I Took a LUXURY SCENIC Train to Machu Picchu!

I Took a LUXURY SCENIC Train to Machu Picchu!

This video is in partnership with Holafly eSIM. Today we’re in Peru, to take a luxury train ride to one of the ‘7 Wonders of 
the World’ – Machu Picchu. The Peru Rail Vistadome service 
features a rear observation deck, comfortable leather seating, some amazing 
alpine and river views and free entertainment. So come along with me, and 
let’s check it out together. This journey starts in Cusco, Peru’s 7th 
largest city with a population of 430,000 people, which stands at an elevation 
of 3,400m (11,150ft) above sea level. This beautiful Andean city 
dates back to the 13th century, and was the capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Nowadays, tourism is the 
backbone of the city’s economy, bringing in over 2.7 millions visitors, 
and $2.5 billion in revenue per year. I’ve made the 10 minute stroll from my hotel 
to a rainy San Pedro Station in central Cusco. The people queuing are locals waiting 
to buy tickets for the subsidised, regular train which also runs on this line. 
However this is only for Peruvian nationals. You enter via the ‘Tourist Train’ doorway, 
and up this flight of steps. I’m not sure if there is a step-free route. Let 
me know in the comments if you know. Around to the left are the staffed 
ticket offices for both Peru Rail and Inca Rail. The latter of these 
no longer serves this station. You are going to want to buy your tickets 
online well in advance of travel though, as they can, and do sell out. A full timetable can be found on the wall, 
including bus connections to other stations. Today I’m taking the 7:30am Vistadome 203 service, the only train that departs 
from here in San Pedro. Here is the first look of said train, 
with the observation car right on the rear – I can’t wait to check out the views 
from here later on when we get going! Beyond, is the maintenance depot where 
the loco for our train is just being turned around and will soon be connected up front. There is also an indoor waiting room, with a small snack and souvenir 
shop located just off platform 2. While I drink my coffee, let’s check out 
today’s very slow, but super scenic route. We depart Cusco and head north west, calling 
just at Poroy and Ollantaytambo before passing along the ‘Sacred Valley’ to Machu 
Picchu Station in Aguas Calientes. OK, time to board! The train is formed of one 
lounge/observation coach, three Vistadome Class coaches 
and two Expedition Class coaches. Hauling us will be this Peru Rail 
LSL 1400-2 diesel locomotive. These have a power output of 1,045kW (1,400hp) 
and a top speed of 100km/h (62mph), although we’ll get no where close to that today, with the 
maximum line speed being just 40km/h (25mph). After enjoying the platform entertainment for a 
moment, and a ticket check, it’s time to board. All coaches have ramps from the platforms, 
but this still includes 3 steps up. While there are no dedicated 
wheelchair facilities, staff will assist with boarding and best 
seat allocation, when booked in advance. All seating on the train is laid 
out in a 2+2 configuration.- $128 We depart on-time, at 7.30am. The full route from San Pedro Station in Cusco, to Machu Picchu Station in Aguas Calientes 
is 108km (67mi) in distance and is scheduled to take 4 hours and 41 minutes of 
travel time, arriving at 12.11pm. Tickets in Vistadome Class cost 
$128 (£97, €110) – this is where I’m travelling today. I’ll show you 
what is included with this later on. The cheapest fare on this 
train is Expedition Class, which includes just the seat, 
and costs $82 (£62, €71). The section of track just after departure is very interesting and affectionately 
known locally as ‘El Zig Zag’. It includes 5 switchbacks which are 
used to gain height very quickly. Now this train is meant to have a WiFi 
connection, however it was very patchy, and when it did work, it was very slow. I’ve 
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the description below and use code: NONSTOPEUROTRIP at checkout and grab yours today! Once we reach maximum height, the views 
down over Cusco are quite magnificent. OK, let’s check out the seats 
here in Vistadome Class. They are really well padded, and have a 
good ergonomic shape, and a nice headrest. There are also adjustable armrests and 
a good recline activated by this lever. Legroom is good, and there is a large fixed table. There are no sockets though – so 
don’t forget to bring a power bank. The panoramic windows are excellent, extending all the way up to the ceiling and 
letting a huge amount of natural light in. Luggage can be stored on the large 
stacks at the ends of the coaches, and also in-between the 
backs of opposing seat bays. The train is very empty right now. 
More passengers will board shortly, but most will board at Ollantaytambo 
later on and the train will then be full. We are now on the approach to Poroy, 
today’s first intermediate stop. On the right side, we see the ultra-luxury Belmond 
Hiram Bingham train which also runs on this route. If I had had a spare $500 USD (£380, €432), then I would have loved to have 
done that instead of this! All onboard announcements are 
made in both Spanish and English. Right after we depart Poroy, the 
complimentary service begins. This includes a hot drinks of your choosing, 
a water and a snack box with Quinoa crisps, a cereal bar, a small chocolate 
and a couple of sweets. Luckily there are some small opening 
windows in the seated coaches so we can full appreciate the #TrainWindowViews, 
even when we’re not in the observation car. Speaking of which, let’s 
go and check that out now! There is a bar selling a wide 
variety of drinks, including alcohol. And then a comfortable lounge seating area 
where the entertainment will happen soon. Beyond this is the observation 
deck providing fresh air, and amazing unobstructed views rearwards. This whole line is single track, with 
a narrow gauge of just 914mm (3ft). There are some strategic passing 
places, but I think we only saw two or three trains heading in the 
other direction on the whole trip. [ANNOUNCEMENT] Ladies and gentlemen, 
we are now in the zig-zag zone. [ANNOUNCEMENT] This ingenious 
technique allows us to descend approximately 40m (130ft) 
in a stretch of 5km (3mi). [ANNOUNCEMENT] Thank you for your attention. There are just two switchbacks this time. After a little while in the observation car, 
we were asked to head back to our seats, so the other two coaches of Vistadome Class passengers 
could have a turn without it being too crowded. We have now entered the main section 
of the so-called ‘Sacred Valley’ where the train runs in a deep gorge between the 
mountains, and alongside the Urubamba River. Take a look up to the right, and you can see 
various sleeping pods perched on the cliffsides. While these are undoubtedly very cool and 
a unique experience – they are expensive, with nightly prices starting 
from $400 USD (£304, €345). There are also many extreme 
sports you can do in the area, such as rock climbing, and 
white water rafting, seen here. Each coach has one toilet in the vestibule. These were all fully working and 
stocked up throughout the journey. They were also pretty clean 
– so good job Peru Rail! Here is a look at Expedition Class 
– the cheapest fare on the train. I filmed this on my return journey to Cusco. The seats are the same as in Vistadome Class – but 
you don’t get any of the complimentary goodies, but there is a trolley service 
for paid drinks and snacks. You also can’t access to the observation 
car, if it’s present on your service. We have now reached today’s final intermediate stop in Ollantaytambo – where 
the train completely fills up. I think there was some other budding 
YouTubers among this new crowd! Back in the observation car, and let the entertainment begin. I’ll 
let you enjoy this for a few moments. It’s great how they got everyone involved – even 
if the traditional Incan masks were a bit scary! There was even time for some photos… I decided to get myself a 
high-visibility Inca Cola. I’d seen it about for the previous few days, but hadn’t tried it yet – and I have to say, 
I’m not a fan. Give me proper Coke any day! Most people are now glued to 
all and any windows they can get to – as this part of the route is 
the most scenic. It was so beautiful. Even though the track wasn’t 
particularly good quality, the ride was still OK as we were going so slow. The train we are about to pass is an Inca Rail 
service – the other operator on this route. They only run services between 
Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu but have a variety of classes available and 
a dedicated bus connection to Cusco city. This is my second video from South America, however I have filmed 12 across 5 
countries which will be released over the coming months – so be sure you’re 
subscribed so you don’t miss any of those. As we are approaching the end of today’s trip, a final trolley service comes around 
selling drinks, snacks and souvenirs. We also got some freebies 
– a little bottle of pisco, along with a shot glass – and a traditional hat. [ANNOUNCEMENT] Dear passengers. We will shortly be arriving at our final destination 
– Machu Picchu Pueblo Station. [ANNOUNCEMENT] Peru Rail is honoured 
to be part of your incredible journey. [ANNOUNCEMENT] We hope your visit to 
Machu Picchu will be unforgettable. [ANNOUNCEMENT] Peru Rail – 25 years 
creating once in a lifetime journeys. So, to summarise today’s trip 
– what a FANTASTIC journey! The staff were brilliant, super 
helpful and friendly. Amazing scenery, great entertainment and overall a 
pretty reasonable price, I believe. I don’t really have any complaints 
about the whole experience – and how cool to be able to take the 
train to a wonder of the world? This was actually my last one… 
that’s all 7 complete now! We arrive at Machu Picchu Station in Aguas 
Calientes village 7 minutes late, at 12.18pm…. Top tip – be sure to book your Machu Picchu 
entry tickets online at least a month in advance, or alternatively, plan to arrive in 
Aguas Calientes two days before you wish to visit the site, and queue for 
the 1000 ‘next day’ allocation tickets, which go on sale at 6am. Oh, and 
don’t forget your rain jacket… Have you been on any trains in 
South America before? If so, which ones and on which routes? How did you 
find them? Let me know in the comments below! I’m always open to new video ideas, so if you 
have something you’d like to see on the channel, then drop me DM on Instagram, BlueSky or Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe, thanks for watching 
to the end, and I’ll see you in the next video!

