Trip To Peru: Planes & Trains
Sep 27, 2016, 12:25 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Sep 27, 2016, 3:49 am
#32
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,520
I won't disagree it looks nice, but I find it hard to call a good deal at nearly $800/pp. Round trip train tix on the mid tier Vistadome train for me were $170/pp. Add another $25 for the bus and we're at $195. While the OP quoted bus wait times of 2+ hours, he never waited in those lines. My mom and I did and we waited probably 5 mins on the way up and 15 mins on the way back, and that was at close to peak time (7am on the way up and noon on the way down).
I won't argue the Hiram Bingham is the luxury way to travel to Machu Picchu, but for me there was no value proposition for it. If the OP thinks it was worth it, that's all that matters.
I won't argue the Hiram Bingham is the luxury way to travel to Machu Picchu, but for me there was no value proposition for it. If the OP thinks it was worth it, that's all that matters.
Sep 27, 2016, 9:24 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,733
The Vistadome would be more akin to business class than Y, as there is another lower level train than the Vistadome. I took the lower level train to Machu Picchu and the Vistadome back so I can confidently speak on that part of the comparison.
Sep 27, 2016, 11:06 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 357
I just did the expedition class outbound and vistadome return. Very little difference exception in vistadome you get a slightly different center table, an (awful) snack.
The HB is magnificent. And if that's you're style, that's awesome.
But if you really wanted to do this budget friendly, then catch the expedition train from Ollantaytambo. Taxi one way from Cusco is about $30. We stayed on points at Tambo Del Inka in Urubamba. Taxi from there to Ollanta is $10. The single vistadome train to Urubamba is much slower and much more expensive than a taxi. Then save by catching the expedition train from Ollantaytambo. Saves a significant amount.
Sep 29, 2016, 5:01 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 135
Can i ask was the andean explorer arrival on time?
Im on it tomorrow but it arrives 18:30 and i have to taxi it to Ollanta for the 21:00 to MP
I know its roughly an hour taxi ride away so hoping arrival+disembark doesn't take an hour.
Also did the LIM-JUL the other day, i feel your pain on the embarking although it wasn't busy that night.
Did the plane smell of smoke/tobacco or something for you. Im an ex smoker but thought it was over powering as you got on the plane.
And yeah Juliaca arrival is a scary scary place.
Im on it tomorrow but it arrives 18:30 and i have to taxi it to Ollanta for the 21:00 to MP
I know its roughly an hour taxi ride away so hoping arrival+disembark doesn't take an hour.
Also did the LIM-JUL the other day, i feel your pain on the embarking although it wasn't busy that night.
Did the plane smell of smoke/tobacco or something for you. Im an ex smoker but thought it was over powering as you got on the plane.
And yeah Juliaca arrival is a scary scary place.
Sep 29, 2016, 6:09 pm
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Can i ask was the andean explorer arrival on time?
Im on it tomorrow but it arrives 18:30 and i have to taxi it to Ollanta for the 21:00 to MP
I know its roughly an hour taxi ride away so hoping arrival+disembark doesn't take an hour.
Also did the LIM-JUL the other day, i feel your pain on the embarking although it wasn't busy that night.
Did the plane smell of smoke/tobacco or something for you. Im an ex smoker but thought it was over powering as you got on the plane.
And yeah Juliaca arrival is a scary scary place.
Im on it tomorrow but it arrives 18:30 and i have to taxi it to Ollanta for the 21:00 to MP
I know its roughly an hour taxi ride away so hoping arrival+disembark doesn't take an hour.
Also did the LIM-JUL the other day, i feel your pain on the embarking although it wasn't busy that night.
Did the plane smell of smoke/tobacco or something for you. Im an ex smoker but thought it was over powering as you got on the plane.
And yeah Juliaca arrival is a scary scary place.