Can I drive to Machu Picchu?

No. There is no road to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) or to the Machu Picchu site itself. The town is accessible only by train or on foot along the railway line. A car can reach the trailhead at La Hidroeléctrica — approximately 4 hours from Cusco — from which a 2-hour walk along the railway tracks leads to Aguas Calientes. Most travellers use the train.

Is it cheaper to take the bus to Ollantaytambo and then the train?

Yes. Trains from Poroy (near Cusco) cover the same journey as Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes but cost approximately 20–30% more for equivalent class, as the longer route is priced higher. Taking a shared colectivo or bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (approximately S/10–S/18 per person) and boarding the train there saves money and also passes through Sacred Valley scenery. The main drawback is the additional 1.5–2 hours of ground transport each way.

How far in advance should I book trains to Machu Picchu?

Book as early as possible — ideally when you confirm your travel dates. For June, July, and August, trains to Aguas Calientes (and return) regularly sell out 4–6 weeks ahead. Machu Picchu entry tickets (separate from trains) also sell out for popular dates. Book trains at perurail.com or incarail.com and Machu Picchu entry at machupicchutickets.gob.pe simultaneously.

How long does the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes take?

Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The route descends from the Sacred Valley at 2,700m into a narrow cloud-forest canyon, following the Urubamba River. The final section before Aguas Calientes is impressive — vertical canyon walls, waterfalls, and dense cloud forest visible through panoramic windows on Vistadome trains.

What is the Inca Trail entry requirement for 2026?

All Inca Trail trekkers must book through a licensed Peruvian operator — independent trekking is not permitted. Permits are limited to 500 people per day (trekkers plus guides and porters combined). They are sold out months in advance for peak season (June–August). A valid passport number is required at booking, and the permit is non-transferable. The trail closes for all of February.

Cusco to Machu Picchu Transport

There is no direct road from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The journey requires at minimum a train to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu Pueblo) followed by a bus or walk to the site entrance — and the train journey is one of the most scenic in South America. This guide covers every option: fastest, cheapest, most rewarding, and overland trekking routes.

Overview of Options

Route	Time (total)	Cost (approx.)	Best For
Taxi to Poroy + PeruRail direct	4–5 hrs total	USD 70–USD 120	Convenience from Cusco
Bus/colectivo to Ollantaytambo + train	3–4 hrs total	USD 55–USD 85	Value + scenic valley
Inca Trail (4 days)	4 days	USD 600–USD 1,200	Trekkers, bucket list
Salkantay Trek (5 days)	5 days	USD 350–USD 750	Alternative trek, no permit required
La Hidroeléctrica (car + walk)	6–8 hrs	USD 20–USD 40	Budget travellers with time

Option 1: Train from Poroy Station (Near Cusco)

Poroy station is located approximately 8km northwest of central Cusco — a 25–35 minute taxi ride (approximately S/25–S/40 as of 2026). This is the closest train station to Cusco for travellers who do not want to go via the Sacred Valley.

PeruRail services from Poroy:

Expedition class: Basic reclining seats, food available for purchase. From approximately USD 65–USD 80 one-way as of 2026. Journey time approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to Aguas Calientes.
Vistadome: Panoramic windows, wider seats, meal service, and scenic narration. From approximately USD 85–USD 110 one-way as of 2026. Same journey time but a noticeably better experience.
Belmond Hiram Bingham: First-class service with full meals, afternoon tea, live music, and guided commentary. From approximately USD 450 one-way as of 2026. Machu Picchu entry included. A once-in-a-trip option.

Book at perurail.com. Poroy to Aguas Calientes: approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

Note on Poroy vs Ollantaytambo: Trains from Poroy tend to be slightly more expensive and the valley section of the journey (through the Sacred Valley itself) is covered by road in the Cusco–Poroy leg rather than by train. Many travellers prefer the Ollantaytambo option below.

Option 2: Bus or Colectivo to Ollantaytambo, then Train (Recommended)

This is the most popular and practical approach. A shared colectivo or bus covers the 80km from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (approximately 1.5–2 hours), and the train covers the remaining canyon section to Aguas Calientes (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes). Total journey: 3–4 hours.

Ground transport Cusco → Ollantaytambo:

Shared colectivo from near Cusco bus terminal: approximately S/10–S/18 per person as of 2026. Frequent departures from early morning.
Private taxi from central Cusco: approximately S/80–S/120 for the vehicle as of 2026.
Some Sacred Valley day tours allow you to be dropped at Ollantaytambo station at the end of the day, combining a valley visit with the onward train.

Train services from Ollantaytambo:

PeruRail from Ollantaytambo:

Expedition class: from approximately USD 55 one-way as of 2026.
Vistadome: from approximately USD 75–USD 95 one-way as of 2026.

Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo:

Explorer class (standard): from approximately USD 55 one-way as of 2026.
First Class (glass-ceiling panoramic car): from approximately USD 90–USD 110 one-way as of 2026.
The Voyager (premium): from approximately USD 130 one-way as of 2026.

