Machupicchu tour by tourist train in 2 days

Machu Picchu is the reason to take this trip, but the route there is part of the appeal: you travel by road from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then by train through Andean and jungle scenery to Aguas Calientes. The next morning, a guide leads you through the Inca citadel’s main sites.

I like two things in particular: the small group, limited to 12, and the fact that the package covers the major transport links, site entry, and a guide. You also get an unhurried afternoon in Aguas Calientes before the early focus of the second day.

The main caveat is that your overnight hotel and meals are not included, so the $345 price is not the whole cost. Timing at Machu Picchu also matters: one past visit ran long, causing stress around the return bus and train. Keep a close eye on your guide’s schedule.

• The trip begins at 9:00 a.m. in Cusco: Allow about two hours by road to reach Ollantaytambo station.
• The train ride is part of the experience: Watch for Andean and jungle scenery, as well as local flora and fauna.
• You spend the night in Aguas Calientes: Your hotel is not included, and the afternoon is free for exploring town or visiting the hot springs.
• Your Machu Picchu visit is guided: The tour covers key sites, with some time set aside for photos.
• Core transport and entry costs are included: Train, shuttle bus, site ticket, and transfers between Cusco and Ollantaytambo are covered.
• Plan for add-ons and fixed dates: Bring money for meals and accommodation, and check your dates carefully before booking.

From Cusco to Ollantaytambo by road

Your pickup is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at your Cusco hotel. Be in the lobby 10 minutes early, since the group has a train to catch. The drive to Ollantaytambo takes about two hours, giving you a long first leg before the rail journey begins.

The route puts the transfer in perspective: you are leaving Cusco for the train station that connects you with Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. The road transfer is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride to Ollantaytambo. Still, this is a timed connection, not a leisurely day of unscheduled stops. Keep your passport and essentials easy to reach, and follow the pickup instructions closely.

The train ride to Aguas Calientes

The train is more than a way to get from point A to point B. The route passes through Andean and jungle scenery, with the chance to see local plant and animal life along the way. If you enjoy watching the country change outside the window, this is a welcome contrast to the road journey.

Your round-trip train ticket is included, from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back. The train schedule is part of the tour’s fixed plan, so don’t assume you can change the return time on a whim. The trip’s value lies partly in having the main connections arranged for you, but the return requires you to stay aware of the clock.

A free afternoon in Aguas Calientes

After you arrive in Aguas Calientes, the afternoon is yours. You can walk around town, find a place to eat, or consider the hot springs. The springs are an optional extra, and the entrance fee is not included.

This pause is useful. You have time to settle in before the next day’s visit, rather than reaching Machu Picchu and leaving again on the same day. But you must book and pay for your own overnight accommodation. Food is also on your tab, including meals during the trip.

In the evening, the guide is due to visit and explain the next day’s plan. This is your chance to confirm the meeting time and understand how the bus and site visit will work. Ask about the return sequence too. A past visit was described as having uneven pacing: too much time for photos at one stop, then a rush near the end. A clear plan can help you avoid being caught off guard.

Entering Machu Picchu with a guide

On the second morning, you go to the bus station at the time set by your guide. The bus ride to the sanctuary takes about 30 minutes, and the round-trip bus ticket is included. Your entrance ticket is included as well, which removes two significant arrangements from your plate.

Inside the citadel, your professional guide leads the visit. The itinerary includes the Guardian’s enclosure, Temple of the Sun, Intiwatana, Temple of the Three Windows, Sacred Plaza, and Temple of the Condor, along with other sites. These landmarks give the visit a clear structure, while a guide can explain what you are seeing instead of leaving you to piece the site together on your own.

You also get some free time for photographs. The important word is some. A past visit reportedly stretched to nearly four hours because the time spent at individual stops was not managed evenly. That left the group hurrying at the end and worried about the return bus and train. The guide and the site’s bus staff are separate parts of the day, so listen closely to instructions and confirm which bus is yours before boarding.

Bring a camera, but skip the selfie stick and tripod, both of which are prohibited. Umbrellas and walking sticks are also on the prohibited list. Comfortable clothes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, and insect repellent are sensible items from the tour’s own packing advice. Take personal medication and some cash, too.

