How to Get to Machu Picchu: Every Route From Cusco Compared
By the Goo Machu Picchu team · Checked against official sources (editorial policy) · Updated October 2026 · 9 min read
Getting to Machu Picchu takes three legs: fly to Cusco through Lima, travel to Aguas Calientes by train or on foot, then ride the bus or walk up to the citadel. No road reaches Machu Picchu directly, and there is no airport nearby. From Cusco, the fastest train-and-bus trip takes about 4 to 5 hours.
This guide walks through each leg in the order you will travel it, compares every route by time, cost and effort, and ends with the booking order that keeps the whole trip on schedule.
- Closest airport
- Cusco (CUZ), about 75 km away
- Cusco to Machu Picchu
- About 4 to 5 hours by train and bus
- Train ends at
- Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
- Bus to the gate
- About $12 one way, $24 round trip
- Cheapest route
- Hydroelectric van plus 11 km walk
- Classic hike
- Inca Trail, 4 days, permit required
How Do You Get to Machu Picchu? The Short Answer
Most travelers reach Machu Picchu by flying from the US to Lima, connecting to Cusco, taking a scenic train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then riding a 25-minute bus up to the entrance gate. Hikers replace the train with the Inca Trail or another trek. Budget travelers use a van to Hidroeléctrica and walk.
- Fly from a US gateway city to Lima (about 6 to 8 hours nonstop).
- Connect on a domestic flight from Lima to Cusco (about 1 hour 20 minutes).
- Rest a night in Cusco or the lower Sacred Valley.
- Ride the train from Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro) or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
- Take the bus up the Hiram Bingham road, or hike the stairs, to the citadel gate.
- Enter at the time printed on your Machu Picchu ticket.
To fit this journey into a wider trip, see our Peru itinerary with day-by-day routes.
Which Route to Machu Picchu Is Best? Time, Cost and Effort Compared
The best route to Machu Picchu depends on time, budget and fitness. The train is the fastest and easiest, the Inca Trail is the classic hiking experience, the Hydroelectric route is the cheapest, and the Salkantay or Lares treks suit hikers without Inca Trail permits. Every route ends in Aguas Calientes or at the gate.
| Route | Time from Cusco | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train + bus | 4 to 5 hours | About $130 to $200 round trip | Most travelers, families |
| Classic Inca Trail | 4 days | Tour with permit | Hikers who book months ahead |
| Short Inca Trail | 1 to 2 days | Tour with permit | Limited time, some hiking |
| Salkantay or Lares trek | 4 to 5 days | Tour, no permit needed | Hikers without Inca Trail permits |
| Hydroelectric van + walk | 7 to 9 hours | About $30 to $50 round trip | Budget backpackers |
| Car to Ollantaytambo + train | 4 to 5 hours | Taxi or private driver + train | Groups, flexible schedules |
Costs are approximate and exclude the entrance ticket. Current ticket prices are in the Machu Picchu tickets guide.
Getting to Cusco From the US: Flights and the Closest Airport
The closest airport to Machu Picchu is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco (CUZ), about 75 km away in a straight line. Flights from the US land first in Lima (LIM), with nonstops from cities such as Miami, Houston, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York, then connect to Cusco.
Go deeper with our Lima to Cusco guide.
Why You Cannot Fly Directly to Machu Picchu
No airport exists at Machu Picchu because the citadel sits on a narrow ridge inside a protected cloud forest sanctuary, with steep canyons on every side. The nearest flat land for a runway is Cusco. A new Chinchero airport near Cusco has been under construction for years, but flights still use the existing Cusco airport.
Where to Fly Into for Machu Picchu
Fly into Cusco for Machu Picchu, booking Lima to Cusco on the same ticket as the international flight when possible so a delay is protected. Morning flights to Cusco are more reliable, since afternoon winds sometimes cause cancellations. Total travel time from the US East Coast is usually 12 to 16 hours.
Travelers starting in Lima can compare flights, buses and tours in the Lima to Machu Picchu guide.
How Far Is Machu Picchu From Cusco, and How Long Does It Take?
Machu Picchu is about 75 km (47 miles) from Cusco in a straight line, but about 110 km by rail or road through the Sacred Valley. The trip takes 4 to 5 hours by train and bus, 6 to 7 hours by van to Hidroeléctrica plus a 2 to 3 hour walk, and 4 days on the Classic Inca Trail.
