PeruRail...the only way to get to MP?

Hi everyone! my brother and I are going for the first time to Peru on July...I've read that it will be high season and it could be hard to get train tickets to MP from Cuzco (is that only for the Backpacker's train? or the more expensive one also runs out of tickets?) what if we can't get on the train? is there another way to get to Aguas Calientes from Cuzco?

Thanks Very much!! =)
Maca.

You can arrange to get tickets from local agencies for a small commission. DON"T Evelyn's agency. She is a notorious spammer who will rip you off.

you can take a bus to santa teresa, and depending on if they have cleared the road from recent avalanche, you may be able to get public transportation all the way to Hydroelectric. From Hydroelectric, it is a 8-10 kilometer walk on flat railroad tracks to Aguas Calientes.

Hi

Peru Rail is not the only way to get to Machu Piccu from Cusco but it is the most expensive way.

I know two other cheaper routes depending on the time you have.

Cusco - Urubamba by bus or shared taxi then to Ollantaytambo by bus. Catch a train to Aguas Callienties from here and save yourself about $20 each way but make sure you buy a return ticket here because the tickets are more expensive when bought from Aguas Callienties. This is the quick way and can be done in a day if tired right.

Cusco - Santa Maria by Bus, then Santa Maria - Santa Theresa by Minibus then you can catch a minibus to a place called Hydroelectrica then either walk along the rail tracks (Approx 3 Hours) or if you time it correctly you can catch a train. This way is by far the cheapest route and has fantastic scenery but you have to allow for 2 days each way. Return journey you can walk along the train tracks from Aguas Callienties to Ollantaytambo (Approx 7 hours) or just go back the way you came. There is also a train from Aguas callienties to Hydroelectrica approx $8 about 5 times more than the locals pay.

Try to leave some stuff in cusco if you plan to do the walking, you dont want to be carring a full pack all that distance.

If you need any more infomation give me a shout, I did this trip at the end of may 2007

interesting information!

from where in Cusco does the bus to Santa Maria leave?

how frequent are these busses and how long is the trip?

thx

To be honest I dont know where abouts the bus leaves from cusco to Santa Maria because I caught the bus from Ollantaytambo. I know that there are about 4 bus stations in Cusco, or places where busses leave from I should say one or two are roadside pickup/dropoffs but you catch a taxi, the drivers are most likely to know

I dont know how frequent the busses are, The october issue of Wanderlust magazine had an article on this very thing and detailed a few other alternative routes, you might be able to still get a copy (The next issue is very immenant) or back issues available on their website www.wanderlust.co.uk