Returning to Cusco in the evening

After the guided visit, you take the bus back to Aguas Calientes. You then have free time to get lunch, which is not included, before boarding the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo. A vehicle meets you at the station and takes you back to Cusco, with arrival expected at about 8:30 p.m.

That is a full second day, and the return involves several handoffs: site to bus, bus to town, town to train, then station to road transport. The tour includes each of these main links, but you still need to pay attention to instructions and time. Keep your ticket information handy and do not wander far during the free lunch period.

The fixed sequence is a practical trade-off. You avoid arranging every transfer yourself, but you have less freedom to linger or change plans. If you want to spend extra time at the citadel or add a separate activity, this tightly scheduled two-day format may not be the right fit.

What $345 covers, and what it does not

At $345 per person, the package includes Cusco hotel pickup, road transport to and from Ollantaytambo, round-trip train tickets, round-trip buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, site admission, and a professional guide at the citadel. That is a substantial set of essential logistics in one booking, particularly for a short visit where missing a connection can disrupt the whole plan.

The price does not include snacks, meals, one night’s accommodation, or entry to the hot springs. Budget separately for those items. Since the hotel is not supplied, compare accommodation options in Aguas Calientes before you book and make sure your overnight arrangements match the tour’s schedule.

The experience has a 4.5 rating from seven ratings, but that small number is not a guarantee of what your own trip will be like. The positive feedback highlights smooth organization, a memorable guide, and the special nature of the visit. Ruth and her team handled arrangements for one past booking, while Richard was the guide. Those names may not apply to your departure, so treat them as examples, not promised staff.

There is also a useful caution in the mixed feedback. One visit praised the guide’s content but found the pace disorganized, with a confusing bus boarding and anxiety about making the return connections. That does not make the tour a poor choice, but it does make clear communication important. Confirm the schedule with your guide, and ask for clarification if the bus instructions are unclear.

Booking details and packing advice

The tour is offered in Spanish and English, with a group capped at 12 participants. A smaller group can make it easier to hear the guide and keep track of instructions, though it does not remove the need to watch the time.

You must provide passport details when booking and bring your passport or ID card. Choose dates carefully: the tour does not allow date changes. The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check availability for the start time, since the listed pickup is at 9:00 a.m.

Pack light enough to move between the road vehicle, train, buses, and site comfortably. Bring cash for food and other costs, water, sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable clothing, and personal medication. Swimwear is worth bringing only if you plan to visit the hot springs. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Is this two-day Machu Picchu tour right for you?

I’d consider this trip if you want the main transport, entry, and guided site visit bundled into one short itinerary, and you are comfortable arranging your own room and meals. The train journey, a free afternoon in Aguas Calientes, and a small-group guide make the two-day format more than a simple dash to the ruins and back.

I’d hesitate if you want a flexible visit with no pressure to keep moving. The schedule depends on several connections, and the reported timing problem shows why you should stay alert to the guide’s instructions. If you book, set aside extra money for the night and meals, confirm the next day’s plan during the evening briefing, and keep the return times in mind. For a once-in-a-lifetime visit with the key logistics handled, $345 can be fair value, provided you account for what is excluded.

FAQ

What is included in the $345 price?

The price includes hotel pickup in Cusco, transport to and from Ollantaytambo, round-trip train tickets, round-trip buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, entry to the sanctuary, and a professional guide for the site visit.

Is accommodation in Aguas Calientes included?

No. You need to arrange and pay for your own one-night stay in Aguas Calientes.

Are meals included?

No. Meals and snacks are not included. You have free time to eat in Aguas Calientes on both days.

How long is the trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?

The road transfer takes about two hours. Pickup from your hotel is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.

How long is the bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

The bus ride takes about 30 minutes each way.

What languages are available?

The tour offers a live guide in Spanish or English.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 12 participants.

What identification should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card. You also need to provide your passport details when booking.

Can I change my tour dates after booking?

No. The tour does not allow date changes, so check your dates carefully before you book.