Question 1

How do you get to Machu Picchu from Lima?

Accepted Answer

Fly from Lima to Cusco (about 1 hour 20 minutes) and spend at least a day or two getting used to the altitude. Then travel by road to Ollantaytambo (about 1 hour 45 minutes), take the train to Aguas Calientes (1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes) and ride the bus up to the entrance (25 to 30 minutes). Not counting the days at altitude, that is about 6 to 8 hours door to door.

Question 2

Can you drive to Machu Picchu?

Accepted Answer

No. No public road reaches Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes. The nearest road ends at Hidroeléctrica, a 2½-hour walk or a short train ride from Aguas Calientes. The only other ways in are the train and the trekking routes.

Question 3

How long does it take to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?

Accepted Answer

By road to Ollantaytambo and then the train, about 3½ to 4 hours to Aguas Calientes, plus 25 to 30 minutes on the bus. PeruRail’s direct train from Poroy takes 3 hours 17 minutes (May to December only). The Hidroeléctrica route takes about 9 hours, and the treks take 2 to 5 days.

Question 4

What is the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu?

Accepted Answer

The Hidroeléctrica route. A tourist van from Cusco costs roughly US$15–20 each way, and the 2½-hour walk to Aguas Calientes is free. You still need the entrance ticket (S/152 for a foreign adult), and you can walk up the stairs instead of paying for the bus. The cheapest standard train seats from Ollantaytambo cost US$62–98 one-way in our September 2026 search.

Question 5

Do you need to take a bus to Machu Picchu?

Accepted Answer

No, but most people do. The bus from Aguas Calientes costs US$12 one-way or US$24 return for foreign adults and takes 25 to 30 minutes. The alternative is about an hour and a half of steep stone stairs. Inca Trail hikers arrive on foot through the Sun Gate.

Question 6

How far in advance should you book the train to Machu Picchu?

Accepted Answer

Book your entrance ticket first, then the train straight away. For June to August, book as early as you can, because the cheapest early-morning seats sell out first. Outside the peak months there is more choice closer to the date, but fares still vary by departure.

Question 7

Can you walk to Machu Picchu instead of taking the train?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Classic Inca Trail (4 days) and the Short Inca Trail (2 days) end at the Sun Gate and need a permit and a licensed operator. The Salkantay Trek (5 days) needs no permit. On the budget route, you walk about 2½ hours along the railway from Hidroeléctrica.

Question 8

Is it better to take the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo?

Accepted Answer

Ollantaytambo, for most people. There are many more departures, the ride takes 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, and fares are lower. From Cusco, PeruRail runs one direct train from Poroy from May to December (3 hours 17 minutes). Every other Cusco service is a bus and a train taking 4 to 5½ hours.

How to Get to Machu Picchu: Every Route from Lima and Cusco (2026)

Inca Trail Porter Etiquette: Tipping, Weight Limits, and How to Trek Responsibly

Salkantay Trek vs Inca Trail: Which to Book When Permits Sell Out

How Fit Do You Need to Be for the Inca Trail? An Honest Answer

Inca Trail Insights

How to Get to Machu Picchu: Every Route from Lima and Cusco (2026)

Inca Trail Porter Etiquette: Tipping, Weight Limits, and How to Trek Responsibly

Salkantay Trek vs Inca Trail: Which to Book When Permits Sell Out

How Fit Do You Need to Be for the Inca Trail? An Honest Answer

Inca Trail planning tips by email