Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu

It was to be expected that the maximum expression of Inca architecture such as Machu Picchu would be close to the capital of the empire. But, why does it take too long to get to the Inca citadel? Due to its difficult-to-access location, Machu Picchu is situated on Jungle eyebrow, 2430 m.a.s.l. 42 miles northwest of Cusco. Happily, the visitor has three ways to go from Cusco to Machu Picchu, by train, by bus and train, and by walking. Each one specialized for the traditional, modern, and adventure traveler. Therefore, together with the experts of Machu Travel Peru, we developed in detail these three forms of getting the magical Inca citadel. Because getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco is very easy if you know these three options well.

Everything you need to know to get from Cusco to Machupicchu

• By train
• By bus and train
• By walking
• From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
• Entrance fee to Machupicchu

By train

The train to Machu Picchu is the oldest and most traditional form to get to Machu Picchu. The train journey assures the visitor of a variety of beautiful landscapes of the Andes and Peruvian jungle, besides an appreciation of the native flora and fauna. Cusco has two different train companies that offer a quality service (tourist level) in transport from Cusco, these are Peru Rail (the oldest) and Inca Rail. Their carriages can depart from San Pedro, Poroy, or Ollantaytambo train stations (case of Peru Rail) and only from Ollantaytambo train station (in the case of Inca Rail) with only destiny, the Aguas Calientes town. Aguas Calientes is the modern town of the Inca citadel and host the closest train station to Machu Picchu.

In addition, a service that combines transport in a bus up to a certain part and from there, the train service continues, called Bimodal is offered by both train companies.

A. Peru Rail

It is the biggest and oldest train company in Cusco. All its service has a tourist level of quality and its carriages can depart from the two stations located in the same city (Wanchaq and San Pedro), from Poroy train station (located 1 hour from Cusco) or from Ollantaytambo train station (located in the Sacred Valley, 2 hours from Cusco). The Peru Rail train tickets to Machu Picchu will depend on the class of train that the visitor chooses, these are three: Expedition, Vistadome, and the luxury Hiram Bingham.

1. Expedition

Depart Train Station
Wanchaq train station	In Cusco city (Buses of the same train class depart from this station, making a transfer to the train in Ollantaytambo station) – 04 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes
Poroy train station	It is located 01 hour from Cusco – 03 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes
Ollantaytambo train station	It is located 02 hours from Cusco, in the Sacred Valley – 02 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes

This class of service is the most economical but it is still of excellent quality. The carriages are decorated with a modern style, with comfortable and cushioned seats, long windows at the sides to appreciate better the beautiful landscapes of the Andes and the Peruvian Jungle, tables between seats, background music, and audio with tourist information. The cost of a round trip per person is $120.00 approx.

2. Vistadome

Depart Train Station
Wanchaq train station	In Cusco city (Buses of the same train class depart from this station, making a transfer to the train in Ollantaytambo station) – 04 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes
San Pedro train station	In Cusco city – 04:30 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes
Poroy train station	It is located 01 hour from Cusco – 03 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes
Ollantaytambo train station	It is located 02 hours from Cusco, in the Sacred Valley – 02 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes

The Vistadome carriages have the same services and characteristics as the Expeditions trains with the addition of parades of alpaca garments, cultural representation of the live “Saqra” dance, and snacks, all these onboard! Also, this train is the only one that offers direct frequency from the same Cusco city to Aguas Calientes, this train that goes from Cusco to the modern town of Machu Picchu lasts 04:30 hrs approx of trip. The cost of a round trip per person is $170.00 approx.

3. Luxury Hiram Bingham

Depart Train Station
Wanchaq train station	In Cusco city (Buses of the same train class depart from this station, making a transfer to the train in Ollantaytambo station) – 04 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes
Poroy train station	It is located 01 hour from Cusco – 03 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes
Ollantaytambo train station	It is located 02 hours from Cusco, in the Sacred Valley – 02 hours of trip to Aguas Calientes

The luxury Hiram Bingham is the maximum expression of luxury, quality of service, and comfort onboard. The carriages resembled the luxurious old British Pullman trains of the 1920s and their passengers are welcomed with a cocktail party in the train station, once on board, the service provides a gourmet brunch on the way out and a gourmet dinner on the way back, free open bar, live Andean music, food sales, tour guides available, a small observatory car to enjoy of Andean landscapes, besides to an exclusive Hiram Bingham bus to climb the mountain head to Machu Picchu, entrances ticket to the Inca citadel, exclusive tour guides to visit the marvel and a tea Party in the close 5-star hotel, once finalized the tour. The cost of a round trip per person is $999.00 approx.

