Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco Train, Tickets and a Private Guide in One Day
Travel by train along the Urubamba River and explore Machu Picchu (2,430 m) with your own guide. Transfers, round-trip train, buses and entrance included — from $375 per person.
Our Machu Picchu day tour is the easiest way to see the Inca citadel without spending a night away from Cusco. We pick you up at 4:30 AM and drive through Chinchero and Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, where the train follows the Urubamba River through the canyon to Aguas Calientes. A short bus ride takes you up to Machu Picchu for an unhurried guided visit of its temples, plazas and terraces.
After the visit you have free time for lunch in Aguas Calientes before the afternoon train, and you are back at your hotel at around 9:30 PM. Round-trip train, buses, the entrance ticket, a private guide for your group and all transfers are included. Because tickets and train seats are issued in each traveller’s name, please book at least 25 days ahead — earlier for June to August. Our Machu Picchu day tour guide explains the day in detail.
About 1 h 45 min each way along the Urubamba River, from the Sacred Valley into the cloud forest.
A private guide at the citadel
Your own licensed guide explains the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana and the Inca city’s history.
Tickets handled for you
Entrance ticket, train seats and the bus up to the citadel are booked in your name before you arrive.
Back in Cusco the same night
No hotel change or overnight bag: you return to your Cusco hotel at around 9:30 PM.
Free time in Aguas Calientes
Time for lunch at a restaurant of your choice before the afternoon train.
Tour at a glance
Duration
Full Day · 17 h
Price
From US $375 per person
Hotel pickup
4:30 AM
Back in Cusco
9:30 PM
Max altitude
2,430 m
Walking
≈2–3 h inside the citadel
Difficulty
Easy
Drive from Cusco
1 h 45 min + train
Meals
Not included
Entrance fees
Included
Group size
Small group, max 14 travelers
Booking
At least 25 days ahead
Book Machu Picchu in advance
Machu Picchu entrance tickets and train seats are issued by the Peruvian authorities in each traveler’s name, so this tour must be booked at least 25 days ahead (earlier for June–August). Short on time? All our other day tours can be booked online up to 5 hours before pickup.
A long but well-organised day: road and train through the Sacred Valley, a guided visit of Machu Picchu and the return to Cusco at night.
FULL DAY
Full Day · Machu Picchu
04:30 AMDeparture from Cusco. We collect you from your hotel and set off by bus toward the charming town of Ollantaytambo, travelling through the picturesque villages of Chinchero and Urubamba — about 1 hour 45 minutes through the Sacred Valley.
06:30 AMScenic train to Aguas Calientes. In Ollantaytambo we board the train bound for Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) — a journey of about 1 hour 45 minutes immersed in the mesmerizing landscapes of the Sacred Valley.
09:00 AMBus up to the citadel & guided tour. From Aguas Calientes a short bus ride climbs to the awe-inspiring Inca city of Machu Picchu, where we begin a comprehensive guided tour of about 4 hours — exploring the ruins, temples and terraces and soaking in the rich history of this mystical site.
01:30 PMDescent & lunch. After our exploration we descend back to Aguas Calientes, where a delicious lunch awaits and there is time to relax before the return journey.
03:30 PMReturn train & transfer. We make our way to the station to catch the return train to Ollantaytambo, then board a bus back to Cusco.
09:30 PMArrival in Cusco. We reach your accommodation in Cusco at approximately 9:30 PM, completing an unforgettable full day at Machu Picchu.
Good to know: It is a long but well-paced day. Train and entrance times are fixed by the authorities, so we secure your tickets in advance — which is why this tour must be booked at least 25 days ahead.
Inclusions & exclusions
Exactly what is covered in your Machu Picchu day tour — and what to budget separately.
What's Included
Snack for the journey.
Private guide for your group at Machu Picchu.
Cusco – Ollantaytambo transport (tourist transport via the Sacred Valley).
Bus Aguas Calientes ↔ Machu Picchu citadel, round trip.
Entrance ticket to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Return transport Ollantaytambo – Cusco city.
Not Included
Lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Breakfast.
