Are you planning a trip to Peru and are wondering how to get from Lima to Machu Picchu? In this post, I’ll give you every detail about transportation options and tips to make your journey to this ancient wonder of the world as smooth as possible.
Planning your trip to Machu Picchu?
Check out the best ways to get from Lima to Machu Picchu:
1. The standard way: plane to Cusco+train
2. The comfortable way: plane to Cusco+ booking a tour to Machu Picchu
3. The luxurious way: plane to Cusco+super luxury train and tour
4. The adventurous way: plane to Cusco+Inca trail hike
5. The budget way: plane or bus to Cusco+a series of buses+walk
Essentials for your Machu Picchu trip:
1. Machu Picchu entry ticket
2. Huayna Picchu entrance ticket
3. Round-trip train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
How to get from Lima to Machu Picchu?
If you’re planning a trip to Machu Picchu, you’ll likely fly into Lima, the capital city of Peru. If you are in the planning stages of your trip, you might be thinking that you can easily get from Lima to Machu Picchu on a day trip, or that you can take a train to Machu Picchu from the capital. This is not the case.
Machu Picchu is not located in Lima, but rather in the region of Cusco, which is on the other side of the country. Therefore, we have to divide the question of “how to get from Lima to Machu Picchu?” in several parts. The first step is to get from Lima to Cusco.
Lima to Cusco by plane
Flying to Cusco is the fastest and most convenient option if you want to get from Lima to Machu Picchu, but it can also be expensive. A one-way flight from Lima to Cusco can cost anywhere from $70 to $200 depending on the airline, time of year, and how far in advance you book. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Lima to Cusco by bus
Alternatively, you can take a bus from Lima to Cusco. The journey takes officially about 22 hours. Prices range from $20 to $70, depending on the level of comfort you choose.
Unless you are on a tight budget or you don’t want to fly, I don’t recommend going by bus (I have done it several times when I was younger so I know what I’m talking about!). For several reasons the journey can last up to 30 hours. This could be for example the buses breaking down or getting flat tires, which has happened to me a couple times.
If you still prefer the bus, I recommend breaking down the trip.
For example, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca and Arequipa are nice and interesting stops along the way. If you want to have only one stop, then Arequipa is your best option.
Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu
Once you’ve traveled from Lima to Cusco, there are several ways to get to Machu Picchu. But to get to Machu Picchu, you first have to get to the town of Aguas Calientes, also called “Machu Picchu pueblo”.
The thing is that Aguas Calientes is not near Cusco city. You have to get either a bus plus a train or several buses to get there.
Still, some people decide to get to Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu on a day trip from Cusco.
But that day trip would be completely packed, and it would mean starting your day at 4am. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Machu Picchu on a day trip from Cusco unless you are very tight on time. If you are, of course, that is your best option.
What I recommend, if you have the time, is to spend the night in Aguas Calientes, and visit Machu Picchu the day after.
Let’s take a look at the possible options of how to get there from Cusco from to Machu Picchu.
1. The standard way: by train
The most popular way to get to Machu Picchu is by taking a train. But there’s no train station in Cusco city, so you first need to get to Ollantaytambo town.
The easiest way of getting to Ollantaytambo is to book a private transfer.
Otherwise, if you want to travel like a local, you can head to Pavitos street, near Cusco main square. From there, catch a shared minivan or a shared taxi to Ollantaytambo. The ride takes 1 and a half hours. The cost is 20 soles per person (around USD$ 6) for a shared taxi and a bit less for a shared minivan.
Once you are at Ollantaytambo, you can catch your train to Aguas Calientes. The train ride takes 2-3 hours and offers beautiful views of the Andean mountains and valleys.
It’s a good idea to book your train tickets in advance, especially during peak tourist season, as they can sell out quickly. I suggest that you book a few months in advance to avoid problems.
If you arrive to Aguas Calientes early (meaning you departed from Cusco around 4am or you spent the night at Ollantaytambo), and have bought an afternoon Machu Picchu ticket, then you could go to the site on the same day. Otherwise you can spend the night at Aguas Calientes, and visit Machu Picchu the day after.
To get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, you can either hike up the mountain, which takes 3 hours, or take the bus, which takes 30 minutes.
Remember to buy your tickets to Machu Picchu in advance. Same as with the train tickets, they can sell out months in advance during high season (July to September).
You can buy your round-trip ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu here.
2. The comfortable way: take a tour to Machu Picchu
This is a great option for those who want a hassle-free option and want to make the most out of their time. Like I mentioned, the day starts very early and finishes late. It also includes many hours of being on a van and a train. But hey, you get to do it all in one day!
Tours includes transportation to the train station, a scenic train ride through the Andes,and a ride up to the entrance of Machu Picchu, a guided tour, and transportation back to Cusco.
The train ride itself is a highlight of this journey. You’ll pass through beautiful Andean landscapes. And once you arrive at Aguas Calientes you won’t need to worry about buying a bus ticket to Machu Picchu or hiking, since your tour will take you directly there.
