You’ve dreamed of Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m) for years – it sits atop your bucket list and you find yourself returning in thought again and again. You picture its terraced slopes and ancient stone walls, sense the crisp mountain air against your skin and hear distant chants in your mind. Here you’ll learn every way to get there – from flights and buses to treks that cross high passes and jungle trails – so you can plan your trip with confidence and excitement
Getting to Cusco Hub from Major Cities
Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m) is your gateway to Machu Picchu – nearly every route winds through this former Inca capital. Pick the option that fits your budget time and travel style
From Lima (495 ft / 151 m) to Cusco
- By air – daily flights from 5:45 am to 9:30 pm on LATAM Sky Airlines JetSmart – takes about 1 hr 45 min – fares around $95 one-way; off-season round trips from $50 per person
- By bus – two departures a day (around 2 pm and 4 pm) run overnight (23 hrs) – ticket near $70 round trip; operators: Cruz del Sur Movil Tours Civa Tepsa – coastal and high-mountain vistas en route
- By private car – 23 hrs on winding highways – rental $350–$750 / day plus $600 deposit – road quality varies and services are scarce
From Arequipa (7,661 ft / 2,335 m) to Cusco
- Direct flights twice a week (45 min) on LATAM JetSmart – fares near $55 one-way
- Night buses daily (10 hrs) – ticket about $20 one-way
From Puerto Maldonado (637 ft / 194 m) to Cusco
- Flights twice weekly (45 min) on LATAM JetSmart – fares near $50 one-way
- Daily buses (6 hrs) – ticket about $24 one-way
From Puno (12,500 ft / 3,810 m) to Cusco
- Buses only (7 hrs) – ticket near $25 one-way; no local airport
- Flights from Juliaca (1 hr from Puno) five times weekly (45 min) – fares near $50 one-way
From Tacna (1,407 ft / 429 m) to Cusco
- Buses five times daily (16 hrs) – ticket around $28 one-way; stops in Juliaca and Puno
- Private car option cuts time to ~13 hrs
Reaching Aguas Calientes from Cusco
Once you arrive in Cusco you face three main choices to get to Aguas Calientes (6,693 ft / 2,040 m) – the town below Machu Picchu
By Rail – Peru Rail & Inca Rail Services
- Peru Rail offers three service levels departing from San Pedro Stn (in Cusco) Poroy Stn (9,160 ft / 2,792 m in Sacred Valley) or Ollantaytambo Stn (9,160 ft / 2,792 m)
- Expedition – comfy seats big windows small tables – 4 hrs from San Pedro 3 hrs from Poroy 2 hrs from Ollantaytambo – round trip $140
- Vistadome – glass-roof carriages live dance and alpaca fabric show light snacks – same durations – round trip $190
- Hiram Bingham – gourmet brunch dinner open bar Andean music observatory car shuttle bus to citadel entrance tickets – 3–4 hrs – round trip $950
- Inca Rail runs modern trains from Ollantaytambo only
- Voyager – leather seats skylights Andean music five departures daily – round trip $140
- 360° – audio narration panoramic windows snack sale on board – round trip $150
- First Class – flowers on tables gourmet meals live music private bus transfer – runs April–November – round trip $398
By Trekking – Ancient Inca Paths & Jungle Routes
- Inca Trail (4 days / 3 nights) – max 500 permits per day – camps above 13,861 ft with archaeological sites along the way – only via licensed tour operator
- Salkantay Trek (5 days / 4 nights) – starts Soraypampa [12,800 ft / 3,900 m] crosses Salkantay pass [20,551 ft / 6,264 m] glacier lakes jungle descents – no permit needed but agency booking advised
- Inca Jungle Trek (4 days / 3 nights) – combines hiking biking rafting – highest point Abra Málaga [14,160 ft / 4,316 m] then jungle drop – agency planning recommended
- Lares Trek (4 days / 3 nights) – starts Lares hot springs 198 km from Cusco – glaciers lagoons local communities ends at Ollantaytambo – no permit needed but agency support advised
By Bus + Train via Hydroelectric
- Bus from Cusco to Santa Teresa (4 hrs $13 one-way) then shuttle to Hydroelectric Stn (11 km $3)
- Walk rails 3 hrs into Aguas Calientes or catch local train (30 min $4) – basic service used by locals
Final Step – Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
CONSETTUR buses – modern AC coaches depart every 10 min from 5:30 am–3:30 pm up; 6 am–5:30 pm down – 35 min climb – $24 round trip ($12 one-way) no reservation needed
On foot – steep 4,000+ steps – 1 hr up, 1 hr down – no bus ticket required but add extra for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain treks
Essential Tour Tips
- Seasons – rainy Nov–Mar (66–69 ºF) expect clouds mud sudden downpours; dry Apr–Oct (62–66 ºF) clear skies cold nights light drizzle possible
- Packing – layers for dawn chill sun T-shirt by noon long-sleeve or repellent for mosquitos sturdy shoes for uneven paths
- Tickets – reserve Machu Picchu entry shifts online (https://tuboleto.cultura.pe) train seats early via Peru Rail or Inca Rail bus and trekking permits well in advance
- Timing – arrive Aguas Calientes night before early bus to match entry slot avoid crowds or catch later light
You’ve seen every route laid out, from cities across Peru to the Inca citadel. Now it’s your turn – pick your path and make that bucket-list dream real. Safe travels and see you among those stone walls soon