This guide on how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco and other cities will show you the best options to know the lost city of the Incas.
Hidden among the mountains of the Andes, this ancient citadel from the mid-16th century is one of the seven wonders of the world and one of the essential places to visit in Peru.
The archaeological site is located 80 kilometers from Cusco and 500 kilometers from Lima, both being the two main cities through which most tourists arrive although the nearest town is Aguas Calientes, located 10 kilometers away, and considered the best place to go. Stay if you don't do the demanding Inca Trail and want to visit the citadel first thing in the morning.
Before considering making this visit, especially if you travel for free and in high season (April-October), you should check the official website for the availability of tickets, since Machu Picchu a limited number of daily visits and you could stay without seeing the jewel of Peru.
Based on the experience of our visit to this magical city during our trip to Peru for free, we show you how to go to Machu Picchu from different cities, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. We start!
How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu by train
The fastest way to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco It is by train from Poroy station, located 30 minutes by taxi (7 euros) or shared van (3 euros).
Peru Rail and Inca Rail companies make the journey from Cusco to Aguas Calientes by train or depending on the time (January-April) with a combination of bus to Ollantaytambo and from there train to Aguas Calientes.
In addition, these companies offer the possibility of leaving from San Pedro Station in Cusco (4 hours) or from Poroy (3 hours). The duration of the journey varies depending on the type of transport you choose and also the prices, ranging from $ 60 to 500, depending on the type of car and train.
Another option, for which we choose, is to make a route through the Sacred Valley by car or public transport and take the train in Ollantaytambo, which takes an hour and a half. The round trip from this city to Aguas Calientes is recommended by day and on a train with a glass roof like the Vistadome or The 360, to enjoy the incredible views.
If you prefer comfort and also know the interesting history of this enigmatic citadel, the best way to get to Machu Picchu It is to book this excursion with a guide in Spanish for a day or two days (night in Aguas Calientes), both include pick-up at the hotel, the panoramic train ticket with a glass roof, the bus up and down to Machu Picchu , the guide and the tickets.
Macchu Picchu
How to get to Machu Picchu by bus and walk
If you have time and want to save on transportation, the cheapest way to go from Cusco to Machu Picchu It is to take a bus to a Hydroelectric Power Station that takes 7 hours and from there start a walking route to Aguas Calientes that will take you about three hours. If you do not have enough time to get to Aguas Calientes by day you can spend the night in the town of Santa Teresa, located half an hour by taxi from the Hydroelectric. Tickets cost about $ 20 each way and you can buy them at the tourist stalls located around the Plaza de Armas.
Although this transport is a great saving, we consider that losing a day trip does not compensate.
If you have physical fitness, you do not suffer altitude sickness and you have enough days, we recommend you do the Inca Trail or Inka Trail. This mythical 40-kilometer road, which follows the ancient route that the Incas made to reach Machu Picchu, will lead you for 4 days through incredible landscapes until you reach Puerta del Sol, the main entrance of the site.
The best time to make this road is during the dry season that goes from April to October, always remembering that in February it is closed due to the rains and the rest of the months you can find the muddy road and thick fog that can cover the ruins of Machu Picchu .
In addition to this there is also an alternative two-day hike for travelers who do not have so much time.
To make this path you need to hire an agency with specialized guides since it cannot be done for free. You can book one of these two excursions with good traveler ratings:
How to get to Machu Picchu
How to go from Aguas Calientes to the site
The small town of Aguas Calientes, gateway to Machu Picchu and only accessible by train or on foot, is perfect for the night and to visit the site early (open at 6 o'clock) when there are fewer people.
A good option to stay is La Pequena Casita Hotel, located 200 meters from the train station and 30 meters from the bus stop.
For to get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes You can take one of the buses that leave from Hermanos Ayar Avenue station every 10 minutes from 5h and take 30 minutes. In this station that opens from 5am to 9pm you can also buy the tickets that same day or preferably the day before, for a price of 24 dollars round trip.
Another option is to make one or both journeys on foot, although you have to keep in mind that the trip is all climbed and it will take a minimum of two hours.
Aguas Calientes
Tips for visiting Machu Picchu
Following this list of tips will help you have the best experience in this wonder of the world:
- If you are in Lima you can take a direct flight to Cusco that takes less than an hour and costs about 100 dollars. The airport is located 5 kilometers from the center of Cusco.
- Remember that since 2017 it is mandatory to visit Machu Picchu with a guide, so it is advisable to book this tour to Machu Picchu that includes the bus and guide in Spanish or this private tour.
- Another option is to take a guide (8 dollars per person) in the citadel or in Aguas Calientes. This guide will accompany you for as long as you need (approximately two hours) and then you can make the visit on your own.
- At the entrance you will be given a map with the best routes through the ruins.
- There are only 9 shifts for access to Machu Picchu that go from 6 am to 2 pm, the enclosure closes at 5:30 pm.
- The maximum time in the complex is 4 hours and you cannot leave and re-enter.
- To enjoy the most complete views of the citadel you have to buy the ticket that includes the climb to Huayna Picchu. If you take this ticket you will have 3 extra hours to climb this incredible and demanding mountain.
- Another option is to buy the entrance Machu Picchu + Mountain, which offers views of 600 meters above the citadel. If you take this ticket you will have 4 extra hours.
- The best views of this ancient city and the first place we recommend visiting the site is the viewpoint of the Guardian's House, provided that the first-hour fog does not prevent it.
- If you can not enter early, we advise you to enter at two in the afternoon, since at this time there are fewer people and you will also have better light for the photos.
- Before arriving at Machu Picchu or at the entrance, it is advisable to go to the bathroom since there are none inside.
- It is advisable to wear a raincoat and comfortable shoes, especially if you are going to climb the Huayna Picchu or the Mountain of Machu Picchu.
