Distance from Cusco to Machu Picchu: Kilometers, Travel Times and Altitude by Route (2026)

Machu Picchu is about 70 km in a straight line from Cusco, but no route runs in a straight line. By train it is about 110 km of track from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes), and the only road route ends at Hidroeléctrica, where you continue on foot or by train. In this guide we bring together the distances and travel times for each option, the altitudes along the way and what they mean for altitude sickness. When a figure is our own calculation or doesn't come from an official source, we say so.

If you want to plan the trip step by step, with timetables and prices, read our guide to getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco.

Distances and times: summary

Timetables can change, and from January to April all services to and from Cusco run as bimodal services. Check them when you book.

Straight-line distance

Using the reference coordinates UNESCO publishes for the City of Cuzco and for the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, the straight-line distance is about 70 km. This is our own calculation, and the sanctuary's reference point doesn't exactly match the citadel, so treat it as an approximate figure. Real routes are much longer because they skirt mountains and follow the Urubamba River valley.

Distance by train

The Ferrocarril Sur Oriente railway links Cusco with Hidroeléctrica over 121 km, according to Ositran. Its kilometer markers let you work out the distance from each station: Poroy is at km 17 and Ollantaytambo at km 67, according to Ositran, and Machu Picchu Pueblo at km 110+500, according to the Ministry of Culture. With those figures, these are the distances to Machu Picchu Pueblo:

• From Cusco (San Pedro): about 110 km. PeruRail gives 4 h 30 min, on selected services.
• From Poroy: about 94 km and 3 h 30 min, according to PeruRail.
• From Ollantaytambo: about 43 km, the same figure Inca Rail gives. PeruRail gives 1 h 30 min, and Inca Rail between 1 h 30 min and 2 h.

The first two distances are our own calculations from the kilometer markers. The train is slow because the track is winding: PeruRail gives speeds of between 30 and 45 km/h. The most common option is to go by road to Ollantaytambo and take the train there, or to book the bimodal service, which combines bus and train from Cusco.

Distance by road

No road reaches Machu Picchu Pueblo. By road you can go as far as Ollantaytambo, to catch the train, or as far as Hidroeléctrica, to continue on foot.

• Cusco–Ollantaytambo: there are two paved routes, via Chinchero or via Pisac. Agencies give about 72 km. PeruRail estimates between 1 h 30 min and 2 h by taxi or colectivo.
• Cusco–Hidroeléctrica: the road climbs over the Abra Málaga pass and drops toward Santa María and Santa Teresa. According to PeruRail, it takes about 5 h to Santa María, 1 h to Santa Teresa and 40 min to Hidroeléctrica. One agency gives 181 km to Santa María, 23 km to Santa Teresa and almost 11 km to Hidroeléctrica, about 215 km in total. We haven't found an official figure, and Andina describes the Santa María–Santa Teresa corridor as about 31 km long.
• Hidroeléctrica–Machu Picchu Pueblo: the stretch of track runs from km 122 to km 110+500, according to the Ministry of Culture. You walk alongside the tracks, about 10 to 11 km according to agencies, in about 2 h 30 min according to PeruRail; with a backpack, allow up to 3 h.

The Hidroeléctrica route is the cheapest, but also the longest and the most exposed to closures from rain and landslides. We explain it in our guides to getting to Machu Picchu without the train and on a budget.

From Aguas Calientes to the citadel

The last stretch is the same for everyone. The bus climbs the Hiram Bingham road, about 8 km long according to Inca Rail, in 25 to 30 minutes. On foot, the trail from Puente Ruinas is about 3.5 km according to one agency, and takes about 2 h according to PeruRail or 1 h to 1 h 30 min according to Inca Rail. All the details are in our guide Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

Altitudes along the way and altitude sickness

The key point: Machu Picchu is almost 1,000 m lower than Cusco. The train journey is almost all downhill, so most people feel the altitude in Cusco, not at the citadel. The exception is the Hidroeléctrica route, which crosses the Abra Málaga pass, at about 4,300 m according to agencies, before descending.

To prevent altitude sickness, Peru's Ministry of Health recommends:

• Going up gradually, if you can, so your body can adapt.
• Eating light during the first 24 hours and staying well hydrated.
• Not self-medicating: altitude sickness medication should only be used under medical supervision.
• Going to the emergency room if you have difficulty breathing at rest, a severe and persistent headache, vomiting or confusion.

If you're flying in from the coast, also read our guide to getting to Machu Picchu from Lima, with itineraries to help you acclimatize.

Can you go from Cusco and back in one day?

Yes, by train, but it's a very long day. In the 2026 timetable, the first PeruRail train from Ollantaytambo reaches Machu Picchu Pueblo at 6:37, and the first bimodal service from Cusco at 7:40. Our tips:

• Choose a mid-morning entry time, so you don't depend on the first train.
• Work out your time inside: on circuits without a mountain you can stay for a maximum of 2 h 30 min. Choose your route with our guide to Machu Picchu circuits, the circuit 2A vs 2B comparison or our guide to circuit 3 (Royal Machu Picchu).
• Book an afternoon train back, with time to spare for the queue and the bus down.
• Watch the grace period: the Ministry of Culture allows 30 minutes (45 in the busiest months), and there is none at the mountain checkpoints. If you want to climb a mountain, see our guide to Huayna Picchu tickets.

Via Hidroeléctrica it isn't realistic: that's about 6 h by road and 2 h 30 min on foot each way. If you take that route, sleep in Machu Picchu Pueblo and visit the citadel the next day. Up to 1,000 tickets a day for the following day are sold there, as we explain in our guide to buying tickets in Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Whatever your plan, buy your Machu Picchu tickets in advance and check the entry requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How many kilometers is it from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

About 70 km in a straight line, by our calculation. By train it's about 110 km of track to Machu Picchu Pueblo, plus about 8 km of road up to the citadel.

