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Post by lunebleu on Jul 20, 2015 20:11:13 GMT
Those who haven't had the experience of purchasing a train ticket for Machu Pichu, please beware that it's the most expensive ticket in the world per mile. There's almost a monopoly on this route and 99% of tourists have no other choice. The Trains run on diesel and have air conditioning but don't work very well. They offer fashion show and cheap entertainment on board, but the scenery is much better. It's noisy and crowded year round. Of you don't have compelling reasons to go there, don't waste your money.
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Post by plane2catch on Jul 20, 2015 22:17:34 GMT
I had a totally different experience with my ride on the train back in 2007. The compelling reason was of course as means of transit to Machu Pichu. I for one wouldn't have been up physically for the four day Inca trail. My ticket for the train ride was included with my Trafalgar tour price. The train was not crowded at all in November 2007 when I went. I thought the fashion show was a bit entertaining and feel that Peru is such a poor country I can see them attempting to make as much money as possible over the price of the train tickets. Don't know what country you reside in. I've travelled to many places around the globe and find having a positive attitude even when paying high fees for a Belarus Visa or Argentina reciprocity fee make my travels as a whole more enjoyable. I think you can also get to Machu Pichu by taking a series of buses.
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Post by lunebleu on Jul 20, 2015 23:07:18 GMT
Thanks for sharing. My husband and I bought tickets online before our departure. But even then, we ran into issues caused my their "system glitches". We eventually were able to board, but it was a hassle. We also realized that they sold tickets for "panorama" trains higher, but they used the exact same cars with lower cost tickets!
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Post by plane2catch on Jul 21, 2015 0:55:38 GMT
Thanks for sharing. My husband and I bought tickets online before our departure. But even then, we ran into issues caused my their "system glitches". We eventually were able to board, but it was a hassle. We also realized that they sold tickets for "panorama" trains higher, but they used the exact same cars with lower cost tickets! That for sure would be disheartening. |
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Post by marielouise on Jul 21, 2015 3:48:51 GMT
I also went on a Trafalgar tour to Machu Picchu and enjoyed the train ride. I found the fashion show entertaining and enjoyed the snack. I have no idea how expensive it was since it was an all inclusive tour where I saw quite a bit of Peru. The tour price was reasonable considering the flights included to both Cuzco and Lake Titicaca, and the Nazca lines.
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Post by chech on Jul 21, 2015 19:19:32 GMT
I had no issue with the Machu Picchu train either. I got a great scarf from the fashion show. It wasn't noisy or crowded. it was a normal train. Given that it's the only way into Machu Picchu outside of the long walk on a dangerous trail, they can charge what they want. They know we will pay it to see one of the most magnificent sights on earth. 
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Post by californian on Jul 22, 2015 17:35:11 GMT
Much better than the Train of Clouds, in Argentina, which I don't recommend to anybody.
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Post by plane2catch on Jul 22, 2015 18:05:01 GMT
Much better than the Train of Clouds, in Argentina, which I don't recommend to anybody. California I would love to know the back story how you ever got on the Train of Clouds? Did you travel alone with maybe your husband or was it part of one of those more expensive tour companies like Tauck. It looks like it provided a lifetime of memories from what I gather after I googled the train. So happy for you to have had such an awesome experience! |
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Post by californian on Jul 22, 2015 21:25:03 GMT
Nothing like that Plane2catch, I was born in Argentina and I visited often then (my parents are both gone now) My father was a train enthusiastic so we took a train to Salta, toured the north and took the train of the clouds. This was over 30 years ago,and not much has changed since then, except that now the train is one way and the return is by bus, which is probably better, since the scenery is pretty boring to do it twice in a day. But believe me is not worth the price, service was bad, the scenery and the train itself very ordinary, very expensive for what it is.The most memorable experience of that particular trip was the narrow gauge train from Salta to Formosa thru the swamps of Northern Argentina, now, this one WAS NOT a tourist train, it carried sugar plantation workers mostly (carrying large machetes), and it took 36 hrs! There was no food on the train or in the very small towns we were passing thru, so we ate mainly cookies and crackers! We talked with so many interesting people of different backgrounds, even politicians. It was an unforgettable adventure, we loved it.
I hope I didn't discourage you for going!
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Post by Tulips on Jul 23, 2015 11:01:51 GMT
I loved the train to Machu Picchu. It was quiet and the service was very good. The fashion show was interesting and several people bought things. I regretted nit getting a shawl I saw because o didn't see it anywhere else. It was exclusive to the train.
The scenery is also very nice from the train.
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Post by lunebleu on Jul 23, 2015 12:51:14 GMT
I loved the train to Machu Picchu. It was quiet and the service was very good. The fashion show was interesting and several people bought things. I regretted nit getting a shawl I saw because o didn't see it anywhere else. It was exclusive to the train. The scenery is also very nice from the train. On my train ride, most passengers seemed to be more interested in the scenery outside of the windows. The peaceful scenery outside was in sharp contrast with the loud and festivity atmosphere in the car. The fashion show itself seemed to be more of a sales pitch than a show. The "models" walked around trying to sell the products right after the show. |
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