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Cusco, Peru

Guide 2024: How to get to Machu Picchu?

There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu. For you to choose the way that best suits your interests in this article I will explain: the budget, the views and the experiences you will have in each of them.

First of all, you should know that to get to Machu Picchu you must first reach the city of Cusco, so this destination is your obligatory stop, from that city you leave to the citadel of Machu Picchu. In this article we will show you the 5 ways to get there:

By car

Once in the city of Cusco, you can take your car or rent one, to go to the Hydroelectric Station, in this station you can pay parking for your vehicle for a reasonable price, approximately between S/. 5 to 10 soles (USD 2 to 3 dollars) per hour. I suggest you take this route during the Dry Season (April to October) since, as part of this road is not paved, traveling it during the Rainy Season (November to March) could be risky causing traffic jams or accidents. We suggest that you travel with a vehicle suitable for areas with trails.

The stretch, from the city of Cusco to the Hydroelectric Station, is approximately 214 km and can take between 5 to 6 hours, depending on your agility for driving.

Once at the Hydroelectric Station you will have 2 options to get to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo:

If you are a foreigner click Here, for more information.

If you are Peruvian click Here, for more information.

Bus

From the city of Cusco, hire a bus through a tourist agency to take you directly to the Hydroelectric station, the trip takes approximately 6 hours and the price ranges from S/. 60 to 100 soles ( USD 17 to 27 dollars) per person. You can also hire a bus back to the city of Cusco from the Hydroelectric Station with the same tourist agency.

Suggestion: take this route in the dry season (from April to October) because, as part of this road is not paved, travel it in the rainy season (November to March) would be a bit risky because the rain removes the soil and you can get stuck or have accidents.

Note: the land route ends at the Hydroelectric station, there is no way to get by bus or car to Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes.

For more information I leave you these links:

For Peruvians or foreign residents: The cheapest way to get to the Citadel of Machu Picchu after the local train

For foreign tourists: Are you a foreigner and want to travel to Machu Picchu on a budget? This is the option for you

By local train

This option is very popular and definitely the most economical, but unfortunately it is not an option for everyone, as only Peruvians, local Cusqueños and foreign residents with a foreigner’s ID card can use the local train.

I leave you this complete guide with all the information you will need to take the local train: Guide 2023: How to get to Machu Picchu by local train? Only for Peruvians or foreign residents.

By tourist train

The train to Machu Picchu is one of the most used means by foreign travelers, but that does not mean that Peruvians cannot take this option because it is open to all those who wish to travel by tourist train. Before starting with the explanation you should know that there are 2 train companies in Peru that go from the city of Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) and vice versa, these companies are: Peru Rail and Inca Rail.

Regardless of the train company you choose, traveling by train to Machu Picchu is a unique experience for travelers who visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu for the first time, because on the way you have the privilege of seeing the beautiful landscapes of the Peruvian geography, you will appreciate the path of the journey from the Sierra to the Jungle (remember that Machu Picchu is located between the mountains of the Peruvian highlands and jungle), the fauna and flora of southern Peru and much more. But, as everything good also has bad, one of the disadvantages of this route is that the stretch is very short (1 hour and 45 minutes) and the price is high, but well, take or not the train route is the decision of each one. Here is the information:

PERURAIL

PERURAIL is one of the most requested train companies by travelers and its trains are very exclusive and luxurious . This company has 4 types of trains that depart from the city of Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) and vice versa, which provide different services and amenities, here I show them to you:

The Hiram Bingham train. To Belmond

This train is the most luxurious of all and it has a dining car, a bar car and an observatory car, in which you can appreciate the view of the journey in the open air with a Peruvian cocktail in hand and enjoying the local shows with live music, also has gourmet lunch in three tempos.

They also sell Peruvian handicrafts on board and the service is in English and Spanish. And the most important thing is that it includes the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, the tour guide and transfer to travelers to hotels in the center of Cusco.

The average cost is S/. 1900 soles / USD 480 dollars. This price is per person and consists of the payment for the round trip.

The PeruRail Vistadome Observatory Train

This train has windows with panoramic views and an observatory car, where you can observe the landscapes outdoors, they also offer music shows and Peruvian dances and includes snacks, in addition, they provide an audio explanation of the routes in English and Spanish.

