Titicaca Train Peru 2026: Is It Worth It? My Honest Review

The Titicaca Train isn't just a way of getting from A to B. It's an experience in itself, and is wildly considered among the best train journeys in the world. It was one of the highlights of my latest trip to Peru, and it’s not hard to see why. The views are unreal, with lakes, mountains, flamingos, llamas and alpacas rolling past. There's an open-air carriage at the back, a three-course lunch with wine, afternoon tea, live entertainment, and a stretch right through the middle of a town where everyone comes out to wave. And this is a daytime journey, not a sleeper train, so you're awake for every minute soaking it all up. After all the hiking and early starts, it's a chance to sit back and enjoy the ride. Here's what it's really like.

The journey at a glance:

• Route: between Cusco and Puno (the town on the shores of Lake Titicaca), passing through the town of Juliaca along the way. I did the route starting in Puno and travelling to Cusco.
• Journey time: around 10.5 hours. Mine ran about an hour late, so don't plan anything tight for the evening you arrive.
• Type of journey: a daytime train, with a three-course lunch, entertainment and an open-air observatory carriage.
• How often: The Titicaca train doesn't run every day. When I travelled, it came through Juliaca three days a week, so check the dates early when you're planning your trip.

Expect old-fashioned armchairs that move, arranged in pairs or fours, with tablecloths, little lamps on the tables and big windows ready for incredible landscapes. Staff in smart uniforms look after you throughout, and your luggage is taken care of. I was travelling on my own, so I had a window seat to myself, which suited me perfectly!

You're welcomed on-board with a pisco cocktail, followed by a three-course lunch with wine. The portions are small, but the food is delicious and beautifully presented (plus there’s a vegetarian menu if preferred). In the afternoon there's afternoon tea plus a pisco sour workshop. They asked for a volunteer to help with the countdown while the drink was shaken, so I went up, and I got to drink the result (result!).

This was a personal highlight. The last carriage on the train is open-air, so you can lean out and see the landscape without a window in the way. I saw flamingos, llamas, alpacas, lakes and rolling mountains, and a huge sweep of open distance I really hadn't expected.

The train also goes right through the middle of the town of Juliaca, along the street, with market stalls and shops on either side of the track. Everyone comes out to wave. I wish I'd been out on the observatory carriage for that part, so I'm telling you: go early, and stay there for Juliaca.

Each carriage is called down to the observatory carriage at a different time for entertainment. There's singing, dancers in costume, and a band playing classics. Then there's a fashion show, with the models later selling the scarves and alpaca jackets they've been wearing. It is a little bit cheesy, but it's funny and surreal to watch against that scenery - embrace it! It is entirely optional too.

My driver told me the train is now almost entirely used by visitors. Fares have risen far beyond what most local people can pay, so they travel by bus instead. I felt a bit awkward about that myself, and I’d rather you heard it from us. That’s why we put so much weight on where your money goes: we support local businesses and only use local stays. Around the experience itself, you can eat at locally owned restaurants, buy crafts directly from artisans in Puno and Cusco, and stay somewhere locally owned at either end.

Travelling with children? The Titicaca Train is definitely do-able with kids, although keep in mind that it’s a long journey. If you think a shorter journey would be more suitable for younger children, then I would recommend the Vistadome train. It’s a few hours in length to Machu Picchu and offers panoramic views through glass rooftops and large windows.

If you’re interested to know more about my Peru highlights, you can read them here.

This train journey is part of our Peru in a Nutshell itinerary. If you’re thinking about Peru, get in touch and tell me what you'd love to do.