How to get to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the most visited tourist destination in Peru. For some people, the Citadel built in 15th century, served as a royal estate for Inca emperors and nobles, for others archaeologists was a religious site. Unlike other ancient cultures, The Incas didn’t had a written language, that’s why it is really hard to talk with conviction about any theory.
The ruins are very mystical, once you arrive there you will feel an incredible energy with you. Goosebumps will explode on your skin with the stunning view. No kidding!
In this guide to Machu Picchu, I will tell you all the possibilities you have to get there and all the expenses you should include in your budget.
Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level on top of a mountain in the middle of a tropical forest. It is located in Urubamba Province above The Sacred Valley, 80 kilometers (50 miles) northwest of Cusco.
Getting to Machu Picchu
1. By train
This is the easiest way to get to Machu Picchu. You have 3 options of where you can take the train.
A. From Cusco City
This is the most popular option but also the most exhausting. If you choose to visit Machu Picchu in a full day, you should know it will take 13 hours in total. You have to wake up at 4 am and you will come back to your hotel at 5 pm approx.
There are 2 railway companies that operate for the transfer of passengers to Machu Picchu: Peru Rail and Inca Rail.
Both companies offer a bimodal service: a transfer from Cusco City + a train ticket.
The journey:
- Take a bus/transfer from Cusco City to Ollantaytambo. Travel Time 1h 30m.
- Take a train to Aguas Calientes. Travel Time 1h 30m.
- Take a bus to the entrance to Machu Picchu. Travel Time 30 m.
If you think 7 hours of route is too much, go to option B and C.
Another thing to know, there are different type of services in the train. You have the basic one and also the luxury. Prices starts from USD $ 120 to USD $340 round trip in a bimodal service.
Peru Rail has the famous “Hiram Bingham” ticket that is a super luxury and costs USD $1000 round trip.
You can check the different services and prices on their websites, click here for Inca Rail and here for Peru Rail.
If you compare the bimodal service versus only a train ticket, you will see there is not a big difference in price.
B. From Ollantaytambo.
If you choose staying in Ollantaytambo you are saving 3 hours of travel time. In the essential Cusco Travel Guide, I’m recommending to stay at Ollantaytambo. It is a magical small town and there are also great ruins that deserves to be visited.
C. From Aguas Calientes
This place is a great base for visiting Machu Picchu, staying one night is enough. Also a refreshing hot spring will always be very pleasant.
2. By Inca Trail
This route is regulated by the Peruvian government and a maximum of 500 visitors per day are allowed on the trail which is only about 200 of hikers while the rest is for the guides, cooks and porters.
The classic tour is the one that lasts 4 days and 3 nights. There is also shorter options for 2 and even for 1 day.
The cost of the classic Inca Trail is high, it is on average USD $ 620.
If you are planning to go during the high season (May to September) you should purchase the tickets with 6 months in advance.
There are at least 4 tour operators for this hiking path. They have all similar names LOL.
If you not could reserve a quota for the Inka Trail tour can always choose one of the alternatives as hiking path Choquequirao (I did this trekking, soon I will update a post with all the details) or Lares, or Salcantay; all these paths are destined Machupicchu and each have a particular appeal to make them unique.
The Inca Trail is closed each February for maintenance and also because is the rainiest month in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Information
- There are two shifts for visiting Machu Picchu: in the morning and the afternoon. If you choose to visit the Inca ruins in the morning and to go from Cusco City your travel time will start early, at 4 am. If you choose the afternoon, at 08 am.
- There is only one company bus that makes aguas calientes- to the entrance of Machu Picchu. For foreigners costs USD $ 24 round trip. Click here to buy the tickets in the official website. When you are buying the train tickets, check if it is included, usually the most essential service doesn’t cover the bus ticket.
- Machu Picchu Entrance fee. Foreigners visitors pay USD$ 60 and students USD$ 31. You can buy the tickets online over here.
* The links included in this post, are informative. I don’t get any kind of comission or benefits from the sales.
** All the pictures of Machu Picchu are from my photographer friend Renzo Marchena.