Belmond Hiram Bingham Train Review 2025: A Machu Picchu Day Trip

What a Day Trip on a Fancy Train Actually Feels Like

Thinking about a day trip to Machu Picchu in 2025 can honestly get you thinking about logistics, like tickets, transport, and guides. You know, there are a ton of ways to get there, but then there’s the Belmond Hiram Bingham train. Basically, choosing this option is less about just getting from one point to another and a whole lot more about making the travel part of the main event. In a way, it’s like deciding to fly first class; you’re buying an experience, not just a seat. You kind of feel the difference from the moment you check in. The whole atmosphere at the station is just different, it is a little calmer and a lot more put-together than the usual travel scramble. At the end of the day, you’re signing up for a day where almost every detail is handled for you, and honestly, that’s a big part of the appeal.

So, the moment you arrive at the Poroy station, which is just a little ways outside of Cusco, you can tell this is going to be something else entirely. As a matter of fact, there’s often a live band playing traditional Peruvian music, which instantly gives you this wonderful sense of place. Staff greet you with a welcome drink, and it’s not just a rushed formality; you know, it’s a genuine welcome. This is really where the day starts. The air is filled with this feeling of old-world anticipation, very much like you’re stepping into an Agatha Christie novel, but obviously with better food and zero mystery. It is sort of a slow, civilized start to a day that could otherwise be quite hectic. You’re not just a number in a queue; you’re a guest, and honestly, that feeling carries on for the whole entire day.

The Vibe Onboard: 1920s Glamour and Endless Pisco Sours

Alright, so once you step onto the train itself, you really get it. The cars are just these beautiful, gleaming blue-and-gold carriages that look like they’ve come straight from the 1920s. The inside is honestly just as impressive. You’re talking about polished wood paneling everywhere, shiny brass details, and extremely comfortable armchairs you can just sink into. I mean, the whole setup is pretty much a love letter to the golden age of train travel. There are two dining cars, a bar car, and an observation car at the back. Basically, the bar car quickly becomes the social center of the whole train, as you might expect. It’s where people go to chat, listen to the band, and, you know, grab a drink.

Let’s be honest, the food and drinks are a massive highlight of this whole thing. On the way to Machu Picchu, you’re served a pretty amazing multi-course brunch. We are talking about dishes made with local Andean ingredients, all presented like works of art. The service is, you know, really attentive without being stuffy. And of course, the Pisco Sours. You’ve pretty much got to try one, or maybe three. They teach you how to make them in the bar car, which is a really fun, interactive thing to do. The bartenders are masters at it, and you can honestly just sit back with a perfectly made cocktail and a fine glass of wine as the world rolls by your window.

As you are relaxing, there’s a live Peruvian trio moving through the carriages, playing music that is just perfect for the scenery. Seriously, it sets such a great mood. Outside the big picture windows, the landscape starts to transform. It starts with these gentle, rolling farmlands around Cusco and then, you know, it gets more dramatic as you drop down into the Sacred Valley. The train follows the path of the Urubamba River, and the views of the water rushing by with green mountains on either side are just incredible. For the best, most unobstructed views, you really want to spend some time in the open-air observation car at the back. As a matter of fact, it’s the top spot for getting those epic photos of the scenery and the train snaking along the tracks.

Arriving at Aguas Calientes and the Ascent to the Citadel

So, when the train pulls into the station at Aguas Calientes, which is the town at the base of Machu Picchu, things can typically get a little chaotic. This town is the main hub for everyone visiting the site, you know? Anyway, this is where another perk of the Hiram Bingham ticket really becomes clear. You sort of sidestep all the regular lines because a private bus is waiting just for the train’s passengers. It’s a small thing, in a way, but not having to fight for a spot on a packed public bus is a seriously nice touch. You just stroll off the train, follow your guide, and hop onto a comfortable coach that starts the winding trip up the mountain. Honestly, it makes the arrival feel pretty seamless and stress-free.

Basically, what you’re getting is an expertly curated day. You’re not just buying a train ticket and an entry pass; you’re buying a seamless flow from your hotel door to the heart of the Inca empire and back again, all wrapped in a layer of genuine, old-fashioned luxury.

