How to get to Machu Picchu: every route from Cusco explained
There is no road to the gates of Machu Picchu. Every journey ends in Aguas Calientes, the town below the citadel, and you get there by train, on foot along an Inca trail, or by a long drive and a riverside walk. Each option suits a different budget, timeframe and fitness level. Here is how they work and how to choose.
All the options at a glance
| Route | Time | Effort | Our tour from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train via Ollantaytambo | 1 day (or 2 with the Sacred Valley) | Easy | US $375 |
| Classic Inca Trail | 4 days | Demanding | US $820 |
| Short Inca Trail | 2 days | Moderate | US $585 |
| Salkantay or Lares trek | 4 days | Moderate to demanding | US $470 |
| By car via Hidroeléctrica | 2–3 days | Moderate (long walk on the flat) | US $209 |
By train: the easiest way
Most travellers drive or take a bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley (about 1.5–2 hours) and board the train there. The ride to Aguas Calientes takes about 1.5 hours along the Urubamba River, with big windows looking up at snow peaks and cloud forest. Two companies run the line, with several classes from standard to luxury. Some departures also leave from the Cusco area, but the journey is longer.
Our Machu Picchu day tour (from US $375) does it all in one long day: 4:30 AM pickup, train, bus, entrance and guide, and back at your hotel around 9:30 PM. If you prefer a calmer pace, the Sacred Valley + Machu Picchu in 2 days (from US $425) adds the valley’s Inca sites and a night in Aguas Calientes.
Find your way to Machu Picchu
Train day tours, treks and the budget route — all with entrance and guide.
On foot: the Inca Trail
Walking the original Inca road is the most memorable way to arrive: you enter through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) and see the citadel from above, as the Incas did. The Classic Inca Trail takes four days and crosses Dead Woman’s Pass (4,215 m); the Short Inca Trail covers the final section in two days with a night in Aguas Calientes; and the one-day Inca Trail is a single, intense walk. Permits are limited by the government and sell out months ahead for the dry season, and the trail closes every February for maintenance. Compare them in short vs classic Inca Trail.
Alternative treks: Salkantay and Lares
No permit? Two superb treks finish with the train to Aguas Calientes. The Salkantay trek crosses a 4,600 m pass beneath a glacier and descends into the jungle, with Humantay Lake on the first day. The Lares trek is quieter and cultural, through weaving villages and hot springs. Both have more availability than the Inca Trail, making them a great choice if you book late. See our comparison of Inca Trail vs Salkantay vs Lares.
The budget route: by car via Hidroeléctrica
The cheapest way avoids the train for most of the journey. A vehicle drives from Cusco over the Abra Málaga pass and down to the hydroelectric station near Santa Teresa — a long, winding road of about six hours. From there you walk about 2.5–3 hours on a flat path along the railway to Aguas Calientes, where you sleep before visiting Machu Picchu. Our Machu Picchu by car in 2 days (from US $209) and 3-day version with the Cocalmayo hot springs (from US $220) organise it all. More details in our guide to the Hidroeléctrica route.
The last leg: Aguas Calientes to the citadel
Whichever way you come, the final climb starts in Aguas Calientes. Shuttle buses zigzag up to the entrance in about 25–30 minutes and leave constantly from early morning; buy tickets in advance in high season. The alternative is a steep stone stairway through the forest, about 1.5 hours on foot. Read our Aguas Calientes guide for tips on the town.
How to choose the right route
- One or two days, any fitness level: the train.
- Bucket-list experience and you plan months ahead: the Classic Inca Trail.
- Sun Gate arrival without camping: the Short Inca Trail.
- Trekking with late availability: Salkantay or Lares.
- Tight budget and a sense of adventure: by car via Hidroeléctrica.
Whatever you choose, book the Machu Picchu entrance early — see our tickets and circuits guide — and acclimatize in Cusco first.
Frequently asked questions
Not all the way. You can drive to the hydroelectric station near Santa Teresa and then walk about 2.5–3 hours to Aguas Calientes, or take the train. A bus then climbs from Aguas Calientes to the entrance.
From Ollantaytambo, about 1.5 hours to Aguas Calientes; add 1.5–2 hours by road from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, and 25–30 minutes by bus up to the citadel.
Yes. Our day tour leaves at 4:30 AM and returns around 9:30 PM, with train, bus, entrance and guide included.
Yes. Inca Trail permits are limited by the government and must be booked through a licensed operator, months in advance for the dry season.
The route by car via Hidroeléctrica, followed by a walk along the railway. Our 2-day tour on this route starts at US $209.
