Getting To Machu Picchu

Getting To Cusco

There are no direct international flights to Machu Picchu — the gateway city is Cusco (CUZ), which receives domestic flights from Lima (1h15m). Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport connects to North America, Europe, and the rest of Latin America. Most itineraries spend at least one night in Lima before the Cusco connection.

• Lima (LIM) → Cusco (CUZ): 1h15m, multiple daily flights (LATAM, Avianca, SKY)
• International connections into Lima: New York 8h, Madrid 12h, São Paulo 4h
• Book Lima–Cusco segments well ahead — they fill fast, especially mornings

Getting To Machu Picchu by Train

There are no roads to Machu Picchu — access is exclusively by train or on foot (Inca Trail). PeruRail and Inca Rail operate services from Cusco (Poroy station) and Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu). Ollantaytambo (1.5h from Cusco by road) is the most practical departure point.

• Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes: 1h45m by train (~$50–150 one-way)
• Cusco Poroy → Aguas Calientes: 3h30m (~$80–200 one-way)
• Multiple train classes: Expedition (basic), Vistadome (glass roof), Belmond Hiram Bingham (luxury)

Local Transport at Machu Picchu

From Aguas Calientes, a bus takes visitors up the steep switchback road to the site entrance (25 minutes, $24 round-trip). The bus runs from 5:30am to 5pm. Alternatively, the 2,200-step staircase can be climbed in 45–60 minutes for those who want the exercise.

• Bus: $12 up, $12 down (exact change USD or local currency preferred)
• First bus: 5:30am (arrive 40 minutes early to queue)
• Last bus down: 5:30pm — confirm current timings at the office in town