How to Get from Cusco to Machu Picchu: Train, Bus, Hidroeléctrica and Inca Trail (2026)

No road connects Cusco with Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes), the town at the foot of the citadel. You have three ways to get there: the train, which is the most practical; the Hidroeléctrica route, cheaper and much longer; and on foot, via the Inca Trail or other treks. From Machu Picchu Pueblo you go up to the llaqta by bus or on foot. In this guide we go through each option using official information from PeruRail and Inca Rail, real travel times, the prices we were able to check, and how to match your transport with the time on your entry ticket.

Before booking anything, make sure you have your ticket: without one you cannot get through the citadel gate. We explain it in our guide to Machu Picchu tickets.

The options at a glance

Train fares change with the date, departure time and class. PeruRail and Inca Rail do not publish a fixed fare on their information pages and refer you to their booking engines, so the train amounts in this table come from travel agencies and should be taken as a guide only.

By train: the most practical way

Two companies run tourist trains to Machu Picchu Pueblo: PeruRail and Inca Rail. Both have their main station in Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley, and offer bimodal services (bus plus train) from the city of Cusco.

From Ollantaytambo

This is the most used route. According to PeruRail, the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo takes 1 h 30 min, and Inca Rail gives between 1 h 30 min and 2 h for a journey of about 43 km. PeruRail's 2026 timetable (May to December) has departures from Ollantaytambo throughout the day: the first at 5:05 (arriving 6:37) and the last at 21:00 (arriving 22:45). The companies warn that timetables may change, so confirm them when you book.

Ollantaytambo station is on Av. Ferrocarril s/n. Both PeruRail and Inca Rail ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Getting from Cusco to Ollantaytambo or Poroy

• Taxi: PeruRail estimates about S/70 to S/85 and 1 h 30 min from central Cusco to Ollantaytambo, and S/25 to S/30 and 30 min to Poroy station. To San Pedro or Wánchaq, about 10 minutes and under S/10.
• Colectivo or shared minivan: they leave from the Calle Pavitos area in central Cusco when full. Travel guides put them at S/10 to S/20 and 1 h 45 min to 2 h of travel. This is an unofficial price that we could not verify with any government source.
• Private car: according to PeruRail, the road trip takes 1 h 30 min to 2 h, the same as by colectivo.

If your train leaves early, the most comfortable option is to spend the night before in Ollantaytambo or elsewhere in the Sacred Valley.

Bimodal service from Cusco

If you do not want to organise the transfer yourself, the bimodal service combines a bus and the train in a single ticket:

• PeruRail: the bus leaves from Wánchaq station, about 5 minutes from the centre, and takes you to Ollantaytambo or to Pachar station, where you board the train. The whole journey takes about 4 h. In the 2026 timetable, the first bimodal departure is at 3:20 from Wánchaq, arriving in Machu Picchu Pueblo at 7:40. From January to April, all departures to and from Cusco run as bimodal services.
• Inca Rail: the bimodal leaves from its office at Av. El Sol 843, a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. The van takes about 2 h to Ollantaytambo and the whole trip, according to the company, 3 h 30 min to 5 h.

An important detail for PeruRail: since 1 September 2025, an ordinance of the Municipality of Ollantaytambo bans vehicles over 6500 kg on the road to the station. As a result, some bimodal departures switch from bus to train at Pachar station rather than in Ollantaytambo. Check your ticket to see where the transfer takes place.

In no case does the bimodal bus go up to the citadel: in Machu Picchu Pueblo you will need to take the bus on the Hiram Bingham road or walk up.

Train from Cusco: Poroy and San Pedro

PeruRail also runs trains from Poroy station (about 30 minutes from the centre) and San Pedro station (next to the market of the same name) on selected departures. According to its service comparison, the journey takes 3 h 30 min from Poroy and 4 h 30 min from San Pedro. These departures are not available all year or at all times, so check PeruRail's booking engine for your date.

Train classes: PeruRail and Inca Rail

Indicative prices published by agencies (not verified with the companies): Expedition from Ollantaytambo between about USD 63 and 99 one way depending on the season, The Voyager between USD 62 and 89, Vistadome between USD 78 and 123, and The 360° from about USD 82. Always check the actual fare on perurail.com or incarail.com.

Luggage allowed on the train

• PeruRail: one backpack of up to 8 kg (100 cm adding height, length and width) or one piece of hand luggage of up to 12 kg (115 cm). Excess costs USD 15 per item on the Machu Picchu–Cusco route, or you can leave it free of charge in its storage room.
• Inca Rail: one piece of hand luggage of up to 8 kg and 118 linear cm. It also offers a luggage storage service.

If you are spending the night in Machu Picchu Pueblo, leave your big suitcase at your hotel in Cusco and travel with just a backpack.

