We at Viagens Machu Picchu do our best to provide you a smooth access to Machu Picchu, Peru, but getting into the lost Incas City is not always easy. Machu Picchu was built in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains and forests. But we can assure you the effort will be worthwhile!
Most travelers use the chance to add other locations to their Peru trip plan since the road to the location is not the easiest. You can also travel to and stay in places like Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, which has many amazing cultural attractions. Or, you can go to Lima, a city located near the Pacific Ocean that gets almost no rain. We will show you the main routes to Machu Picchu. There are some extra choices too. So keep reading the content we made for you!
Machu Picchu is in the Machupicchu Pueblo village, also called Aguas Calientes. It's 100 kilometers from Cusco and is in the Cusco region.
The easiest route to reach the lost city of the Incas can be split into these steps. They are for those coming from the US:
Flight from the US to Lima.
Flight from Lima to Cusco (1-hour flight).
The journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo by train is 4 hours or bus + train (4h 10min).
Bus trip from Machu Picchu Pueblo to the Machu Picchu archaeological site (25 minutes).
It can be simplified by taking an international airline, with one-way rates that vary from $200 to $1,500. Similarly, you can get direct flights from some US locations. These include Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Houston. In other cases, planes might connect in US cities. They may also connect in Mexico, Colombia, or other Latin American nations.
Many airlines offer flights to Peru. The most popular airlines among travelers are United, Avianca, LATAM, and Canada Air. Also popular are Jetblue, Copa, InterJet, Spirit, and Aeromexico. Each of them is connected to Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport.
The largest city near Machu Picchu is Cusco. Cusco is also home to Cusco Airport, the only airport in the area. So, the flight to Cusco will take an extra hour after landing in Lima. Airlines like Latam, Sky Airline, and JET Smart are available for this route.
Make the most of your trip to see Cusco or Lima, two cities with beautiful sights to see. A few days in Cusco can also help you acclimate and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
This part of the journey may vary slightly depending on your purpose. As before mentioned, the trip from Cusco to Machupicchu Pueblo is around 100 km long and takes 4 hours to finish. Since it is not possible to drive directly to Machu Picchu, a significant number of visitors typically drive to Ollantaytambo, where they continue their journey by train.
Some opt for a leisurely tour, having a day trip in Machupicchu Pueblo since it has stores, hotels, and restaurants. Others choose a round-trip train ride leaving Cusco and returning the same day.
Tip: If you plan to visit Machu Picchu for just a day, buy a train ticket that leaves Cusco early and returns at the end of the day. Remember, tickets for Machu Picchu have a set entry time. So, train schedules and ticket times must line up.
Two train companies, Peru Rail and Inca Rail, operate in this part of Peru. Both companies offer somewhat identical services and a variety of carriages, some more comfortable than others. Trains have many pricing options. The prices vary greatly based on the day, season, class, and time of day.
You have a few options depending on the kind of experience you're looking for:
• Expedition Train: This is the most popular option among tourists. The Ollantaytambo train station connects Cusco and Machu Picchu. It serves for the daily excursions of the Expedition train.
The Vistadome Train: This is the best option to take your time admiring the Andean scenery as you travel to Machu Picchu. With its panoramic windows, onboard amenities, and live dance entertainment, the Vistadome train provides a unique experience. This train leaves from the Urubamba station. It travels between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo was another Inca rulers’ city. The train also goes to the Unesco World Heritage site, Machu Picchu.
• Sacred Valley Train: This is a middle-category train between Vistadome and Hiram Bingham. You can take pleasure in a trip with first-rate onboard amenities here.
• Hiram Bingham Train: This train is one of the most luxurious trains on the road to Machu Picchu. The Hiram Bingham has fine meals and a gourmet lunch. It also has other attractions like a beautiful observation car and an onboard bar car.
Tip: We strongly recommend purchasing your ticket on the panoramic train, which has larger windows and part of the glass ceiling, if you plan to travel during the day, the breathtaking views along the way will be revitalizing. You'll get the chance to see stunning natural landscapes as well, such as the Urubamba River.
Aguas Calientes is often called Machupicchu Pueblo. It is the last settlement before reaching the Machu Picchu ancient site. The excellent infrastructure at Aguas Calientes causes many visitors to stay overnight. They stay before climbing the Inca Citadel early the next day.
A microbus takes passengers from Machupicchu Pueblo to the ancient site. The ride up the hill takes about 25 minutes. The ticket is $24 for a round trip or $12 for a one-way ride.
The roads leading to the tourist attraction are exclusive to this vehicle. You can buy the bus ticket to Machu Picchu in person at Machupicchu Pueblo or online on the Consettur web page. There's a date on the bus ticket for Machu Picchu, but there is no fixed time. Buses are in groups. They are based on when each person will reach Machu Picchu during the ascent.
You can go up to the site from 5:30 AM to 3:30 PM. You can go down to the village from 6 AM to 5:30 PM.
Note: Although rather demanding, it is possible to walk the path that connects Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu archaeological site. One needs to climb roughly 1700 steps, corresponding to a walking distance of about 10 km. Taking the $12 bus up to Machu Picchu and walking down would be a more comfortable choice; this downhill hike takes approximately an hour.
The alternate route from Cusco to Machu Picchu is popular among adventurous travelers. The bus from Cusco to Santa Teresa takes about five hours. It takes approximately thirty minutes to get from Santa Teresa to the Hidroeléctrica train station via shared taxi.
You have two options for reaching the town of Aguas Calientes from Hidroeléctrica. You can take a 2-hour trek or a 45-minute train ride. As previously pointed out, the last part of Machu Picchu can be completed on foot or by bus from Aguas Calientes.
Contact us now if you plan to visit Machu Picchu soon and one of our experts will help you. With the right guidance, planning a trip to Machu Picchu can be uncomplicated. We at Viagens Machu Picchu are committed to giving you all you need. We want to make your stay in Peru unforgettable.
Our travel packages in Peru are the greatest, so don't hesitate any longer. Plan the next visit to the Inca heartland today. Your ideal adventure is about to begin!
