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By Train, Machu Picchu
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By Train, Machu Picchu

Peru Rail - Machu Picchu
Peru Rail
by Luiz
By Train tips and advice posted by real travelers and Machu Picchu locals.
• 38 Photos
• 35 Reviews

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By Train: Getting to Machu Picchu by Train
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  • Paul2001
  • Updated By Paul2001 on February 24, 2005
  • Machu Picchu Page by Paul2001
  • The train to Machu Picchu - Machu Picchu
    The train to Machu Picchu
    by Paul2001
    Although many people choose to hike the Inca Trail to get to Machu Picchu, many more are restructed by time and thus have to take the train. I was one of those. I took the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu at a cost of $89.00 for a round-trip. This train sets out for Machu Picchu a little after 6am and arrives in Ages Calientes at around 9:30am. There is also a backpackers train that sets out to Machu Picchu later in the morning and returns that afternoon for the cost of $60.00 for a round-trip and $41.00 oneway. I suspect that this return trip is actually the one most of the people who take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu return on.
    In enjoyed the train trip to Machu Picchu mostly for the scenery along the way. What really raised my eyebrows was the floor show put on by two, one male and one female, attendents on the return trip. It was quite good if you do not mind the fact that they were attempting to get you by lots of local clothing. The Vistadome also serves snacks along the way to and from Machu Picchu.

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    By Train: Great scenery...again...
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  • neilward
  • By neilward on October 17, 2004
  • Machu Picchu Page by neilward
  • Never seem to stand up straight.. - Machu Picchu
    Never seem to stand up
    straight..
    by neilward
    As we boarded the train from Ollantaytambo,the odd street seller appeared,with blankets and hats and many other things to sell.Fiona bought a few more finger dolls,to add to her collection she had started in Cusco !!!
    The train had a see through roof which certainly helped us see more of this wonderful place.
    The staff on the train were very smart,very curteous and most helpful.It was one of the cleanest trains I have ever been on.

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  • Theme: Train
  • Website: www.perurail.com
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    By Train: Backpacker train
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  • Jim_Eliason
  • Updated By Jim_Eliason on January 25, 2009
  • Machu Picchu Page by Jim_Eliason
  • backpacker train - Machu Picchu
    backpacker train
    by Jim_Eliason
    To get to Machu Pichu, you can take the twice daily backpacker train from Cusco. Trains depart early in the morning and arrive at Aguas Caliente mid morning. From there, you must take a bus up the mountains to the ruins. The trains leave for the return trip to Cusco at 3:30 and 4:00. At least one hour of the trip is the descent down switchbacks into Cusco. To avoid this, you can get off at Poroy and take a bus back to the city and save about 40 minutes on the trip.

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    By Train: The Night Train from Ollantaytambo
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  • cruisingbug
  • Updated By cruisingbug on April 13, 2006
  • Machu Picchu Page by cruisingbug
  • Vistadome to Machu Picchu, Peru - Machu Picchu
    Vistadome to Machu
    Picchu, Peru
    by cruisingbug
    I read about the 7:45 pm train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu on VT, and figured we'd take a taxi from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to get to Ollantaytambo in early afternoon to buy tickets, then have lunch and see the ruins before catching the train.

    We got to town at 1:40 and already the Backpacker was sold out and had been for some time. "Luckily" we could still get tickets on the 2:55 Vistadome - at 3 times the price ($70 for two - only cash, no credit cards). So much for seeing the ruins - or even having lunch, although a small sandwich and drink is provided on the Vistadome. DO NOT buy snacks inside the waiting room, they're very overpriced (12 soles for a bag of Combos and a candy bar).

    Perurail would not let us reserve seats when we'd called before leaving home. The Vistadome was only about a third full, so maybe this is a way they have to sell seats! Some of the people we talked to who, like us, had to get Vistadome tickets had planned to take the Backpacker also.

    By the way, I thought the Backpacker (which we took on the way back to Cusco) was more comfortable, even if you couldn't see the tops of the mountains. The Vistadome is set up like a plane, with rows of seats all facing the same way, but didn't even have folddown tray tables and offered little leg room. The Backpacker has seats set up in groups of four, two sets facing each other with a table between and felt much more comfortable.

    PLEASE NOTE: Since our trip last month, rates have increased at PeruRail - and the website is completely different.

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    By Train: Backpacker vs. Vistadome train Must read bottom.
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  • kzapanta
  • Updated By kzapanta on October 4, 2006
  • Machu Picchu Page by kzapanta
  • Fun inside/outside the backpacker train. - Machu Picchu
    Fun inside/outside the
    backpacker train.
    by kzapanta
    My buddy and I took the Backpacker train up to Machu Picchu from Ollantambo and took the Vistadome train down to Cuzco the next day.

    These are just our observations and thougths. You can disagree.

    The backpacker train first off has a more relaxed, chilled travel atmosphere that world travellers and packpackers would be accustomed to. No,its not panoramic windows but unless you can't move your head, its sufficient. What I found to be most pleasant is the amount of luxurious room it has. More room luggage room, more leg room per passenger, and the conductors on the backpacker train are more chilled, helpful, and genuine. Bench seating with pairings facing each other. Even if you get people facing you, there is still more room in the backpacker train.

    The vistadome train. Yes you get those extra windows on the top. But to be honest, it was useful for about 5 minutes of the trip. The seats are exactly like an airplane. If it wasn't for the windows, I though I was back on an airplane cabin. Numbered seats, all facing forward, less legroom, arm rests digging at your sides, and a tiny space for everyones luggage.

    Continuation on the next tip. Must read.