The average cost is S/. 380 Soles / USD 100 dollars. The price is per person and consists only of the payment of one way (round trip), but for an additional cost you can add other services, such as entrance and guide to the Citadel of Machu Picchu and transfer to your hotel.

The PeruRail Vistadome train

This train has windows on the roof with panoramic views of the landscapes and also offers dance shows and Peruvian music, snacks are included in the routes and the service is in English and Spanish. Unlike the previous train, this one does not have an open-air observatory car.

The average cost is S/. 330 Soles / USD 85 dollars. The price is per person and per way (round trip), but for an additional cost you can add other services, such as entrance and guide to the Machu Picchu Citadel, transfer to your hotel and more.

The Expedition Train

This train is the most economical and offers basic amenities, on board sales service and service is in English and Spanish, they also give you an audio with tourist information in English and Spanish.

The average cost is S/. 230 Soles / USD 60 dollars. The price is per person and per way (round trip), but for an additional cost you can add other services, such as entrance and guide to the Machu Picchu Citadel, transfer to your hotel and more.

What are the luggage conditions on PeruRail trains?

On all PeruRail trains the luggage conditions are as follows:

Weight 5 KG or 11 pounds, Size 167 cm (height + length + width)

How is the bimodal service in Peru Rail?

For Peru Rail trains, the bimodal service consists of 2 modes of service: bus and train. From the Wanchaq train station (which is located 10 minutes from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco), travelers board a bus to the Ollantaytambo train station (the trip takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes), where they will transfer to the type of train you chose to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), the trip takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and the return is the same route, but in reverse.

On the other hand, for the Hiram Bingham trains . To Belmond, the bimodal service starts from the Wanchaq train station (which is located 10 minutes from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco), travelers board a bus to the train station of Rio Sagrado, to Belmond Hotel, the trip takes approximately 2 hours, then travelers transfer to the train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), the trip takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes and the return is the same route, but in reverse.

INCARAIL

Inca Rail is a luxury train company with private car service. In this article we will show you the 5 types of trains that depart from Cusco City to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) and vice versa.

The Private train

This train gives you the option to travel in a private carriage. A good option if you enjoy privacy on a trip. You can enjoy the large windows through which you will appreciate the scenery, they also have an outdoor balcony so you can appreciate nature, they also offer local shows with live music.

You receive a welcome champagne and a pisco sour per adult, also, they have free bar service with premium drinks and gourmet menu and even take you and all your companions in a private Consettur bus from Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) to the Machu Picchu Citadel.

This service is for 8 people maximum and the average cost is S/. 41 000 Soles / USD 11 000 dollars, for the round trip.

The First Class train

This train has an Observatory-Lounge where you can enjoy the most incredible landscapes, it also has an outdoor balcony to appreciate nature, local shows with live music, free bar service with premium drinks, gourmet menu and a Peruvian welcome cocktail.

In addition, this train service includes the Consettur bus from Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) to the Machu Picchu Citadel, the entrance ticket to the citadel and the tour guide.

The average cost is S/. 1 500 Soles / USD 400 per person per way (one way or return).

Note: consulting with Inca Rail staff, I was told that this service is only available a few times a year, especially in the high seasons (November to April).

The Voyager Premium & Loung train

This train has an Observatory-Lounge where you can enjoy the most incredible landscapes with a glass of wine in your hand or a Pisco Sour and, not only that, it also has an outdoor balcony to appreciate nature, local shows with live music and also includes snacks and drinks on board.

The average cost is S/. 380 soles / USD 100 dollars per person per way (round trip), but for an additional cost you can add other services, such as entrance to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, transfer to your hotel, tour guide in the Citadel and so on.

The 360° train

This train has a great view of the outside as it has panoramic windows and an open-air observatory car to observe the nature and landscapes of the journey to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), also includes snacks and drinks on board.

The average cost is S/. 355 soles / USD 95 per person per way (round trip), but for an additional cost you can add other services, such as entrance to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, transfer to your hotel, tour guide at the Citadel and more.

The Vayager train

This is, without a doubt, the most economical of the train services offered by Inca Rail. This train offers large windows to observe the nature and landscapes of the journey to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), they sell snacks and drinks on board.

The average cost is S/. 318 soles / USD 80 per person per way (round trip), but for an additional cost you can add other services, such as entrance to the Citadel of Machu Picchu, transfer to your hotel, tour guide at the Citadel and more.