The experience, of course, includes your entry ticket to Machu Picchu and a guided tour. Instead of being herded into a huge group of like, 30 people, you’re usually in a much smaller group with a dedicated guide. Our guide, for instance, was absolutely fantastic. He was a local guy who knew the site inside and out and could answer literally every question we threw at him. This smaller group size means you can actually hear everything, ask questions, and linger for a moment to take a photo without feeling like you’re holding everyone up. You just get a more personal and in-depth understanding of what you’re looking at, which at a place as incredible as Machu Picchu, is pretty much what you want.

An Afternoon Soiree at the Sanctuary Lodge

After you’ve spent a few hours walking around the mind-blowing ruins and getting your fill of history and spectacular views, you’re probably going to be a little tired and thirsty. As I was saying, they’ve thought of this. The tour includes afternoon tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, which has an incredible location literally at the gates of Machu Picchu. There’s really no other hotel this close to the entrance. It’s so nice to just walk out of the site and, in a minute, be sitting in a lovely garden with a cup of tea and a plate of snacks. It’s a very British kind of tradition, obviously, but it feels just right in this context.

This afternoon break is sort of a perfect buffer in the day’s schedule. You get this amazing spread of little sandwiches, delicate pastries, scones with cream, and a selection of teas and coffee. It’s a very civilized way to kind of recharge your batteries before you head back down the mountain to catch the train. Frankly, it gives you a moment to just sit and process everything you’ve just seen. Machu Picchu is a lot to take in, you know? Having this quiet, comfortable spot to relax and talk about it is a really thoughtful part of the overall itinerary. I mean, it just prevents the day from feeling like a mad dash.

The Return Trip: A Dinner Celebration on Wheels

Heading back to Poroy on the train in the evening is, honestly, a totally different feeling from the morning ride. By this point, everyone is in a pretty great mood. You’ve just seen one of the wonders of the world, and there’s this shared sense of awe among all the passengers. The vibe in the evening is definitely more festive, you know, kind of like a dinner party. The lighting is low, the wine is flowing, and the live band really gets going. It feels less like a simple train ride and more like a rolling celebration, basically.

The main event on the return trip is, of course, the four-course, white-tablecloth dinner. It’s a genuinely gourmet meal, and the menu is always something pretty special. You get to sample more wonderful Peruvian flavors while the dark landscape rushes by outside the window. As dinner winds down, the bar car usually gets lively. The band will often take requests, and I mean, it’s not uncommon to see people getting up and dancing in the aisle. It’s just a really fun, warm, and memorable way to cap off what has been an absolutely unforgettable day. Seriously, it’s the kind of happy atmosphere that you just don’t get with any other form of travel.

So, is the Belmond Hiram Bingham Really Worth the Price?

Okay, so let’s just talk about the big question: the cost. To be honest, this train ticket is not cheap; it’s a significant expense. But you’re not just paying for a train ride. You really have to look at what’s bundled into that price tag. You’re getting the brunch, the dinner, all your drinks onboard including the fancy cocktails and wine, the private bus up to the ruins, your Machu Picchu entry ticket, a semi-private guided tour, and the lovely afternoon tea. At the end of the day, when you add up all those individual components, the price starts to make a bit more sense. It is absolutely a luxury product, so it comes with a luxury price.

Who is this experience really for? Honestly, it’s arguably the perfect choice for a very special occasion. We saw people celebrating honeymoons, big birthdays, and anniversaries. It’s also for the traveler who puts a high value on comfort, convenience, and a little bit of pampering. If you want the magic of Machu Picchu without any of the logistical headaches or physical discomfort, this is definitely for you. On the other hand, if you’re a backpacker on a tight budget or someone who prefers a more independent, rugged style of travel, then this probably isn’t going to be your thing, and that’s totally okay.

Basically, you have a choice. You can see the trip to Machu Picchu as a simple matter of getting from point A to B and then seeing the site. Or, you can see it as a complete, all-day experience where the travel itself is as memorable as the destination. If you lean toward the second option and have the budget for it, then the Belmond Hiram Bingham is, in my opinion, completely worth it. It turns an already amazing day into something that is just on another level of special. You know, it’s one of those “once in a lifetime” kind of splurges that you’ll probably be talking about for years and years.

Read our full review: [Belmond Hiram Bingham Train Review 2025 Full Review and Details]
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Belmond Hiram Bingham])