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    By Train: Pullman Train To - From Machu Picchu
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  • jadedmuse
  • Updated By jadedmuse on May 3, 2004
  • Machu Picchu Page by jadedmuse
  • By Train - Machu Picchu
    by jadedmuse
    The Pullman Train is the way many people travel to and from Machu Picchu. It's a 70 mile (112 km) ride from Cusco to Machu Picchu, and the ride is pretty comfortable. The train is usually packed so it pays to make reservations in advance. If you're hiking the Inca Trail, it's a nice way to return to Cusco because of course, you'll be tired from the 4 days it took you to get to Macchu Picchu, and, it offers another experience.

    We took the train back to Cusco and I remember going over the Urubamba River, through narrow gorges where you could almost reach your hand out the window and touch the rocky sides of the cliffs, the colorful locals - and some colorful tourists - and just beautiful, wild, natural scenery.

    There's food and beverages available on the ride, too.

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    By Train: Vistadome train continued. Must read.
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  • kzapanta
  • Updated By kzapanta on November 2, 2006
  • Machu Picchu Page by kzapanta
  • enjoying OUR peace & quite on the backpacker train - Machu Picchu
    enjoying OUR peace & quite on
    the backpacker train
    by kzapanta
    The kicker: Again, just our opinion and some "passengers" might have found this as the best part, and good for them: The conductors/train stewards of each cabin on the Vistadmome train had a mock fashion show up and down the isle for what seemed like 20 minutes. Fashioning clothes on top of thier work clothes that the train company is trying to sell to the the more "tourist" crowd travelling in the vistadomes. What the %@&*. Even inside a train they are giving you the hard sell. I actually saw the lady in front of me buy one.The same sweater at the Agua Caliente marketplace we JUST left selling it for 90 soles, before bargaining, she got at the marked up price of 500 soles on the train. Don't be a tourist, be a traveller!
    Its insulting in that 1. I paid for the transportation, my peace and quiet in that time is mine, not be interupted, 2. to sell products at such gouged up prices on top of already marked up prices shows full disrespect to all the passengers on the vistadome train.

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    By Train: VISTADOME TRAIN
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  • marcelo15
  • Updated By marcelo15 on June 9, 2005
  • Machu Picchu Page by marcelo15
  • taking the train back!!! - Machu Picchu
    taking the train back!!!
    by marcelo15
    The train Vistadome took us from Cusco to Machu Picchu. All the staff of the company is really nice..i realized that all of them are youth peple and very nice.
    When we went from cusco to machu picchu we had a delicious breakfast and they started to offer some souveniers from the company. (PERURAIL).
    then, when we went back we had other tea with cakes and they offered a cool show of fashiong and peruvian costums.
    NOTE: To get the train tickets book at the mail address that is written down...then you have to pay at: wanchaq estacion without number...
    and the train from Cusco to Machu Picchu departs from SAN PEDRO...TRAIN STATION.

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  • Other Contact: dgamarra@perurail.com
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    By Train: Facts about the Machu Picchu train route.
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  • kzapanta
  • By kzapanta on September 19, 2006
  • Machu Picchu Page by kzapanta
  • By Train - Machu Picchu
    by kzapanta
    Facts I found to be true:
    1. Cuzco to Machu Picchu is actually a total decrease in elevation, not increase.
    2. Even though its hard to book train tickets online in advance, try your hardest. At least book at a ticket counter a few days before.
    3. If your a traveler who likes to cram as much as possible, it is possible to fly from Lima to Cuszo on the first flight out, and get to M.P. by train that morning. It just you won't catch the train in Cuzco but have to get a taxi to Ollantambo to catch the train there at 9am. You can make it if you don't make mistakes.
    4. The longest part of the train ride is the hill right in front of Cuzco. Its switchback for an hour plus. As posted by other VTers, thanks for the info, you can take and get off at Ollantambo and taxi to and from Cuzco or even better get off at Punoy next to Cuzco and take a bus system waiting to take you to Cuzco and save time.
    5. Check the next tip about backpacker train vs. Vistadome train.

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    By Train: Choo Choo!
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  • neurochic
  • Updated By neurochic on June 16, 2006
  • Machu Picchu Page by neurochic
  • Peru Rail - Machu Picchu
    Peru Rail
    by neurochic
    The way to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco is via train. The only train that leaves Cusco to Machu Picchu is operated by Peru Rail which has offices located in Cusco. They also have a website PeruRail. You can book your tickets ahead of time on the website but you have to pay for your ticket in full at least 24 hours before your intended departure. This requires that you go to the train station in Cusco where it is basically a first come first serve service, so expect to wait at least an hour or more to purchase your tickets. I took the Backpacker train which for $68 roundtrip got me from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The train was quite comfortable but if you are a tall person you may be cramped for space. The seats are soft but they do not recline. There is also a large window to look out of while traveling to the site. There are many great views of the countryside. Also about 3/4 of the way to Machu Picchu, you will stop in Ollantaytambo where many women and children are waiting on the side of the tracks to sell you maize, cheese, trinkets. The maize is just a couple of cents and is a nice snack on your way to Machu Picchu. However if you will be traveling in April, make sure you bring a hat and a sweater while on the train because a lot of people will have the windows open on the train to take pics and it can become quite cold. On the backpacker train, lunch is not served, but a snack tray and a beverage tray come by with items for purchase. The prices are astronomical so make sure if you can, pack before you leave. Also of note is that if you take the backpacker train, you will have to travel through the infamous switchbacks where the train at the beginning and end of the trip goes back and forth multiple times. You feel like you aren't moving when it is doing this. The more expensive trains like the Hiram Bingham train avoids these.

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  • Website: www.perurail.com
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