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There is no road to Machu Picchu. To get there from Cusco you take a train to Aguas Calientes (the town below the ruins) and then a bus up to the citadel — or you walk in on a trek. This guide compares every option with real times and prices, so you can choose the one that fits your days and budget.
Quick answer
- Most travelers: transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (about 1 h 45 min), train to Aguas Calientes (1 h 20 min–1 h 45 min) and bus to Machu Picchu (25–30 min). Total: about 4 hours.
- Train all the way from Cusco: from Poroy or San Pedro stations from May to December (Poroy to Aguas Calientes takes about 3 h 15 min). From January to April, trains “from Cusco” are bus + train.
- On foot: the Inca Trail (4 days or 1–2 days from Km 104) or treks such as Salkantay, Lares or the Inca Jungle.
- Budget: van to Hidroeléctrica and a 10–11 km walk along the railway (7–10 hours in total).
All the options compared
| Option | Time from Cusco | Approx. cost one way | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer + train from Ollantaytambo | 3 h 30 min–4 h to Aguas Calientes | Train from about USD 65–95 + transfer | Most travelers; most train times |
| Train from Poroy / San Pedro (May–Dec) | About 3 h 15 min from Poroy | Dynamic fares, usually higher | Going straight from Cusco without a road transfer |
| Bus + train (bimodal) | About 4 h 15 min | Included in the train ticket | January–April, when trains do not leave from Cusco |
| Hidroeléctrica route | 7–10 h | Van about USD 15–30 + walk (or a short train) | Tight budgets and travelers with time |
| Inca Trail and other treks | 1–5 days | Tour price (permits and guide included) | Hikers who want to arrive on foot |
Train fares are dynamic: both companies change prices by date, time and demand. The ranges above are approximate one-way fares for foreign adults seen in October 2026; check the final price when you book.
By train: companies, classes and times
Two companies run trains to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes station): PeruRail and Inca Rail. Both leave mainly from Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley.
| Company | Classes | Approx. fare from |
|---|---|---|
| PeruRail | Expedition · Vistadome · Vistadome Observatory · Hiram Bingham (luxury) | Expedition about USD 65–95 · Vistadome about USD 95 · Observatory about USD 133 · Hiram Bingham about USD 500+ |
| Inca Rail | The Voyager · The 360° · The Prime · The First Class · The Private | Voyager about USD 80 · 360° about USD 110 · Prime about USD 140 · First Class about USD 387 |
Which class? Expedition and Voyager are the simplest; Vistadome and 360° add panoramic windows. On our tours you choose the class when you book, and most of our travelers choose Vistadome or Voyager.
Typical train times
Example from PeruRail’s official January–April 2026 timetable (schedules change by season; check the current one before booking):
| Route | First train | Last train |
|---|---|---|
| Ollantaytambo → Machu Picchu | 05:05 → 06:37 | 21:00 → 22:45 |
| Machu Picchu → Ollantaytambo | 05:35 → 07:44 | 21:50 → 23:37 |
| Poroy → Machu Picchu | 07:35 → 10:52 | — |
Luggage on the train
PeruRail allows one backpack of up to 8 kg (100 cm in total length + width + height) or one carry-on of up to 12 kg (115 cm). Inca Rail allows one piece of up to 8 kg (118 cm). Leave big suitcases in your Cusco hotel or with your tour operator.
Rainy season: bus + train
From January to April, every PeruRail service “from Cusco” is bimodal: a bus leaves from the Wanchaq station in Cusco and connects with the train in the Sacred Valley. In 2026, trains from Poroy and San Pedro came back on May 1.
Cusco to Ollantaytambo
- Private transfer or tour transport: about 1 h 30 min–2 h. This is what our Machu Picchu tours include.
- Shared colectivo from Calle Pavitos in Cusco: about 1 h 45 min, around S/ 10–15 per person.
- Bus of the bimodal ticket (PeruRail or Inca Rail), included in the train fare.
- Train from San Pedro (Cusco) to Ollantaytambo: a new PeruRail service, 07:30 → 10:22.
From Aguas Calientes to the ruins: the bus
Buses climb the Hiram Bingham road in 25–30 minutes, starting early in the morning. The last published fare for foreign visitors is USD 24 round trip (USD 12 each way, January 2026). Since the old concession ended in 2025, the service has been run provisionally while a new tender is prepared, so check the fare before you travel. You can also walk up: about 1 h 30 min on steep stone steps.
The budget route via Hidroeléctrica
Vans go from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica through Santa María and Santa Teresa (about 5–6 hours on a mountain road). From Hidroeléctrica you walk 10–11 km along the railway to Aguas Calientes (2–3 hours) or take the short PeruRail train (07:54 → 08:35 or 14:50 → 15:34, about 45 minutes).
- Pros: the cheapest way, with jungle scenery.
- Cons: a long day, a winding road and landslide risk from November to March. In March 2026 a landslide cut the route for a week.
The Inca Jungle Trek and the Salkantay Trek use part of this route as a guided trek.
On foot: the Inca Trail and other treks
The only way to enter Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate is the Inca Trail, which needs a permit booked through a licensed operator:
- Classic Inca Trail 4 days — see permits by date.
- Short Inca Trail 2 days and Inca Trail 1 day from Km 104 — see permits by date.
Treks without permits end with the train or the Hidroeléctrica walk. Compare them in Best Trek to Machu Picchu.
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip from Cusco works if you are short on time, but it is a long day (pick-up around 4 a.m., back around 7 p.m.). Sleeping in Aguas Calientes gives you a calmer visit and time for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Compare both in our Machu Picchu Day Trip and Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley 2 Days.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Machu Picchu?
No. There is no road to Aguas Calientes. The closest point by road is Hidroeléctrica, 10–11 km away; from there you walk or take a short train.
How long does it take to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
About 3 h 30 min to 4 h to Aguas Calientes by transfer and train, plus 25–30 minutes by bus to the ruins. The Hidroeléctrica route takes 7–10 hours.
Which train is better, PeruRail or Inca Rail?
Both run the same line from Ollantaytambo in similar times. Choose by schedule and class: Expedition or Voyager for value, Vistadome or 360° for bigger windows.
Do I need to book the train in advance?
Yes, especially from May to October. Morning trains sell out first, and fares go up as seats are sold.
How much luggage can I take on the train?
One backpack of up to 8 kg per person (PeruRail also accepts a carry-on of up to 12 kg). Leave the rest in Cusco.
Do trains leave from Cusco city?
From May to December, yes, from Poroy and San Pedro stations. From January to April, services “from Cusco” are bus + train.
How much is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
The last published fare for foreign visitors is USD 24 round trip (January 2026). The service is currently provisional, so confirm the price before you travel.
Is the Hidroeléctrica route safe?
It is used every day, but it involves a long mountain road and a walk next to the railway. In the rainy season (November–March) landslides can close it. Travel in daylight and follow local instructions.
