Machu Picchu is about 80 km from Cusco, but no road reaches the citadel. You have three ways: the train (the most comfortable), the Inca Trail (the classic on foot) and Salkantay (the high-mountain alternative). We explain each one with times, 2026 prices and who it suits best.
1. By train: the most comfortable option
Trains leave from Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley (1 h 30 from Cusco by bus), or from Poroy station, near Cusco. The trip to Aguas Calientes takes between 1 h 30 and 3 h 30 along the Urubamba river, with panoramic windows. From Aguas Calientes, a bus climbs to the Machu Picchu entrance in 25 minutes.
- Time: 1 or 2 days (we recommend sleeping in Aguas Calientes to enter early, with fewer people).
- Approximate price: train USD 70 to 150 each way depending on the service, bus USD 24 round trip and entrance from S/ 163 for foreigners.
- Ideal for: families, travelers short on time or who do not want to walk for several days.
The most complete way is to combine it with the Sacred Valley: on our 2-day Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley tour you visit Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo, take the train in the afternoon and visit Machu Picchu with a guide the next day.
2. Inca Trail: arrive through the Sun Gate
It is the original route the Incas used and the only one that enters Machu Picchu on foot through the Inti Punku (Sun Gate). It requires a permit from the Ministry of Culture, sold only by authorized agencies and issued in your name and passport number.
- Classic Inca Trail (4 days / 3 nights): 42 km, highest pass at 4,215 m, campsites and arrival at Machu Picchu at sunrise. See Classic Inca Trail.
- Short Inca Trail (2 days / 1 night): 12 km via Wiñay Wayna, night in a hotel. See Short Inca Trail.
- Keep in mind: permits sell out months ahead and the trail closes every February for maintenance.
3. Salkantay: the high-mountain route
If you could not get an Inca Trail permit or you want snow-capped scenery, the Salkantay trek passes at the foot of the 6,271 m peak, crosses a pass at 4,650 m and descends into the cloud-forest jungle down to Aguas Calientes. It needs no permit, so you can book with less notice. See Salkantay via Llactapata.
Which one to choose?
| Route | Days | Effort | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train + Sacred Valley | 2 | Low | 10 days ahead |
| Short Inca Trail | 2 | Moderate | 2–4 months ahead |
| Classic Inca Trail | 4 | Moderate to high | 4–6 months ahead |
| Salkantay | 5 | High | 2–4 weeks ahead |
If you are unsure whether to hike, read our comparison Inca Trail vs. Salkantay and, before any hike, how to acclimatize in Cusco.
The Hidroeléctrica route (the budget option)
There is a fourth way, longer and cheaper: a bus or shared van from Cusco to the Hidroeléctrica power station (about 6 to 7 hours on a mountain road via Santa María and Santa Teresa) and then a flat 11 km walk beside the railway to Aguas Calientes. It is a good alternative if you travel on a tight budget, but it takes two full days, the road has sections with steep drop-offs and landslides can occur in the rainy season. If you choose this route, leave early, bring a flashlight and insect repellent, and still book your Machu Picchu ticket in advance.
How much it costs to go to Machu Picchu in 2026
These are reference costs per person (they can vary with season and availability):
- Machu Picchu entrance: from S/ 163 for adult foreigners (circuits 1, 2 or 3). With Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, around S/ 200.
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu: about USD 24 round trip.
- Train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes: USD 70 to 150 each way depending on the service (Expedition, Voyager, Vistadome) and the schedule.
- Transfer Cusco – Ollantaytambo: bus or van, 1 h 30.
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes: from USD 40 a night in tourist class.
Adding everything up, going on your own rarely comes below USD 200 to 250 per person, without a guide. An organized tour also includes the guide in the citadel, the coordination of schedules (the most complicated part) and help if something changes, such as a cancelled train.
Visiting circuits inside Machu Picchu
Since 2024 the visit follows circuits with a fixed route and no going back. Circuit 2 (classic) is the most complete and gives the traditional panoramic photo; circuit 1 climbs to the upper part and circuit 3 covers the lower part. Each ticket has an entry time: get to the bus line early, because in high season waits can exceed an hour. Your guide will explain each sector: the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, the Main Plaza and the agricultural terraces.
Tips for your visit
- Bring your original passport: it is checked at the entrance and must match the one on your ticket.
- Enter at the first time slot: there are fewer people and better light.
- Inside the citadel there are no restrooms or food sales: use those at the entrance.
- Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain have their own quotas: book them together with your ticket.
Want us to organize it for you? Send your booking request: you pay nothing until we confirm availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can you reach Machu Picchu by road?
There is no road to Aguas Calientes. The only motorized way is the train from Ollantaytambo or Cusco (Poroy). The Hidroeléctrica route combines a bus with a walk of about 11 km along the railway.
How much does it cost to go to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
On your own, between the round-trip train, the bus to the citadel and the entrance, expect from about USD 200 per person. A 2-day tour with train, hotel, entrance and guide costs from USD 520.
How far in advance should I buy the ticket?
From May to October, one or two months ahead. For the Inca Trail, permits sell out 4 to 6 months ahead in high season.