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Today we’re in Peru to take the Luxury Vistadome Train to Machu Picchu!

We’ll travel from Cusco to Aguas Calientes in the stunning Andes Mountains, passing some amazing scenery, with a rear facing open observation car, free goodies, and awesome entertainment – so come along with me and let’s check it out together!

#SouthAmerica #Peru #PeruRail #MachuPicchu #Cusco #TrainWindowViews

Date of Filming: 8/10/25
Camera: GoPro Hero 12 Black
Operator: Peru Rail
Departure: Cusco, Peru
Arrival: Aguas Calientes, Peru
Cost: Vistadome Class – $128 (£97, €110)
Expedition Class – $82 (£62, €71)

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00:00 – Intro
01:24 – Arrival at San Pedro Station
02:18 – Route & Train Information
03:34 – Let’s Board!
04:50 – Departure & Pricing
05:36 – Five Switchback Leaving Cusco
07:25 – Vistadome Seat Tour
08:35 – Calling at Poroy
09:24 – Complimentary Service
09:55 – The Observation Car!
11:25 – Entering the Sacred Valley
12:20 – Train Tour
13:10 – Calling at Ollantaytambo
13:44 – It’s Party Time…
14:42 – The BEST Scenery!
16:20 – Trip Summary
17:18 – Arrival at Machu Picchu
17:55 – Outro