Visiting Machu Picchu, the mystical Incan citadel perched in the Andes Mountains of Peru, is a bucket-list destination for many.
However, given the various routes and travel options available, the journey to this one of the New 7 Wonders of the World can be complex.
Whether you are starting from Cusco or Lima, each route offers its own unique experiences and challenges.
In this guide, we will break down how to get to Machu Picchu, exploring the most efficient and popular ways to reach.
The aim of the article is to help YOU decide on the method that best suits YOUR budget, time availability and preferences.
🌟 IMPORTANT: Remember to bring your passport (original, not copy) to visit Machu Picchu.
➡️ For everything you need to know about visiting this Wonder of the World, read our Machu Picchu visit guide.
How to Get to Machu Picchu – Quick Resources
🏞️ Base town for visiting Machu Picchu: Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.
✅ How to Get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes:
| 💲 Most economical | 🚐 Bus ride to Hydroeletrica town, followed by 2-3 hour walk along railway track to reach Aguas Calientes |
| ⏳ Most comfortable and time-efficient | 🚞 Train ride via Ollantaytambo (Peru Rail or Inca Rail) |
| 🥾 Most adventurous | 🏔️ Multi-Day Treks ranging from 1 to 5 days. Example, Inca Trail Trek, Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, etc. |
✅ How to Get from Lima to Aguas Calientes:
- Lima to Cusco: 1.5 hours flight ✈️ or 20+ hours bus 🚌
- Cusco to Aguas Calientes: See previous section
✅ How to Get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu:
| 💲 Most economical | 🥾 1.5-2 hours hike |
| ⏳ Most comfortable and time-efficient | 🚌 Bus ride |
How to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco
While there are plenty of things to do in Cusco, this city is going to be your launchpad for visiting Machu Picchu.
To get from Cusco to Machu Picchu, you need to break the journey in two parts: (1) From Cusco to Aguas Calientes, and (2) From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
For each leg of the journey, you can choose from multiple ways of travel. Of course, each has its own charms and challenges.
In the next sections, let’s explore all the options and how you can avail those.
How to Get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes
The town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, is the gateway to Machu Picchu.
It is going to be your final stop before ascending to the ancient citadel. That is why, traveling from Cusco to Aguas Calientes is a key leg of your journey to Machu Picchu.
From a variety of transport options available to suit different preferences and budgets to get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, pick your approach to Machu Picchu so that the journey becomes as memorable as the destination.
By Train via Ollantaytambo
The most popular option to get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes is to take the train, offering breathtaking views of the Peruvian landscape.
This route is perfect for those who seek comfort and wish to save time.
🚞 Train companies: Peru Rail, Inca Rail
⏳ Duration: 3.5-4 hours
💲 Cost: 55 USD – 600+ USD one way per person
*Prices varying based on train type, season and departure time
** IMPORTANT: Occasionally, Peru Rail passengers may be required to do an additional step for ticket validation. Even if you do not receive any such email, we suggest you to go and check this. Here’s what you need to do for Peru Rail ticket validation.
Trains depart from either Poroy or the San Pedro Station in Cusco and usually stop at Ollantaytambo.
Both the train companies also offer passengers a “Bimodal Service”, which includes a road transfer in a comfortable vehicle between Cusco and Ollantaytambo, for embarking or disembarking the train at Ollantaytambo station.
Although not very cost effective for a short train ride, this option is the most time efficient as you can plan to visit Machu Picchu even on a day trip from Cusco.
To make Machu Picchu happen as a day trip, you need to buy your Cusco-Aguas Calientes roundtrip train tickets for the same date and time your trip really well, moving every minute paying attention to the clock.
🚞 If your schedule only allows you to visit Machu Picchu as a day tour from Cusco, it may be convenient to book this tour >> It includes all transportation including train tickets and a guided visit of Machu Picchu, including the entrance tickets.
