How To Get To Machu Picchu?

How to Get to Machu Picchu? [2024 Price & Rule Update]

All the best ways to get to the beautiful Peruvian city

Machu Picchu is one of those must-go-to destinations that make the top of everyone’s bucket list, and there are no reasons to debate on this. The mysteries of the Inca civilisation and its legends have the power of shaking passions and enhancing dreams.

Yet, Machu Picchu is not just about its photogenic sceneries. Visiting the city of gold, which was never found by the Spanish colonists, is also about the journey required to get there. Even if for the past decade, the infrastructure to reach the valley has considerably improved and became globally accessible, Machu Picchu remains remote, and despite the thousands of daily tourists visiting the ruins, it has managed to keep its secrets.

But let’s put it out there… there is no one “best way” to get to Machu Picchu. Every visitors have different expectation, timing, physical limitations and budget. And while Machu Picchu is one of the most visited places on Earth, yet, there are no direct roads leading to it…

It’s no surprise that instead of hopping off of the plane and heading straight to Machu Picchu by train, a large proportion of the visitors decide to build up the suspense and excitement by hiking through tropical forests and highlands for a week.

Although, what makes Machu Picchu so charming and attractive, can also be the most frustrating and stressful part of planning a visit to the citadel.

In this post, I have detailed and explained all the ways to get to Machu Picchu. I hope it will help you while planning one of your best memories in Peru!

How to get to Machu Picchu – All the best ways explained

Machu Picchu by train with PeruRail

Going to Macchu Picchu with PeruRail is the most expensive option, but it is also the most practical and accessible for those who can’t or don’t want to walk long distances. There are many different types of trains going to Machu Picchu, and each offers a different experience and price to visitors.

• The Belmond Hiram Bingham is an exclusive and luxurious train based on the Pullman trains of the 1920’s, offering a dining experience and a personalised service. The ride takes 3.30 hours from Poroy Station in Cusco and leaves every day at 5:30 pm. It costs a minimum of 500 USD one-way and about 800 USD return.
• The PeruRail Sacred Valley is also modelled on a 1920’s carriage and offers a gourmet dinner onboard. It departs from Urubamba or Ollantaytambo and costs a minimum of 200 USD one-way.
• The Vistadome has panoramic windows to offer the best views into the valley below Machu Picchu. It is a more affordable ticket as the only extra service included are snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. The trains leave from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo every morning at different times, which are variable depending on the days. Prices start at 100 USD one-way.
• The Expedition Train is the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu by train. It is a normal train with smaller windows than the Vistadome’s but drink and snack are included. The minimum fee is 70 USD one way.

NEXT READ: What to do in Cusco before and after Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu by train with IncaRail

For the past few years, IncaRail a Peruvian company has started to operate trains from Cusco and Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes at a lower price.

• The First Class isn’t as fancy as the Belmond Hiram Bingham but it does provide a gourmet lunch with a private experience for half the price (about 200 US one way). It leaves from Cusco (Poroy station) or Ollantaytambo in the morning, or in the evening to return to Cusco.
• The 360° also leaves from Cusco and is a panoramic train with large windows and an observatory carriage for a price starting at 85 USD one-way. Services such as cold/hot beverages, fruits and snacks are included.
• The Voyager is the cheapest option offered by IncaRail. For minimum 70 USD one-way, you will get a normal 2 by 2-seater train with smaller windows and a service limited to a selection of drinks and a complimentary snack. This train option tends to be sold out weeks in advance, so make sure to book ahead. For more information click here.

Machu Picchu by bus

This is the cheapest way to get to Aguas Caliente from Cusco.

The 20-seater buses are organised by tour operators and leave very early in the morning from Cusco as the ride takes almost 6 hours to the Hydroelectric central. From there, you will need to walk along the train tracks. It takes 2 hours, it is easy but you need to watch out when the trains pass by. It is the only “allowed” way to reach Aguas Calientes on foot.

Tip: If you don’t want to walk but are on a tight budget, there is a train from Hidroelectrico to Aguas Calientes and vice-versa. The tickets can only be bought on site, directly at the train station and cost 34 USD one-way. It leaves from Hidroelectrico at 2:20 pm, 2:40 pm and 5 pm, and from Aguas Calientes at 10:30 am and 1 pm.

