The 15 Train Trips That Earn Their Price

1.Machu Picchu 2-Day Inca Trail with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 260 reviews · 2 days · from $582Our pick

You hike from Km 104 through Chachabamba and Wiñaywayna to Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate, then return via the Vistadome train. Guides such as Gilbert, Jason, Alejandro, and Abelardo are praised for patient pacing and strong local insight. Expect an early start, a demanding first day, and a small group of up to 16.

“What an amazing trip this is. Expect very early starts, the first day is an all-day trek which is of moderate difficulty I would say, culminating in reaching the "sun gate" and an incredible view of Machu Picchu. The second day is an in-depth tour of the site itself and a very fancy train trip back, with a fashion show! Worth every penny.”

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2.Tour with the Mountain Train, Trek to Mystic Forest and Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 8 to 13 hours (approx.) · from $181Top rated

Leave Nice at 7:30 am for a full-day trip on the Provence mountain train. With guide Carmela or another professional guide, you’ll see Entrevaux, climb to its Vauban fortress, visit the cathedral, eat lunch, and hike around Annot’s forests and caves.

“Incredible scenery and enjoyable hikes. Our guide Carmela was wonderful. She did her very best to make our experience exceptional.”

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3.Machu Picchu: 5-Day Salkantay Trek with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 5 days · from $655

Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu via Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass, with glamping, mountain camps, a Pachamanca meal, coffee tasting, and a Vistadome or 360° train. Small groups of up to 16 are led in English or Spanish, with guides such as Cesar, Roger, and José.

“The trip was really good organised they know what they doing. Frank and John our guides were incredible and looked after us really good. Big thanks to our chefs the food was soo delicious. And the campsites expecially the one on the 3 night are in such beutiful spots.”

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4.3-Day, 3-Night Trek and Hotel with Overnight Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 64 reviews · from $212

Spend three days in Sapa with guides such as Su Su, Ai, Mai, or Chu, walking through Hmong, Zay, and Red Zao villages. You’ll ride an overnight train, sleep in a Ta Van homestay, stay in a Sapa hotel, and return to Hanoi by limousine bus.

“I had the best time in Sapa. The weather was sunny, but not hot like in Hanoi, so very comfortable for trekking. Our guide, Chu is very friendly and knowledgeable. I want to discover the daily life of local people, that's why I chose this tour to stay at homestay. Everyone was friendly and easy-going. Food was so yummy. Berths on the train look like your bed at home, so interesting and easy to sleep. Definitely recommend this tour !”

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5.4 Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu by 360° Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $820

Hike the classic Inca Trail from KM-82 to Machu Picchu in a group of no more than nine. You’ll cross Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters, visit major Inca sites, sleep in private tents, eat four lunches and three breakfasts, then return by train.

“The Inca trail is amazing but this tour operator will do all to destroy fun of it for you - 1) no pick up even though it’s promised 2) you need to carry your rented sleeping bag plus linen or you pay 150 soles / 40 USD/EUR per day 3) the guide doesn’t even intruduce himself , drinks alcohol to the point of loosing consciousness and is also touching / kissing participants without permission 4) you don’t know the plan - you will need to ask for everything and solve your problems 5) and if you provide the feedback they will tell you that they could not accept you to…”

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6.Saint Kitts Train Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 60 reviews · from $140

Travel by air-conditioned minivan from Basseterre to Wingfield Estate, then board the St. Kitts Scenic Railway for a 90-minute ride toward Conaree. Guides such as Dujan and Joycelyn share island history, while drinks, music, and open-sided train cars add a festive touch.

“Great train ride with many historical facts and lessons most have never heard of. Beautiful island with many friendly residents.”

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7.Short Inca Trail 2 Day Hike to Machu Picchu with Permits & Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $795

You’ll hike from KM 104 past Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate, then return for a guided citadel visit. A small group, train rides, permits, meals, buses, and one night in Aguas Calientes are included. Guides may include Abel, Alwyn, Andy, Gabriel, Daniel, Samuel, or Jorge.

“I was keen on hiking the real Inca Trail of 4 days but eventually ended up hiking this as the permit for the other was sold out. Overall this was a nice experience. There were a few Inca ruins along the way. The guide knew them well and spoke fair English too.”

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8.Inca Trail 4 Day Adventure to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $950

Hike the classic Inca Trail from Km 82 to Machu Picchu over four days with bilingual guides such as Paulo or Raul, porters, buffet meals, camping, and a two-hour citadel tour. The return includes a tourist train and private transfer to Cusco. Huayna Picchu is optional.

