Exploring South America by Rail: A Continent of Underrated Train Adventures

Ask a seasoned traveller about the best way to see South America and rail rarely tops the list, and there is a reason for that. During the 19th century, engineers performed remarkable feats to push railways across the Andes and the interior, yet most of those networks have since faded. Today, as rail experts point out, few countries on the continent retain a coherent passenger network, and long-distance buses and budget flights have become the norm.

That does not mean rail is off the table. The lines that survive tend to be exceptional, rewarding travellers who plan around them rather than relying on them for everyday transport.

Photo by Philip Fredholm on Unsplash

The great lines that remain

The best-known surviving railway is in Peru, linking the Andean city of Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire, with Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu. It is a spectacular journey with an unforgettable conclusion, though demand is high and tickets sell out well in advance. The line from Cusco towards Puno, on the shore of Lake Titicaca, is also worthwhile. These Peruvian services, however, are luxury trains aimed squarely at upmarket tourists rather than everyday travellers.

For those who prefer a more local experience, where you share a carriage with residents going about their lives, the options lie further south.

Argentina, Brazil and beyond

Argentina is a reasonable place to start, with services from the capital, Buenos Aires, to Mar del Plata and Rosario, and some trains continuing to Cordoba and Tucuman. Uruguay has only a microscopic network. Brazil, by far the largest nation on the continent, runs just one intercity passenger line, from Vitoria to Belo Horizonte, a scenic and pleasant way to spend a day.

If you stretch the definition of the region to include Panama, the transcontinental train from Panama City to Colon is a gem, carrying you from the Pacific to the Atlantic alongside the Canal in about an hour. Elsewhere in Latin America, Cuba has an interesting if ageing rail network, and Mexico's Copper Canyon railway threads through superb scenery from Chihuahua towards the Pacific.

Photo by Renan Rezende on Pexels

Planning a wider trip

Because rail cannot link a whole itinerary, the trick is to treat each line as a highlight and bridge the gaps with buses or short flights. Book the marquee journeys, such as the Machu Picchu train, as far ahead as you can, and keep your schedule flexible around them.

Many travellers pair a South American adventure with time in Europe, and the rules there are changing. As of late 2023, visa-exempt visitors will eventually need a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) permit, costing around €7 and valid for three years, though it was not expected to apply before 2025. If Europe features in your plans, it is worth reading an overview of how ETIAS works so the requirement does not catch you out later.