How to get to Machu Picchu?
Planning a trip to Machu Picchu? Then you’re in for a treat! Recognized as one of the 7 wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Incan ruins rightly rank high up on many tourist bucket lists.
However, what many visitors don’t realize is that careful planning is needed to organize a successful visit to Machu Picchu. Even more so as of 2024, when new visitor regulations come into play.
It can be a little confusing, which is why we’ve put together this blog post to guide you smoothly through the process.
So, keep reading for all of the information you’ll need about how to get to Machu Picchu. We cover everything from train and entrance tickets to circuits and time slots. Plus, top tips on when is the best time to go to Machu Picchu.
How to Visit Machu Picchu
1. Do It Yourself
The good news is that it is perfectly possible to visit Machu Picchu through your own planning. If your budget is tight and you are willing to put in the effort to research and plan then go for it!
To get to Machu Picchu you’ll need to pre-book your own train and entrance tickets online. But first, there are important decisions about time slots, trek circuits, and train schedules to consider.
Don’t worry, we’ll cover all that and more in this blog post, including details of the official Peruvian booking websites.
2. Pre-book a Machu Picchu Tour
Another popular way to visit Machu Picchu is to book a tour and have an agency do the heavy lifting for you.
Happy Gringo, for example, offers this service to all clients who join one of our private Peru Tours.
This can be a great way to avoid all of the hassles of the Machu Picchu ticketing process and organization.
When is the Best Time to go to Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is a year-round destination, so there is no best or worst time to go per se. But there are different weather seasons at Machu Picchu to consider, and the rest comes down to personal preference.
The most popular time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season from April/May through to October. During these months visitors can expect more stable weather, clearer skies, and easier hiking. It is, however, also the high season for tourism, so the citadel can become crowded.
In contrast, the Machu Picchu rainy season lasts from November to March. The days tend to be wetter and sometimes cloudier, but it’s also considerably quieter at the ruins.
The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
When to Book Your Machu Picchu Trip
How far in advance to buy Machu Picchu tickets?
Remember, Machu Picchu has a limited number of visitor tickets every day. So, we recommend booking at least 1-2 months in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you plan to travel during high season travel months (school summer vacations, Easter break, Christmas & New Year) then aim to book even further ahead.
How to get to Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu Train to Aguas Calientes
There is no road access to Machu Picchu, so the only way in is by train.
The Machu Picchu train runs from the city of Cusco. So, if you are in Lima, Arequipa, Puno, or any other Peruvian city, then you’ll need to pass through Cusco to reach Machu Picchu.
There’s just one train line, with very few stops along the way. Broadly speaking it runs from the environs of Cusco all the way to Machu Picchu.
Perhaps the most common confusion is that there is no “Machu Picchu Train Station”. Instead, passengers alight the train at the small town of Aguas Calientes, which is the perfect base at the foot of the mountain from which to explore the citadel.
At the other end of the line, and equally confusing, neither is there a “Cusco Train Station”. The end of the line is, in fact, at Poroy, located some 13km outside of Cusco. To get to or from Poroy, you’ll need to take either a taxi or book a private transfer from Cusco.
The only stop between Poroy and Aguas Calientes is at Ollantaytambo Train Station.
There are 2 different Machu Picchu train companies: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Check their websites for information about schedules and pricing, or to book your tickets.
For more information, we also have a more detailed post about the Machu Picchu train.
Machu Picchu Shuttle Bus From Aguas Calientes
Alighting the train at Aguas Calientes, a little more effort is still required to visit Machu Picchu. The Citadel is located high up in the surrounding mountains. The easiest way to reach the ruins is to take the Machu Picchu Shuttle Bus.
Shuttle buses to Machu Picchu run every day from 05:30 to 15:30. The return trip operates from 6:00 to 18:00. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
When there are high volumes of visitors, it is common for queues to form for the shuttle bus. We, therefore, recommend adding some buffer time into your plans and joining the queue from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at least 30 minutes before your time slot.
The shuttle bus fee is NOT included in the Machu Picchu entry fee and should be purchased separately.
If you pre-book through a travel agency then your bus tickets should already be organized for you. Alternatively, visitors can buy their own Machu Picchu bus tickets from the ticket office in Aguas Calientes.
How to Book Machu Picchu Entry Tickets?
So, we’ve figured out how to get you to Machu Picchu by train and shuttle bus. Next step, you going to need Machu Picchu entry tickets.
Entry to Machu Picchu Peru is only allowed with a pre-purchased ticket. There are no tickets for sale at the Machu Picchu site entrance.
At the time of ticket booking, you need to pre-select a time slot and circuit, so, you’ll need to do some homework and plan in advance. Keep reading below to learn more about these options.
For now, this is the web link to book your own Machu Picchu tickets online.
Machu Picchu Circuits
The 2024 Machu Picchu rules incorporate different circuits that visitors can follow around the ruins. You need to decide in advance which route you prefer.
Here is a brief summary of each Machu Picchu visitor circuit:
1. Machu Picchu Circuit 1 (upper short tour, red)
Circuit 1 allows you to visit the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site. This tour goes through the main constructions as well as the area of the terraces in the highest part (from there you get the classic postcard photo of Machupicchu). The tour is recommended for seniors or those with limited time. It lasts approximately 2 hours.
2. Machu Picchu Circuit 2 (upper long tour, dark blue)
Circuit 2 allows you to tour the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site (both the upper and lower religious areas). Of course, it also includes the main constructions of the Inca citadel. The tour is recommended for all tourists. It lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes approximately.
