(Cusco Travel Tips) – The road to Machu Picchu consists of different stages. To complete the route it’s necessary to travel in multiple means of transportation. Plane, Train, or Bus (optional hiking). It’s important to be informed in advance about the characteristics of this journey in order to plan your trip and avoid setbacks. Be aware that getting into Machu Picchu from abroad might take some days.
How to get to Machu Picchu (Step by step)
Arrival in Peru (Lima Airport)
From Lima to Cusco
From Cusco to Aguas Calientes
From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
How can we help you in Cusco?
Arrival in Peru (Lima Airport)
The country’s busiest and most connected international airport is Lima (LIM), also known as Jorge Chavez Airport. If you are traveling from overseas, the most likely is that you will find a flight from Home to Lima.
Once arrive there you have two options. You can choose to spend a couple of days in Lima (it really worth it). Or, depending on your travel plan, is also a valid option to bypass Peru’s Capital City and continue straight into the Machu Picchu region. If so, you will have to connect your international flight with a domestic flight to Cusco Airport (CUZ).
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From Lima to Cusco
The flight from Lima to Cusco takes only one hour and a half. You will land at CUZ International Airport (Alejandro Velasco Astete). Once you leave the airport you will definitely feel that you are getting closer to Machu Picchu.
Cusco (also spelled Cuzco), the former capital of the Inca Empire, holds a unique charm that’s hard to put into words. Is a beautiful city with well-preserved colonial architecture, evidence of a rich and complex history. The city is the center of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes, and walking the streets you will see the layers of history. Spanish colonial buildings erected directly atop Inca walls line the square, while the modern tourist nightlife flourishes in their midst. The city is surrounded by a number of ruins, the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman, the site of the 1536 battle in which dozens of Pizarro’s men charged uphill to battle the forces of the Inca.
The city has a strong indigenous population, often seen on the streets in traditional clothing. At 3,400 m above sea level, altitude sickness (soroche) can be a problem. Be aware of that.
From Cusco to Aguas Calientes
The next stage of your route is getting into “Aguas Calientes”. This small town will be your last stop before arriving in Machu Picchu. There are basically two (very different) ways to get to Aguas Calientes from Cusco. Option one: By Train. Option two: 3 to 5 days of trekking through the Inca Trail.
Option 1: Train
The train service to Aguas Calientes does not start in Cusco itself. You will have to go by road to Ollantaytambo or Poroy Train Stations. The ride from Cusco Central Aera to Ollantaytambo takes around one hour and a half. From Cusco to Poroy the distance is shorter and you might arrive there in 45 minutes.
Train Lines are operated by Inca Rail and Peru Rail, both companies offer comfortable services, so, with no doubt, you will enjoy the ride and the beautiful views. All Trains Services ends in Small Town called Aguas Calientes.
Option 2: Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is the only hike that leads into Machu Picchu National Park. Access to the Inca Trail is controlled by licensed tour operators who employ licensed Peruvian tour guides to accompany hikers beginning in Cusco to the trailhead of the Inca Trail until you arrive in Machu Picchu National Park. Most guides will accompany you all the way to Aguas Calientes and back to Cusco, depending on your individual itinerary. All hikers must be accompanied by a licensed Peruvian tour guide.
- The traditional Inca Trail is a 4-day hike to Machu Picchu.
- The Short Inca Trail involves a 2-day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
- The most complete Inca Trail is the Salkantay to Inca Trail 7 days hike, which involves 3 days hike to Salkantay and a 4-day hike to Inca Trail and we recommend booking in advance.
How to get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes
You are now in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu is only some steps away. You can get to the former Inca Capital in 2 different ways:
By Bus
The easiest way to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is by bus. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes, a short but fantastic route, claiming the mountain with fascinating views. There are several services per day. You will be able to take a bus to go and return from Machu Picchu without much waiting. Bus tickets can be purchased in a couple of minutes at the Ticket Office next to Aguas Calientes Train Station.
Walking
It is a great idea to go from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu walking. The walk is 3.4 km long with around 500 meters in total elevation gain and it demands a great physical effort.
In total, the hike to Machu Picchu from the town takes 1.5 to 2 hours. It’s difficult. The combination of humidity, bugs, constant steps, and altitude gain makes this a challenging hike. The path is mostly through the jungle-like terrain on stone steps.
Now, you are finally at Machu Picchu
