Confusion about the train stations in Cusco is more common than you think. Many tourists buy tickets assuming their train departs from downtown Cusco, only to end up missing it because the station is 20 kilometers away. Here I explain each station, their routes, and how to get there without complications.
The three stations you need to know
Cusco has three operational train stations, but only two are regularly used by tourists. The third is basically a museum. Each one serves different routes, and understanding this will save you headaches.
Poroy Station is the closest to downtown Cusco (20 minutes by car). Some direct trains to Aguas Calientes depart from here, but not every day and only during the dry season.
Ollantaytambo Station is located in the Sacred Valley, 2 hours from Cusco. It’s the main station for traveling to Machu Picchu and operates year-round without interruptions.
San Pedro Station is in the heart of Cusco, near the market. No tourist trains depart from here anymore; it’s simply a historic building worth visiting for its architecture.
Poroy Station: the direct option that doesn’t always operate
Poroy is at kilometer 15 of the Cusco–Chinchero road. The station is small, basic, with a waiting room that fills up quickly on high-demand days.
What you need to know: PeruRail operates this route only during the dry season (April–December). From January to March, the station closes due to rain and track maintenance. If you travel during those months, your only option is Ollantaytambo.
Trains from Poroy depart early in the morning and the trip to Aguas Calientes takes about 3.5 hours. It seems convenient because it’s close to Cusco, but there’s an important detail: tickets cost 10–15% more than from Ollantaytambo and there are fewer schedules.
How to get to Poroy: There are no direct public buses. Your options are taxi (30–40 soles from downtown) or arranging transportation with your travel agency. Many Cusco hotels offer transfers for an additional 20–25 soles.
Arrive at least one hour early. The station is small but check-in and baggage inspection take time.
Station services: There’s a small café selling snacks and drinks at inflated prices (a bottle of water costs 5 soles). The bathrooms are clean but charge 2 soles to use. There is no ATM or currency exchange.
The waiting area has seats for about 80 people. If you arrive during peak season and several trains are departing, it can get crowded.
Ollantaytambo Station: the one you really need to know
This is the most important station for trips to Machu Picchu. It’s located in the town of Ollantaytambo, 2 hours from Cusco on a paved road through the Sacred Valley.
The station is modern, spacious, and much better equipped than Poroy. It has two levels with comfortable waiting areas, clean restrooms, several handicraft shops, and a café-restaurant with moderate prices.
Why almost everyone uses Ollantaytambo: It operates year-round without interruptions. It has more train departures (from 5 am to 9 pm). Prices are slightly lower than from Poroy. And the town itself is worth visiting.
Trains from PeruRail (Expedition, Vistadome, Hiram Bingham) and IncaRail (Voyager, 360°, First Class) depart from here. The trip to Aguas Calientes takes 1 hour 45 minutes, following the Urubamba canyon.
How to get there from Cusco: You can take buses from Pavitos Street (near Rosario Bridge). Buses cost 15–20 soles and leave every 15–20 minutes starting at 5 am. The trip takes 2 hours.
Another option is shared taxis from the same area (25 soles per person). They leave when full with 4 passengers and are faster because they make fewer stops.
If you prefer more comfort, a private taxi costs between 120–150 soles (per vehicle, not per person) and leaves whenever you want.
The secret few know: If your train departs before 7 am, consider arriving the night before and staying in the town. Hotels start at around $30 USD and the town is much quieter and more charming than Cusco. You avoid waking up at 3 am to catch the bus.
Station services: It has decent bathrooms (2 soles), an ATM (high fee but works), several snack stands, a café, and souvenir shops. There’s a waiting area with charging outlets and free WiFi that works intermittently.
The station offers luggage storage (10 soles per item), useful if you arrive early and want to explore the town before your train.
San Pedro Station: the relic in the city center
The old San Pedro Station is located on the avenue of the same name, a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas. It’s a 1908 building with Republican-era architecture that now serves as a cultural center.
