Taking a train is a good way to travel in Peru. To visit Machu Picchu, for example. You can travel from Cuzco to Aqua Calientes, the town at Machu Picchu, in three hours.

It is possible to make a return trip one day, but that means you’ll to visit the archeaologic site in the middle of the day, the hottest and busiest time of day at Machu Picchu. It is better to visit Machu Picchu in the early morning, but you’ll have to arrive the day before and stay in Aqua Calientes.

Officially, Aqua Calientes is only accessible from Cuzco by train as there is no road to this town. You can get close to the town by taxi bus, but then you need to walk the last miles along the rail tracks. This is a popular activity amongst backpackers as a train ticket to Aqua Calientes is relatively expensive.

You can also walk the Inca Trail from Cuzco to Machu Picchu and then return by train. Or the other way around, of course.

Tips for travelling by train:

• Book in advance to ensure your seat
• Best view on the scenery is on the left side when travelling to Machu Picchu. On your return it will be on the right

What route to take?
You can take a train directly to Aqua Calientes (or to Cuzco), but you can also make a stop at Ollantaytambo.
This old Inca city in The Sacred Valley is also the starting point for the Inca Trail. From the village you can do day tours to different archaeological Inca sites.

Which train to take?
There are several type of trains. Besides a ‘standard’ train you can take the extremely luxurious Bingham train. This train is named after Hiram Bingham, the (re)discoverer of Machu Picchu.

The route is exactly the same for both trains. But the Bingham train is known to be one of the most beautiful train rides in the world due to the combination of beautifully decorated carriages, gourmet dining and the scenery of the rugged Andes. The train also has a special observation carriage with large cushioned seats and a lot of windows to enjoy the passing landscapes.

Prices:
To be honest, a train ticket to or from Machu Picchu is rather expensive. A single ticket cost over 50 dollars per person. A return ticket over 100 dollars.

More information:
www.perurail.com
www.belmond.com/hiram-bingham-train/