Train to Machu Picchu - Peru Rail

Everyone who visits Cusco wants to visit Machu Picchu, of course. But there are only 2 ways to get there: trekking or taking the train.
If you don't want or don't have time to do the trekking your only option is the train. Well, there's a monopoly for the train service, which can make it a bit expensive, but the service is great!

Peru Rail is the operator of the Peruvian south and southeastern railway system and it serves great scenic railways: Cusco, Machu Picchu and Puno (Titicaca Lake). Their trains are:

Cusco - Machu Picchu
1. Hiram Bingham: This is a luxurious train, old style. The journey includes gourmet meals, beverages, bus ride, admission to Machu Picchu, guided tour and tea time.
2. Vista Dome: Train with panoramic windows also on the roof. The journey includes a snack.
3. Backpacker: A comfortable and economical way to go to Machu Picchu.

You can buy the tickets in Cusco, online or just show up the day you want to go, but be careful since the trains are almost always packed and you might not be able to do it without a reservation.

If you buy the tickets online, you might be able to get a discount. That happened to us last time. We drove the Vistadome and paid almost like for the Backpacker, yay!!! Although we weren't able to finish the transaction online, doing it by phone made us able to get the discount :)

The service at the Vistadome was great! They gave us a breakfast in our way to Machu Picchu and a Coffe break in our way back. The Intiraymi breakfast included: assorted bread, cheese and cold meat platter (cheese and ham), apple muffin & hot and cold beverages. The waiters and people working in the train were very helpful and kind. They even became models for some alpaca clothes, haha.

Although it's a long way, the view was fantastic and the windows on the roof were just perfect. Also there was a dancer in our way back. The seats are comfortable and they have restrooms in each wagon.

The stations are clean and the trains are punctual. Also the service at the office and the call center was very good. They even sent me a message saying thank you for choosing them!

A tip, if you don't want to spend 4 hours in your way back to San Pedro Station in Cusco (arriving at 8pm), you can leave the train at Ollantaytambo Station or at Poroy - which would make your journey just 2 1/2 or 3 hours long. Then you just have to take a bus or a taxi back to the city. Yes, you'd arrive faster, but the view of Cusco at night is breathtaking and worth...