3. Machu Picchu Circuit 3 (lower short tour, yellow)
Circuit 3 allows you to visit the nuclear area of Machu Picchu (lower part). It includes the visit to the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors and the agricultural area. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
4. Machu Picchu Circuit 4 (lower long tour, turquoise)
Circuit 4 allows you to visit the core area of Machu Picchu (lower part). It includes the visit to the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the agricultural area and the Sacred Rock. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and can also be combined with a visit to Wayna Pichhu or Huchuy Pichhu.
Which Machu Picchu circuit is best? Check-out our blog post about Machu Picchu entry tickets and circuits for more detailed information.
Machu Picchu Entry Time Slots
Entry to Machu Picchu is also regulated with time slots in order to limit visitor numbers at any given time.
When is the best Machu Picchu entry time slot? Many visitors prefer to visit early in the morning, but, that said, there is no good or bad time per se.
Choose carefully though, because it is not possible to make changes once you have paid for the tickets.
How to Get to Machu Picchu FAQ
Machu Picchu Opening Hours
The Machu Picchu site is open to visitors daily from 6:00 to 17:30.
Machu Picchu Entry Price
2024 Machu Picchu entry prices are:
- Machu Picchu Tour AdultStudentChild
- Machu Picchu Only USD 62 USD 31 USD 23
- Huayna Picchu Ticket + Circuit 4 USD 80 USD 40 USD 37
- Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket + Circuit 3 USD 80 USD 40 USD 37
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket + Circuit 4 USD 62 USD 31 USD 23
Children under 3 years of age enter for free.
Quoted Child rates apply up to the age of 17.
Students up to 25 years of age receive a discount on the presentation of a valid student ID from their university (an ISIC student ID is not sufficient).
Do I Need a Guide to Visit Machu Picchu?
As of 2024, yes, it is mandatory to visit Machu Picchu with a tour guide, although this rule is not always applied rigorously.
Anyway, we do highly recommend a guide to enhance your experience. A licensed guide will add significantly to your visit, providing information about the history of the site, and answering your questions.
If you pre-book through a travel agency then your bus tickets should already be organized for you. Alternatively, visitors can buy their own Machu Picchu bus tickets from the ticket office in Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu Visitor Rules
To help protect the delicate Machu Picchu site, the following rules are enforced:
- Every visitor must show their ticket and passport at the entrance. Students must also present their valid student ID.
- Once issued, entry tickets to Machu Picchu are non-refundable and non-transferable. It is also not possible to re-enter the ruins with the same entrance ticket.
- Visitors must follow the specific circuit route as detailed on their ticket. It is not possible to stray from the designated path.
- No smoking or alcohol, drones, tripods or selfie sticks, high heels, baby push-chairs, or large backpacks.
- Walking sticks are only allowed for physically challenged and elderly visitors.
Rules can be frustrating, but remember, they are in place to prevent damage to Machu Picchu from tourism.
Violation of rules may result in fines or expulsion from the site.
How much time do you need at Machu Picchu?
Under the 2024 Machu Picchu entrance rules, tourists can spend up to 4 hours at the citadel using their time slot ticket.
The average guided tour lasts 2 hours, so visitors can also spend additional free time afterward.
In terms of how much time is required to visit Machu Picchu including transport days and all considerations, we recommend considering a 2- or 3-day trip from Cusco with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes, and possibly a visit to the spectacular Sacred Valley on route.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Of course, another popular way to visit Machu Picchu is to trek Peru’s famous Inca Trail. We won’t go into details here as it’s a topic for a whole blog on its own but suffice to say that it’s only possible to hike the Inca Trail as part of an organized, pre-booked tour.
Machu Picchu Train Luggage Restrictions
Another very important and often surprising rule is that Machu Picchu train services operate with strict luggage restrictions.
Due to limited space onboard the Machu Picchu trains, you may only bring one piece of hand luggage with you per person, up to a maximum weight of 5 kg (11 pounds). In addition, the size of your pack must be within a total linear dimension of 157 cm (62 inches), which is the sum of length, width, and height.
Yes, it is indeed a very small limit. But, on the flipside, remember that most people stay just 1 night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes, and visit Machu Picchu on the following day before returning to Cusco.
So, it’s not really as bad as it sounds, but yes you will still need to pack light. Large packs or cases can be left at your Cusco or Ollantaytambo hotel and picked up on your return journey.
Both train companies are usually quite strict about this rule, so please do take it seriously.
So, there you have everything you need to know to plan your successful visit to Machu Picchu Peru under the 2024 entry rules.
Check out Happy Gringo’s 7-day Cusco & Machu Picchu itinerary, or the longer 14-day Peru Highlights trip. Both have entrances to Machu Picchu with licensed guides and tickets included, so you can enjoy the trip hassle-free and without problems.
Happy Gringo can also custom-make your Peru itinerary, tailoring your visit to your precise needs.
In conclusion, be sure to plan your visit to Machu Picchu in advance.
You’ll need to pre-book your Machu Picchu Entry Tickets. For that you must choose your preferred time slot and visiting circuit. You’ll also need train tickets in and out of Aguas Calientes, and to plan accommodation around that.
Yes, it’s all a bit confusing and overwhelming at first sight. But, with a little patience, it’s not so complicated to make the right decision before taking the plunge to buy tickets.
It is still perfectly possible to do your own Machu Picchu travel organization and ticketing. Alternatively, avoid the hassles by going through a reputable travel agent. Either way, your vacation to Machu Picchu is sure not to disappoint!
Note: All information is correct at the time of publishing, but may be subject to change by local authorities.
