The Inca Trail Vs Train To Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail Vs Train: Is There A Clear Winner?

Quick Answer: It’s not so clear cut as to which is the overall best option, given every traveller has different goals, levels of comfort and also desire to do more or less hiking in order to reach the sacred ruins of Machu Picchu.

For example, the various trains offer the quickest journey from Cusco (as well as other areas of the Sacred Valley) to Aguas Calientes, and can also vary in style depending on your budget and preferences. The Hiram Bingham on one end is perfect for an all-inclusive and luxurious journey, whilst PeruRail’s Vistadome Train is a great budget option that still has comfortable seats and outstanding views as we glide through the Sacred Valley region.

We do lean towards recommending the Inca Trail, however – and for many good reasons. Firstly Machu Picchu was just one key sight of dozens built by the Inca in the Sacred Valley region, and hiking along the Four Day Inca Trail Trek allows us to explore many others such as Wiñay Wayna, Sayacmarca and Intipata. Nothing beats walking along the same stone path that this ancient civilization once laid themselves and depended on, whilst also getting to enjoy incredible landscapes and culture along the trek.

Advantages Of The Inca Trail

Let’s first take a look at the multi-day route, which actually has two different itineraries (a 2 day route and a 4 day route), as well as the specific advantages of them.

Bucket List Hiking Experience

Regardless if choosing the full Four Day Inca Trail, or the Short Two Day Inca Trail, you will see lots of amazing landscapes. The full trek sees you hike through dizzying jagged Andean peaks, through misty cloud forests and through high Amazon Jungle, where there’s a chance of seeing wildlife such as Alpacas, Vicuñas, Spectacled Bears and more!

Extra Ancient Ruins And Culture Included

Simply put, there’s nothing quite like hiking the Inca Trail. A 42km stretch paved stone by stone by the ancient Inca civilization, here we will visit ruins such as Wiñay Wayna and Sayacmarca that are only viewable with this special permit. You’ll also get to know the local porters and their way of life that remains authentic and raw to this day.

A Multi-Day, All-Inclusive Trek

The best part of all is that everything is included when you buy your Four Day Inca Trail Trek with us here at AB Expeditions. This includes super warm tents and postcard-perfect camping locations, incredible food prepared by professional chefs, as well as any extra hiking equipment or support that you may need along the way.

Advantages Of The Train To Machu Picchu 

Now we’ll explore the various types of trains that head to Machu Picchu, and how the different models can offer different perks for travellers. 

The Quickest Option To Machu Picchu

For those who want to skip adventure and unique sights, and simply get to Machu Picchu quickly – there’s no beating the train. From Cusco it takes just four hours to reach Machu Picchu (first from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, followed by the bus up to the ruins). Other stops in the Sacred Valley such as Ollantaytambo have even shorter travel times.

Low-Cost Options For Travellers On A Budget

The train itself is the cheapest option, especially when choosing the basic trains like the Vistadome and Voyager trains. However these only include the ride, and not your hotel or Machu Picchu entrance ticket. Again it’s important to remember that whilst the Inca Trail trek is more expensive, it does include days worth of food, lodging plus your Machu Picchu and Inca Trail permits too!

Premium Luxury Trains For Travellers After An Unforgettable Andes Train Ride

There are also some truly exquisite options for those who want to pay more for a luxurious and exclusive experience. This includes the Hiram Bingham Train by PeruRail, which comes equipped with a full three course meal, open bar and separate viewing platforms, as well as the private Presidential Carriage by IncaRail. They also have the most comfortable seats and best service possible on your ride to Machu Picchu.

Important Considerations When Making Your Choice

Before making your final choice, there’s a few more important things to keep in mind. While some concern either the Inca Trail or the various trains, some actually affect both – so it’s good to know these ahead of time.