B. Inca Rail

If you are planning a trip to Machu Picchu, you should pay attention to your time. And, for those people who wonder if it is possible to visit Machu Picchu from Cusco in one day, yes it is possible to do so. For this task, the traveler would have to take a transport (car, van, minivan, or bus) from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, a 2-hour trip and just there take the train to Aguas Calientes. Happily, we have Inca Rail, Its trains are a little more modern than those of Peru Rail, maintaining the same quality and all of them depart from the Ollantaytambo station. However, the company also offers departures from Cusco in its modality Bimodal. This means that several buses depart from its office in Cusco heading to Ollantaytambo, where the passenger will make a transfer to the trains to get to Aguas Calientes.

1. The 360º

The Inca Rail has its economy service represented in the 360º trains. These carriages are modern with soft and large seats, tables between them, large windows on each side, snacks and drinks on board, USB port for charging mobile devices, and an observatory car to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Andes and the Peruvian jungle. The trains depart from Ollantaytambo train station and return there. The cost of a round trip per person is $115.00 approx.

2. The Voyager

The Voyager trains have the same characteristics and services as the 360º trains with the addition of background music, the sale of snacks and drinks, and the representation of a traditional Andean-themed play called “Ollantay”, all these onboard. In the same way, the trains depart from Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) and arrive there. Also, this service operates with the “Bimodal” services. This means that the service is offered from Cusco (a bus will take you to the Ollantaytambo station). Where you can make a transfer by train to Aguas Calientes. The cost of a round trip per person is $130.00 approx.

3. The First Class

This level of service is the maximum that you can find in any Inca Rail service. The trains are decorated in detail, with fine and sober elements, their seats are soft and spacious, with tables between them, large windows on each side of the cars, a gourmet lunch on board, ambient Andean music, an observatory lounge bar, and a theatrical representation of Ollantay drama. Besides, an exclusive bus heading to Machu Picchu for its passengers. The cost of a round trip per person is $950.00 approx.

By bus and train

This form is the most recent among all forms to get to Machu Picchu and consists in take a land transport (private car, van, minivan, or public bus) from Cusco to Santa Teresa, located 204 kilometers northwest of Cusco, the trip lasts 05 hours. From this charming town, the tourist will have to take another land transport to the Hydroelectric train station (30 minutes more) to take a local train (train for local use, not tourist) heading to Aguas Calientes, the train trip lasts 45 minutes more. Undoubtedly, this is the cheapest Machu Picchu trip cost, despite taking longer to get there. The return is in the traditional form by train, The cost of a round trip per person is $80.00 approx.

By walking

1. Inca Trail

4 days and 3 nights. Imagine walking the same path that the Incas used centuries ago to reach Machu Picchu. Well, this journey assures you feel the same experience that the Inca explorers once felt. The Inca Trail journey has a limit of visitation per day, only 500 entrance tickets, and the booking has to be done through an authorized local travel agency at least 6 months in advance (It’s due to high demand) It is forbidden to do it on your own. The route begins at 84 km, in the middle of the railway from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu. To get off there, you need to show special permission to the train personnel (this document is provided by the authorized travel agency)

Once at 84 km, you will begin the trekking, passing by beautiful Andean and jungle landscapes over 4224 m.a.s.l, appreciating the native flora and fauna and discovering magical Inca archaeological rests besides Machu Picchu.