Cusco sits about 970 m higher than the citadel, so the journey is downhill overall. How that affects how you feel is explained in the Machu Picchu elevation guide.
By Train: Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
The train is the most popular way to reach Machu Picchu. PeruRail and Inca Rail run from Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro station, about 3.5 to 4 hours) and from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley (about 1.5 to 2 hours) to Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of the mountain. Book trains early.
Many travelers take a car or shuttle from Cusco to Ollantaytambo first, because trains from Ollantaytambo are more frequent. Classes, operators and fares are compared in the Machu Picchu train guide.
Related reading: our PeruRail vs Inca Rail guide.
Hiking to Machu Picchu: Inca Trail and Alternative Treks
Hiking to Machu Picchu is possible on the Classic Inca Trail, the only trek that enters through the Sun Gate, or on alternatives such as Salkantay, Lares and the Short Inca Trail. The Inca Trail needs a government permit sold through licensed operators. The alternative treks finish in Aguas Calientes, usually with a train ride.
- Classic Inca Trail: about 42 km in 4 days, reaches the Sun Gate at sunrise.
- Short Inca Trail: about 12 km in 1 day, includes Wiñay Wayna ruins.
- Salkantay Trek: 4 to 5 days past glaciers, no permit needed.
- Lares Trek: 3 to 4 days through weaving villages, no permit needed.
Permit rules and sell-out dates are in the Inca Trail permits guide. For a guided version of the classic route, see our Classic Inca Trail 4 Days.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Get to Machu Picchu? The Hydroelectric Route
The cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu is the Hydroelectric route: a shared van from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica station (6 to 7 hours on mountain roads), then a flat walk of about 11 km along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes (2.5 to 3 hours). Round-trip vans cost about $30 to $50.
- Saves money but costs a full day each way.
- Roads are winding and unpaved in parts; landslides can close them in the rainy season.
- Walk only in daylight and step well clear of passing trains.
- A short train ride from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes is an option for tired legs.
Rainy months make this road riskier; check Machu Picchu weather by month before choosing it.
Can You Drive or Take a Bus From Cusco to Machu Picchu?
You cannot drive or take a bus all the way from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Cars and buses reach Ollantaytambo, where the train continues, or Hidroeléctrica, where you walk or ride the train. Self-driving is legal with an international permit, but mountain roads and parking make a private driver the easier choice.
The road from Cusco to Ollantaytambo takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and passes Sacred Valley sites such as Chinchero and Urubamba, which makes a stop along the way easy to add.
Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu Gate: Bus or Walk?
From Aguas Calientes, the last leg to the Machu Picchu gate is either the official shuttle bus, about 20 to 30 minutes up a switchback road, or a steep stone stairway that takes about 1.5 hours on foot. Most travelers ride up and some walk down. Fares, timings and queue tips are in our Machu Picchu bus guide.
Hotels, hot springs and restaurants in town are covered in the Aguas Calientes travel guide.
How to Get to Machu Picchu Without Hiking
Getting to Machu Picchu without hiking is simple: take the train to Aguas Calientes and the bus to the gate, which involves no hiking at all. Inside the citadel, every route has stone stairs, so Circuit 2 with breaks is the gentlest choice. Travelers with limited mobility should ask about assistance when booking.
Families with small children and older travelers often split the trip with a night in Aguas Calientes, which removes the early-morning rush and lets the visit start fresh.
One Day or Overnight? Sample Machu Picchu Schedules
A day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu works but starts around 4 am and ends near 10 pm, with only 2 to 3 hours at the citadel. Staying one night in Aguas Calientes allows an early entry, a mountain hike such as Huayna Picchu, and a relaxed return. Most first-time visitors prefer the overnight plan.
Whether a night in town is right for your plan, with a situation-by-situation table and a two-day schedule, is covered in our guide to staying in Aguas Calientes. The mountain behind the ruins is covered in the Huayna Picchu hike guide.
For full day-by-day plans and how many days to allow, see the Machu Picchu itinerary guide.
What to Book First: The Right Order for Tickets, Train and Bus
Book the Machu Picchu entrance ticket first, because it sells out before trains and buses. Then book the train that arrives at least 1.5 hours before your entry time, then the bus. Inca Trail hikers book the permit first. Booking in this order avoids holding train seats for a day without tickets.
