How to Get to Machu Picchu: A Step-by-Step Guide

Last Updated on February 7, 2023

JC and I went to Machu Picchu this past January, and honestly, he planned the entire trip. But, if you are not so fortunate as I to have your own personal Peruvian travel guide, here are step-by-step instructions on how to get to Machu Picchu.

How to Get to Machu Picchu? Step 1: Fly to Cusco

We flew from Lima to Cusco with Viva Air. The flight is about 1 hour 20 minutes. I would highly recommend not to fly with Viva Air! While the flights are cheaper than those with LATAM, you have to pay for luggage. Plus, the flights are always delayed and the service is horrendous.

We stayed at a really great hostel in Cusco called Pariwana that I would highly recommend. You need to book in advance (we booked 3-months in advance). However, you only pay a small deposit up front and pay the rest upon arrival.

How to Get to Machu Picchu? Step 2: Trek or Take Transportation

Before arriving to Cusco, and preferably with months of anticipation, you need to decide what type of trip to Machu Picchu you want to take. Whether you want to arrive to via trekking the Inca Trail/Salcantay or others, OR by public transportation. JC has done Salcantay before, but be warned that it is 4-5 days of camping/trekking and very intense. That being said, he highly recommends it for those who are looking for a real adventure. Cost is about $300 and you have ‘sherpas’ carrying your camping equipment (provided) and luggage.

Taking Public Transportation from Cusco

For our recent trip, we chose to take public transport to Machu Picchu, starting in Cusco. Once in Cusco, you next need to get to Ollantaytambo, which is where the trains depart to Aguas Calientes. Ollantaytambo is about 2 hours driving away from Cusco, so you need to find transportation there. We went to Calle Pavitos in Cusco to inquire about prices for a cab or shuttle the next morning to Ollantaytambo. We found a private cab for about 80 soles for 4 people, so 20 soles per person. The shuttle is definitely cheaper (10 soles per person), but it is shared. The other option, rather than going to Ollantaytambo and taking the train, is to take a shuttle from Cusco to a spot where a hyrdoelectric power plant is, and from there, trek about 3 hours to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

We didn’t stay in Ollantaytambo (there isn’t anything to do there), it was just a stopping point to catch the train. Now, many people take the train as early in the morning as possible in order to reach Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu all in the same day. However, we do not recommend it. We took the train to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon from Ollantaytambo, and then stayed overnight in Aguas Calientes, doing Machu Picchu the next day, which is a slightly longer but much more enjoyable approach.

Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

We took the Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes, which is the ‘fancier’ train, but one of the only train options for tourists without Peruvian nationality. The cost starts at $120 per person, and tea, coffee and snacks are included and served on board. The trip is 1 1/2 hours from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. We booked our train a few months in advance. However, JC’s brother and best friend who were traveling with us, booked their train a day in advance. Their train was not quite so luxurious as ours (actually, according to them it was very uncomfortable), but you do have options.

Upon reaching Aguas Calientes, we checked into our hostel and relaxed in preparation for the next morning.

How to Get to Machu Picchu? Step 3: Buy Entrance Tickets

Buy your entrance tickets to Machu Picchu months in advance

We had bought tickets in advance (~3-4 months ahead of time) for the entrance to Machu Picchu in addition to the entrance to climb Montaña Machu Picchu (200 soles, about $50-$80). We bought the tickets online here. There are 4 types of entrance tickets: (1) Machu Picchu, (2) Machu Picchu + Montaña, (3) Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu, or (4) Machu Picchu + Musuem. Huayna Picchu is the most popular, and limited to 400 visitors a day. Montaña Machu Picchu is the highest (3,082 meters above sea level) and about a 3 hour trek from the entrance of Machu Picchu to the summit. You must enter within your time slot, and give yourself enough time to wait in the line for entrance! Also, bring snacks and water, because you won’t have many options to buy there.

*Important to note – if you do not want to trek, you do not have to! Simply purchase only the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu without the addition of Montaña Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu. And if you do want to trek, make sure that you do add Montaña Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu to your ticket.

How to get to the entrance of Machu Picchu

To get to the entrance of Machu Picchu, you have two options: (1) take a bus from Aguas Calientes for 30 minutes and $24 (round trip, you can buy tickets on the spot), or (2) trek for 2 1/2 hours there (and another 2 hours back downhill). We decided to trek. Beware, that it is completely uphill and you have to cross the road where the buses are coming, but many people do it, so it is safe enough.

*The path to the entrance of Machu Picchu*

In summary, to plan your trip to Machu Picchu, we recommend you to do the following, in this order:

Book your entrance to the mountain and to trek up Huayna Picchu or Montaña Machu Picchu. Do the trek if you want spectacular views of the Ciudadel from above and are up for more strenuous activity. Be sure to book 3-4 months in advance, at least. We went in January, but beware that it is the rainy season then.
Buy your flights to Cusco. Book with LATAM and be sure to arrive in Cusco at least 2 days before your planned trip to Machu Picchu.
Buy your train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. We recommend taking the train the day before your planned trip to Machu Picchu and spending the night in Aguas Calientes. You have two train options: Inca Rail (which we took) or Peru Rail.
Book accommodation in Cusco, we recommend Pariwana, and Aguas Calientes for the night before your trek to Machu Picchu.
Once in Cusco, book your shuttle or cab to Ollantaytambo.