“We had an incredible 4 day 3 night trek with local trekkers, led by our amazing guide Paolo! The food was wonderful and the support provided by the incredible porters was top notch. Paulo was an incredible source of information about the trail and the archaeological siteRead more”

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9.4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 20 reviews · 4 days · from $690

This four-day trip links the Lares Trek with Machu Picchu, Maras and Ollantaytambo. You will camp two nights, cross 4,750-meter Condor Pass, meet weaving families, soak in Lares hot springs and return by panoramic Vistadome train. English and Spanish guides lead the route.

“Un excellent trek a faire en famille ou entre amis, la difficulté est abordable. Cependant il faut noté que le manque d’oxygène et le froid la nuit diminuent nos capacités physiques. Il fait déjà être sportif ou à minima en bonne condition physique. Les paysages sont époustouflants et le guide suit notre rythme (vous pouvez faire autant de pauses que nécessaire) ! Nos chefs cuisiniers étaient excellent, je recommande vivement !!”

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10.4-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 17 reviews · 4 days · from $552

Join a small group of up to 16 for a demanding but well-supported four-day trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Guides such as Alex, José, Filio, Roger, and William are praised for patient care, while the route adds glamping, Pachamanca cooking, coffee-making, and a panoramic train ride.

“This is my first time trekking overseas. Thank you very much for Trexperience the excellent and amazing experience on trekking to Salkantay mountain! My guide, ALEX, the chef FELIX and their team were excellent during the whole trek. I think the whole trip is well organised, from the pick up, route planning, locations of campsites, the meals and activities etc. They are really considerate & thoughtful on that! We have to the longest and the most challenging route to the top on the second day, and Trexperience selected a campsite, locates higher, so that we can be more adaptive to the altitude and we could make it easier on the…”

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11.Sa Pa Trekking 2 Days 3 Nights Homestay by Night Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $165

Travel from Hanoi to Sa Pa by night train, then trek through Giang Ta Chai and nearby hamlets with a local guide such as Tú or Tang Thi. Expect rice terraces, village life, a Hmong family homestay, meals, and a small group of up to eight people.

“This trip was very profesional due to our Guide “A” Tang Thi and the owner of the Vega Travel “Tu”.”

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12.2-Day Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu & Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 2 days · from $624

Start at Km 104, hike through Chachabamba and Wiñay Wayna, then enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. A small group of up to eight travels with an English or Spanish guide, stays one night in Aguas Calientes, and returns by Vistadome train.

“Très belle marche à partir du km 104, accompagnée des interessantes explications de notre guide Noemie. Le lendemain, lever à l'aube pour admirer le Machu Picchu encore enveloppé dans la brume matinale. Après la visite, pas grand chose d'intéressant à faire à Aguas Calientes”

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13.Explore Sa Pa with Overnight Train & Sleeper Bus & Trekking

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 7 reviews · from $145

Spend two days reaching Sa Pa by overnight train and returning by sleeper bus. With a local English-speaking guide, you visit Ma Tra, Ta Phin, Lao Chai, and Ta Van, enjoy included meals, and stay one night in a 3-star hotel.

“Very good organization and contact with the organizer. Tour process and guide in Sapa ok, hotel ok, train and bus (with rest berths) a bit borderline. But that's just how it is.”

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14.2 days 3 Nights Sapa Trekking Tour by Night Train from Hanoi

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $178

You’ll ride overnight trains between Hanoi and Lao Cai, hike from Sapa to Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Giang Ta Chai, and spend one night in a Sapa hotel. Guides Mr Nam and Mr Phaj are named in the tour details. Choose a shared or private four-berth train cabin.

“Booked this Booked this for family of 10. The agent was Charming Vietnam Travel on 0912634509.”

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15.Sapa Trekking Tour by Night Train from Hanoi 3 Nights – 2 days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $240

Travel from Hanoi to Sapa by shared sleeper cabin, then spend two days walking through Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Giang Ta Chai. Guides such as Trang and Chang explain local culture, while one hotel night and two train nights keep the trip compact and practical.

“This trip was fantastic. Our local Sa Pa guide Trang was amazing we felt so looked after by her. Trangs knowledge, communication and her passion for her community was outstanding. We didn’t feel like “just another tourist” as Trang heRead more”

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