PeruRail Titicaca Train

PeruRail Titicaca Train to Puno or Cusco. 294 reviews on the listing. Runs ~10 hours. From $395.

Overview

This is a full-day train ride between Cusco and Puno, roughly ten hours on a scenic railway that climbs through the Peruvian Andes. You pick your direction when you book: Cusco to Puno or Puno to Cusco. Cusco is the usual jumping-off point for Machu Picchu treks, while Puno sits at the edge of Lake Titicaca, so the route works well as a link between two of southern Peru's big stops.

The day is not just transport. A welcome hot drink comes first, then a three-course gourmet lunch is served on board, with a children's menu and options for food restrictions or allergies. Later, afternoon tea begins an hour and a half before arrival. Lunch and dinner service include non-alcoholic drinks, a glass of red or white wine, and a hot drink to finish. Extra drinks can be bought at the bar, which has a balcony with panoramic views, and you can move freely between train cars.

Entertainment is live. The show features music and typical dances from Cusco on the Cusco-Puno route and from Puno on the Puno-Cusco route, and the train makes a short stop at Pueblo La Raya along the way. Reviewers consistently praise the food, the service, and the onboard show, and several say the long day passes quickly. It suits travellers who want a comfortable way to cover the distance between the two cities, and most travellers can take part.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Depart Cusco or PunoBoard the PeruRail Titicaca Train at your chosen starting city, Cusco or Puno. The exact schedule of onboard events during the ride is not fixed in the listing.
2. Ride through the AndesTravel the scenic railway through the Andes mountains, free to move between train cars and visit the bar and its balcony. A short stop is made at Pueblo La Raya along the route.
3. Meals and live showDuring the journey, a three-course gourmet lunch is served, with a children's lunch and options for allergies or food restrictions, and a live show of music and typical dances takes place on board.
4. Afternoon teaAfternoon tea begins an hour and a half before arrival at the final destination.
5. Arrive at your destinationThe journey ends in Puno or Cusco, depending on the direction booked. Total duration is about ten hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help the day go smoothly, from ticketing quirks to altitude and what the ride itself feels like.

• Watch your tickets. Several travellers had ticket confusion. The ticket issued on the booking page may not be the one you show at the train, and a separate ticket arrives by email. Check your inbox after booking and bring the correct document, and confirm the direction of travel on the ticket matches the direction you booked.
• Altitude and motion. The route crosses high Andean terrain, and one reviewer reported motion sickness on the ride. If you are prone to it, bring what you normally take. The train is air-conditioned and has a restroom on board, so the basics are covered.
• Food and drink. Lunch is a three-course gourmet meal with a children's option and alternatives for allergies or restrictions. Non-alcoholic drinks, one glass of wine, and a hot drink are included with meals, and extra alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are for sale at the bar. Reviewers repeatedly describe the food as excellent.
• Pace and comfort. This is a seated, relaxed day with no physical effort required. Reviewers call the train spacious and comfortable, and several say the roughly ten hours pass quickly thanks to the onboard activities. One traveller specifically recommended it as a comfortable way to travel after the Inca Trail.
• Photos and views. You can move freely through the train cars and use the bar's balcony, which reviewers praise for its panoramic views. Expect river, valley, and mountain scenery for much of the ride, plus close passes through markets and local children waving, which one reviewer described as a highlight.
• Group and access. The departure carries a maximum of 33 travellers. The train is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible, service animals are allowed, and the stations sit near public transportation. Most travellers can participate.

Common issues. The ride itself gets strong reviews, but the booking side has tripped people up. One reviewer arrived with a ticket for the wrong direction of travel, since availability on the calendar does not make direction obvious. Others missed the emailed ticket and had trouble boarding. On board, one reviewer experienced motion sickness, and another noted litter in a stream near the markets before Puno. Confirmation also depends on availability and can take up to 48 hours after booking.

Before You Book A Tour