What are the luggage conditions on IncaRail trains?

On all IncaRail trains the luggage conditions are as follows:

Weight 8 KG or 17 pounds, Size 118 cm (height + length + width).

How is the bimodal service on Inca Rail?

The Inca Rail bimodal service consists of 2 modes of service: bus and train, the journey will begin in an exclusive bus at Av. Del Sol 843, Cusco (near the Plaza de Armas of Cusco), which will take travelers to the train station in Ollantaytambo, the journey time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. At Ollantaytambo station you will board the type of train you chose for your trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) train station, the journey time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and the return is the same route, but in reverse.

What are the train stations in Cusco?

Peru Rail and Inca Rail have trains in all stations. Here are the stations, according to their proximity to Cusco’s Main Square:

San Pedro Station: 10 minutes

Wánchaq Station: 10 minutes

Poroy Station: 20 minutes

Ollantaytambo Station: 1hr 30min. (with more departure times and train services).

How long does the train ride take?

The trip to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) station takes from 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on where you take the train. The closest station to Machu Picchu Pueblo station is Ollantaytambo station.

Where can I buy my tourist train tickets?

You can buy your tickets on the Peru Rail and Inca Rail websites. Here are the official websites:

Pages in English:

IncaRail: https://incarail.com/en/

PeruRail: PERURAIL – Machu Picchu awaits for you!

Spanish pages:

IncaRail: https://incarail.com/es/

PeruRail: PERURAIL – Machu Picchu awaits for you!

You can also buy your tickets in person at the following points of sale:

Lima: Larcomar Shopping Center, Jorge Chavez International Airport and Plaza Norte Shopping Center.

Cusco: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, Plaza de Armas de Cusco, Plaza Regocijo and El Sol Avenue.

Travel tips: before buying a ticket for the tourist train

  • Buy your tourist train tickets 1 or 2 months in advance, since the schedules are easily sold out, especially those of the morning shift.
  • Before buying your tourist train tickets, I suggest you check first the availability of the entrance tickets to the Machu Picchu Citadel. Buy both tickets well in advance.
  • Leave a margin of more than 1 hour between the arrival of your tourist train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) and the beginning of your entrance time to the Machu Picchu Citadel, so that you have enough time to get to the entrance gate of the citadel. Remember that at your entrance to the citadel you have a specific entrance time – not reprogrammable.
  • To buy your tickets either in person or online, have your national identity card or passport at hand.

What is the difference between Peru Rail and Inca Rail trains?

Remember that these two companies, PeruRail and IncaRail, provide luxury and tourist train transfer services from the city of Cusco to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo and vice versa. The most outstanding differences and that, suddenly, will motivate you to choose one or the other option, is that Peru Rail has more departure frequency compared to IncaRail, so you will find more train schedules in PeruRail.

On the other hand, Inca Rail has more modern and luxury cars positioning itself as the most luxurious train company in Peru, although PeruRail is on its heels, IncaRail is ahead. But, both IncaRail and PeruRail have standard trains.

In both companies you will find different prices for all tourist pockets. Although the most economical company is definitely PeruRail, a company that also provides the popular local train service.

Senderismo in Machu Picchu, Cusco

Senderismo in Machu Picchu

Classic or postcard photo of the citadel of Machu Picchu, Cusco

Machu Picchu, Cusco

Trekking to Machu Picchu

Hiking (Trekking to Machu Picchu)

Trekking to Machu Picchu Citadel is the best option if you would really like to have a closer experience with the Inca Culture, walking the same paths and trails on which the Incas themselves walked hundreds of years ago and enjoying, as they used to do, the journey from the highlands to the jungle (remember that Machu Picchu is located between the mountains and the Peruvian jungle), as they used to do, the journey from the highlands to the jungle (remember that Machu Picchu is located between the mountains and the Peruvian jungle) appreciating the magnificent views that you only see a few times in a lifetime. Therefore, through this article, we will let you know the 5 most requested trekking and known by travelers around the world.

Inca Trail Trekking

The Inca Trail trek is the most popular trek to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu, the whole trail is full of vegetation and mountains, its extension is about 30,000 kilometers, passing through Peru, Chile and Ecuador. If you are interested in this trek, you should know that its duration is between 1 to 4 nights (depending on your starting point), we suggest that you choose the amount of days according to your physical condition and the time you have scheduled for your visit to Machu Picchu.