The Hidroeléctrica route: the budget option

This is the cheapest alternative and the one many backpackers choose, in exchange for a full day of travel. According to PeruRail, it works like this:

• Bus from Cusco to Santa María: about 5 h, roughly USD 20 one way.
• Colectivo from Santa María to Santa Teresa: around 1 h, about USD 8.
• Colectivo from Santa Teresa to Hidroeléctrica: about 40 minutes, about USD 5.
• From Hidroeléctrica to Machu Picchu Pueblo: on foot alongside the railway tracks, about 2 h 30 min (allow up to 3 h with a backpack), or on the PeruRail train, about 30 to 45 minutes.

The road section adds up to about 6 h with many bends. Many Cusco agencies also sell direct van transfers to Hidroeléctrica; we could not verify their prices. Hidroeléctrica is at an altitude of 1890 m, and there is no public road transport between Santa Teresa and Machu Picchu Pueblo: only the train or walking.

The train between Hidroeléctrica and Machu Picchu Pueblo is run by PeruRail with few departures a day. Its 2026 timetable lists, for example, a departure from Hidroeléctrica at 14:50 arriving at 15:34. We could not verify its price on the company's website. If you walk, do it in daylight, carry a torch just in case and always keep well away from the rails when a train passes.

With this route it is almost impossible to enter the citadel on the day you arrive. The usual plan is to sleep in Machu Picchu Pueblo and visit Machu Picchu the next day.

On foot: the Inca Trail and other treks

The Inca Trail reaches Machu Picchu on foot and can only be done with a licensed tour agency, which handles the permit. According to PeruRail, there are two versions:

• Long route: from km 82, 4 days or more.
• Short route: from km 104, just over 1 day. You get off the train at km 104, where some Expedition, Vistadome and Vistadome Observatory services stop.

PeruRail quotes prices from USD 500 with an agency. There are other alternative treks, such as Salkantay or Lares, that end in Machu Picchu Pueblo by combining hiking, road and sometimes train; they are booked through agencies and we do not cover them in detail here.

Arriving in Machu Picchu Pueblo and going up to the citadel

All trains end at Machu Picchu Pueblo station. The citadel is about 8 km further up, along the Hiram Bingham road. You have two options for going up.

By bus

The buses leave from Av. Hermanos Ayar, a few minutes' walk from the train station. According to the Consettur information published by PeruRail:

• Uphill schedule: from 5:30 to 15:30. Downhill: from 6:30 to 18:00.
• Frequency: every 5 to 15 minutes, depending on demand.
• Duration: about 25 to 30 minutes each way.
• Fare: USD 12 one way or USD 24 return for foreign adults, and USD 7 or USD 12 for foreign children.
• Where to buy: at comprar.consettur.com, at its office at Av. Pardo 827 in Cusco or at the ticket office in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Av. Hermanos Ayar, before the Puente Ruinas bridge), open from 5:30 to 22:00. Bring your passport.

Keep the current situation in mind: Consettur's concession expired in September 2025, and in September 2026 Consettur and the company San Antonio de Torontoy are running the route without formal authorisation while the Provincial Municipality of Urubamba prepares a new tender. Fares and sales points may change; confirm them when you arrive.

On foot

From the town you can walk up a stepped trail that starts at the Puente Ruinas bridge. PeruRail estimates about 2 h going up and 1 h 30 min coming down. It is demanding, so set off with time to spare, bring water and remember that at the gate you will need your ticket and your original ID document, as we explain in our guide to Machu Picchu entry requirements. A very popular option is to go up by bus and walk down.

If you still do not have a ticket, tickets are sold in person in Machu Picchu Pueblo; we explain how in our guide to buying tickets in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

How to match your transport with your ticket time

Your Machu Picchu ticket has a fixed entry time, from 6:00 to 15:00. The Ministry of Culture allows 30 minutes of grace (45 in the peak-demand months), but there is none at the mountain checkpoints. These are our recommendations:

• Entry at 6:00 or 7:00: spend the night before in Machu Picchu Pueblo. PeruRail's first train from Ollantaytambo arrives at 6:37, and the first bimodal from Cusco at 7:40, so arriving from outside for those slots is very tight or simply impossible.
• If you arrive by train the same day: leave at least 1 h to 1 h 30 min between the train's arrival and your ticket time. You have to walk to the buses, queue (which can be long in high season) and ride 25 to 30 minutes. With the first train from Ollantaytambo, aim for an entry from 8:00 onwards.
• For the return: you can stay in the llaqta for a maximum of 2 h 30 min on circuits without a mountain. Add the queue and the bus ride down, and leave a margin of at least 1 h 30 min between leaving the citadel and your train's departure.
• If you have Huayna Picchu: its slots are at 7:00 and 10:00, with no grace period at the mountain checkpoint. For the 7:00 slot, sleeping in the town is almost essential. We explain it in our guide to Huayna Picchu tickets.
• If you arrive via Hidroeléctrica: plan your visit for the next day.