Seasonal Demand And Availability 

The popular season for visiting Machu Picchu is between June and September, and occasionally tickets sell-out for this wonder of the world a few weeks before at times. However a bigger concern is that the Inca Trail only has a daily limit of 500 hikers – so this definitely does sell out, and often months in advance. Certain popular trains can also reach near full occupancy too at peak travel times, so be sure to book your permit or train at least 4-6 months in advance for popular months, and 2-3 months before low season months.

Choosing The Right Hiking Or Train Company

For trains this is much more simple given there are only two operators – PeruRail and IncaRail – and both do a great job and offer a superb variety of different trains and service levels. However the Inca Trail has many different types of tour operators, some of which are reputable and socially responsible, while others not so much. It’s important therefore to do your homework on the best Inca Trail companies before making your choice, which includes checking their TripAdvisor and other relevant review accounts, as well as what they include in their tours. 

The Varying Weather And Climate

Exploring Peru’s wild Andean regions really is an unforgettable experience, given the local culture, mysterious ruins and endemic animals which are all on offer. However certain months between December and March can bring heavy rains, so be sure to bring waterproofs if attempting to take on the Inca Trail during the wet season. Remember the Inca Trail is also closed during February too. Certain train lines can also divert routes or pause services if conditions get too heavy, so if travelling during these months we recommend you to be flexible with both your plans and time available in the Cusco region.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Inca Trail Vs Train

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the Inca Trail vs train, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

Is The Train To Machu Picchu Worth It?

The various trains to Machu Picchu are certainly worth it, depending on the kind of experience that you are looking for. For example those in a rush or who want to quickly visit the site will find that the trains are quickest option (4 hours total at most from Cusco), whilst they are also ideal for those who don’t like hiking or want to exert that much physical effort on their journey to Machu Picchu.

Can A Beginner Do The Inca Trail?

Yes absolutely! Beginners can easily hike the Inca Trail, as long as they follow two important practical tips. The first is that they spend a few days in Cusco beforehand so they can naturally acclimate to the altitude (given the Inca Trail can pass over 4000m in areas). The second is that they use high quality hiking boots and gear, as this will make every step much easier (and there’s a lot of steps to take – trust us there!).

What Fitness Level Is Needed For Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu itself is very gentle and simple compared with the Inca Trail, given the ruins are contained in a fairly small site. Once inside the entrance gate there are some steps heading up and down the site – however even with a very moderate fitness level you can easily explore this ancient Inca site without breaking a sweat. Just remember to keep drinking water and to take frequent breaks!

Is The Inca Trail Or The Train Best?

For those who want to get in and out of Machu Picchu without hassle, the combination of using the train from Cusco, and then bus up from Aguas Calientes works best. However those who want the most unforgettable experience in Peru simply must hike the Inca Trail. Here we’ll explore off-limit ruins like Wiñay Wayna and Sayacmarca which only those with special Inca Trail permits can see, not to mention including all meals and superb camping spots along the trek.

Which Trail Is Best To Machu Picchu?

There are two main Inca Trail paths that lead to Machu Picchu, although both of course are still part of the same original Inca Trail. The Four Day Inca Trail is the original and full trek which includes passing over Dead Woman’s Pass and seeing ruins like Sayacmarca and Runkurakay, whilst the Two Day Inca Trail focuses on high jungle highlights, waterfalls and ruins like Wiñay Wayna. Both are incredible – so it really depends on you!

Overview Of The Inca Trail Vs Train To Machu Picchu

And that’s all for this guide on whether you should hike the Inca Trail vs ride the train to Machu Picchu.

Both options have their own particular advantages, and really any traveller heading to Peru will be satisfied by the flexibility and versatility of options offered by both. The Inca Trail remains the best for a bucket list experience filled with mystery and culture, whilst the train ride to Machu Picchu is the quickest, most luxurious and comfortable way of reaching Peru’s New Seventh Wonder Of The World.

Looking for the most unforgettable hiking experience in all of South America? Book our Four Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu, where you’ll have an expert local guide lead the trek, all meals and hiking permits included, as well as the very best campsites along the route.