Machu Picchu by Train: Full Day Tour from Cusco with Pickup

Summary

Train to Machu Picchu from Cusco with guided tour and time to explore

You’ll start before sunrise in Cusco with hotel pickup and an early train ride through Andean valleys toward Machu Picchu. With your local guide leading a three-hour walk among ancient stones and temples, you’ll learn Inca stories then have time to explore alone before heading back by train and bus — tired but probably still replaying those mountain views in your mind.

What’s the experience like?

Eyes barely open, I was standing outside our little hotel in Cusco at 4:40am, clutching a cup of coca tea and trying not to think about how cold my hands were. A small van rolled up — our driver grinned and waved us in. The streets were empty except for a few dogs nosing around Plaza de Armas. We picked up two more sleepy travelers and then headed out toward Ollantaytambo. The sky was just starting to lighten as we reached the train station; I remember the smell of fresh bread from a stall nearby, which honestly made me hungrier than I expected.

The Expedition Train felt warmer than I’d hoped — big windows, soft seats, and that low hum as we started moving through the Sacred Valley. Our guide, Maribel, pointed out terraces clinging to the hillsides and told us stories about Inca farmers (I tried to imagine them working these crazy steep slopes). Sometimes you’d catch a glimpse of snow on distant peaks or see clouds tangled in the trees. It’s hard to describe but there’s this mix of jungle green and stone gray everywhere. When we got to Aguas Calientes (everyone calls it Machu Picchu Pueblo), it was already buzzing — people lining up for buses, porters shouting over each other, steam rising off street food carts.

The bus ride up those switchbacks is kind of wild — you can see straight down into the valley if you dare look. At the entrance gate, Maribel handed out our Machu Picchu tickets (she kept checking her list like a hawk) and reminded us which circuit we had booked. Walking through that first stone doorway into Machu Picchu itself… well, it’s quieter than I thought it would be. You hear birds, wind in the grass. Maribel walked us around for almost three hours — temples, terraces, those postcard views you’ve seen a million times but somehow they’re different when you’re actually there. She told us about Pachacuti and pointed out tiny details carved into rock that I would’ve missed completely.

Afterward she let us wander on our own for a bit (I sat on a stone ledge just watching clouds drift over Huayna Picchu). Back in Aguas Calientes we grabbed lunch at some place with plastic chairs — nothing fancy but the soup tasted amazing after all that walking. The train back was quieter; everyone sort of lost in their own thoughts or scrolling through photos. By the time we rolled back into Cusco it was dark again and I realized I’d been gone almost 16 hours but it didn’t really feel like it — still thinking about that view from above the ruins even now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full day Machu Picchu tour by train

• Meet for pick-up at 4:30 am
• Train journey with scenic views
• Arrive Aguas Calientes, bus to Machu Picchu
• 3-hour guided Machu Picchu tour
• Free time to explore Machu Picchu
• Optional lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Train ride back to Ollantaytambo
• Bus transfer to meeting point
• End of tour

Top questions

How long is the full day Machu Picchu tour from Cusco?

The tour lasts about 16 hours including transport by train and bus between Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Does this Machu Picchu day trip include hotel pickup?

Yes, door-to-door pickup from your accommodation in Cusco is included.

Which train do you take for this tour?

You travel on PeruRail’s Expedition Train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes.

Is lunch included on this Machu Picchu day trip?

No set lunch is included but you’ll have free time in Aguas Calientes to eat at a local restaurant.

Are Machu Picchu entry tickets included?

Yes, entry tickets are provided according to availability; booking two months ahead is recommended.

How much time do you spend at Machu Picchu itself?

The guided tour lasts about three hours plus additional free time before returning.

What’s the difference between Circuit 1, 2 & 3 at Machu Picchu?

Circuit 1 offers panoramic views only; Circuit 2 includes temples & photo platform; Circuit 3 covers lower areas & temples without photo platform access.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for most travelers though not recommended during pregnancy.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning pickup at your hotel or meeting point in Cusco, round-trip Expedition train tickets between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, all necessary bus transfers up to Machu Picchu citadel and back down again, official entry ticket with your chosen circuit (subject to availability), guidance throughout from an expert local guide who shares Inca history along the way, plus drop-off back at your original location after returning late evening — snacks or drinks may be offered depending on your train selection.