Reaching Machu Picchu by train can be much more than simply getting from one place to another. For travelers looking for a special experience, the Hiram Bingham Train turns the journey to the Inca citadel into part of the experience.
Operated by Belmond and marketed as a rail service by PeruRail, the Hiram Bingham is a luxury service that combines fine dining, entertainment, personalized service, and transportation to Machu Picchu. Its regular route from Poroy allows you to leave Cusco and travel to Machu Picchu Pueblo while enjoying an experience designed for travelers who value both the journey and the destination.
But what does it really include? How much does it cost? Where does it depart from? Is it worth it compared with other trains? In this guide, you will find the answers you need to decide whether the Hiram Bingham is the best way to begin your Machu Picchu experience.
Hiram Bingham Train: What Is It and Why Is It Different?
The Hiram Bingham Train is a luxury rail service connecting Cusco and Machu Picchu, inspired by classic Pullman trains from the 1920s. Its carriages combine elegant interiors, wood and brass finishes, fine dining, and entertainment throughout the journey.
Its main difference from conventional services is not simply the seat or carriage design. The experience is designed as a complete journey.
Depending on the itinerary, the service may include a station welcome, brunch, cocktails, selected beverages, live music, bus transfers, a guide, and access to Machu Picchu.
For this reason, the Hiram Bingham is especially suited to travelers seeking a high-end experience and wanting the journey to Machu Picchu to be part of the celebration.
It is not necessarily the right option for everyone. If your priority is simply reaching Machu Picchu at the lowest possible price, there are more affordable alternatives.
But if you are looking for comfort, fine dining, and a memorable experience from the moment you leave Cusco, the difference may justify the investment.
What Is the Hiram Bingham Train Journey Like?
The journey begins before you even board the train.
On the Cusco–Machu Picchu route, the service currently departs from Poroy Station, located approximately 20 minutes by car from Cusco, according to official information from Belmond. For 2026, the published schedule shows a 9:05 a.m. departure and arrival in Machu Picchu Pueblo at 12:24 p.m.
Once on board, the experience revolves around three elements: scenery, fine dining, and entertainment.
The train travels through the Sacred Valley and continues along the river toward Machu Picchu. As you journey onward, you can enjoy the included brunch and beverages accompanied by live music and performances.
Upon arrival in Machu Picchu Pueblo, the service continues with the connection to the citadel.
This is important: the train does not arrive directly at the entrance to Machu Picchu. The train arrives in Aguas Calientes, and from there you take a bus to the citadel.
The Hiram Bingham incorporates this logistical part into the experience, reducing the need to arrange each stage separately.
How Much Does the Hiram Bingham Train Cost?
The price of the Hiram Bingham Train is considerably higher than that of conventional rail services to Machu Picchu.
This is because you are not paying for rail transportation alone. The product incorporates different services and experiences that may include food, beverages, entertainment, a guide, transfers, and admission tickets, depending on the itinerary booked.
For this reason, comparing only the ticket price with another train can be misleading.
Before booking, check exactly what is included:
- Whether the journey is round trip or one way.
- Meals included.
- Beverages included.
- Onboard entertainment.
- Transfers.
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
- Guide.
- Access to exclusive station services.
- Additional experiences included in the program.
Prices may also vary depending on the date, availability, and type of journey.
Tip: If you are planning a special trip to Peru, ask Aura Andina Travel for a proposal that includes the Hiram Bingham as part of your complete itinerary. This allows you to compare the cost of the train with all the included services rather than looking only at the price of a rail ticket.
Hiram Bingham Train Schedule
For the regular Cusco–Machu Picchu itinerary, the Hiram Bingham currently operates from Poroy.
The published 2026 schedule indicates:
| Route | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Poroy → Machu Picchu Pueblo | 9:05 a.m. | 12:24 p.m. |
| Machu Picchu Pueblo → Poroy | 5:50 p.m. | 9:16 p.m. |
These times correspond to the itinerary published by PeruRail for May–December 2026 and are subject to operational changes. PeruRail also indicates that the Hiram Bingham service operates every day except the last Sunday of each month.
This means it is not advisable to build an extremely tight itinerary around the train schedule.
Always check availability and the final schedule before confirming your connections, especially if you have flights or reservations in other destinations on the same day.
How to Book the Hiram Bingham
Booking the Hiram Bingham requires more planning than buying a conventional train ticket, especially if you want to combine it with Machu Picchu tickets and other services.
The first decision is to determine whether you want to use it:
- For the outbound journey only.
- For the return journey only.
- In both directions.
- As part of a complete Machu Picchu package.