Book PeruRail at perurail.com and Inca Rail at incarail.com. Check both when searching — availability on one platform sometimes differs from the other, particularly for same-day or short-notice travel.

Option 3: Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Gate

Once in Aguas Calientes, you need to reach the Machu Picchu entrance gate, which sits approximately 400m above the town on a switchback road.

Consettur bus: The official bus service departs from Avenida Hermanos Ayar (a 5-minute walk from the train station, near the market). Round-trip approximately S/48 (approximately S/24 each way) as of 2026. Buses run continuously from approximately 05:30 (going up) to approximately 21:00 (last bus down). Journey: approximately 25 minutes.

Buy tickets at the bus terminal kiosk — the blue booth near the bus queue — rather than from street sellers. Queues form from about 05:00 as visitors line up for early entry.

Walking up: A signed trail rises from behind Aguas Calientes to the entrance gate, approximately 1.5–2 hours on foot. It is steep and can be muddy in wet season but rewarding and free. Some travellers walk up and take the bus down.

Option 4: The Inca Trail (4 Days)

The 45km Classic Inca Trail is the most famous trekking route in South America. It begins at Km 82 or Km 104 of the Urubamba River railway line (accessible by train from Cusco) and arrives at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) on Day 4.

Permit requirements: All trekkers must book through a licensed Peruvian operator. Permits are limited to 500 people per day total (trekkers, guides, and porters combined). Passports must be registered at booking and permits are non-transferable. The trail closes entirely in February. See our full Inca Trail guide for a complete breakdown of operators, costs, and what to expect on the four-day route.

Cost: All-inclusive 4-day Inca Trail tours from licensed operators cost approximately USD 650–USD 1,200 per person as of 2026, including permits, guide, camping, porters, meals, and Machu Picchu entry. Group tours are at the lower end; smaller groups with premium camps are at the higher end.

Booking: At least 4–6 months in advance for June–August. At least 2–3 months for shoulder months (May, September). Available through operators including Alpaca Expeditions, Inca Trail Reservations, and Peru Treks.

Option 5: Salkantay Trek (5 Days)

An alternative overland route to Machu Picchu via the 4,638m Salkantay Pass. No government permit required (Machu Picchu entry booked separately). Distance approximately 70km. Cost approximately USD 350–USD 750 per person for guided group tours as of 2026. Departs from near Cusco and arrives in Aguas Calientes on Day 4, with Machu Picchu on Day 5. See our Salkantay Trek guide for full details.

Option 6: La Hidroeléctrica (Budget Overland)

The cheapest motorised option for budget travellers. A minibus runs from Cusco to Santa Teresa town (approximately 5–6 hours by a scenic but winding mountain road), then continuing to La Hidroeléctrica — a hydroelectric station at the end of an unpaved access road approximately 11km from Aguas Calientes. From La Hidroeléctrica, a 2-hour walk along the railway line leads to Aguas Calientes.

Cost: approximately S/40–S/60 per person for the minibus as of 2026. The walk along the railway is flat and straightforward but warm and long. This option works for travellers with time and low budgets who want to avoid train prices entirely. Total journey time from Cusco: approximately 7–9 hours.

Step-by-Step Journey (Recommended Route)

Day 1 — Cusco to Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes:

Take a shared colectivo from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (morning, approximately 07:00–09:00 departure; S/10–S/18 per person)
Optional: walk through Ollantaytambo fortress before your train (buy Boleto Turístico in advance)
Board afternoon train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (PeruRail or Inca Rail, approximately 14:00–17:00 departure; from USD 55)
Arrive Aguas Calientes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes later
Check into hotel; visit hot springs (S/20 entry); dinner in town

Day 2 — Machu Picchu:

05:30: Queue for Consettur bus (S/48 round-trip)
06:00: Enter Machu Picchu (pre-booked entry, from machupicchutickets.gob.pe)
Morning circuit inside the site (2–4 hours)
Optional: hike to Sun Gate or Huayna Picchu (separate tickets required; book in advance)
12:00–14:00: Return bus to Aguas Calientes
Lunch in town; afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo or Poroy
Return to Cusco by early evening

Booking Tips

Book simultaneously: Secure your trains (perurail.com or incarail.com) and Machu Picchu entry (machupicchutickets.gob.pe) at the same time, as both have limited capacity in peak season.

Return journey: Book return trains before you travel. Afternoon trains from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo fill up in peak season. Getting stranded requires the 2-hour walk to La Hidroeléctrica and a taxi — inconvenient.

Entry circuits: Machu Picchu entry is sold by circuit (different paths through the site) and time slot. Circuit 1 covers the classic postcard viewpoint; Circuit 2 includes Huayna Picchu access (requires a separate, limited permit booked well in advance). Read circuit descriptions carefully at machupicchutickets.gob.pe before purchasing.

Off-peak advantage: November through May (excluding Carnival in February and Semana Santa) offers significantly easier booking, lower prices, and shorter queues at the site — at the cost of less reliable weather.

Cusco to Machu Picchu: Every Transport Option Explained