Dinner.
Tips for guide and staff (optional, appreciated).
Before you go
A few essentials we strongly recommend to make your Machu Picchu day the most rewarding possible.
Book early — tickets are limited
Machu Picchu entry and train seats are capped and timed, so this tour must be booked at least 25 days in advance. Good news on altitude: Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m, lower than Cusco, so it feels easy.
Physical fitness
The visit is easy to moderate: about 2–3 hours on foot inside the citadel, with many stone stairs. At 2,430 m, Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco, so altitude is rarely a problem. It is a long day — sleep well the night before.
Best time to go
Machu Picchu is open all year. May to September brings the most sunshine and the biggest crowds; April, October and November are quieter. In the rainy season (December to March) mornings are often misty, which gives the citadel a magical atmosphere.
Sun & weather
Cusco’s sun is strong even on cloudy days. Bring sunscreen SPF 50+, a hat and sunglasses, and carry a light jacket or fleece: mornings are cool and the weather can change quickly, especially from December to March.
Cancellations & weather
You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour if a verifiable emergency keeps you from joining — an illness, an accident or a cancelled flight, for example, with a document that shows it. If weather or road conditions make the trip unsafe, we will offer you a new date or a full refund. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. See our refund policy.
What to pack
Travel light but smart. Here's exactly what we recommend bringing for a comfortable, safe day at altitude.
Essentials
Passport — required for the entrance ticket.
Hiking boots (broken in) — terrain is rocky & uneven.
Transparent pricing — no hidden fees. The more travelers in your group, the lower the price per person.
Group Type
Group Size
Price / Person
What's Different
Shared Group Most popular
2 – 14 travelers
US $375 / pp
Mixed international group · scenic train · early departure
Private Group ★ Best experience
2 – 6 travelers
US $450 / pp
Your own private guide at the citadel · personalized pace
Family Package
4+ adults & kids
US $356 / pp
5% discount for adolescents & children
Group of 8+
8 or more travelers
From US $338 / pp
Automatic group discount applied at checkout
Group discounts apply automatically. Book 4+ travelers and we'll send a custom quote within 2 hours. Larger groups (10+) qualify for additional savings — message us on WhatsApp.
Payment & refund highlights
Secure online payment
Pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express. All transactions SSL-encrypted via Izipay.
Cancellation policy
We accept cancellations up to 24 hours before the tour when a verifiable emergency prevents you from attending. Machu Picchu tickets, train tickets and Inca Trail permits are personal and cannot be refunded once purchased. Refunds go back to your original payment method and are processed by your bank, not by us: any bank fees are applied by the bank, and the money can take up to 30 business days to reach your account. Thank you for your patience. Read the full policy.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we hear most often. More? See the full FAQ page or reach us on WhatsApp.
From US $375 per person in a shared group, or US $450 private. The price includes transfers, the round-trip train, the buses, the entrance ticket and a guide.
No. You have free time for lunch in Aguas Calientes, where there are restaurants for every budget.
At least 25 days ahead, because the entrance ticket and train seats are issued in each traveller’s name. For June to August, book even earlier; check ticket availability.
The guided visit inside the citadel lasts about 2–3 hours, following the circuit on your ticket.
Yes. Bring your original passport: it must match the name and number on your Machu Picchu ticket and train ticket.
Yes, for the main visit. If you want more time or to climb Huayna Picchu, consider the 2-day tour. Read how to reach Machu Picchu to compare options.
The experience was magical. First of all, we were told all information one night before. Went to our hotel, ensured we were ready for this experience. The next day, we were picked up and dropped off at the train (made sure we were set) and even gave us snacks and drinks for the wonderful train ride. Met with our tour guide as explained and had the magical experience. Fell in love with Machu Picchu. The guide was fully experienced and knowledgeable. Will recommend!
— Irving G. · Nov 2025
★★★★★
If you want the utmost care and attention given to your trip to Machu Picchu, you need to book this tour. It was a magical experience, from beginning to end. It was surreal being there and the Andes are so majestic.
