through Western Union, but others like Inca World also accept paypal and credit cards.
Once you've got your tickets, there's one more thing to keep in mind: train passengers are restricted to one piece of luggage each, not exceeding 11 pounds and 62 inches (length plus height plus width. Because of this weight restriction, most travelers leave the majority of their luggage behind in Cusco, at whatever hotel or hostel they have previously stayed at or are planning to stay at after their excursion.
*If you've noticed some tours marked Machu Picchu by Bus or Machu Picchy by Car, this is possible without road access because these excursions only take you most of the way to Aguas Calientes. The short final strech is done by train (much cheaper than taking the train from the Sacred Valley) or by walking along the train tracks.
News, routes, and expert tips
Explore the latest from our Cusco travel blog. Get practical guides, Machu Picchu updates, and fresh trekking and culture recommendations. Everything you need to travel Cusco safely and stylishly in 2026. Your next Andean story starts here!
Lima's greatest devotion also walks through Cusco, departing from San Francisco Square. October dyes Peruvian streets purple with robes, incense, and fervor. We tell you how to follow the official 2026 processions in Lima and experience the Cusco replica from the Andes with practical details.
tags: lord of miracles, cusco, lima, peru processions, religious tourism, purple month
Just 11 kilometers from the Plaza de Armas, the historic district of San Jerónimo celebrates its patron saint every late September: 5 days of processions, 26+ dance troupes, a food fair, and a 16th-century church built on an Inca huaca. In 2016, it was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Most tourists don't know it exists; many young locals don't either. This year it starts on Monday, September 28, with the main day on Wednesday 30.
Third Sunday of September. 9 a.m. The pututos sound and 1,500 students from the National School of Sciences of Cusco set off in procession from their school to the Sacsayhuamán esplanade. They are going to compete — for real — in speed, strength, and endurance tests that replicate those the Tahuantinsuyo used to determine who was ready for adulthood. It is not a choreography. It is the Warachicuy, and in 2025 it was declared a Cultural Interest.
Are you planning to visit
Machu Picchu in 2026?
We would like to inform our travelers that availability for Circuit 1 and 2 for the months of November, December and January is at 85% of capacity. We recommend booking at least 3 months in advance.
New Circuits and Routes
The Ministry of Culture has consolidated the three main tours. As of 2026, Tour 2 (The Royal Route) remains the only one that allows visitors to take the classic photo from the Guardian’s House. We have adapted all our packages to ensure this access.
Digital Check-In and Biometric Verification
Say goodbye to long check-in lines! Starting this season, entry is faster thanks to the new digital check-in system. Our packages include full management of your personalized tickets to prevent errors on the state platform.
| Circuit | Ideal for... | Clasic photo | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit 1 (Panoramic) | High views and photo posts | Yes | Low |
| Circuit 2 (Andean) | Complete circuit through the ruins | Yes | Medium |
| Circuit 3 (Reality) | Persons or reduced movement | No | Very low |
Ask about our Machu Picchu packages
Explore the best of our land
Explore the breathtaking diversity of the Central Andes. From ancient archaeological wonders and surreal high-altitude landscapes to world-class gastronomy and Amazonian adventures, our updated 2026 guides showcase the very best of this premier global destination.
