Machu Picchu
Most visitors take the scenic train from Cusco, and 3 classes of train service make the trip in less than 4 hours: Backpacker (slowest and least expensive); Vistadome (faster 1st-class service); and Hiram Bingham (luxury line, including 2 meals, cocktails, and a guided tour at the archaeological site). Check schedules at www.perurail.com. The first 2 depart from Cusco’s San Pedro Station on Calle Cascaparo (it’s also possible to board these trains at the Ollantaytambo Station), while the Hiram Bingham train departs from Estación Poroy, a 15-minute drive from Cusco. Travelers already in the Urubamba Valley can travel from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu (90 minutes). It’s less recommendable to travel to Machu Picchu departing from Cusco, because the train trip is much longer and you’re unlikely to have the energy to explore the site.

Cusco
The best way to get to the Sacred Valley from Cusco is by taxi. The trip takes about an hour via Chinchero and 90 minutes via Pisaq. Any of the Casa Andina hotels can arrange a trustworthy taxi service, only a tiny bit more expensive than one you’d hail in the street, but much safer. If you travel via Pisaq, we recommend making a stop at Awanacancha, a textile center committed to keeping ancient traditional methods and techniques alive, using the wool of the four varieties of South American camelids. If you prefer a longer trip via Chinchero, we recommend that you stop not just at the market but the village of Chinchero (known not just for the quality of its textiles and less commercial market than Pisaq, but also its altitude, higher even than Cusco). Contact travel@casa-andina.com for current information about taxi services to the Sacred Valley.