Originally Posted by
MileageAddict
I have solved my dilemma. I will spend the night prior to Machu Picchu in Ollantaytambo. I will leave suitcases at the hotel when checking out that morning. Visit MP and take the train back to Ollantaytambo instead of to Cuzco, pick up luggage and take one of the plentiful taxis to Cuzco.
I miss out on the latter half of the train ride but save more than enough to cover the cost of the taxi.
We took the train from Ollantaytambo also and stayed two nights in the nice Pakaritampu Hotel which about a two minute walk from the train station.(its located on the road going to the station anyway) That allowed to take the first train out which leaves a much more reasonable hour than the first one ex Cusco so we arrived at the site a bit before most of the hordes.
In any event the first two hours on the train from Cusco is spent just getting out of Cusco itself, since that requres negotiating a massive time consumming switchback.
mike