How much does it cost to go to Machu Picchu?

Cost to go to Machu Picchu

The cost to go to Machu Picchu In 2024 will depend on whether your trip will be done with a secure travel agency or on your own. In the first alternative, you will have to select a travel agency that suits your needs. In the second option, you will have to purchase on your own the entrance to Machu Picchu, Train ticket, bus ticket and the services of a professional tour guide. Which is the optimal alternative? It depends on the individual visitor. Traveling independently may be somewhat more economical, but requires more planning.

Trip to Machu Picchu Prices

Machu Picchu is located about 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco, which is the capital of the homonymous region in Peru. However, there is no direct road connecting Cusco and Machu Picchu. The fastest and safest alternative, preferred by most visitors, is the train. To do this, it is necessary to leave from the city of Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station, which is about 61 kilometers away by road (with an average travel time of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes). If you opt for this independent travel option, the cost is 12 soles and you can board public transportation minivans that depart from Pavitos Street.

Rail services are also available that depart directly from the city of Cusco, although most trains originate at the Ollantaytambo station. In Ollantaytambo, it is necessary to take the various trains available (with different prices and experiences) to reach the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as the town of Machupicchu. It is recommended to purchase train tickets online, except for the local train for Peruvians, which cannot be purchased online. The train ride lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with prices ranging from 12 soles (for the local train intended for Peruvians) to US$450 on the luxurious Hiram Bingham train.

Once in Aguas Calientes, the only thing left to do is to take the Consettur bus, which leaves every 10 minutes. In 30 minutes, they will take you to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. The cost of the bus ticket is approximately 12 dollars for foreign tourists and 7 dollars for Peruvians.

Is the trip to Machu Picchu expensive?

The cost of the trip to Machu Picchu varies according to the visitor’s preferences in terms of experiences. It is true that there are hotel establishments in Cusco and Aguas Calientes where you may need to spend up to $200 or even $300 more for one night’s lodging.

However, it is important to keep in mind that a trip to the Wonder of the World does not necessarily have to be expensive.

The cost of the trip will depend on the type of trip you wish to experience. There are numerous alternatives to choose from, ranging from backpacker itineraries to top-notch experiences.

How much does the trip to Machu Picchu cost?

One of the safest ways to visit Machu Picchu is through a planned tour with a tourist agency. However, the most economical option and without additional cost is to do it independently.

For a trip to Machu Picchu independently, it is essential to have:

• Plane ticket to Lima (Peru) and then to Cusco.
• Hotel in Cusco and depending if you stay more days in the town of Aguas Calientes.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Round trip bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
• Train ticket round trip (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes and vice versa).
  Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.

What is the price of transportation in Cusco?

In Cusco, cab services are priced between 5 and 10 soles (about $3) per trip. Transportation by minivan from Cusco to Ollantaytambo costs 10 Peruvian soles.

Estimated fares for the flight from Lima to Cusco:

Prices for airline tickets to Peru vary depending on the country of departure. In all cases, the destination is Jorge Chavez airport in Lima. From there, it will be necessary to take another flight to the city of Cusco.

Here are the associated costs:

Estimated price for flights from Lima (Peru) to Cusco:

* Reference prices.

Official Machu Picchu ticket prices:

Tickets to visit Machu Picchu must be booked online well in advance due to limited availability. There is an official web portal where tickets are sold. However, university students should purchase their tickets through an authorized travel agency.

The following are the officially established rates:

Entrance price Llacta Machu Picchu

Entrance price Machu Picchu + Circuit 4 + Huayna Picchu

Entrance price Machu Picchu + Circuit 3 + Machu PicchuMountain

Entrance price Machu Picchu + Circuit 4 + Huchuy Picchu

Entrance price Machu Picchu + Circuit 1 or 2 + Inca Bridge

The official office where you can purchase entrance tickets to Machu Picchu in Cusco is located at the following address:

• Casa Garcilaso – Calle Garcilaso s/n Cusco – Peru (about 2 blocks from the Plaza de Armas).
• Dirección Descentralizada de Cultura Cusco: Calle Maruri 324.
• To purchase Machu Picchu tickets, visitors must go to these offices and carry their identity card or passport.
• These offices are located in the Historic Center of Cusco, and the trip there usually takes approximately 15 minutes.
• The lines to buy Machu Picchu tickets in Cusco usually have an average duration of 30 minutes.
• As for tickets for university students, they can only be purchased in person or through online travel agencies.
• The only valid documentation to obtain the discount on the student ticket is the updated university student card.

Buy Machu Picchu Tickets ONLINE.

The purchase of tickets for Machu Picchu in Cusco involves waiting in long lines at the authorized offices. There is also the possibility that you will not find available space. The most convenient alternative is to purchase online.

How much does it cost to go to Machu Picchu by train?

There are two train companies available: PeruRail and Inca Rail. In both instances, it is strongly advised to purchase tickets online and in advance. Otherwise, visitors will face long waits in Cusco to get their tickets. In addition, it is possible that, in the worst case scenario, there may be no availability.

Below are the reference costs for Peru Rail and Inca Rail:

Price of trains Peru Rail route Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu (roundtrip)

*The Hiram Bingham luxury train departs directly from Cusco.

Price of trains Inca Rail route Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu (roundtrip)

Buy Train Tickets to Machu Picchu

The purchase of train tickets in person or through the website of each one of them.

Price of buses to Machu Picchu

Bus tickets can be easily purchased online or in Cusco. However, it is common to find long lines when boarding the buses, especially in the mornings. The bus ride takes an average of 30 minutes. Another alternative is to walk to Machu Picchu (which takes about 2 hours).

The following are the official fares for bus tickets:

Bus tickets can be purchased in person at the following locations in Cusco:

• AV. Infancia 433, Wanchaq – Cusco.
• AV. Hermanos Ayar, Distrito de Aguas Calientes – Cusco.

To purchase bus tickets in person, visitors must go to these offices and present their passport or identity card.

To make the purchase at the Aguas Calientes office, visitors usually wait in line for about 15 minutes.

Why opt for bus transportation to Machu Picchu?

Most tourists choose to take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu to conserve their energy and explore the Inca City more comfortably. However, young and fit travelers also have the option of walking up to this Wonder of the World.

How much is spent in total?

The following is a budget estimate for those individuals planning to travel independently, taking into account the usual services.

Average budget for a trip to Machu Picchu:

Budget for the alternative Santa Teresa route

The railroad is not the only option to reach the Wonder of the World; there are also alternative routes such as the Inca Trail or the route that passes through Santa Teresa to Machu Picchu.

The route involves a bus ride and hike along the Santa Teresa route, passing through Santa Maria, also known as the Hidroelectrica route. The following is a breakdown of the budget:

• The trip to Santa Teresa will cost approximately $30.
  The minivan ride from Santa Teresa to Hidroeléctrica will range between $1.5 and $3. Remember to consider the round trip price (for the same route).
• From Hidroeléctrica, you can walk along the train tracks until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes. It is recommended to bring water, which has a cost of $0.65.
• A night in Aguas Calientes with basic service will cost approximately $25.
• The next day, you can choose to walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
• However, if you prefer not to do so, you should be aware that a round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu will cost $24.

Inca Trail Route 4 days and 3 nights

The trip to Machu Picchu by trekking for 4 days and 3 nights, known as the ‘Inca Trail Route’, has an estimated cost of around US$800 per individual.