2 Days Tour to Machu Picchu by Train

Machu Picchu deserves more than a rushed visit. This two-day trip from Cusco gives you a gentler route by train, one night in Aguas Calientes, and a guided visit to the citadel. I especially like the small group size, limited to 12 people, and the steady help from Nixon Expeditions, including hotel pickup, train connections, meals, and an English-speaking guide.

I also like the chance to reach Machu Picchu early, before a long return journey begins. Guides such as Victor have earned praise for explaining Inca culture clearly and carrying old historical images to help visitors understand the ruins. The main drawback is the demanding second day: you wake at 4:30 a.m., walk about 1.5 hours to the entrance, tour Machu Picchu, return to town, catch the train, and reach Cusco around 9:30 p.m.

Key points to know before booking

• The train makes this easier than a long road journey: You travel from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes by tourist train in about two hours.
• Early planning matters: Machu Picchu admission is included when you book about two months ahead. A later booking may require an extra night.
• The group is capped at 12 people: That makes meeting your guide and keeping track of the group less awkward.
• The walk to the entrance takes about 1.5 hours: You can pay $15 for the uphill bus instead, but it is not included.
• Day two is long: Expect an early start, several hours at Machu Picchu, the train back, and a late arrival in Cusco.
• The guide is a major part of the value: Victor is praised for his patience, clear explanations, historical pictures, and practical help with return tickets.

Why the train route works well from Cusco

Machu Picchu is not a quick side trip from Cusco. The ruins are reached through the Sacred Valley and the town of Aguas Calientes, so transport takes planning. This tour handles the main links for you, starting with pickup at 8:00 a.m. from your Cusco hotel.

If your hotel is within about one kilometer of Plaza de Armas, pickup is offered there. If you are staying outside that central area, you need to meet the driver at the fountain in Plaza de Armas at 8:00 a.m. That detail matters, so confirm your meeting point before bed.

The first transfer takes about two hours by minivan to Ollantaytambo. Snacks and drinks are provided at the minivan station, which is a small but welcome touch before the train ride. The road brings you through the Sacred Valley, with mountain views and glimpses of Inca ruins along the way.

At Ollantaytambo, you board a tourist train for the two-hour ride to Aguas Calientes. This is not just a practical transfer. The train gives you a comfortable window seat and changing views of the Andes, with mountain walls and old Inca sites along the route. I like this option for anyone who wants to see Machu Picchu without spending hours on a rougher road.

The train also preserves your energy. One review specifically praised choosing rail travel instead of going by car because the road option would have left the passengers tired and sore. That is useful advice. Machu Picchu involves enough walking on its own.

Day one in Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes is the gateway town below Machu Picchu. It is compact, easy to explore on foot, and built around the rail line, restaurants, shops, and the river. Once you arrive, the company transfers you to a hostel for one night.

The room is private for couples or groups. That is a better arrangement than being placed in a shared dorm after a full morning of transfers. Still, the description calls it a hostel, so you should keep your expectations practical rather than expecting a large resort or luxury hotel.

You have free time from about 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This gives you a useful break before the early start. You can visit the butterfly sanctuary, relax in the hot springs, browse the market, or simply rest.

The hot springs can be a pleasant way to loosen your legs after the train and minivan rides, though the tour does not state that admission is included. The same applies to other optional activities in town. Bring some spending money if you want to use them.

At 6:00 p.m., dinner is provided, followed by a briefing for the next morning. You meet the guide and receive instructions for your Machu Picchu visit. This meeting is important because the next day runs on fixed times. Use it to confirm where you will meet, how the entrance process works, and how you will return to Aguas Calientes.

The meals included in the package are breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but the schedule makes clear that lunch on the second day is not included. Day one is therefore the easier day for meals. On day two, you need to budget for food in Aguas Calientes after your visit.

The 4:30 a.m. start and walk to Machu Picchu

Day two begins at 4:30 a.m. You have breakfast, then walk toward Machu Picchu. The hike to the entrance takes about 1.5 hours, and the plan is to meet your guide at 7:00 a.m.

This is a very early morning, but it gives you a chance to reach the citadel at the start of the day. The walk also lets you avoid paying for the bus. If you would rather save your legs, the uphill bus costs $15 per person and is not included in the tour price.

The walking route requires a moderate level of fitness. You do not need to be a serious hiker based on the information provided, but you should be comfortable walking for 1.5 hours before a long day among stone paths and stairs. Good shoes and a small day bag will make the morning easier.

The bus is worth considering if you have knee trouble, limited stamina, or plans to climb one of the additional mountains. The tour already includes a long return journey, so conserving energy can be sensible rather than lazy.

A two-hour guided visit inside the citadel

At Machu Picchu, the English-speaking guide leads a two-hour tour. This is where the trip gains much of its value. The ruins are beautiful, but without context you can easily see a series of walls, terraces, and doorways without understanding their purpose.

Victor has been praised for his patience and clear explanation of Machu Picchu and Inca culture. He also carries historical pictures from books, showing how the site looked in earlier records and helping connect the present ruins with their past. That kind of visual aid can be especially useful when you are trying to picture roofs, buildings, and daily life that are no longer intact.

The guide also provides practical help. One visitor needed a phone because the battery was nearly gone, and Victor allowed the use of his phone for photographs. He also kept a digital copy of the return bus tickets. Those small acts matter at a place where timing, tickets, and directions can become confusing.

