Machu Picchu by Train or Car: Which Return Is Right for You?
Traveling to Machu Picchu by train or car is one of the first decisions of your trip. On the last day of the Salkantay Trek, the Inca Jungle Trail and the Llactapata Trek, you visit the Machu Picchu citadel and then return to Cusco by train or by car. Both options get you back to Cusco the same day, but they are very different in time, comfort and price.
The same choice applies to our Machu Picchu tours by car, the budget way to reach the citadel. In this guide our local team compares both options so you can choose the best one for your trip.
Machu Picchu by Train or Car at a Glance
- Train: faster and more comfortable; arrival in Cusco around 6:30 to 7:00 PM.
- Car: cheaper; about 3 hours of walking plus 6 to 7 hours of driving; arrival around 10:00 PM.
- Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain: recommended with the train; very tight or not possible with the car.
- Available on: Salkantay Trek, Inca Jungle Trail, Llactapata Trek and our Machu Picchu tours by car.
Machu Picchu by Train vs. by Car: 6 Key Differences
| Return by Train | Return by Car | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Higher (for example, USD 70 more on the Salkantay Trek 5 Days) | Cheaper |
| Walking after the visit | None (bus) or about 1.5 h down to Aguas Calientes | About 3 h to Hidroelectrica |
| Departure | About 2:30 or 2:50 PM | 3:00 PM, the only departure |
| Travel time | About 4 h (train + transfer) | About 9 h (3 h walk + 6–7 h drive) |
| Arrival in Cusco | About 6:30–7:00 PM | About 10:00 PM |
| Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain | Possible and recommended | Very tight or not possible |
Return by Train: Step by Step
- Visit the Machu Picchu citadel: up to 3 hours inside the site, as set by the Ministry of Culture.
- Go down to Aguas Calientes: by bus (about 25 minutes, USD 12, tickets sold at the entrance) or on foot (about 1.5 hours).
- Free time: lunch and a walk around town. Pick up your bag at the hotel; the train station is 5 to 7 minutes away.
- Train to Ollantaytambo: usually around 2:30 or 2:50 PM. Be at the station at least 30 minutes early. The ride takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Transfer to Cusco: our staff meet you at Ollantaytambo station with a name sign and drive you to Plaza Regocijo in about 2 hours.
Advantages:
- Faster and more comfortable, especially after several days of trekking.
- Enough time to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Option to upgrade to the panoramic Vistadome Train.
- Safer and less affected by landslides in the rainy season.
Keep in mind: the train costs more than the car, and trains can occasionally be delayed, especially in the rainy season.
Return by Car via Hidroelectrica: Step by Step
- Visit the Machu Picchu citadel: up to 3 hours inside the site.
- Walk to Hidroelectrica: about 3 hours. The first hour goes down stone stairs and the next two follow the railway. Leave Machu Picchu by about 11:30 AM.
- Meeting point: be at Hidroelectrica by 2:30 PM. The car leaves at 3:00 PM, and it is the only departure of the day.
- Drive to Cusco: about 6 to 7 hours via Santa Teresa, Santa Maria, Abra Malaga and Ollantaytambo, arriving at Plaza Regocijo around 10:00 PM.
Advantages:
- Cheaper than the train.
- Beautiful scenery during the first hours of the drive, before dark.
Keep in mind:
- Little or no time for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, because you must leave the citadel by about 11:30 AM.
- There is only one car per day: if you miss it, there is no other car that day.
- It is a long, tiring day, especially after a trek.
- From November to March, rain can cause landslides and delays on the road.
- The waiting area at Hidroelectrica can be busy and disorganized.
Which Tours Offer Return by Train or by Car?
You choose your return option in the booking form of each tour, and the price updates automatically.
- Salkantay Trek: Salkantay Trek 5 Days, 4 Days and 3 Days.
- Inca Jungle Trail: Inca Jungle Trail 4 Days and 3 Days.
- Llactapata Trek: Llactapata Trek 3 Days.
Machu Picchu Tours by Car
If you are not doing a trek, you can also visit the Machu Picchu citadel by car via Hidroelectrica, the budget way to reach Machu Picchu:
- Machu Picchu Tour by Car 2 Days: travel by car to Hidroelectrica, walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes, visit the citadel the next day and return by car.
- Machu Picchu by Car and Train 2 Days: go by car and come back by train, for a more comfortable return.
Prefer the train both ways? See our Machu Picchu Full Day Tour by Train and Machu Picchu 2 Day Tour by Train.
Our Recommendation
- Choose the train if you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, if you travel in the rainy season, or if you want to rest after your trek.
- Choose the car if you are on a tight budget, have energy for one more long day and do not plan to add a mountain.
- Extra night option: stay one more night in Aguas Calientes and take the 3:00 PM car the next day. Hotel and meals for that night are paid separately.
Machu Picchu by Train or Car FAQ
Which is better to reach Machu Picchu, train or car?
The train is faster, more comfortable and lets you add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. The car is cheaper but means a 3-hour walk and a long drive. Choose based on your budget, your energy and the season.
Do both options return to Cusco the same day?
Yes. With the train you arrive around 6:30 to 7:00 PM; with the car, around 10:00 PM.
Can I climb Huayna Picchu if I return by car?
It is very tight or not possible, because you must leave the citadel by about 11:30 AM to reach the 3:00 PM car. Choose the return by train if you want to add a mountain.
What happens if I miss the car at Hidroelectrica?
There is only one departure per day at 3:00 PM, so be at the meeting point by 2:30 PM.
Can I upgrade to the Vistadome?
Yes, but only with the return by train: USD 45 per person for the Vistadome on your return.