How long does it take to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu?

By train or bimodal service, 3 h 30 min to 5 h depending on the departure station. Via Hidroeléctrica, about 6 h by road plus 2 h 30 min on foot. Add 25 to 30 minutes by bus up to the citadel.

How many kilometers is it from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu?

About 43 km of track to Machu Picchu Pueblo, which the train covers in 1 h 30 min to 2 h.

Is Machu Picchu higher than Cusco?

No. The citadel is at 2,430 m and Cusco at 3,400 m, according to UNESCO: almost 1,000 m lower.

Can you drive all the way to Machu Picchu?

No. The road ends at Hidroeléctrica, and from there you continue on foot or by train to Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Can you visit Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco?

Yes, by train, with a mid-morning entry time and an afternoon train back. Via Hidroeléctrica it isn't realistic.

In short

Machu Picchu is about 70 km from Cusco in a straight line, but the real journey is about 110 km of railway, or more than 200 km of road if you go via Hidroeléctrica. By train it takes 3 h 30 min to 5 h, and via Hidroeléctrica almost a whole day. Since Machu Picchu is almost 1,000 m lower than Cusco, you'll feel the altitude mostly in Cusco: take it easy when you arrive.

Sources

1. UNESCO, City of Cuzco (altitude and reference coordinates): https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/273/
2. UNESCO, Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (altitude and reference coordinates): https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/274/
3. Ositran, Ferrocarril del Sur y Sur Oriente (length of the Cusco–Hidroeléctrica line): https://www.ositran.gob.pe/anterior/vias-ferreas/ferrocarril-del-sur-y-sur-oriente/
4. Ositran, 2012 performance report on Ferrocarril Transandino (kilometer markers of Poroy and Ollantaytambo): https://www.ositran.gob.pe/anterior/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/id-ftsa-2012.pdf
5. Gestión, Ministry of Culture suspends the Amazon pedestrian access (kilometer markers of Hidroeléctrica and Machu Picchu Pueblo, January 25, 2026): https://gestion.pe/peru/ministerio-de-cultura-suspende-acceso-peatonal-amazonico-a-machu-picchu-por-huaico-noticia/
6. PeruRail, compare train services (journey time from each station): https://www.perurail.com/es/comparar-servicios-de-tren/
7. PeruRail, FAQ (train speeds): https://www.perurail.com/es/preguntas-frecuentes/
8. PeruRail, 2026 timetables and frequencies: https://www.perurail.com/es/horarios-y-frecuencias/
9. PeruRail, bimodal service: https://www.perurail.com/es/servicio-bimodal/
10. PeruRail, Ollantaytambo destination page (road time from Cusco and altitude): https://www.perurail.com/es/destinos/ollantaytambo/
11. PeruRail, Cusco destination page (altitude): https://www.perurail.com/es/destinos/cusco/
12. PeruRail, Machu Picchu destination page (altitude and getting up to the citadel): https://www.perurail.com/es/destinos/machu-picchu/
13. PeruRail, Hidroeléctrica route (stages, times and altitude): https://www.perurail.com/es/destinos/hidroelectrica/
14. PeruRail, how to plan your own trip to Machu Picchu (bus to the citadel): https://www.perurail.com/es/como-armar-tu-viaje-a-machu-picchu-por-tu-cuenta/
15. Inca Rail, Ollantaytambo–Machu Picchu route (distances, times and altitude): https://incarail.com/es/rutas/ollantaytambo-a-machu-picchu
16. Inca Rail, Cusco–Machu Picchu route and bimodal service: https://incarail.com/es/ruta-cusco-machu-picchu
17. Inca Rail, how to get to Machu Picchu (hike from the town): https://incarail.com/es/machu-picchu/como-llegar-a-machu-picchu
18. Municipalidad Distrital de Machupicchu, general information (altitudes): https://munimachupicchu.gob.pe/munimapi/index.php/machupicchu/informacion-general
19. Ministry of Culture, entry times and grace periods: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HORARIOS-DE-INGRESO.pdf
20. Ministerial Resolution 528-2023-MC (entry times and length of stay): https://cdn.www.gob.pe/uploads/document/file/5627334/4985976-resolucion-ministerial-n-000528-2023-mc.pdf
21. Ministry of Health, recommendations against altitude sickness (July 28, 2026): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minsa/noticias/1423549-minsa-brinda-recomendaciones-clave-para-prevenir-y-detectar-a-tiempo-complicaciones-por-mal-de-altura
22. Andina, landslide on the Santa María–Santa Teresa road (April 14, 2026): https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-ruta-amazonica-machu-picchu-esta-cerrada-nuevamente-tras-deslizamiento-gran-magnitud-1071273.aspx
23. Cusco–Ollantaytambo distance published by an agency (unofficial reference): https://www.donperutours.com/es/turismoperu/distancia-desde-cusco-a-ollantaytambo-urubamba-poroy/
24. Hidroeléctrica route distances published by an agency (unofficial reference): https://www.machupicchuterra.com/es/guia/ruta-machu-picchu-hidroelectrica/
25. Abra Málaga altitude published by an agency (unofficial reference): https://www.peru-spirit.com/es/guias/machu-picchu-economico-por-hidroelectrica/
26. Trail data published by a travel agency (unofficial reference): https://www.inkayniperutours.com/blog/es/de-aguas-calientes-a-machu-picchu