The circuit also affects how much time you need inside. If you are unsure which to choose, see our guide to Machu Picchu circuits, the comparison circuit 2A vs 2B and the guide to circuit 3 (Royal Machu Picchu).

Practical tips

• Book the train in advance, especially from June to October, and buy your Machu Picchu ticket first: the train is of little use without an entry ticket.
• Rainy season (January to April): PeruRail runs all its departures to and from Cusco as bimodal services. The road to Hidroeléctrica is also more difficult in those months.
• Carry cash in soles for colectivos, taxis and small expenses in the town.
• Spend a night in Machu Picchu Pueblo if you can: a same-day round trip from Cusco is long and leaves little margin for any delay.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

Not all the way to the town. You can go by road to Ollantaytambo and take the train, or to Hidroeléctrica and continue on foot or by train. There is no road open to the public between Hidroeléctrica and Machu Picchu Pueblo.

How long does it take from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

By train, between 3 h 30 min and 5 h in total, depending on the departure station. Via Hidroeléctrica, about 6 h by road plus the 2 h 30 min to 3 h walk. On top of that comes the 25 to 30 minute bus ride up to the citadel.

What is the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu?

The Hidroeléctrica route. According to PeruRail, transport to Hidroeléctrica costs about USD 33 per person one way, and the walk to the town is free.

Which is better, PeruRail or Inca Rail?

Both companies cover the same route from Ollantaytambo in similar times. Choose based on the departure that best fits your ticket, the class and that day's price.

Is there a direct train from the city of Cusco?

PeruRail has departures from Poroy and San Pedro on selected services. Most travellers leave from Ollantaytambo or use the bimodal service from Wánchaq or Av. El Sol.

Can I go and come back on the same day?

Yes, by train, but it is a very long day. Choose a mid-morning entry and an afternoon return train with enough margin.

Do I need to buy the bus ticket in advance?

It is not required: it is also sold in Machu Picchu Pueblo. Buying it beforehand saves you a queue in high season.

In summary

The most comfortable way to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is to travel by road to Ollantaytambo and take the train there, or to use the bimodal service that includes everything. If your budget is tight and you have time, the Hidroeléctrica route costs much less but takes a full day. And if you are after adventure, the Inca Trail arrives on foot with a licensed agency. Whatever you choose, buy your ticket first, book the train around your ticket time and leave a margin for the bus up to the citadel.

Sources

1. PeruRail, compare train services (stations and journey times): https://www.perurail.com/es/comparar-servicios-de-tren/
2. PeruRail, 2026 timetables and frequencies: https://www.perurail.com/es/horarios-y-frecuencias/
3. PeruRail, bimodal service: https://www.perurail.com/es/servicio-bimodal/
4. PeruRail, temporary changes to the bimodal operation from 1 September 2025: https://www.perurail.com/es/comunicados/cambios-temporales-en-la-operacion-bimodal-a-partir-del-01-de-setiembre/
5. PeruRail, Ollantaytambo destination: https://www.perurail.com/es/destinos/ollantaytambo/
6. PeruRail, Hidroeléctrica route: https://www.perurail.com/es/destinos/hidroelectrica/
7. PeruRail, Inca Trail: https://www.perurail.com/es/destinos/camino-inca/
8. PeruRail, how to plan your own trip to Machu Picchu (taxis and Consettur bus): https://www.perurail.com/es/como-armar-tu-viaje-a-machu-picchu-por-tu-cuenta/
9. PeruRail, luggage: https://www.perurail.com/es/equipaje/
10. Inca Rail, train comparison: https://incarail.com/es/trenes/compare-servicios-de-trenes
11. Inca Rail, Cusco–Machu Picchu route and bimodal service: https://incarail.com/es/ruta-cusco-machu-picchu
12. Inca Rail, Ollantaytambo–Machu Picchu route: https://incarail.com/es/rutas/ollantaytambo-a-machu-picchu
13. Inca Rail, luggage policy: https://incarail.com/es/centro-de-ayuda/politicas-de-equipaje
14. Ministry of Culture, entry times and grace periods: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HORARIOS-DE-INGRESO.pdf
15. Infobae, relaunch of the bus tender on the Hiram Bingham route (23 September 2026): https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/09/23/machu-picchu-relanzan-licitacion-de-buses-en-ruta-hiram-bingham-tras-quejas-de-mas-de-40-empresas-de-transporte/
16. RPP, committee for the new tender of the Hiram Bingham route: https://rpp.pe/peru/cusco/machu-picchu-conforman-comite-para-nueva-licitacion-de-la-ruta-hiram-bingham-noticia-1708916
17. Train prices published by agencies (unofficial reference): machupicchuagency.com and railmachupicchu.com
18. Colectivo prices Cusco–Ollantaytambo (unofficial reference): https://www.guiaturista.com.pe/valle-sagrado-incas/ollantaytambo-como-llegar-cuanto-cuesta-cada-opcion-n5352