As the Inca Trail is a protected area, as you will find many natural areas full of flora, fauna, archaeological sites and is also considered as the original roads of the Incas, it can only be traveled with an authorized tour company. In addition, they only accept 500 people per day and 16 people in each group.

We suggest you make your reservation 6 or 7 months in advance, especially for the 4-night route, which is the most requested because you will visit more Inca archaeological sites, such as: Llactapata, Runkuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca and Wiñayhuayna. The routes of less than 4 days can be booked 3 months in advance.

Notes

The Inca Trail is closed during the month of February due to heavy rains.

Tours normally include: Inca Trail permit, transportation, tour guide, porters team, cook team, camping utensils, entrance to Machu Picchu and return by train to Cusco City.

If you do not live in Peru and your physical condition is good I suggest you take the longer route (4 nights), these experiences are unique and are not repeated all the time, even more if you do not have the facility to travel constantly to Cusco.

Characteristics of the hike:

Difficulty: moderate high.

Total Distance (4 days): 43 kilometers (26.72 miles).

Maximum altitude: Abra Warmihuañusca (4,200 m.a.s.l.).

Minimum altitude: Aguas Calientes (2,160 m.a.s.l.).

Salkantay Trekking: Trekking through snow-capped mountains

It is one of the most challenging treks because of the rigorousness of its route, it is also one of the best options after the Inca Trail trekking, since on the way travelers cross the slopes of the second highest snowy mountain in the region of Cusco: the snowy Salkantay, the Humantay lagoon, with its turquoise waters that will fascinate you and part of the jungle of Cusco, to finally reach the citadel of Machu Picchu.

This trek lasts between 4 to 5 days . The 4-day trek is done in 2 parts: one by land transport and the other by trekking. On the other hand, the 5-day trek is only by trekking, you can book this last trek 3 months in advance.

The Salkantay trek can be done with a tourist agency or on your own, because unlike the Inca Trail, the route is not protected, but we suggest that you do it with a tour company, since the guides know the routes of the mountains and snow-capped mountains, which means more security for the inexperienced traveler.

Note

The Salkantay route is open all year round. The tours normally include: transportation, tour guide, porters’ equipment, cooks’ equipment, camping utensils.

Characteristics of the hike

Difficulty: moderate high

Total Distance (5 days): 70 kilometers (43.49 miles)

Maximum altitude: Nevado Salkantay (4,400 m.a.s.l.).

Total Distance (5 days): 70 kilometers (43.49 miles)

Trekking Lares: Cultural Route

Trekking Lares is also known as the “Cultural Route to Machu Picchu”. On this trek you visit the thermal baths of Lares, in a town of the same name, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The temperature of these natural baths is from 36°C to 44°C.

After visiting the thermal baths of Lares, you start the hike through the original villages of Cusco: Wacahuasi, Yanahuara, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, among others, where you can learn about ancestral techniques such as spinning alpaca garments, in addition to activities typical of each village.

This hike can be done with a tourist agency or on your own. This route has a duration of 4 to 5 days and is highly recommended for travelers who enjoy learning about other cultures and villages far from the big cities. You can book this route 1 month in advance.

Note

The tours normally include: transportation, tour guide, porters team, cook team, lodging, camping equipment, food, entrance to Machu Picchu and more. This trek is suitable for all adults in good physical condition and we suggest children over 8 years old.

Characteristics of the hike

Difficulty: moderate low.

Maximum altitude: 4,200 m.a.s.l.

Total distance (5 days): 37 kilometers (19.20 miles).

Choquequirao Trekking: Archaeological Route

This trek is one of the most requested after the Inca Trail and Salkantay. On this route you can visit one of the most amazing and beautiful archaeological centers of the Inca Empire after the Citadel of Machu Picchu, we are talking about the Choquequirao Archaeological Center, its architecture is fabulous that is why it was called “The Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu“.

In the Choquequirao Archaeological Center you can appreciate an entire city built hundreds of years ago by the Incas, with enclosures, temples, water channels, terraces, cemeteries. This place is considered a center of Inca surveillance.

