How to Get to Machu Picchu From Cusco: Complete Guide To Visiting
Being such a tourist destination, you’d think Machu Picchu would be easier to access than it is. Instead, getting to Machu Picchu takes numerous forms of transportation and many hours from the Sacred Valley. And unless you decide to trek the classic Inca Trail, you’ll be utilizing a car, a train, and a bus to get you there.
All this to say getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco takes a lot of coordination. This guide was created to help you understand the steps to make it seamless to visit.
Knowing how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco ahead of time can save you a lot of stress. From choosing whether to travel through the Sacred Valley or go straight from Cusco, to booking trains and timing your bus up to the ruins, there are a few key decisions that shape the entire experience.
This guide breaks down each step so you can plan your route with confidence and focus on enjoying one of Peru’s most iconic places.
Happy travels to Peru!
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Can you go to Machu Picchu without a guide?
Absolutely! Getting to Machu Picchu without a guide is entirely doable. This option will save you hundreds of dollars per person compared to booking a guided experience. The only thing to know is you need to be organized to do it. There are a few steps in the process but this guide will help you through all the steps along the way!
Travel Tip! If you decide you want a guide for Machu Picchu you can still follow the steps below and then hire a guide in Aguas Calientes for a fraction of the price.
How to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco is a multi-step journey that requires some advance planning, but once you understand the flow, it’s very manageable. Unless you’re hiking the Inca Trail, every standard route follows the same general path through the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes before reaching the ruins.
Step 1: Travel From Cusco to the Sacred Valley
The first step in getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco is traveling into the Sacred Valley. While Cusco is the main base for most travelers, staying in the Sacred Valley the night before your Machu Picchu visit can make the entire experience much easier.
The Sacred Valley sits closer to Ollantaytambo, which means earlier train options and less rushing on the morning of your visit. If you’re relying on a driver, taxi, or public transportation, staying nearby also removes the stress of coordinating a very early departure from Cusco.
If you plan to use public buses or colectivos, you’ll likely need to arrive in the Sacred Valley the day before anyway, as early morning options are limited.
You can also choose to drive yourself into the Sacred Valley renting a car in Cusco.
Step 2: Get to Ollantaytambo Train Station
From the Sacred Valley, you’ll then head to Ollantaytambo, home to the most commonly used train station for Machu Picchu. This is where nearly all travelers board their train to Aguas Calientes.
If you’re driving yourself, there are multiple parking lots along Avenida Ferrocarril within walking distance of the station. If you’ve hired a driver or taken a taxi, you’ll be dropped off directly at the station entrance.
Ollantaytambo is small and easy to navigate, but trains run on a strict schedule. Arriving early gives you time to find your platform, store luggage if needed, and avoid last-minute stress.
Step 3: Take the Train to Aguas Calientes
From Ollantaytambo, you’ll take the scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. This route follows the Urubamba River and passes through dramatic mountain scenery, including sections of the Inca Trail.
Two train companies operate this route: PeruRail and Inca Rail. Both offer similar services, and pricing depends largely on time of day and availability. Morning trains to Aguas Calientes and later return trains to Ollantaytambo are typically the most expensive.
Your train times play a big role in your overall Machu Picchu trip cost, as they affect how much time you’ll have at the ruins and in Aguas Calientes. Finding the right balance between schedule and budget is one of the most important planning steps.
Step 4: Travel From Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu Entrance
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you’ll need to get from town up to the Machu Picchu entrance. Most visitors choose the shuttle bus, which runs continuously throughout the day and takes about 25 minutes each way. A round-trip bus ticket costs $24 and can be purchased online in advance or in person at the Consettur office in town.
If you’re looking to save money and don’t mind a physical challenge, you can hike to the entrance instead. The trail is roughly two miles with over 1,700 feet of elevation gain and is steep the entire way. While rewarding, it’s demanding and not ideal if you’re short on time or energy.
Step 5: Enter Machu Picchu Using Your Timed Ticket
Machu Picchu uses a timed entry system, which means you must arrive during your designated entry window. Tickets are tied to specific circuits, which control crowd flow and determine where you’re allowed to walk inside the site.
If you’ve booked a guided tour, your guide will handle timing and entry logistics for you. If you’re visiting independently, it’s important to coordinate your bus or hike timing carefully to avoid missing your slot.
Once inside, you’re free to explore your assigned circuit at your own pace and take in one of the most iconic sites in South America.