We heard it can be hard for a tourist to take it though, as it is for the locals only. However, if you are carrying bags, you can negotiate the bags to be transported by the train while you walk.

Buy a bus/shuttle ticket

You can buy the bus ticket one-way, return or as a package with accommodation, food and entrance to Machu Picchu included. The prices start at 160 USD online but can be as cheap as 100 USD when negotiated directly in Cusco.

The one-way ticket should cost no more than 30 USD and the return can be bought in one of the restaurants along the train tracks.

To go back and catch the bus to Cusco, you will need to go early to Machu Picchu. It’ll give you about 4 to 5 hours to enjoy the citadel before heading back to the bus at hydroelectrico via the train tracks.

INSPIRATION: 15 Incredible Photos To Inspire Your Visit

Hiking to Machu Picchu

There are many options to hike to Machu Picchu. The most famous is the Inca Trail that now must be booked 4 to 6 months in advance to make sure to obtain a permit, which is limited to 500 people per day, including guides and porters. The Inca Trail is the only hike in the region that will get you directly inside Machu Picchu at the end of the hike.

All the other alternative treks will bring you to Aguas Calientes where you must spend the night prior to heading up the ruins. Some other, end in Ollantaytambo where you can take the train to Aguas Calientes.

As for the prices, there are many types of hikes to suit anyone’s wallet:

• The traditional Inca Trail takes 4 days and costs about 650 USD with a good agency. The distance is 45 km and is a moderate to difficult hike depending on fitness and level of acclimation to altitude. The hike will bring you along the main Inca steps and a few astonishing ruins such as Wiñay Huayna, Intipapa and Sayaqmarka to finally enter Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate on the last morning. There is an option to do a section of it in 2 days, this will be one-day hiking and the second day arriving in Machu Picchu.
• The Salkantay Trek is the main alternative, which attracts a lot of tourists for its price and ease of booking. It costs about 150 USD for a 5-day hike which is a bit more difficult than the Inca Trail as it gets higher in altitude. The hike doesn’t cross Inca ruins but brings you through 5 different climate zones. The hike is 60.5 km long going from the highlands where you can see glacier lakes to tropical forests and go zip lining above the canopy for an additional cost of 15 USD if booked in advance. There is an option to do the Salkantay Trek in 4 days too. It is recommended for those who don’t want to go ziplining. We did this during our trip to Peru and wrote about our experience in this article
• The Lares Trek is a bit more off the beaten track and attracts fewer hikers in search of a more “local” experience. In fact, this hike will take you into remote villages and communities where you will spend the night. This trek is, however, a bit more expensive because it ends in Ollantaytambo where you need to take the train to Aguas Calientes. Prices start from 300 to 800 USD. The walking distance is only 34 km but the highest elevation is 4,780m.
• The Choquequirao Trek is the longest trek to get to Machu Picchu. It can take up to 9 or 10 days! Despite the low altitude, the hike is an adventurous and hard trek that alternates between descents and ascents of 1,500 m to 1,800 m. It, however, crosses incredible landscapes and gets you to the Choquequirao ruins which are isolated and so remote that you will only find silence, beauty and quietude.
• The Adventure tour: You can also join a tour that will take you hiking, biking, ziplining and river rafting for 4 days. It’s a great way to get pumped up before Machu Picchu! Cost about 600 USD.

Note: All of these hikes can be done without a guide. It will cost a lot less but will require you to carry a tent or stay at hospedajes along the way.

RELATED: 7 reasons why you should hike the Salkantay trek

Walking the train tracks (from Ollantaytambo)

One of the alternatives the most discussed in Cusco’s hostels is the walk that follows the train tracks from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. This is probably the cheapest way, but also the most dangerous one as it follows the very busy tracks of the PeruRail and IncaRail train routes for almost 10 hours of walking.

We would not recommend taking this way which is more and more under surveillance by train guards. It really is up to you and the budget you wish to spend visiting Machu Picchu. We just think that it may not be worth the effort and risk just to save 60 USD.