There are tours that also include a hike to the Huayna Picchu moutain, the iconic mountain that appears on the Machu Picchu postcards. If you have the chance, I recommend taking a tour which includes the Huayna Picchu. That way, you get to see the ruins from above. You might also pass by the Moon Temple.
I recommend booking this highly-rated tour that takes you to both Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
3. The luxurious way: Take a luxury train to Machu Picchu
If you’re looking for a luxurious and unforgettable way to visit Machu Picchu, the Hiram Bingham train is an experience you won’t want to miss.
The journey takes you from Cusco through the breathtaking Sacred Valley, all the way up to the entrance of the famous ruins. Along the way, you’ll be treated to stunning open-air views and delicious Peruvian cuisine served right onboard.
After arriving in Aguas Calientes, a private bus will take you to the Machu Picchu, where a professional guide will lead you through the majestic ruins.
Afterwards, you will get to the Sanctuary Lodge, a 5-star hotel that is right next to Machu Picchu, for a high-tea with a view of the ruins.
The return journey is equally as memorable, as the train ride back is a lively party complete with live music and plenty of dancing.
This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that combines luxury with breathtaking scenery and unforgettable experiences. If you want to splurge in your trip to Peru, you shouldn’t miss it. It’s also a great option if you are visiting Machu Picchu for a special occasion, like your honeymoon or birthday.
You can book the luxury train and tour to Machu Picchu here.
4. The adventurous way: hike the Inca Trail
If you’re up for a bit more adventure, you can you can hike the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. There are trails of different lengths, although possible the most popular one is the 4-day one.
Since there’s a restriction limit of how many people can walk the trail per day, you have to do it with a tour agency. Yes, this means no matter how adventurous and prepared you are, you can’t hike the Inca Trail on your own.
Because of its popularity, this trek must be booked months in advance.
If you like hiking and are in good shape, I totally recommend it. You will trek through stunning landscapes with snow-capped mountains and valleys around you. Justs imagine sleeping under the stars in the Sacred Valley!
Plus, you will get to enter Machu Picchu through the original gate the Incas were using at the time, the Sun Gate (people that don’t do the Inca trail don’t get to see it).
Plus the tour company takes care of carrying the food and of cooking delicious meals along the way. You can read more details about the Inca trail here.
You can book the Inca trail hike here.
5. The budget way: buses and walk
If you’re looking to travel to Machu Picchu on a budget, there is a way to get there by taking a series of buses and taxis.
Besides going by train, I have also traveled this way. If you have the time, why not? You will pass by some small Andean villages and get to know the area better.
Start your journey at the bus terminal on Antonio Lorena avenue in Cusco, where you can take a bus to Santa María for about 25-30 soles ($8-10 USD). The bus rides takes 5 hours and passes by some very high altitude areas and winding roads, so I recommend that you have a pill against altitude sickness with you.
From there, take a shared taxi to Santa Teresa, which will take about an hour and cost 8-12 soles ($3-4 USD).
In Santa Teresa, you can get a shared taxi to the hydropower plant for around 5 soles (2 USD).
From there, you’ll have two options to get to Aguas Calientes. One option is to take a train that departs twice a day in the afternoon.
Otherwise, you can walk parallel to the train tracks and Vilcanota River, which takes about 2 hours and offers great views of the landscape and wildlife. Along the way, you’ll encounter other travelers doing the same walk as you, so don’t worry about getting lost.
Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu
Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit:
Book Your Tickets in Advance
I can’t stress this enough: it’s crucial to book your tickets well in advance.
The number of tickets available each day is limited, and they can sell out quickly, particularly during peak tourist season.
You can buy your ticket at the officical website, though the site is a bit confusing to navigate. Otherwise, you can purchase tickets online through an agency. An advantage of buying them through an agency is that sometimes they are able to get tickets even when they are officially sold out.
Do you want to climb the Huayna Picchu?
If you’re planning a visit to Machu Picchu, it’s important to know that climbing Huayna Picchu is a popular activity that requires a separate ticket and advance booking.
Huayna Picchu is the iconic peak that towers above the ruins, the one you see at the back all of the Machu Picchu pictures.
The walk to the Huayna Picchu is great. It gives you views of the opposite side of the mountain, plus you can get to visit the Moon temple, which is my favorite part of Machu Picchu.
However, due to its popularity and limited capacity, only a limited number of visitors are allowed to climb Huayna Picchu each day. Therefore, if you’re interested in hiking to the top, it’s important to book your ticket to Huayna Picchu well in advance and plan accordingly.
Keep in mind that the hike is a bit challenging and may not be suitable for everyone, but it’s totally worth it if you are average fit.
Final thoughts
While the journey from Lima to Machu Picchu may require some planning and preparation, there are several options available to suit different budgets and preferences. Whether you choose to take the train or trek through the Andes, the scenery and history of this ancient Incan city are sure to leave you in awe.