No tourist trains depart from here anymore. Only the local train occasionally passes, headed to nearby towns, but it is not for tourists.
Why mention it: Many taxi drivers and even some poorly informed agencies still tell tourists to go to the “train station in Cusco,” referring to San Pedro. You arrive only to find that there are no trains to Machu Picchu.
The building is worth a quick visit if you like architecture. It has free cultural exhibitions and a small railway museum on the second floor, open Tuesday to Sunday.
Which station to choose for your trip
Choose Ollantaytambo if:
- You are traveling between January and March (Poroy is closed)
- You want more schedule options
- You want slightly better prices
- You are interested in visiting the Sacred Valley
- You want to combine your trip with visits to Pisac, Chinchero, or the Ollantaytambo ruins
Choose Poroy if:
- You are traveling in the dry season (April–December)
- Your hotel is near that area of Cusco
- You prefer to save time and don’t mind paying a little extra
- You found a convenient schedule that only departs from there
The reality is that 85% of tourists end up using Ollantaytambo because it is more reliable and has better infrastructure.
Common mistakes with the stations
Mistake 1: Buying tickets without checking which station your train departs from. Read your ticket carefully; it clearly says “Poroy Station” or “Ollantaytambo Station.” Don’t assume all trains leave from the same place.
Mistake 2: Miscalculating travel time to Ollantaytambo. It is not always exactly 2 hours. In peak season (June–August), traffic may delay you up to 2.5 hours. Leave with plenty of time.
Mistake 3: Going to San Pedro thinking that’s where you catch the train to Machu Picchu. This confusion is incredibly common. San Pedro does NOT have operational tourist trains.
Mistake 4: Arriving right at departure time. Doors close 10 minutes before the train leaves. If you arrive 5 minutes early, you’ve missed your train and your money (tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable).
Mistake 5: Not bringing your original passport. You must show the same document you used to buy your ticket. Photocopies are not accepted.
Practical tips for the day of your trip
About luggage: Both stations (Poroy and Ollantaytambo) have an 8 kg carry-on limit per passenger. Large suitcases are not allowed. A 20–30 liter backpack is fine, but if you have a large travel suitcase, leave it stored at your Cusco hotel.
About food: Prices at the stations are expensive. A bottle of water that costs 2 soles outside costs 5–6 soles here. A simple sandwich is 15–20 soles. Eat before arriving or bring your own snacks.
About weather: Ollantaytambo is at a lower altitude than Cusco (2,800 m vs 3,400 m) and is usually warmer during the day. But early mornings are cold. Bring a light jacket.
Poroy has similar weather to Cusco: cold in the mornings and it may rain anytime from November to March.
About safety: Both stations are safe. There is security staff and tourist police. But like any tourist area, watch your belongings. Don’t leave your backpack unattended while you go to the bathroom.
Alternatives if you miss your train
If for any reason you miss your train from Poroy or Ollantaytambo, you still have options, but all of them cost money:
You can try buying a ticket for the next available train that same day at the station ticket office. This only works if there are free seats and you pay the full price again (your missed ticket is not refunded).
Another option is to travel to Hidroeléctrica by road and from there walk or take the local train to Aguas Calientes. It costs less but takes many hours.
The third option is to adjust your entire plan: stay in Ollantaytambo, visit the local ruins, and buy a train for the next day along with a new Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
The truth about trains in Cusco
The train system in Cusco is designed mainly for tourists going to Machu Picchu. It is not a public transportation system. That’s why prices are high and options are limited.
PeruRail and IncaRail have a monopoly on tourist routes. Prices are similar between both companies and discounts are rare. Buying in advance doesn’t always mean better prices—just better schedule availability.
Railway infrastructure in Peru is limited compared to other countries. There is only this main route for tourism (Cusco–Aguas Calientes) and another one from Puno that few tourists use.
The important thing is knowing exactly which station your train departs from, arriving with plenty of time, and bringing all required documents. The rest is just sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the Sacred Valley views on your way to Machu Picchu.
