Overview of Transportation to Machu Picchu

This isn't so much a review as an overview of transportation to Machu Picchu from Cusco. I decided to put them in one place as the information seemed scattered when I was researching.

Inca Trail: There are 2 day and 4 day options. You should book months and months in advance. Obviously, people do this for the experience, but it does take time, money and you must be pretty fit. You return on the train.

Train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes / Overnight / Early Morning Bus: Get your tickets in Cusco at least a day in advance. Take the train to Aguas Calientes and overnight. The next morning, take the first bus (5:30AM, I think -- we got there at 6AM in time for what I believe was the second bus) up the hill to Machu Picchu. This will get you there before all the crowds come, and will make for some awesome tourist-free pictures of the ruins rising from the early morning mist.

Train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes / Direct Bus: This is what most package tours will provide. You get into AC around noon, and leave MP around 4PM. This is actually enought time to see the ruins and everything, but you'll be there when everyone else is.

Train from Ollantayambo: If you have the time, you can slowly make your way from Cusco to Ollantayambo, see some stuff and catch a cheaper train from Ollantayambo to Aguas Calientes, where you will catch the bus to Machu Picchu. The overall trip might be more expensive though.

For Perurail rates, see:
http://www.orient-express.com/web/tper/tper_rates.jsp