Train to Machu Picchu

The most convenient and scenic way to get to Machu Picchu is to by train to Aguas Calientes (the base town of Machu Picchu). There are two main train companies - Peru Rail and Inca Rail - with a full range of train types, schedules and prices.

From our hotel, we recommend departures from and return to the Urubamba train station, which is approximately 10-15 minutes from the hotel, and then 2 1/2 to 3 hours by train. Peru Rail offers a daily departure and return on both the Vistadome train, which is a premium train with panoramic windows, and the high-end Sacred Valley train, which includes a gourmet lunch and dinner, both served with wine, as well as an observation bar car.

As these are limited departures from Urubamba, the other option is 40 minutes by car to Ollantaytambo and then 1 1/2 hours by train to Machu Picchu. As almost all trains pass through Ollantaytambo, there are a full range of train options and times available from both Peru Rail and Inca Rail. In addition, departing only from Poroy (outside of Cusco), there is the option of the luxury Hiram Bingham train by Peru Rail and the First Class and Private trains of Inca Rail.

Train options can be confusing and can sell out far in advance. Please contact us to book your train tickets in advance as well as arrange your entrance tickets, transport and optional guides.

Bus to Machu Picchu

Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, it is a short walk to the bus stop for a 20-minute bus trip to Machu Picchu. If you book a guide, the guide can meet you at the train station and go with you to Machu Picchu, but if you go alone, it is not difficult to find the bus stop (ask anyone, even if they don’t speak English, they can all point you in the right direction). There is also an option to walk to Machu Picchu (90 minutes uphill switchback path), but we promise that you’ll wish you had paid for the bus.

Buses operate every 15 minutes starting at 5:30 am until 5:30 pm ($24 adult round trip, $12 child round trip). There are often lines for the bus, in particular in the early morning and end of the day return. Please contact us to book your bus tickets in advance.

To return after your visit, you take the bus down the hill, walk to train station, and take the train back to Sacred Valley or Cusco. We recommend that you arrange your transport to your hotel in advance to have it waiting for you at the train station.

Best Time of Day, Week and Year to Visit Machu Picchu

Officially the rainy season is November - April, but it can rain at any time during the year, and overcast weather is common, especially in the mornings. As much as you might plan your trip, it will come down to luck on what weather you will have. If your main goal is the perfect Instagram shot, you might want to consider buying two entrance tickets - for the morning and afternoon - or even on multiple days. But for the rest of us, rain or shine, Machu Picchu is an experience not to be forgotten and a bit of rain or clouds can add to the charm.

The busiest season for visits to Machu Picchu is May - October (i.e. not the rainy season), in particular the summer months of the US and Europe (July in particular). But it’s difficult to find a day without crowds at Machu Picchu, so it’s best just to plan a trip when works for you, and prepare for crowds and waits at Machu Picchu.

As of new regulations, entrance tickets are purchased with a specific hour of entrance, from 6 am to 2 pm, and are valid for a 4-hour visit. Many think that the earlier that they get to Machu Picchu the better, but this is not true. Mid-day or early afternoon are generally less crowded than early mornings, and there are the longest lines for the buses to reach Machu Picchu early in the morning (5 - 7 am) and to return from Machu Picchu at the end of the day (5 - 6 pm).

There is not much difference in crowds by day of the week, however, weekends, in particular Sundays tend to be busier, as people who live in the Cusco province are allowed into the site for free and tend to take advance of it on weekends.

There are two treks/climbs that can be included in your entrance ticket - Huayna Picchu peak and Machu Pichu Mountain. Both require that you are relatively fit, and even more importantly that you are not afraid of heights. We don’t recommend the Huayna Picchu peak due to safety concerns, in particular if it is rainy or wet (which you won’t know in advance), and the Machu Picchu peak only if you have very good knees (it is almost entirely stairs!). There are also free options of treks, in particular the walk to the Sun Gate (around one hour in each direction) which also offers fantastic views and does not need to be booked as part of your entrance ticket.

Trekking Options in Machu Picchu

At Machu Picchu, the main two options are the cafe just outside of the entrance and the sit-down buffet at the Sanctuary Lodge ($40 USD). Both require leaving Machu Picchu and then returning again (if you have more time on your entrance ticket) and get quite busy at lunch time, so you might consider eating lunch earlier or later.

The other option is to finish your visit to Machu Picchu and take the bus down the mountain and eat in the town of Aguas Calientes before returning to the train station. There is a wide range of restaurants, primarily offering pizza and tourist foods. Our personal favorites in Aguas Calientes are the Indio Feliz and Tree House, but as they are on the more expensive end (and the Tree Top is bit hard to find up winding streets), we recommend these if you are staying in Aguas Calientes overnight.

In general, the restaurants in Aguas Calientes, and even more so at Machu Picchu, are expensive relative to quality, as all food arrives by train, so an additional option is to bring a boxed lunch with you (many hotels offer), or if you want a gourmet meal with wine, we recommend one of the high-end trains (it might just be the highlight of your trip).

Food Options in Machu Picchu

Your camera, sunscreen and a hat, water, and a rain jacket, even if it looks like a nice day. Insect repellant and loose change (for bathrooms) is also recomennded. Your passport for train and Machu Picchu and all tickets (trains, buses and Machu Picchu). We also recommend snacks and boxed lunch as food is expensive relative to quality in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.

Don’t bring: drones or other profesional camera and video gear (which require permits) and walking sticks and poles (which can only be user for mobility if they have rubber tips).

What to Bring to Machu Picchu

The most famous way to get to Machu Picchu is by the Inca Trail, which is the arrive directly to Machu Picchu without taking the train and bus. You can only do the Inca trail with a licensed operator (due to regulations) and Inca trail permits need to be booked far in advance.

While even mid-range operators offer porters to carry your bags, cook your (surprisingly good) meals, and set up your tents, you are still camping, and bathrooms on the trail are basic at best (except for luxury tours where they can bring the toilet and showers with them).

If camping is not your thing, there are two other options. Companies such as Mountain Lodges of Peru and Andean Lodges offer fantastic lodge-to-lodge treks in the Cusco area, where you stay in a comfortable bed with a hot shower each night, but don’t arrive directly to Machu Picchu. The other option is a two-day Inca Trail where you can walk a portion of the Inca trail in the first day ending at Machu Picchu, and then stay overnight in Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu the following day.

Please contact us if you want recommendations on Inca trail operators or want to book the one-day Inca trail.