Originally Posted by
namtuge
I checked train prices on
www.perurail.com and found that there is a huge difference between the cheapest and most expensive option. For instance, Expedition charges $56 each way whereas Hiram Bingham costs $299. And then there is Vistadome at $71. How big is the difference between these trains with respect to the safety, cleanliness and timeliness? Is it cheaper to buy in advance or in the station right before the departure?
Thank you.
Hmmm you will have to bear in mind that you are unlikely to find anyone that has been on all of the trains and can give you an objective view on this.
I went on the cheapest non Peruvian resident train and the only train that I could go on that Mrs Johnny (as a Peruvian) was also allowed to travel on I believe. I paid US$3 for her trip but we were not allowed to travel in the same carriage. A bit like apartheid isn't it?
My train was clean, safe, had windows, reasonable seats etc. It depends mainly how much you want to splurge on discriminatory Peruvian pricing. I think the price also depends on when you want to leave.
Research it carefully, the trains don't actually leave from Cusco, they leave from Poroy and Ollantaytambo. So you also need to get to the train station.