Let me start of with, not all tour packages are the same. Ruben met me the night before at my hotel, and explained all the logistics so I would feel comfortable traveling to Machu Picchu from Cusco the next day. The day of, he met me at my hotel and took me to the train/bus station. He packed me water and snacks and re-reviewed the itinerary with me. Most guides do not do either of these things!
Everything about the trip was beautiful and unique. Machu Picchu was breathtaking, and my guide answered all my questions and was incredibly knowledgable. I'm an archeology nerd so I had a lot of questions. And the views going to and from Machu Picchu are so so beautiful. It was the perfect day. Thank you to Ruben for making it a phenomenal experience.
— Anne · Jan 2025
★★★★★
Ruben fue muy atencioso con todo y Enrique tambien és excelente!!! Me gustó mucho la visita a Macchu Picchu! Gracias!!!
— Juliana · Jun 2024
★★★★★
M. Ruben est consciencieux, il vient à notre rencontre la veille de l’excursion pour nous expliquer les étapes de la journée. Il est patient et calme.
Il s’assure que nous ayons bien compris.
Il partage bien ses connaissances dans un français très correct.
Conseil: la journée débute tôt et le trajet est relativement long. Préparez-vous un petit lunch que vous pourrez manger durant le transport.
— Julie · Mar 2024
★★★★★
Ruben and Gabriel really went to all lengths to make this journey magical
Ask for Gabriel as your guide
He is a kind and informative gentleman!!
— Jane · Dec 2023
★★★★★
The tour was amazing! Enrique was very attentive to my pace and it was a great privet tour! The road from Cusco is challenging but in the ent of the day macho picho was beyond imagination and it is totally worth it!
— Asaf · Sep 2023
★★★★★
This was an entirely magical experience. If you are worried about it, don’t be! It is impeccably planned by Ruben. Ruben will stop by your hotel/Airbnb the night prior to explain everything, which will alleviate your worries. You have to take a bus and train to reach Machu Picchu, but Ruben takes care of all that. After you get off the train, you will meet your guide. Ours was Enrique, who was lovely! Very knowledgeable, friendly, FANTASTIC at taking photos. We have some of the most amazing photos that we will treasure forever. He really knew the best spots and angles for photos.
Everyone really cared about our experience and didn’t rush us a single time. They moved at our pace.
I recommend booking the private tour to really enjoy the experience. It was worth every penny.
— Ashley · Sep 2023
★★★★★
Ruben was so helpful with organizing the trip, and it all went off without a hitch. Not having to worry about the details of it all was so nice! Enrique was a wonderful guide and a great photographer as well! I highly recommend this tour! It was life changing, and I learned so much. Thank you!!
— Madi · Jul 2023
★★★★★
Couldn’t have asked for better. Ruben made everything seamless, from meeting me the evening before to go over details, to picking me up at the precise time he said, greeting me with a bag of snacks, water and juice for the trip.
Enrique was an amazing guide. His thoughtful notes and stories made the trip through Machu Picchu far more special as I was engrossed in the history, mysteries and stories.
Lunch was delicious and very filling at the end and gave a chance to rest and learn more.
Having the day so thoughtfully arranged, every detail thought of and such kind hosts makes this SO worth it. Can’t recommend enough.
— SueEllen · Apr 2023
★★★★★
非常棒的体验，愉快的一天，组织的非常好。推荐！！
— Maggie · Apr 2023
★★★★★
Fue realmente mágico, salimos enamorados del lugar, una experiencia maravillosa y única de esas experiencias que no hubieran sido tan perfectas sino hubiera sido con Enrique como guía.
— Leon · Apr 2023
★★★★★
This experience was amazing. The day is going to be LONG, so prepare to spend the entire day on this journey since Machu Picchu is very isolated in the mountains. The train rides and bus rides were not too long, and everything flowed SEAMLESSLY. I give this experience a 10/10. Ruben and Jose Enrique were the best. Jose Enrique was a super knowledgeable guy who was attentive and really seemed to love his job and his setting, which made the experience 10x better. I highly recommend this trip, go see one of the 7 wonders of the world!
