The short answer
- Most popular
- Train from Ollantaytambo, 1 hr 30 min to 2 hrs
- Train fares
- From about US$35 to US$100 one way
- Bus to the site
- 25 minutes, about US$24 return
- Cheapest
- Van to Hidroeléctrica and a 2 to 3 hr walk
What's changed recentlyShow
- Sep 2025Protests over a new bus operator blocked the railway and trains were suspended for several days. Visitors already in Aguas Calientes walked up to the site. Services resumed, but strikes can still disrupt travel: allow a spare day.
- Sep 2025PeruRail began using Pachar station, near Ollantaytambo, as a bus to train transfer point on some services from Cusco.
Machu Picchu sits on a ridge above the town of Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, and no road connects either of them to Cusco. You arrive by train, on foot, or by a long drive to the Hidroeléctrica power station and a walk along the tracks.
From Aguas Calientes, buses climb the switchbacks to the entrance in about 25 minutes, or you can walk up a steep stone staircase.
The route from Cusco
| Option | Time from Cusco | Rough cost one way | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road to Ollantaytambo, then train | 3 hr 30 min to 4 hrs | US$45 to 110 | Most visitors; the most departures |
| Train from Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro) | About 3 hr 30 min | US$60 to 110 | No change of vehicle; few, early departures |
| Van to Hidroeléctrica, then walk | 6 to 7 hrs by road plus 2 to 3 hrs walking | US$20 to 40 | Tight budgets in the dry season |
| Classic Inca Trail | 4 days | Included in the trek | Walking in through the Sun Gate |
| Salkantay or Inca Jungle trek | 4 to 5 days | Included in the trek | Adventure without a permit |
Approximate fares and times, October 2026. Fares vary by season and departure time.
Train companies and classes
Two companies run trains, PeruRail and Inca Rail, on the same line and to similar timetables. Both have a basic class with big windows, a mid class with panoramic glass and snacks, and luxury options.
| Train | Class | What you get | Rough fare one way |
|---|---|---|---|
| PeruRail Expedition | Basic | Panoramic windows, snacks to buy | US$35 to 70 |
| PeruRail Vistadome | Mid | Roof windows, snack, music and dance show on the return | US$55 to 100 |
| PeruRail Hiram Bingham | Luxury | Belmond dining train with brunch, bar and observation car | US$350 to 500+ |
| Inca Rail The Voyager | Basic | Wide windows | US$40 to 70 |
| Inca Rail The 360 | Mid | Panoramic windows and an open air observation car | US$70 to 110 |
| Inca Rail First Class | Premium | Lounge, three course meal, open balcony | US$150+ |
Prices from operator sites and booking platforms, October 2026. Early morning and late afternoon trains are often cheaper.
Tip: Both companies limit you to one small bag of about 5 kg on board. Leave your main luggage at your Cusco or Sacred Valley hotel and take an overnight bag.
The bus or the stairs up to the site
- Bus: Consettur buses leave Aguas Calientes from about 5:30 am, every few minutes, and take about 25 minutes. A return ticket costs about US$24. Buy it the day before in town or online, and expect a queue for the first buses.
- On foot: A stone staircase of about 1,700 steps climbs 400 m from the bridge below town. Allow 1 hr 20 min to 1 hr 45 min, and start with a torch if you have an early slot.
- Coming down: Many people take the bus up and walk down, which is much easier on the lungs.
The Hidroeléctrica budget route
Shared vans run from Cusco to the Hidroeléctrica power station via Santa María and Santa Teresa, a winding 6 to 7 hour drive. From there you walk about 10 km along the railway to Aguas Calientes, which takes 2 to 3 hours on flat ground. A local train sometimes runs the same stretch in the afternoon.
It is the cheapest way in, and the route used by the Salkantay and Inca Jungle treks. Avoid it in the wet season from December to March, when landslides can close the road.
Tips for a smooth trip
- Book your Machu Picchu ticket first, then the train. See our ticket guide for which route to choose.
- Stay a night in Aguas Calientes if you can. It lets you take an early bus with the first entry slots and makes a late train a non issue.
- Sit on the left side going to Machu Picchu for the best river views.
- Keep a spare day in your plans in case of strikes or landslides, especially in the wet season.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is better, PeruRail or Inca Rail?
They are very similar in comfort, time and price. Choose by departure time to fit your Machu Picchu entry slot, then by class.
Can you drive to Machu Picchu?
No. The nearest road ends at the Hidroeléctrica power station, about 10 km from Aguas Calientes, which you reach on foot or by a local train.
Do I need to stay in Aguas Calientes?
Not always, but it helps. With a mid morning entry slot you can take an early train from Ollantaytambo and come back the same day, but it makes for a very long day from Cusco.
How much luggage can I take on the train?
About 5 kg in one small bag. Hotels in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo will store the rest for free.
Sources we checked
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