planning
How to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Every way from Cusco to Machu Picchu: the train from Ollantaytambo, the budget route via Hidroeléctrica, the Inca Trail and other treks, and the bus up.
There is no road to Machu Picchu. Most travelers drive about 2 hours from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, take the train for 1.5–2 hours to Aguas Calientes, then ride the 25-minute bus up to the citadel. The alternatives are a long road trip to Hidroeléctrica plus a walk along the railway, or arriving on foot on the Inca Trail or another trek.
Your options
| Route | Time from Cusco | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Road to Ollantaytambo + train | About 4 hours to Aguas Calientes | Most travelers; day trips and 2-day tours |
| Train from Poroy, near Cusco | About 3.5 hours (seasonal services) | Travelers who want no road transfer |
| Road to Hidroeléctrica + walk along the railway | About 6 hours by road + 2.5–3 hours walking | Budget travelers with time |
| Inca Trail | 1, 2, 4 or 5 days on foot | Arriving through the Sun Gate |
| Salkantay, Lares or Inca Jungle | 4–5 days | Hikers without an Inca Trail permit |
Option 1: road to Ollantaytambo and the train
This is the classic route. From Cusco you drive about 2 hours over the hills and down into the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo station. Options for this transfer include a private car (included in our tours), shared tourist vans or the bus connection sold with some train tickets. From Ollantaytambo, the train follows the Urubamba River through the canyon to Aguas Calientes in 1.5–2 hours.
Two companies run the trains, PeruRail and Inca Rail, with standard, panoramic and luxury classes. Your ticket includes one backpack (max 8 kg) or one carry-on bag (max 12 kg). Read our full guide to trains to Machu Picchu.
Option 2: the train from Poroy
Some trains leave from Poroy station, 20–25 minutes from central Cusco, and take about 3.5 hours to Aguas Calientes. These services are seasonal and are usually replaced by a bus-and-train combination in the rainy months. The Belmond Hiram Bingham luxury train also leaves from Poroy.
Option 3: the budget route via Hidroeléctrica
Shared vans leave Cusco early in the morning for Hidroeléctrica, a 6–7 hour drive over the Abra Málaga pass and down through Santa Teresa on winding mountain roads. From Hidroeléctrica you walk about 11 km along the railway to Aguas Calientes (2.5–3 hours), or take a short train when available. It is the cheapest way, but it takes a full day each way and the road is long and bumpy. The Salkantay and Inca Jungle treks end on this route.
Option 4: on foot
- The Classic Inca Trail (4 days) and the Inca Trail 5 Days arrive through the Sun Gate. Permits are required.
- The Short Inca Trail (2 days) and the One Day Inca Trail start at Km 104 of the railway.
- Salkantay, Lares and Inca Jungle need no permit and end in Aguas Calientes.
Compare them in our guide to the best treks to Machu Picchu.
From Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu
- Bus: about 25 minutes on a zigzag road, around US$ 24 round trip for foreign adults. The first buses leave early in the morning, and queues can be long in high season, so arrive early for your entry time.
- On foot: about 1–1.5 hours up a steep stone staircase from the bridge below the mountain. Good for fit travelers, tough after a trek. Many people take the bus up and walk down.
How much time to allow
| Leg | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Cusco hotel to Ollantaytambo | 2 hours |
| Train to Aguas Calientes | 1.5–2 hours |
| Bus queue and ride | 30–60 minutes in high season |
| Total from Cusco to the gate | 4–5 hours |
Plan to arrive at the gate 30 minutes before your entry time. Entry times are strict.
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip from Cusco is possible but long, 14–16 hours door to door, and ties your visit to the train times. A night in Aguas Calientes lets you enter early, add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, and enjoy the visit without watching the clock.
Our recommendation
For a first visit, combine the Sacred Valley with the train and spend a night in Aguas Calientes, as in our Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2 Days. You avoid the 4 am start, adjust to the altitude in the valley and enter Machu Picchu early the next morning. If you only have one day, our private Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco handles every connection for you.
Tours to link
Plan this with a local team
Private train tour
Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco
See Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco with private transport and guide, train, shuttle bus and entrance ticket included. Ask our local team for a quote.
Machu Picchu journey
Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu in 2 days. Train, hotel, buffet lunch, every entrance ticket and guide included. Private option available.
Andean trek
Inca Jungle Trek
Mountain biking, rafting, zipline and hot springs on the way to Machu Picchu. Hostels, meals, activities, train back and ticket included.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Can I drive to Machu Picchu?
No. The nearest road ends at Hidroeléctrica, a 2.5–3 hour walk from Aguas Calientes.
How long does it take to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
About 4 hours to Aguas Calientes by road and train, plus 25 minutes by bus up to the citadel.
How far ahead should I book the train?
From June to October, as soon as you have your Machu Picchu ticket; the best times sell out first.
Is the bus included in your tours?
Yes, the round-trip bus is included in every Machu Picchu tour we sell.
Can I do Machu Picchu as a day trip from Cusco?
Yes. It is a long day of 14–16 hours. A night in Aguas Calientes is more relaxed and gives you an earlier entry.