How to Get to Machu Picchu from Lima

Option 1: Plane plus train

We will explain this option step by step to make it easier for you to understand the stages and routes:

First step: From Lima to Cusco flight

• Duration: 1 hour  - 2 hours
• Cost: $50 - $150 (depending on season and booking time)
• Airlines: LATAM, SKY, Viva Air

Second step: Bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo

• Duration: 2 hours
• Cost: $5 - $10
• Providers: You can take the bus on "Calle pavitos"

Third step: Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes

• Duration: 2 hours - 3 hours
• Cost: Varies between $ 50 and $150
• Providers: PeruRail and IncaRail (depending on the type of cabin you choose: tourist or luxury)

Fourth step: Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. 

• Duration: 30 minutes - 40 minutes
• Cost: $ 24 for adults and $12 for children (Round trip)
• Providers: Consettur

Option 2: Inca Trail (trekking) from Cusco to Machu Picchu

This option is offered by short route or for two days. As its name indicates, it refers to one of the routes taken by the original inhabitants of that region. Along this path, you enter the citadel through the Puerta del Sol "Sun Gate." This walking tour is one of the most popular offers. If necessary, a guide with a command of the English language is included, who is very well-informed about the culture and history of Machu Picchu.It involves a four-day walk of 39 kilometers and three nights of camping. Depending on the tour operator of your choice, it will cost between 600 and 800 dollars.

⏭️Read more: Inca Trail - The Complete Travel Guide

Option 3: Alternative route via Hidroeléctrica 

It is also known as the alternative route via Santa Maria. If you do it on foot, it takes about two hours. If you do it by train, it only takes 30 minutes. It starts from Aguas Calientes, which is the name given to the town of Machu Picchu, located at the foot of the wonder that is the Historical Sanctuary.

This route has several stages by bus, taxi, and on foot, and the prices are pretty affordable. Starting from Cusco, they reach a maximum of 100 dollars.

Planning your trip

As with any trip, you must plan it well in advance, without neglecting any personal aspects, and be well informed about everything that this entails in terms of expenses, routes, means of transport, accommodation, and the climate of the region.

Don't improvise, as this guarantees that your trip will be a full and unforgettable experience. That is why we have provided the essential information on each of the aspects indicated here.

Best time to travel

You will probably wonder what the best time of year to visit Machu Picchu is, considering such an important factor as the weather conditions in that area of ​​Peru. You can visit it at any time; it depends on your physical condition in any climate and your financial possibilities.

The so-called intermediate seasons are the most recommended. They occur between the dry season and the rainy season, corresponding to April, May, September, October, and November. This does not mean that light rains do not occur during the dry season.

⏭️Read more: The best time to visit Peru

Permits and Tickets

To find out about permits and ticket prices, you can check in person on the official website or, if it is more convenient for you, with the tour operator you have chosen. In any case, we give you some relevant information.
Depending on the circuit you prefer to get to Machu Picchu, your age, your nationality, and if you are a student, prices range between 43 and 200 soles, the official currency of Peru.

• Adults: 172 soles ($45)
• Students: 86 soles ($23)
• Minors under 17: 43 soles ($11)

What to see and do in Machu Picchu

If you've ever considered visiting Machu Picchu, it's because you've already seen some information about this citadel and sanctuary built in the 15th century at more than 2,400 meters above sea level.
There's a lot to see because of the nature of its surroundings, its access roads, and its extraordinary architecture. In Machu Picchu, seeing and doing are the same thing because you have to walk to contemplate and appreciate:

• Huayna Picchu: A challenging hike offering breathtaking views of the citadel.
• The Sun Gate (Inti Punku): The original entrance for Inca Trail hikers, with panoramic vistas.
• The Temple of the Moon: A mystical site carved into a cave.
• Inca Bridge: A narrow pathway that showcases Inca engineering.

General Exploration

When we mention a general exploration, we mean that depending on your interests, curiosity, and spirit of adventure, you can explore each of the places in Machu Picchu and its surroundings. In each of them, you will learn about this great place and how much it means to humanity.

Each of these places has a very particular attraction because of what they represent in history, civilization, and culture for anyone who appreciates the monumental and valuable meaning that some peoples of South America, such as the Incas, have done and left.

In short, if you have already decided to visit Machu Picchu, you already have a detailed guide of what this trip to Peru will be like to discover its greatest wonder, Machu Picchu, and others of equal importance that have been found in recent years.

Planning how to get to Machu Picchu from Lima doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you prefer the comfort of a plane and train, the adventure of the Inca Trail, or the budget-friendly Hydroelectrical route, each option provides an incredible journey through the stunning landscapes and history of Peru. With TreXperience, your trip is in expert hands. From organizing transportation and accommodations to ensuring you have the best guides for your Machu Picchu experience, we make sure your adventure is seamless and unforgettable.