The 3 ways to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu, step by step: by train to Aguas Calientes, by road via Hidroeléctrica, or on foot along the Inca Trail. Travel times, pros and cons, and which route to choose.
Machu Picchu is about 75 km (47 miles) from Cusco as the crow flies, but no road goes all the way to the citadel. The last leg always starts in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), the town at the foot of the mountain, which you can only reach by train or on foot. Here are the three ways to get there and when each one makes sense.
1. By train to Aguas Calientes (the fastest option)
This is the most comfortable option and the one most travelers choose. Two companies run the route, PeruRail and Inca Rail, with several classes of service, from standard trains with panoramic windows to luxury services.
- From Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro station): about 3 h 30 min.
- From Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley: about 1 h 30 min. Getting from Cusco to Ollantaytambo takes about 2 hours by road.
- In the rainy season (roughly January to April), the Cusco–Ollantaytambo leg is usually done by bus and the train departs from Ollantaytambo (a “bimodal” service).
From Aguas Calientes, Consettur buses climb to the citadel in about 25–30 minutes along a zigzag road. You can also hike up: around 1 h 30 min of stone steps.
With this option you can visit Machu Picchu as a day trip (Machu Picchu Day Trip by Train) or spend a night in Aguas Calientes to enter early (Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour by Train).
2. By road via Hidroeléctrica (the budget option)
This is the cheapest route and a backpacker favorite. You travel by car or van from Cusco over the Málaga Pass (over 4,300 m / 14,100 ft) to Santa Teresa and Hidroeléctrica station: about 6 to 7 hours on mountain roads. From there you walk about 11 km (7 miles) along the railway, 2.5 to 3 hours on almost flat ground, to Aguas Calientes.
Pros: lower cost and cloud-forest scenery. Cons: it’s a long journey, and in the rainy season the road can be affected by landslides. We recommend doing it over 2 days (Machu Picchu by Car, 2 Days).
3. On foot: the Inca Trail and alternative treks
The Classic Inca Trail is the most famous hike in South America: about 42 km (26 miles) over 4 days through Inca ruins, cloud forest and mountain passes. The highest point is Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusca) at 4,215 m (13,828 ft), and on the last day you reach Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
- Permits are limited (about 500 people per day, including guides and porters) and can only be booked through a licensed operator. In high season they sell out months in advance.
- The Inca Trail closes every February for maintenance.
If permits are sold out, there are alternatives with no daily cap: the Salkantay Trek (5 days, crossing a pass at about 4,600 m next to Mount Salkantay) or the Inca Jungle Trek (4 days, with biking and adventure activities). Learn more about our Classic Inca Trail 4 Days.
Which option should you choose?
| Option | Time from Cusco | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Train | 3–4 h to Aguas Calientes | Short trips, comfort, families |
| Car via Hidroeléctrica | 6–7 h + 2.5–3 h walking | Tight budgets, active travelers |
| Inca Trail | 4 days on foot | Adventure and history lovers |
Tips before you go
- Buy your tickets in advance. Machu Picchu tickets have a limited daily capacity, a set entry time and an assigned circuit.
- Bring your original passport: it’s checked at the citadel entrance and on the train, and it must match your booking details.
- Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 m (7,970 ft), lower than Cusco (about 3,400 m / 11,150 ft), so you’ll feel the altitude less there.
Not sure which route suits you best? Message us and we’ll help you plan your trip around your dates and budget.