Want this handled for you? Take a look at our Inca Jungle trek.
Alongside this How to Get to Machu Picchu 2026 guide, you can also compare all our Machu Picchu tours side by side, from one-day visits to multi-day treks.
- Choose your date and check ticket availability for your preferred circuit.
- Buy the Machu Picchu ticket (or Inca Trail permit through an operator).
- Book flights to Cusco that arrive at least one day before.
- Book the train to Aguas Calientes, matching your entry time.
- Book the bus up, or plan to walk.
- Reserve a hotel in Aguas Calientes if you stay overnight.
Crowd levels and rain by month help choose the date; see the best time to visit Machu Picchu. Which circuit and entry hour to pick is explained in how to choose a Machu Picchu ticket.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get to Machu Picchu?
Getting to Machu Picchu is not hard, but it takes planning because every leg must be booked: flights, train, bus and an entrance ticket with a fixed time. Once booked, the journey is comfortable. The only physically demanding options are the treks and walking up from Aguas Calientes.
How much does it cost to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
From Cusco, the transport alone usually costs about $130 to $200 round trip by train and bus, and about $30 to $50 by the Hydroelectric van. The Machu Picchu entrance ticket costs extra, about $44 for a foreign adult. Luxury trains such as the Hiram Bingham cost much more.
Can I get to Machu Picchu without a tour?
Yes. Independent travelers can book flights, trains, buses and entrance tickets online and reach Machu Picchu without a tour. Since 2024, however, entering the citadel requires a licensed guide, who can be hired at the gate or in advance. Only the Inca Trail requires booking through an operator.
How do tourists get to Machu Picchu from Lima?
Tourists going from Lima fly to Cusco in about 1 hour 20 minutes, then follow the usual train and bus route. Buses from Lima to Cusco take about 20 to 22 hours and are rarely worth the time. No direct train or road connects Lima with Machu Picchu.
What is the name of the town below Machu Picchu?
The town below Machu Picchu is Aguas Calientes, officially called Machu Picchu Pueblo. It sits beside the Urubamba River at about 2,040 m and has no road to Cusco, so everyone arrives by train or on foot. Hotels, restaurants, hot springs and the bus station are all there.
Do trains go directly to the Machu Picchu ruins?
No train reaches the ruins. Trains stop at Aguas Calientes, about 8 km below the citadel, and the last stretch is by bus or on foot. Inca Trail hikers on the 1-day route ride the train to Km 104, where the trail starts, and walk in.
Is the Hydroelectric route safe?
The Hydroelectric route is generally safe in daylight with a reputable van company. Risks are winding mountain roads, occasional landslides in the rainy season and walking near active rail tracks. Avoid walking after dark, keep clear of trains, and choose drivers recommended by your hotel or a licensed agency.
Can I visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco the same day?
Visiting Machu Picchu and returning to Cusco the same day is possible with early trains and a midday entry ticket. Expect about 17 to 18 hours from pickup to drop-off. Late trains sometimes leave little margin, so many travelers return to Ollantaytambo and sleep there instead.
Which side of the train has the best views to Machu Picchu?
On the way from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the left side of the train usually has more views of the Urubamba River and canyon, though both sides see the mountains. Vistadome and higher classes have panoramic roof windows, which make the seat side matter much less.
How early should I arrive in Aguas Calientes before my ticket time?
Arrive in Aguas Calientes at least 1.5 hours before your Machu Picchu entry time. That leaves time to find the bus station, wait in line, ride 25 minutes up and pass the gate checks. In high season, morning bus queues can take an hour on their own.
Can you get to Machu Picchu from Arequipa or Puno?
Yes, but every route still goes through Cusco first. From Arequipa, a flight to Cusco takes about one hour, or an overnight bus takes roughly 10 hours. From Puno and Lake Titicaca, buses take around 7 to 10 hours, and a scenic tourist train runs on some dates. Then follow the usual Cusco route.
Want the train, bus and ticket matched for you?
Send us your dates with the form and we will line up the ticket, train and bus times, or suggest a Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco with everything included. You can also ask for our free Machu Picchu planning guide.
Sources checked October 3, 2026
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