However, if you have can spare two days, we recommend you to spend at least one night in Aguas Calientes, so that you can get an early start for visiting the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu the next morning.
1N/2D Itinerary Planning Idea:
- Day 1:
- Start early from Cusco and visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo
- Take the late afternoon train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Spend the night at Aguas Calientes
- Day 2:
- Take the early morning bus to Machu Picchu
- Book the afternoon train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo or Cusco
** Note: The train station name for Aguas Calientes town is Machu Picchu.
By Road to Hidroelectrica + Walk
For a more adventurous and budget-friendly option, you can travel by road to Hidroelectrica and then hike to Aguas Calientes.
⏳ Duration: 7-8 hours bus ride + 2-3 hours walk
💲 Cost: 15-20 USD one way per person for bus + 0 USD for walk
This journey involves a long bus or taxi ride from Cusco to Hidroelectrica. You can book your Cusco-Hydroelectrica transfer from any tour office in Cusco or get it arranged through your hostel or hotel concierge desk.
From Hidroelectrica, it is a 2-3 hour walk along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes.
Tip: It is ideal to have a good level of fitness and stamina to be able to enjoy the long walk.
Note that, if you go for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu (more on this in the next section), your trek route will cover this 11 KM walk along the train tracks from Hydroelectrica to Aguas Calientes.
During our 5 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, after hiking at high altitudes with steep ascents and descents, we enjoyed this part of the long walk on an almost entirely flat track between Hydroelectrica and Aguas Calientes.
Also, we liked that his route offers a unique opportunity to explore rural Peru and immerse yourself in its natural beauty.
By Trekking
For the more adventurous traveler, multi-day trek to Machu Picchu is an unforgettable way to reach the ancient city.
We did the 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in 2024, and it was spectacular!
Swipe the photos in this post below for glimpses from each day of our trek.
Not just Salkantay, there are more trek options from Cusco.
These are some of the popular treks to get to Machu Picchu, the duration options, and some of the highlights of the trails:
| Trek | Duration | Trail Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Inca Trail | 4 days/ 2 days/ 1 day | Ancient Incan ruins, cloud forests, Inti Punku Sun Gate, Machu Picchu view at sunrise |
| Salkantay Trek | 5 days/ 4 days/ 3 days | Diverse landscapes ranging from high altitude Salkantay Pass and Humantay Lake, to highland jungles of Amazon Basin, Machu Picchu |
| Lares Trek | 4 days | Traditional Andean villages, hot springs, scenic valleys, less crowded trails, Machu Picchu |
The multi-day treks to Machu Picchu demand significant physical resilience but reward you with a deep sense of accomplishment and awe.
If you are wondering which of these treks should you sign up for, here is what we recommend:
🏚️ Inca Trail for history and archaeological ruins.
🏔️ Salkantay Trek for a remarkable blend of nature, history and ruins.
🏡 Lares Trek for an offbeat trek with exposure to cultures and communities.
** Note: For Inca Trail, you need to book months in advance due to capped number of daily visitors on this protected historical trail.
How to Get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you are only one step away from visiting the UNESCO world heritage site.
Now, to get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, you can choose from either of these two ways:
By Bus
Once in Aguas Calientes, the simplest way to get to Machu Picchu is by taking a bus.
Buses depart regularly and take about 25-30 minutes to wind up the steep, narrow roads to the entrance of the citadel.
This option is ideal for travelers who want to maximize their time exploring Machu Picchu itself.
⏳ Duration: 25-30 minutes
💲 Cost: 12 USD per person one way
When visiting Machu Picchu in 2018, we availed the bus for both onward and return journey.
However, when visiting again in 2024, we took the bus only for Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu travel. For the return journey, we chose to walk down.
If you are sure you want to take the bus both ways, then buy the roundtrip tickets at once.
🎟️ How to buy Machu Picchu bus tickets:
💵 You can buy Machu Picchu bus tickets online in advance from the Consettur website. However, for online reservations, you have to complete the transaction with cash payment at their Cusco Office.
