The Belmond Hiram Bingham vs First Class Trains (2026)
The definitive luxury comparison for an unforgettable rail voyage to the Lost City of the Incas.
The Journey is as
Magnificent as the Destination
Traveling to Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—and choosing how you glide through the Urubamba River canyon defines the tone of your entire adventure.
For the discerning traveler seeking fine dining, open-air observation lounges, and white-glove service on our Signature Machu Picchu Expeditions, the decision narrows down to Peru's two flagship rail services: PeruRail's legendary Belmond Hiram Bingham and IncaRail's The First Class (see also our full PeruRail vs. IncaRail operator comparison and Vistadome Observatory guide).
The Belmond Hiram Bingham Experience
Stepping aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham is like stepping back into the golden age of rail travel. Dressed in royal blue and gold livery and inspired by 1920s Pullman carriages, it is the pinnacle of old-world romance and all-inclusive luxury.
What to expect: Two refined dining cars, a dedicated bar car with live traditional Peruvian music and Pisco Sour demonstrations, and an open-air observation car. Your ticket includes a champagne welcome, a multi-course Andean fine-dining lunch (and gourmet dinner on the return), fine wines, VIP bus transfers up to the citadel, and afternoon high tea at the 5-star Belmond Sanctuary Lodge right beside the entrance.
Perfect for: Guests celebrating a luxury Peru honeymoon or anniversary, or travelers staying at Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado in the Sacred Valley (where the train makes an exclusive boarding stop).
The First Class Train Experience
If the Hiram Bingham is about 1920s heritage glamour, The First Class train by IncaRail is about contemporary elegance and floor-to-ceiling landscape immersion through the Sacred Valley.
What to expect: Plush, oversized tables dressed in crisp white linens beneath expansive panoramic windows. You enjoy a welcome cocktail, a 3-course gourmet tasting menu paired with South American wines, and exclusive access to the Observatory-Lounge Car—complete with live music, a full bar, and an open-air balcony to photograph the dramatic Urubamba canyon and cloud forest.
Perfect for: Photography enthusiasts, modern luxury travelers, and families or couples combining rail travel with our 7-Day Incan Empire Package.
Belmond Hiram Bingham Luxury Train FAQ
What is included in a Belmond Hiram Bingham train ticket?
The Belmond Hiram Bingham offers an all-inclusive ultra-luxury experience: welcome champagne and Andean folk performances at the station, a multi-course gourmet lunch on the outbound journey (and fine-dining dinner on the return), open bar with fine South American wines and Pisco Sours, live onboard music in the observation bar car, dedicated shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu, citadel entrance, and afternoon tea at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.
Where does the Belmond Hiram Bingham train depart from?
The Hiram Bingham departs from Poroy Station (25 minutes outside Cusco during the dry season) and stops at Ollantaytambo Station in the Sacred Valley, as well as a private boarding stop directly beside Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado in Urubamba before continuing along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes.
What is the main difference between the Belmond Hiram Bingham and the IncaRail First Class train?
Operated by PeruRail/Belmond, the Hiram Bingham features classic 1920s polished wood-and-brass Pullman carriages and includes bus transfers, Machu Picchu entry, and afternoon tea at Sanctuary Lodge. Operated by IncaRail, The First Class train features contemporary panoramic windows, a 3-course gourmet menu, and a modern lounge-observatory car with an outdoor balcony.