After the guided portion, you have time to explore on your own. The schedule says you can spend as much time as you like, but your actual time depends on the entrance rules, circuit assigned to your ticket, and return train schedule. Do not read that phrase as unlimited time at the site. Confirm the day’s exact limits with your guide.

The optional climbs require advance planning. You can ask the company to book Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu in advance. These are separate ticket options, so do not assume they are part of the $330 package. You may also visit the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge if your access and schedule allow.

Returning to Aguas Calientes and Cusco

After Machu Picchu, you walk back to Aguas Calientes. The plan also includes a visit to the Machu Picchu Museum, followed by free time to find lunch, collect your backpack, and prepare for the train.

Because lunch is not included on this day, keep money available. The schedule may feel tight after the morning at the ruins, especially if you choose an optional climb or spend extra time taking photographs. Pack lightly and organize your belongings before leaving the hostel so you are not searching through bags at the last minute.

The train returns you to Ollantaytambo. From there, the company provides a bus transfer to Cusco, with arrival at San Francisco Square around 9:30 p.m. The exact arrival can change with your train schedule, so do not plan an important late-night connection or appointment.

This is a full day, not a relaxed sightseeing day. You may enjoy the long return because the main visit is finished, but you will probably want a quiet evening once you reach Cusco.

What the $330 price includes

At $330 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to reach Machu Picchu. It can still be good value if you want one company to coordinate the difficult pieces.

The price includes:

• Pickup in Cusco, or meeting at Plaza de Armas if needed
• Tourist transport between Cusco and Ollantaytambo
• Round-trip tourist train
• One night in a private hostel room in Aguas Calientes
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner as specified by the schedule
• English and Spanish guiding at Machu Picchu
• Machu Picchu admission when booked about two months ahead

The price does not include the $15 bus to the citadel. It also does not include lunch on the second day, and optional mountain tickets need to be arranged in advance.

The most important price issue is the admission ticket. Book early. The package says the ticket is included if you reserve two months ahead. If you book later, you may need an extra night. That could add both cost and complexity, so this is not a good last-minute purchase unless the company confirms exactly what is available.

Some people have successfully arranged a last-minute trip with Nixon Expeditions, including help from Nixon and Vanessa with tickets. That shows the company may be able to find a solution, but it should not make you careless about timing. Availability at Machu Picchu can change, and a last-minute solution may not match this exact two-day plan.

Service, guides, and group size

The tour is limited to 12 people, which is a useful middle ground. You get more personal attention than on a large coach tour, but the price is usually lower than a fully private arrangement.

The strongest praise is directed at the coordination. Nixon is described as checking on people during the trip and helping with every stage, from the first hotel transfer to the return journey. Drivers and local staff also receive positive attention, including Edgar, who was described as cheerful and helpful at the start of the trip.

At Machu Picchu, the guide can shape the entire experience. Victor receives especially strong praise for his patience, explanations, historical images, and willingness to help with phones and return tickets. Other visitors have also praised the guides and the quality of the meals, vans, trains, and hostel.

The tour is offered in English, with Spanish guiding also available. If you need another language, the supplied information does not confirm it.

Who should choose this two-day trip?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want Machu Picchu with transport and timing handled for you, but you do not want a multi-day trek. It suits couples, families with moderate fitness, and people who prefer a private room and a small group.

It is also a good choice if you are uneasy about connecting the minivan, train, hotel, guide, entrance, and return bus on your own. The support from Nixon and the local guides is a real part of what you are paying for.

You should think twice if you dislike early mornings, long walking days, or late returns. The second day is intense. You should also avoid booking until you have confirmed the admission ticket, train times, and whether you need the bus or want an optional mountain climb.

The non-refundable policy deserves attention before you pay. The experience cannot be changed or refunded after cancellation, so check your Cusco dates, hotel location, fitness level, and Machu Picchu ticket timing first.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value support, rail travel, a private room, and a guided Machu Picchu visit more than absolute flexibility. The train keeps the journey comfortable, the small group makes coordination easier, and the guide support appears to be the strongest feature.

I would book at least two months ahead and ask for written confirmation of the Machu Picchu admission ticket. I would also decide in advance if you want the $15 bus, an optional mountain ticket, or extra time in Aguas Calientes.

Skip it if you want a slow schedule or plan to explore every corner of the citadel at leisure. For a well-organized two-day visit from Cusco, though, this is a sensible package that takes care of the hardest details while leaving you enough free time to enjoy the gateway town and the ruins.

FAQ

What time does the tour begin in Cusco?

Pickup begins at 8:00 a.m. from your Cusco hotel if it is within about one kilometer of Plaza de Armas. Otherwise, meet at the fountain in Plaza de Armas at 8:00 a.m.

How long is the train ride to Aguas Calientes?

The tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes takes about two hours. The return train also runs between Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo.

How many nights are spent in Aguas Calientes?

The tour includes one night in a hostel in Aguas Calientes, with a private room for couples or groups.

Is Machu Picchu admission included?

Machu Picchu admission is included if you book about two months in advance. A later booking may require an extra night, so confirm this before paying.

Is the bus to Machu Picchu included?

No. The bus to the citadel costs $15 per person and is not included. You can walk to the entrance instead, which takes about 1.5 hours.

Is lunch included on the second day?

No. Lunch on the second day is not included. You have free time in Aguas Calientes to find something to eat after visiting Machu Picchu.

What level of fitness is needed?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The planned walk to Machu Picchu takes about 1.5 hours, and the second day lasts roughly 17 hours.

How late do you return to Cusco?

The planned arrival is around 9:30 p.m. at San Francisco Square. The exact time can vary according to the train schedule.