After visiting the archaeological center of Choquequirao you will visit Andean villages, which are located on the slopes of the Andes, and then reach the Apurimac Canyon where you can appreciate the Andes in all its splendor and, finally, the citadel of Machu Picchu.

This trek can be booked with a tourist agency a couple of weeks in advance or you can do it without a tourist agency.

You can do this trek in 3, 4, 5 and 9 days and rest in the villages you are visiting.

Note

This hike is suitable for all adults in good physical condition and we suggest children over 8 years old. Finally, it is important to mention that the archaeological center of Choquequirao can only be accessed on foot.

Characteristics of the hike

Difficulty: moderate high.

Maximum altitude: 3,033 m.a.s.l.

Temperature: between 4ºC to 24ºC

Total distance (4 days), 100 kilometers (62.13 miles).

Inca Jungle: Adventure towards Machu Picchu

In this route you will not only walk through beautiful landscapes to one of the wonders of the world, but you can also do trekking, cycling, rafting, canopy and zipline, it is a highly recommended route for adventurous travelers and those who want to give a little excitement and adrenaline to their visit to Cusco. The tour takes place in nothing more and nothing less than the ostentatious jungle of Cusco.

On this route you will visit the thermal baths of Cocalmayo with temperatures between 17° to 20° C, the Abra Malaga and the villages of Santa Maria and Santa Teresa to finish in the citadel of Machu Picchu.

This hike lasts 3 or 4 days, you can do it with a tour company or on your own. If you want to do it through a tour agency I suggest you book 1 or 2 weeks in advance, also the tour agency is responsible for providing the necessary clothing for cycling, rafting, canopy, zipline, etc..

Note

The tours normally include: transportation, food, lodging, entrance fees, equipment for the different sports and more.

Older adults can also take the tour if they are in good physical condition and have a young spirit, although most of the tourists who choose this hike are young, many adults and older adults are also encouraged to take the tour, it is also recommended for children over 8 years old.

Characteristics of the hike

Difficulty: moderate low.

Maximum altitude: 2,040 m.a.s.l.

The climate is warm and tropical.

Total distance (4 days): 37 kilometers (19.20 miles).

How to prepare and what to bring for a trek to Machu Picchu Citadel?

Here are some suggestions of objects and utensils that you should take with you for your trek to the Machu Picchu Citadel:

  • Identity card or passport and, document proving that you are a university student, as many tourist sites have discounts on tickets for being a university or high school student.
  • A light backpack (30 or 60 liters) and waterproof, as it usually rains a lot in Cusco, depending on the season.
  • If you go in the rainy season, I suggest you bring a rain poncho (raincoat).
  • Personal sleeping bag or you can rent one through a travel agency.
  • Professionalhiking poles or strong branches, which you can find on the hikes, or you can rent poles through a travel agency.
  • Special trekking shoes are a must, to avoid slips and falls.
  • A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, since being at high altitude the sun’s rays are very harmful to the skin.
  • Light clothing during the day, since daytime temperatures are high.
  • Warm clothes for the evenings: warm jacket, sweaters, gloves and flexible but warm pants.
  • Always carry mosquito repellent, remember that part of Cusco, especially Machu Picchu, is located in the jungle of Peru, so mosquitoes abound.
  • Toiletries such as: toothbrush, toothpaste, small and medium towel, toilet paper, soap for washing underwear, among others.
  • Rubbing cream for muscle aches, remember that some hikes are very demanding.
  • Medicine for ”altitude sickness” or ”soroche” and medicine in general, bandages for wounds or falls and ethyl alcohol.
  • Camera and extra batteries, as there are no places to charge electronic equipment on several trails, so you would have to wait until you reach the villages.
  • Flashlight, but you can always use your cell phone flashlight.
  • Binoculars, if you are a wildlife lover I suggest you take one of these.
  • You should always carry cash (Peruvian soles), preferably coins, since in remote areas many stores and restaurants only take cash.
  • Beach sandals or rubber sandals, essential to relax your feet after long walks, showers, entering hot springs, crossing streams and so on.
  • Bathing clothes for the hot springs, remember that in Cusco there are several natural hot springs.
  • Water bottle, necessary for long stretches, also in Cusco you can find several lakes and springs with clean water full of minerals.
  • Plastic bags to store waste or wet clothes.
Machu Picchu, Cusco

Machu Picchu, Cusco

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