Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco: timetable, price and tips
Yes, you can see Machu Picchu in a single day from Cusco. It is a long day — you leave before dawn and return at night — but trains, buses, tickets and guide are all arranged, so you only have to enjoy the Inca citadel. Here is exactly how the day unfolds and how to make it work.
The day, hour by hour
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 4:30 am | Hotel pickup and drive through Chinchero and Urubamba to Ollantaytambo (about 1 h 45 min) |
| 6:30 am | Train along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes (about 1 h 45 min) |
| 9:00 am | Bus up to the citadel and guided tour of about 4 hours |
| 1:30 pm | Back down to Aguas Calientes; lunch and free time |
| 3:30 pm | Train back to Ollantaytambo, then road transfer |
| 9:30 pm | Arrival at your hotel in Cusco |
The guided visit
Your guide leads you through the citadel’s main areas: the agricultural terraces, the main plaza, the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Three Windows and the Intihuatana, explaining how the Incas built a city on a ridge at 2,430 m. Your exact route depends on the circuit on your ticket, which you choose when you book.
Machu Picchu in one day
Transport, train, bus, entrance and guide — from US $375 per person. Book at least 25 days ahead.
What is included
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
| Transport Cusco–Ollantaytambo and back | Lunch in Aguas Calientes |
| Round-trip train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes | Breakfast and dinner |
| Round-trip bus to the citadel | Tips |
| Machu Picchu entrance ticket | — |
| Guide at Machu Picchu and a snack for the journey | — |
Why you need to book 25 days ahead
Machu Picchu entrances and train seats are limited and tied to fixed times, so we buy them in your name in advance. That is why this tour must be booked at least 25 days before your date, and earlier in the dry season (May to September), when tickets sell out. Check ticket availability first, and remember that your original passport must match your ticket.
One day or two?
A day trip is ideal if your time in Cusco is short. If you can spare a night, the 2-day version is more relaxed, and combining it with the Sacred Valley — as in our Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2-day tour — breaks up the journey. The car route via Hidroeléctrica is a cheaper but slower alternative: see Machu Picchu by car.
Tips for a long day
- Pack the night before: passport, water, snacks, rain jacket, sun hat and sunscreen.
- Bring soles or a card for lunch in Aguas Calientes, which is not included.
- Sleep on the train home; it is a 17-hour day.
- Dress in layers: Cusco is cold at 4:30 am, Machu Picchu is warmer and often humid. See what to wear.
- Want to climb Huayna Picchu? It needs a different ticket; read our Huayna Picchu guide.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The tour leaves at 4:30 am and returns around 9:30 pm, with about four hours of guided visit at the citadel.
From US $375 per person in a shared group, or US $450 per person with a private guide at the citadel.
No. Lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included; a snack for the journey is.
At least 25 days ahead, because entrances and train seats are bought in your name. Book earlier from May to September.
Yes. Your original passport is required to enter Machu Picchu and must match the name on your ticket.