Tickets You Need to Buy in Advance for Machu Picchu
Visiting Machu Picchu requires purchasing multiple tickets, and knowing which ones to book ahead of time makes a huge difference. While you can technically arrange some transportation on arrival, the most important pieces sell out quickly and should be secured before your trip.
Transfer to Ollantaytambo
If you’re not driving yourself, you’ll also need to arrange transportation to Ollantaytambo. This may be a taxi, private transfer, or shared transportation from Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Transfers don’t always need to be booked far in advance, but during peak travel periods it’s a good idea to arrange them at least a day ahead. If you’re staying in the Sacred Valley, hotels can usually help organize this for you.
Machu Picchu Timed Entrance Ticket
Your Machu Picchu entrance ticket is the most important ticket to purchase in advance. Entry to the site is timed and controlled through a circuit system, which limits how many people are inside the ruins at any given time.
Tickets must be purchased online through the official government website and often sell out days or even weeks in advance, especially during high season. Circuits 2 and 3 are the most popular, as they include many of the classic viewpoints.
If you plan to hike Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu, those add-on tickets need to be purchased at the same time and sell out even faster.
Train Ticket to Aguas Calientes
Your train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes should also be booked in advance. Trains are operated by PeruRail and Inca Rail, and availability can be limited. Particularly for morning departures and late afternoon return trains, you’ll find limited and more expensive tickets.
While it’s sometimes possible to buy train tickets close to your travel date, doing so often means paying higher prices or settling for less convenient times. Booking ahead allows you to coordinate your train schedule with your Machu Picchu entry time more easily.
Bus Ticket From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Unless you plan to hike from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance, you’ll need a shuttle bus ticket. The bus runs continuously throughout the day and takes about 25 minutes each way.
Bus tickets cost $24 round trip and can be purchased online in advance or in person at the Consettur office in Aguas Calientes. Buying in advance isn’t required, but it can save time on busy mornings.
Can You Book Everything Together?
For travelers who want to simplify the process, guided tours and all-inclusive packages combine most or all of these tickets into one booking. These options remove the logistical work but are typically more expensive.
Guided Machu Picchu tours from Cusco
If you’re looking for an easy, all-in-one option, there are plenty of guided Machu Picchu tours from Cusco that handle all the logistics and get you to the site in a single day. But while they’re convenient, they’re also pricey. They also offer a few downsides that I think are important to consider.
First, these day tours often cost significantly more than if you plan the trip yourself. You’re paying a premium for the convenience, but not necessarily for a better experience. Second, it’s a long day. We’re talking early morning pickups, multiple transfers, and a tight timeline that can leave you feeling rushed at the very place you came to see.
Know that IncaRail and PeruRail train cost are both super overpriced. You can save money on your train tickets by taking the earliest train and last train of the day. We opted to take a nicer train to Machu Picchu in the early morning that included a show within the bar car and boxed snack meal, too. And opted for the lowest class ticket back to Ollantaytambo. It was nice having the balance of experiences.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
If you decide to hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail, your journey will begin at the Kilometer 82 trailhead, just outside Ollantaytambo.
This 4-days, 3-nights Inca trail tour is challenging due to the high elevation but incredibly rewarding, as it culminates at the iconic Sun Gate entrance to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu From Cusco FAQs
Yes. You need to purchase tickets in advance for one of 3 circuits when visiting Machu Picchu. Tickets sell out quickly, especially during high season, so booking your tickets as soon as you know your travel dates is recommended.
You need a few hours to get to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu’s entrance. The train ride to Aguas Calientes is about 2 hours long and the bus ride from there to the Machu Picchu entrance is another 30 minutes. Once at Machu Picchu I recommend about 3 hours to walk around, take photos, and enjoy it.
Reaching Machu Picchu is a complicated, multi-step process. Though there are a few ways to do it the most straightforward is taking the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and then from there a bus to the Machu Picchu entrance.
More Peru Tips and Inspiration
I hope you enjoyed learning more about how to visit Machu Picchu on a budget! Your Machu Picchu trip cost can actually be really affordable with a few tweaks and a bit of organization. If you liked this be sure to check out these related posts:
- Spend some time getting inspired with my complete Peru itinerary
- Going to Cusco? Check out this guide to find some great places to eat and things to do
- Be sure to check out my complete packing guide to Peru
