Inca Rail- a train to Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu picchu train
From Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, Peru

How to get to Machu Pichu by train

To get from Cuzco to Macchu Picchu you have a few different options, you can trek (I’m too lazy for that!) you can get the Herman Bingham 5 star train (I’m too poor for that) you can get the cheap local 1star train (I’m looking for something in between!) or you can jump on the Inca train for only $150 for the return ticket and sit back and relax watching the valley go past.

I opted to pay that little bit extra for comfort. The ticket included snacks and drinks along with more room onboard and personalised service. There was only 8 of us on board so it was practically a private ride the 40 minutes to Aguascalientes. The panoramic roof meant we had more of a view of the valley, something the cheaper local train didn’t have, and there was also some commentary of what we were passing.

At one stage we drove past the Trekkers leaving on day two. While I sipped my wine and dinned on delicious chocolates, I was exceptionally glad I was not out there in the cold drizzle walking up a mountain!

The rail option was fantastic, I believe it was good value for money. The staff on board were lovely and the train was newly refurbished and looked the part. The seats were comfortable and most importantly the windows were perfectly clean to get pictures through!

If you are planning a longer trip through Peru, consider reading this post about planning a 2 weeks itinerary in Peru. And If you are heading North on a bigger South American adventure, check out what’s going on in Cartagena, Colombia.