Getting to Machu Picchu

Getting to Machu Picchu

There is more than one way of getting to Machu Picchu, depending on your travel style, fitness level and budget. Active or in full comfort, there are several options.

Whichever mode and route you take, you will ultimately arrive in the town of Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo), found at the base of the mountain. From there, you can reach the entrance to Machu Picchu by taking a short 25-minute bus ride or by hiking up a steep trail.

Note: If you arrive at the citadel after trekking the Inca Trail, you will see the site of Machu Picchu before you arrive at your hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Important notes on visiting Machu Picchu.

• Book Entrance Tickets Early: Entrance permits (divided into different circuits) sell out weeks or even months in advance, especially for the most popular circuits and in high season (May–September). Always make sure of your Machu Picchu entry tickets before you book your other services. Or ask your travel agent to deal with the entire process.
• Passports: Please ensure you take your original, valid physical passport to enter the site.
• Acclimatisation: If you intend to trek the Inca Trail (which has 4000-meter-high passes), then spend at least 2 or 3 days in Cusco to adjust to the high altitude before starting the hike. If not trekking, then your time in Cusco or the Sacred Valley can be shorter because, to many people’s surprise, Machu Picchu is much lower than Cusco.

1. By Train and Bus – The most common approach:

Taking the train and bus combination is the fastest, most comfortable, and most convenient way to reach Machu Picchu, and is taken by the vast majority of visitors. There are several different standards of train, and they are covered in the following link:

Trains to Machu Picchu | Comparison of Trains to Machu Picchu

• How it works:
  • Direct/Bimodal Trains: During the peak dry season, a limited number of “direct” trains leave from Cusco (San Pedro or Poroy stations) to Aguas Calientes (3.5 to 5 hours). Although for Poroy, you still have a 25-minute drive.
  • Sacred Valley Trains (By far the most popular): This involves either a bus or private driver from Cusco to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley (approx. 1.5–2 hours), followed by a scenic 1.5-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes. Most train operators offer a “Bimodal” ticket that includes the bus transfer from Cusco.
  • Many of our clients opt to stay overnight in the Sacred Valley before the train trip, hence an easier and more relaxed day trip.
• Train Operators:
  • PeruRail: Offers several levels of train experiences: standard class (Expedition), mid-tier panoramic views (Vistadome), and a luxury service (Hiram Bingham).
  • Inca Rail: Also offers a range of options such as The Voyager, Panoramic 360°, and First Class. (see the link above).
  • A standard class ticket will cost around 150 USD return, mid-range about 250 USD and the luxury service some 900 USD, so there is a considerable increase each time you move up the scale.

2. By Trekking – Several Hiking Options:

If you prefer a more active way of getting to Machu Picchu, you have several trekking options. These vary in duration, cost and difficulty. If you are determined to arrive at the site on foot, then you need to choose either the classic Inca Trail over 4 days or the shorter 2-day trek:

• Classic Inca Trail (4 Days / 3 Nights):
  • Overview: This is the most famous trek, which delivers you directly into Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). The high point of this trek is around 4200 meters.
  • Details: Covers ~42 km (26 miles). Strict daily quotas apply, and permits must be booked 4–6 months in advance through authorised agencies.
  • Short Inca Trail (2 Days / 1 Night): A shorter version covering the final segment of the trail, ideal for those with limited time or less fitness preparation. This route is still challenging for those who want to feel the physical accomplishment and see the site from the Sun Gate.
• Salkantay Trek (4–5 Days):
  • Overview: The most popular alternative to the 4-day Inca Trail. This option leads you past the lovely Humantay Lake and snow-capped Salkantay mountain before descending into the high jungle.
  • Details: A slightly more physically challenging trek than the classic Inca Trail, as the route ascends to a 4600 meter pass at its highest point. This trek ends in the town of Aguas Calientes, and you will see Machu Picchu the next day. This option does not require strict advance permits like the Inca Trail, but reserve well in advance anyway for the site permits.
• Lares Trek (3–4 Days):
  • Overview: A culturally rich alternative that focuses on hiking through traditional Quechua-speaking mountain villages and past hot springs, ending with a short train ride to Aguas Calientes from Ollantaytambo.
• Inca Jungle Trail (3–4 Days):
  • Overview: An action-packed multi-sport tour combining downhill mountain biking, zip-lining, white-water rafting, and hiking to Aguas Calientes. Obviously for the most adventurous and active of clients.

3. By Hydroelectric Route (“Hidroeléctrica” Budget Route)

This is the most budget-friendly option for travellers who prefer to avoid the elevated cost of the train tickets. However, with this option, there is also a short train ride available if you really don’t want to walk, and at half the price of the cheapest train ticket from Ollantaytambo.

• How it works:
  1. Take a 6-hour minivan ride from Cusco, driving over high mountain passes before dropping down to the Hidroeléctrica (via Santa María and Santa Teresa).
  2. From the Hidroeléctrica train station, you can walk for 2 to 3 hours (around 10 km / 6 miles) following the train tracks, surrounded by jungle scenery until you reach Aguas Calientes.
  3. There is a train service from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes which takes around 40 minutes at a cost of around 35 USD each way. So you can avoid the hike along the train tracks.
• Best for: Budget travellers, backpackers, or those looking for an adventurous road trip without paying high train ticket prices from Poroy or Ollantaytambo.

The Final Stretch: Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Regardless of which service and route you choose to arrive at Aguas Calientes (unless completing the full 2 or 4-day Inca Trail), you must cover the last steep stretch up to the citadel entrance:

1. Shuttle Bus: A 25–30 minute bus ride winding up the mountain switchbacks (buses depart every few minutes).
2. Hike Up: A steep 1.5 to 2-hour uphill hike climbing lots of stone staircases cut through the forest.