Getting to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes

Now that you have made your way from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to the town of Aguas Calientes, you need to get to the ruins of Machu Picchu. There are only 2 ways of getting there: taking the shuttle or walking.

Shuttle to Machu Picchu

There is a service of shuttles that leave every 10/20 minutes from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of the site. The service operates from 5 am until 3:30 pm to go up and from 6 am until 6 pm to get back down.

The tickets can be bought directly at the desk on Avenida Hermanos Ayer from where the shuttles leave and arrive. If you plan on getting one of the first shuttles you will need to start queuing around 4 am and need to have bought your ticket the previous day as the ticket office opens from 5 am to 9 pm. You can buy your return ticket in advance here.

The one-way ticket for a foreign adult cost 12 USD. The ride takes 35 to 40 minutes each way.

The steps to Machu Picchu

If you don’t want to take the shuttle up, you can decide to walk the steep and narrow steps for about 390 m, up!

It sounds easy, but at this altitude, it is a tiring hike up. It is free to walk but it requires time, deep breaths, and lots of water. Depending on fitness and acclimatisation, it should take between 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. It took us exactly 46 min, but we met a crazy young and fit guy who ran all the way up in just 25 minutes.

The Machu Picchu gates open at 5 am. You will need to take a head torch with you and a good pair of shoes. In terms of food, your hotel usually packs up a little snack for your breakfast, but in case they don’t you can get a sandwich in one of the shops that open as early as 4 am.

There is also a market in Aguas Calientes where you can pick up supplies the day before.

Tips: Take your Passport – If you plan on hiking up the steps, you will need to show your passport and entrance ticket at the gates before starting the hike. You will also need your passport to enter Machu Picchu, so don’t forget it even if you take the shuttle.

Machu Picchu Entrance Fees – updated 2023

IMPORTANT NOTE: The rules to enter Machu Picchu seem to change each year so keep updated as much as possible. Here are the latest information as of 2023.

1. When booking your entry either online or in Cusco, you need to choose if you prefer visiting in the morning or in the afternoon. Timeslots are 6am to 12pm and 12pm to 5:30 pm.
2. You now also need to an official guide to enter Machu Picchu which you can hire directly at the gates.

Admission tickets Machu Picchu only (152 soles / €40)

Machu Picchu – Morning (6am-12pm)
Machu Picchu – Afternoon (12pm-5:30pm)

Admission tickets Machu Picchu + 1 hike (200 soles / €53)

Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu hike 7-8 am >> Book in advance for €80
Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu hike 10-11 am >> Book in advance for €80

Machu Picchu + Mountain hike 7-8 am >> Book in advance for €73
Machu Picchu + Mountain hike 10-11 am >> Book in advance for €73

Where to buy the Admission tickets

• Going with a tour? Make sure your Machu Picchu entry ticket is included.
• Buy your ticket directly in Cusco at the Ministerio de Cultura / open Mon-Sat, 7AM-8PM
• Instant booking online for Machu Picchu only (€61) or with Mountain hike (€73) or Huayna Picchu (€80)
• Official website
  

DO YOU LOVE HIKING? Have you ever heard about hiking the Sacred Valley?

Mix and match

The good thing about getting to Machu Picchu and back to Cusco is that you can Mix and Match all of the options. Why not take the train there and the bus back? Or hike the Salkantay trek and take the train back?

Everything is possible, you just need to be comfortable with all of the options and make your choice as the Machu Picchu experience must be the way you want it!

If you go as part of a tour, speak with the agency you are booking with and they will accommodate any of your needs and wishes. There is no best way to visit Machu Picchu. So make sure to look into all the options, timetables and prices and find what works for you because, in the end, it might be stressing and frustrating, but it is worth the effort…

Planning a trip around Cusco? Check our other guides

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About the Author

Jen is the Funder, Author & Photographer behind Talesfromthelens.com

Jen has lived for the past 15 years across Oceania and Ireland while also travelling in Latin America, North America, and Europe. She has visited more than 65 countries and set foot on every continent in the world! She is a coffee nerd, passionate about photography, wildlife, and outdoor activities.

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