Machu Picchu by Train (1 day )

Many people email us asking us how to book a traditional one day tour to Machu Picchu. Although we could sell you a tour, it really is very simple for you to organize yourselves and will obviously work out a bit cheaper.

Prior to arranging your trip you must first understand a little about the geography of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is located approximately 114 kilometres from Cusco. The nearest town to Machu Picchu is called Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is connected to Machu Picchu by an unpaved road. Buses run frequently between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs US$6 each way. Tickets can be bought upon arrival in Aguas Calientes.

There are a couple of options to get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes.
Option 1: The most popular option (and easiest) is to take the train from Cusco directly to Aguas Calientes. (for details see below).

Option 2: Travel by road from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) and then take a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. There is no road between Ollantaytambo so you need to take the train for this section.

Train Services:

The only reliable company offering train services to Aguas Calientes is Peru Rail. Details of their services, timetables, prices and booking details can be found on their website www.perurail.com We have reproduced some of their information below only as a guide. However departures and prices may change so always consult the Peru Rail website for up-to-date information.
 
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From Cusco to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu):
Train
Arrives
Departs
Arrives
Vistadome 1
(US$113 rtn)
 Cuzco
Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu
Cuzco
 06.00
-

15.30
-		 -
09.40

-
19.20
Vistadome 2
(US$113 rtn)
 Cuzco
Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu
Cuzco
 07.00
-

17.00
- 		-
11.00

-
21.25
Backpacker
(US$73 rtn)
 Cuzco
Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu
Cuzco
 06.15
-

15.55
-		 -
10.15

-
20.20

From Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)

Train
Arrives
Departs
Arrives
Vistadome 1 (US$77 rtn)
(Reservations for this train must be
made 10 days prior to departure)
 Urubamba
Ollantaytambo
Machu Picchu
 06.10
07.05
-		 -
07.00
08.20
Vistadome 2 (US$77 rtn) Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo		 08.35
-
 -
10.05
Vistadome 3 (US$77 rtn) Ollantaytambo
Machu Picchu		 10.30
-
 -
10.05
Vistadome 4 (US$77 rtn) Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo
 13.20
-
 -
14.40
Vistadome 5 (US$77 rtn) Ollantaytambo
Machu Picchu
 14.55
-
 -
16.15
Vistadome 6 US$77 rtn)
(Reservations for this train must be
made 10 days prior to departure)
 Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo
Urubamba
 16.45
18.10
-
 -
18.05
19.15
Backpacker Shuttle 1 (US$57 rtn) Ollantaytambo
Machu Picchu
 09.05
-
 -
11.00
Backpacker Shuttle 2 (US$57 rtn) Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo
 16.20
-
 -
18.00

 
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Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Ruins
Buses run between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu approximately every 15 minutes. They depart when they are full so there are usually plenty of buses as soon as the train arrives. The price of a ticket is US$6 per person each way. You can buy the ticket as soon as you arrive in Aguas Calientes. If you want to avoid the queues to buy the bus tickets you can buy the ticket a day or two in advance in Cusco from the CONSETTUR offices which are located in Avenido Pardo opposite Parque España (its a short walk from the main post office or just ask a taxi driver to take you there which will cost 3 Soles (about US$1!).

Entrance Fee to Machu Picchu
The current entrance fee to Machu Picchu is 119 Peruvian Soles (about US$37). Students with a valid ISIC card receive a 50% discount. Tickets can be bought at the entrance to Machu Picchu. There is currently no limit on the number of visitors to Machu Picchu although the situation may change in 2007. We therefore recommend that when you arrive in Cusco you check with the tourist information office to find out what the current situation is.
 
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Finding a Guide for Machu Picchu
You could just buy a guide book and do a self-guided-tour to Machu Picchu. You could just wander around Machu Picchu listening to explanations from other groups' tour guides (!) or you could hire the services of your own guide. There are usually guides just outside the ruins offering their services. Expect to pay between US$15 and US$25 per guide per hour depending on how many there are of you. Some guides may offer a group service for about US$5-10 per person, but you may have to wait a while until the guide finds other visitors to join the group.


Transport Between Cusco to Ollantaytambo
If you've bought a train ticket just between Aguas Calientes and Ollantaytambo then you will have to organize your own transport between Cusco and Ollantaytambo. There are plenty of cheap local buses (about US$3 each way) or you could take a taxi which costs about US$20.
 
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Total Budget (2007 prices)
Backpackers train service Cusco to Aguas Calientes Return US$73
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Return US$12
Entrance to Machu Picchu US$37
Hire a guide at the ruins (group service) US$10
Total cost: US$132
Generally tour agencies charge between US$160 and US$200 for this very same service.

Contact: info@peruviantreks.com for more information and pricing on these Peru treks and hikes
 
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