Cuzco Travel Forum

Hi guys,

I will arrive to Cuzco at 10.20 the 30th August. Is it possible to catch a train the same day to Aguas Calientes?

I will be spending three days in Cuzco Area. Is it better to spend a night in Aguas Calientes to be able to arrive very early in MP or is it fine to take a very early train from Cuzco to MP and back the same day? I have a little bit of a trouble deciding which is better.

Thanks :)

Best wishes,
Bjorn

I took an early train to Augas Calientes and returned back to Cuzco on the late train the same day. Next time I will spend the night at AC and get to MP early and spend all day there. That's what I would reccomend.

In 2002 (if i remember correctly), I think the train leaves earlier than 10:20. I really liked staying the night over at AC. You get to Macchu Picchu, and around 3:00 you see the people in the place start clearing out and it seems like you have the whole place to yourself...We stayed at this place called Presidente Hostal, and had one of our most unexpected "good surprise" trip experiences ever - we had a suite overlooking an amazing view of the river/mountain for $50USD...loved walking around Aguas Calientes at night and taking a bath on the hot springs...If you're hesitant because you don't want to "waste" a day in AC, in 2002 (when we visited) there was actually a train that left early in the morning from Aguas Calientes to Ollytaytambo. and you can either check out Ollytaytambo (spelling could be wrong) OR get a taxi(not as expensive as you would think - i think it was $20)/bus from Ollytaytambo to Cusco. We actually did this route since we got to Cusco, and the train from Cusco-AC was full, but not the Ollytaytambo-AC/Aguas Calientes route.

mayasmin explains it very well. We did almost the same as she in January 2004. Staying 1 night in AC (if you can) gives you more time and more relaxed visit to MP. Else the 1-day trip should do it. For trains you can check on
www.perurail.com

First train to MP from Aguas I believe is at 9a.m. and is packed with tourists. I hiked the Inca trail, and so was there at 7a.m. Very few people. But we could tell from in the city when the train arrived. T-shirts galore. But, honestly, MP is huge. That amount of people doesn't matter as much here as other places. It's not like waiting in line to get up the Eiffel Tower. It's an entire city, plus the ability to clime Huana Picchu (sp?). Once you're in, you're in and can visit most places at your leisure, even the tour guides are curteous with each other and wait a short amount of time in turn. I liked the advice about being there later in the afternoon. I know by then we were already in town eating. I personally wanted to spend more time in Aguas Calientes (didn't stay overnight there, took a train to Ollatatambo (sp?) and then a bus back to Cusco that day. Train left at 1:30p.m. or so I believe.)

Hope this helps.

There is no train from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Only buses.

That is correct. Sorry, Buses from Aguas Calientes. It is basically at the base of the mountain. 1st train arrives at Aguas at 9am I believe. Sorry about the confusion.