Belmond confirms that one-way options are available, while certain itineraries include round-trip travel.
You must also coordinate your Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
PeruRail warns that access to Machu Picchu is subject to availability from the Ministry of Culture and recommends checking circuit availability before purchasing.
For this reason, for an international trip with fixed dates, the most practical approach is to coordinate the train + entrance ticket + transportation + guide as a single itinerary.
If you want to avoid managing each element separately, Aura Andina Travel can integrate the Hiram Bingham into your Machu Picchu itinerary.
What Does the Hiram Bingham Include?
One of the most important questions before booking is understanding exactly what you are buying.
According to Belmond, the service includes a welcome drink at the station, meals on board, selected wines, Cusqueña beer, Pisco Sour, soft and hot drinks, entertainment, guides, bus transfers, Machu Picchu admission, and afternoon tea at Sanctuary Lodge, according to the service conditions.
The experience may also include access to a VIP lounge in Aguas Calientes and a cocktail in the mountains at Sanctuary Lodge, depending on the itinerary.
In summary
On board:
- Brunch on the outbound journey.
- Dinner on the return journey.
- Selected beverages.
- Live music.
- Entertainment.
- High-end service.
At Machu Picchu:
- Bus transfer.
- Guide.
- Entrance ticket, depending on the product booked.
- Additional itinerary services.
Always check the specific inclusions of your booking, as they may vary depending on the type of journey.
Hiram Bingham vs. Other Trains to Machu Picchu
The Hiram Bingham is not competing on exactly the same criteria as a conventional train.
If your priority is price, there are more affordable alternatives.
If you are looking for panoramic views, services such as Vistadome and Vistadome Observatory may be attractive. PeruRail particularly highlights the photographic opportunities offered by these services thanks to their panoramic windows and, in the case of the Observatory, its observation car.
The Hiram Bingham, by contrast, is designed for a luxury experience.
| Feature | Hiram Bingham | Conventional Tourist Train |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Luxury and experience | Transportation + experience |
| Dining | Gourmet | Depending on service |
| Entertainment | Yes | Depends on the train |
| Beverages | Selected | Depends on the service |
| Guide | Included depending on itinerary | Depends on the package |
| Price | High | More options |
| Ideal for | Special occasions | A wider range of budgets |
The right question is not simply, “Which is the best train?” but rather, “What kind of experience do I want to have on the way to Machu Picchu?”
Is the Hiram Bingham Worth It?
For certain travelers, yes.
If you are celebrating a special occasion, want to enjoy a fine-dining experience, or simply want the journey to Machu Picchu to be an important part of your vacation, the Hiram Bingham offers something different.
However, it would not be reasonable to recommend it to someone whose main goal is to save money.
Its value lies in the complete experience: the train’s atmosphere, food, beverages, entertainment, and the convenience of having several services coordinated.
It also makes sense for travelers designing a luxury itinerary through Peru who want to combine Machu Picchu with high-end hotels, private experiences, and other personalized services.
In that case, the Hiram Bingham can be one of the highlights of the trip.
Practical Tips Before Traveling
Book in Advance
Machu Picchu has controlled visitor capacity, and entrance tickets are subject to availability. It is not advisable to buy the train ticket without first checking that a compatible entrance ticket is available for your itinerary.
Check Your Machu Picchu Circuit
Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket is not independent of the rest of your trip. The circuit and entry time must be compatible with your arrival.
Consider Transportation to Poroy
Poroy is not in Cusco’s historic center. Arrange your transfer well in advance.
Pack Only What You Need
For your visit to Machu Picchu, it is best to travel light and carry only what you need for the day.
Check the Final Schedule
Rail schedules may change due to operational or railway conditions. PeruRail expressly states that its schedules are subject to change.
Don’t Book the Train Alone
If you are traveling internationally, consider the complete sequence:
hotel → transportation → train → entrance ticket → guide → Machu Picchu → return
Good planning can avoid unnecessary connections and make the day much more comfortable.
The Experience: When the Journey Becomes Part of the Destination
There are journeys where the train simply takes you from one place to another.
And there are others where the journey becomes part of the story.
On the Hiram Bingham, the experience begins before you see Machu Picchu.
A welcome drink, the details of the carriage, the music, the brunch, and the landscape gradually changing as the train moves toward the mountain forest give the arrival a different rhythm.
You do not have to worry about driving, finding transportation, or deciding where to eat.
You simply watch the landscape.
And when you finally arrive in Machu Picchu Pueblo, the journey does not end: the next stage toward the citadel begins.
For a traveler who considers Machu Picchu one of the highlights of a trip to Peru, that transition may be exactly what makes the Hiram Bingham special.
