How to Get to Machu Picchu: Every Route Explained (2026)
There’s no road to Machu Picchu — you can’t simply drive up. Getting there is a multi-step journey through the Andes, and understanding the sequence is the key to planning your trip. The good news: it’s well-organized and spectacular. Here’s exactly how to get to Machu Picchu, whichever way you choose.
Quick Answer
The standard route: fly to Cusco (usually via Lima) → acclimatize → travel to Ollantaytambo or Cusco’s station → take the train to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu) → take the bus (or walk) up to the citadel. The main alternative is to trek in (Inca Trail, Salkantay and others). You cannot reach Machu Picchu by car.
Step 1: Get to Cusco
Machu Picchu is reached from Cusco, the regional hub.
- By air: most travelers fly into Lima (Peru’s main international gateway), then take a ~1h20 domestic flight to Cusco. See our guide to Lima to Cusco.
- Acclimatize: Cusco is at ~3,400 m. Spend a couple of days in Cusco and the lower Sacred Valley before Machu Picchu — see altitude sickness in Cusco and how many days to spend in Cusco.
Step 2: Train to Aguas Calientes
From the Cusco region you take a scenic train to Aguas Calientes (officially Machu Picchu Pueblo), the town at the foot of the mountain.
- Departure points: trains run from Ollantaytambo (in the Sacred Valley — the most common) and, seasonally, from Poroy/Cusco. Many travelers drive/transfer to Ollantaytambo first, then board.
- Operators: PeruRail and Inca Rail, with several service classes from standard to luxury.
- Time: roughly 1.5–2 hours from Ollantaytambo, following the Urubamba River through the gorge — a beautiful ride.
Step 3: Bus Up to the Citadel
From Aguas Calientes, the shuttle bus switchbacks up the mountain to the Machu Picchu entrance in about 25–30 minutes. Buy tickets in town (or in advance in high season); queues form early.
Prefer to walk? A steep footpath climbs from Aguas Calientes to the entrance in roughly 1.5 hours — free, but demanding at altitude.
The Alternative: Trek In
Instead of the train, you can hike to Machu Picchu:
- Classic Inca Trail (4 days) — the only route that arrives through the Sun Gate; permit required, booked months ahead.
- Short Inca Trail (2 days), Salkantay, Lares and Inca Jungle — other multi-day routes. See our Machu Picchu hiking trails guide and the Inca Trail alternatives comparison.
Trekkers still typically return by train from Aguas Calientes.
A Note on Timed Tickets
Your Machu Picchu entrance is a timed, capacity-limited ticket tied to a specific circuit — book it (and your train) well in advance, especially June–August. See Machu Picchu tickets & circuits, and remember you need your passport to enter.
Can You Do It in a Day?
It’s possible to visit Machu Picchu as a long day trip from Cusco, but it’s rushed. An overnight in Aguas Calientes lets you arrive early and relax — see Machu Picchu in one day and day trip vs. overnight.
How to Book
At Viajes Peru Tour we arrange the whole chain — flights, transfers to Ollantaytambo, train tickets, the bus up, timed entry and a guide — sequenced so you’re acclimatized and never stuck in a queue. Tell us your dates and we’ll handle the logistics.
[Plan your Machu Picchu trip →]
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Machu Picchu?
Fly to Cusco (usually via Lima), acclimatize, take a train from Ollantaytambo (or Cusco) to Aguas Calientes, then a shuttle bus up to the citadel. You can also trek in via the Inca Trail or alternatives.
Can you drive to Machu Picchu?
No — there’s no road to the citadel. The closest you get by vehicle is Aguas Calientes (by train) or the hydroelectric station; from there it’s the bus or a walk up.
How long does it take to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
Allow most of a day: a transfer to Ollantaytambo (~2 hours), the train to Aguas Calientes (~1.5–2 hours), then the bus up (~30 minutes), plus waiting time.
Do I need to book the train in advance?
Yes, especially in high season (June–August). Trains and Machu Picchu entry tickets are limited and sell out.
Which train station do most people use?
Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley is the most common departure point; some services run from Poroy near Cusco seasonally.
*Last updated: October 2026 | Written by the Viajes Peru Tour team*
*Schedules, operators and ticket rules change. Confirm current details when booking.*
