Aguas Calientes: a practical guide to the town below Machu Picchu
Every visit to Machu Picchu passes through Aguas Calientes, officially called Machu Picchu Pueblo. Squeezed into a narrow valley at 2,040 m, between the Urubamba River and green cliffs, the town lives for the train station and the buses up to the citadel. It is small, busy and surprisingly pleasant once you know how it works. Here is what you need to know.
Aguas Calientes at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 2,040 m — warmer and more humid than Cusco |
| How to arrive | By train, on foot from Hidroeléctrica, or at the end of a trek |
| To Machu Picchu | Bus in 25–30 minutes, or about 1.5 hours on foot up a stone stairway |
| Size | Very small: everything is within a 10-minute walk |
| Cars | None — the town is not connected by road |
How to get to Aguas Calientes
Most visitors arrive by train from Ollantaytambo (about 1.5 hours) or from the Cusco area. Budget travellers come via Hidroeléctrica, walking about 2.5–3 hours along the railway after a long drive from Cusco. Trekkers arrive at the end of the Salkantay or Short Inca Trail. Compare every route in how to get to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu, all arranged
Train, bus, entrance and guide — day tours from US $375 or 2 days with a night in Aguas Calientes.
The bus up to Machu Picchu
Shuttle buses leave from the bus stop by the river from early morning and climb the zigzag road to the entrance in 25–30 minutes. In high season queues form before dawn, so if you have an early entry ticket, be in line early and buy your bus ticket in advance. The alternative is the steep stone stairway through the forest, about 1.5 hours up — a good workout, best done going down. Our Machu Picchu tours include the bus.
What to do in Aguas Calientes
- Hot springs: the thermal baths that gave the town its name, a short uphill walk from the centre — ideal after a trek.
- Site museum: near the bridge at the foot of the mountain, with archaeological finds from Machu Picchu and a small botanical garden.
- Artisan market: next to the train station, for textiles, ceramics and souvenirs.
- Main square: with views of the surrounding peaks and plenty of cafés.
- River walks: paths along the Urubamba with birds, orchids and waterfalls in the cloud forest.
Where and what to eat
Restaurants line the railway and the streets around the main square, from simple menú lunches to pizza ovens and Peruvian fusion. Prices are higher than in Cusco because everything arrives by train. Try trout from the river, a hearty soup or a fresh fruit juice. If your visit to Machu Picchu is early, ask your hotel for a packed breakfast.
Should you stay a night?
Spending a night in Aguas Calientes lets you take one of the first buses up, enjoy the citadel at a calmer pace and avoid a 17-hour day trip. It is the plan of our Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu in 2 days and of the treks. If time is short, the Machu Picchu day tour also works well — you simply pass through town on the way to and from the train.
Practical tips
- Pack light: trains have luggage limits; leave big bags in your Cusco hotel.
- Carry cash: some small shops and the toilets only take soles.
- Bring insect repellent: small biting flies are common, especially in the warmer months.
- Keep your passport handy: you need it for the train, the bus and Machu Picchu.
For the full picture, read our complete Machu Picchu guide.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Machu Picchu Pueblo is the official name of the town; most people still call it Aguas Calientes.
By shuttle bus in 25–30 minutes, or on foot up a steep stairway in about 1.5 hours.
No. The town has no road connection; you arrive by train or on foot from the hydroelectric station.
Yes if you want an early entry and a relaxed visit. It also breaks up the long journey from Cusco.
About 2,040 m, lower than Machu Picchu and much lower than Cusco.