💳 Alternatively, you can buy the tickets from the ticket office in Aguas Calientes the morning of your visit or the night before. They are open until 9 pm and accept card payments.
Setting Expectations Right
When it comes to this bus service between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, one thing that most visitors complain about is how chaotic it is.
Let us share our most recent experience.
Our Machu Picchu tickets were for 8:00 am entrance. So to get the bus for that, we had to stand in the queue by 6:30 am. At that time, hundreds of people had already made multiple queues on that narrow street, for different entry slots.
Yes, even if you have the confirmed bus tickets, you still need to stand in a queue to board the bus. So, we stood there on the street on that cold and damp morning, whiling away time for more than 1.5 hours.
We were among the first few people in our queue. But our bus, the first bus for 8:00 am entry slot, departed at 8:10 am!
Naturally, we did not reach Machu Picchu entrance gate by 8:00 am. It was already 8:40 am by the time we arrived.
⏰ Despite the late arrival, everything went fine then onwards. Seems like everyone working in the system is aware of these disconnects in the timings.
😌 So, remember to pack your patience when queuing up for the bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
By Walk
Alternatively, you can opt to hike up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes.
The path involves a steep ascent along hundreds of stairs that cut across the winding bus highway at different intersection points. See the map photo below for reference.
This series of stairs start couple of KMs out of the town center of Aguas Calientes. During these first phase of the walk (or while returning), you can also visit the Machu Picchu site museum and a butterfly garden.
⏳ Duration: 1.5-2 hours
💲 Cost: 0 USD
This route allows you to fully appreciate the lush surroundings and the anticipation builds with each step upward.
Of course, it is a more physically demanding option compared to the bus but is highly rewarding for those who prefer an active start to their exploration of the ruins.
Tip: If you absolutely want to explore this path but are not sure of taking up this challenge first thing in the morning, you can do what we did. Take the bus for going up to Machu Picchu and walk for coming back down to Aguas Calientes.
How to Get to Machu Picchu from Lima
Your journey to Machu Picchu from Lima starts with traveling to Cusco.
From Lima to Cusco
The most efficient way is to take a direct flight, of about 1.5 hours duration.
Numerous airlines operate this route, providing frequent daily flights.
For reliability, book on LATAM.
However, if you are flexible with timings and can find much cheaper prices, then you can consider flying other smaller carriers like JetSmart and SKY Airlines.
Alternatively, you can opt for a bus ride, which takes a bit more than 20 hours.
The ride offers a more immersive experience of Peru’s diverse landscapes.
While the bus option is more time-consuming, it can be significantly cheaper if you are looking for flights last minute.
Tip: Check in advance and compare bus vs. flight prices. Which one would you pick between 20+ hours bus ride for 50 USD and 1.5 hours flight for 70 USD?
Having said that, if you aren’t already acquainted, long distance buses in South America are not that bad. In fact, we find them quite comfortable.
For reference, here is a photo of our seats on the bus from Arequipa to Cusco.
Enough legroom, entertainment screens, USB charging points and privacy screens, just to name a few amenities on board.
From Cusco to Machu Picchu
Once in Cusco, you can follow any of the methods outlined under “From Cusco to Aguas Calientes” to complete your journey.
Final Thoughts + Plan Your Machu Picchu Visit
Whether you decide to take a train, travel by road to Hidroelectrica and walk, or embark on a multi-day trek, each option presents a unique way to reach Machu Picchu. The decision will largely depend on your budget, time constraints, and adventure level.
Plan Your Machu Picchu Visit:
- 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- Salkantay Trek Packing List
- Salkantay Trek: Review of Machu Pichhu Reservations
If you enjoy reading our free travel guides, tips and stories, you can buy us a coffee and help us keep this website ads free. Thanks for supporting Paradise Catchers.
Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or a booking through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
