Trains and Railway Travel in South America
While long distance or train travel between countries isn't what it used to be, there are ample opportunities for domestic train travel within South American countries. Some are subway, or metro trains, some lines are aimed at commuter travel, others for sightseeing purposes, and some just for fun.
Train Trips Best for Sightseeing
Long distance and train travel between South American countries is a thing of the past, but local passenger and sightseeing train trips are still available, and in many cases, an attraction in themselves. Some are for fun only, others are a viable way to travel.
Long distance and train travel between South American countries is a thing of the past, but local passenger and sightseeing train trips are still available, and in many cases, an attraction in themselves. Some are for fun only, others are a viable way to travel.
Argentine Long Distance Trains
Long distance domestic train service, with schedules, routes, stops and maps. In Spanish.
Long distance domestic train service, with schedules, routes, stops and maps. In Spanish.
Bolivia - The Train Graveyard
Photos of decrepit trains on the salar near Uyuni.
Photos of decrepit trains on the salar near Uyuni.
EFE - Empresa de Los Ferrocarriles del Estado, Chile
Official site, in Spanish, of the Chilean state railways with InterCity services, with sleeping-cars and restaurant cars.
Official site, in Spanish, of the Chilean state railways with InterCity services, with sleeping-cars and restaurant cars.
Electric Transport of South America
Historical and current information about trams, trolleys, trolleybusses with photos and maps.
Historical and current information about trams, trolleys, trolleybusses with photos and maps.
FCA - Empresa Ferroviarria Andina
Bolivia's state railway site, in Spanish, of the western portion with trains from Oruro to Tupiza. There are two types of train, the expresso and WaraWara (the slower train makes more stops), with three of four classes, with the executive, or ejecutivo, the best.
Bolivia's state railway site, in Spanish, of the western portion with trains from Oruro to Tupiza. There are two types of train, the expresso and WaraWara (the slower train makes more stops), with three of four classes, with the executive, or ejecutivo, the best.
Ferrobaires
Train service, based in Buenos Aires, is commuter and passenger oriented to cities in the pamapas and coastal region. In Spanish.
Train service, based in Buenos Aires, is commuter and passenger oriented to cities in the pamapas and coastal region. In Spanish.
Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia
"The Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia (in English: Antofagasta (Chili) & Bolivia Railway or for short: FCAB) is a non-government railway operating in the northern provinces of Chile. Passengers were catered for in earlier days by a luxury train with sleeping and dining carrages,however no passenger service is provided today."
"The Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia (in English: Antofagasta (Chili) & Bolivia Railway or for short: FCAB) is a non-government railway operating in the northern provinces of Chile. Passengers were catered for in earlier days by a luxury train with sleeping and dining carrages,however no passenger service is provided today."
Peru Rail
"PeruRail links most of the tourist highlights of the Andes in Peru and is undoubtedly the most spectacular way to discover the ancient land of the Incas, taking you through scenery of outstanding beauty and to places almost inaccessible by any other means." Choose Cuzco to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca.
"PeruRail links most of the tourist highlights of the Andes in Peru and is undoubtedly the most spectacular way to discover the ancient land of the Incas, taking you through scenery of outstanding beauty and to places almost inaccessible by any other means." Choose Cuzco to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Lake Titicaca.
South American Passenger and UrbanTransit
Current, new and historical train and subway, or metro, lines with history, itinerary, fare information and some photos.
Current, new and historical train and subway, or metro, lines with history, itinerary, fare information and some photos.
Time Travel: The Andes Connection
"Author Michael Jacobs grew up on tales of his grandfather, one of the engineers who built the railway line from Chile to Bolivia. Almost 100 years later, he follows in his tracks."
"Author Michael Jacobs grew up on tales of his grandfather, one of the engineers who built the railway line from Chile to Bolivia. Almost 100 years later, he follows in his tracks."
Train travel in Central & South America
"Unlike Europe or even parts of Asia and Africa, Central and South America simply does not have a developed international rail network. International train services are almost non-existent, and most journeys must be made by long-distance bus or plane." Brief description of service by country.
"Unlike Europe or even parts of Asia and Africa, Central and South America simply does not have a developed international rail network. International train services are almost non-existent, and most journeys must be made by long-distance bus or plane." Brief description of service by country.