2. Salkantay Trek

4 days and 3 nights. Among the new best things to do in Cusco surrounding, the Salkantay Trek should never be missing from your list. At least, if you have already done the Inca Trail trek and want to experience something new. The trek begins in the Soraypampa camp zone, located 122 km northwest of Cusco in the Mollepata district. You only need normal transportation (car, van, minivan, or bus) to get there and begin the adventure! The route doesn’t need any entrance or preview registration, besides any local tour operator, and you can take the trek on your own (However, contacting some local tour operator, or at least a tour guide before starting the trek, will be recommendable)

The footpath surrounds the snowy Salkantay (6264 m.a.s.l,) passing by beautiful Andean, jungle, and glacier landscapes, which means that the visitor will walk on rocks, mud, grass, and snow, all in one walk! And the view of native flora and fauna of these contrasting climates, Andes, Jungle, and Glaciers is guaranteed, simply amazing! The route finishes in the same Machu Picchu citadel.

3. Inca Jungle Trek

4 days and 3 nights. This route is reserved for travelers with adventurous souls. During these experiences of 4 days, the visitor will go biking, trekking, rafting, canopying, and even swimming in the hot springs of Santa Teresa town. All begin in Abra Malaga, a high point of 4316 m.a.s.l. located 108 km northwest of Cusco. From this point, the descent by bicycle begins to the town of Santa Maria, where you can go rafting. The next day, you will start the trekking to Santa Teresa, where you can do canopying and bathe in hot springs. The next day, trekking to Machu Picchu. The experience is exhausting but well worth it. Tickets are not needed to tour it, but due to the level of logistics, a tour operator will always be recommended. You will feel the change of extreme climate from the Andes to the Peruvian Jungle during the tour. Without a doubt an unforgettable experience!

4. Lares Trek

4 days and 3 nights. Lares is a little town located 198 kilometers northwest of Cusco, to get there you only need common transportation. This town hosts a cozy hot spring where you will take a deserved bath before beginning the trekking, surrounding glacial lagoons and appreciating beautiful snow-capped mountains and glaciers on the way. The trekking route finishes in Ollantaytambo, where the visitor will have to take a train heading to Aguas Calientes. 4 days of magical experiences on this route that is well worth it.

From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

If all roads lead to Rome, in Cusco, all roads lead to Aguas Calientes, the modern town of Machu Picchu, where the train station closest is located. No route leads directly to Machu Picchu, so you will have to make a mandatory stop in this charming town. (Of course, if you do the Inca trail or the Salkantay Trek, you can skip the Aguas Calientes town and get directly to the world marvel) Anyway, once arrived at Aguas Calientes, you have two forms to get to the ancient citadel.

1. CONSETTUR bus

CONSETTUR is the only bus company (managed by Machu Picchu municipality) that offers the service of transportation Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes. The buses depart every 5 minutes from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa, from its own station where you can buy your bus tickets, too. Don’t worry about the availability, the buses depart every 5 minutes! The bus trip lasts 45 minutes one way, it does not matter if there is the best time to visit Machu Picchu, or not, the buses operate 365 days a year. The cost of the bus ticket is $24.00.

2. Climb up to the citadel

There is a second option to getting to Machu Picchu, making a hike to the Inca citadel. A Zig Zag footpath climbs the Machu Picchu mountain until the same entrance of the archaeological park. The hiking in one way lasts 01 approx, and the same time in the return. Unfortunately, this route is closed in the rainy time (From January to March) If you have a good physical condition we recommend you make this climb.

Entrance fee to Machu Picchu

Congratulation, now you have arrived at Machu Picchu and you are ready to enter the Inca citadel. But, Where is your entrance ticket? Well, you should have purchased the tickets to Machu Picchu at least 6 months in advance, being the first thing to buy among other purchases (like train or bus tickets). Happily, the web of Machu Picchu archaeological park administration website is available to process the sale of the entrance to Machu Picchu online. Only remember that you will have to show your entrance tickets with your original passport at moment to the entrance to the citadel (To corroborate data)

“THE BIGGEST ADVENTURE YOU CAN TAKE IS TO LIVE THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS”

We hope to show you the different alternatives to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco, as you can see the variety is many and the recommendation the same one, buy your bus or train tickets, entrances fee, even reservation with any local travel agency in advance, at least 6 months before of tour beginning. Remember that Machu Picchu is one of the new seven wonders with a high demand for visitant per month. If you have more questions or want to delegate the assembly of a tourist package to this marvel, without looking at options and options, the Machu Travel Peru team is willing to help you throughout the process. Come on, dare to visit the place of your dreams!

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