Step 1: Fly into Cusco (or Lima first)
Most international flights land in Lima (LIM). From there, take a 1-hour domestic flight to Cusco (CUZ). Airlines like LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSMART run this route. Round-trip fares from Lima to Cusco start around $80–$120 if booked 2–3 months ahead. Flights depart every 30–60 minutes from 5 AM to 9 PM.
Pro tip: Book the earliest flight (6–7 AM) to Cusco. You'll have time to catch an afternoon train to Aguas Calientes the same day. Cusco airport is small—allow 30 minutes to deplane and grab your bags.
Step 2: Get from Cusco Airport to the Train Station
Trains to Aguas Calientes (the town at the base of Machu Picchu) leave from two stations: Poroy (20 minutes from Cusco) and Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours away). PeruRail and Inca Rail operate both routes.
From Cusco airport, a taxi to Poroy costs 30–40 soles ($8–$11). To Ollantaytambo, expect 120–150 soles ($32–$40). Shared vans (colectivos) are cheaper—about 15 soles to Poroy—but slower. If you're short on time, take a taxi directly to Poroy for the 3-hour scenic train to Aguas Calientes.
Step 3: Book Your Train Ticket (Prices & Schedules)
Train tickets sell out weeks in advance, especially May–September. Book at perurail.com or incarail.com. Sample prices for 2026:
- Poroy to Aguas Calientes (PeruRail Expedition): $75 one-way
- Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Inca Rail Voyager): $60 one-way
- Vistadome (glass-roof) upgrade: +$30–$50
Trains run from 5 AM to 8 PM. The 7:30 AM departure from Poroy gets you to Aguas Calientes by 10:30 AM—perfect for an afternoon Machu Picchu entry. Book round-trip to lock in your return.
Step 4: Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you'll need a 25-minute bus ride up to the Machu Picchu entrance. Buses leave every 5–10 minutes from 5:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Tickets cost $12 one-way or $24 round-trip. Buy them at the bus station near the craft market—no advance booking needed.
Alternatively, walk up the steep stairs (about 1.5 hours) for free. Most people take the bus up and walk down. Bring your passport—you'll need it to enter Machu Picchu.
Step 5: Machu Picchu Entry Tickets
You must buy entry tickets online in advance at machupicchu.gob.pe. As of 2026, tickets cost 152 soles ($40) for adults. There are three circuits: Circuit 1 (classic view), Circuit 2 (lower terraces), and Circuit 3 (Huayna Picchu mountain). Circuit 1 sells out first—book 2–3 months ahead.
Entry times are strict. You'll pick a 1-hour window (e.g., 8–9 AM). Arrive 30 minutes early to queue. No re-entry allowed.
Step 6: Where to Stay in Aguas Calientes
Aguas Calientes is a small town built for tourists. Budget hostels start at $20/night. Mid-range hotels like Casa del Sol or Inti Punku Machupicchu run $60–$100. For splurge, the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge sits right at the Machu Picchu entrance—$1,200+ per night.
Book early for peak season (June–August). Most hotels include breakfast and luggage storage. The town has hot springs (10 soles entry) to soak your muscles after the ruins.
Step 7: Sample Itinerary & Total Cost
Here's a 2-day fly-and-train itinerary:
Day 1: Fly Lima to Cusco (6 AM). Taxi to Poroy (30 min). Train to Aguas Calientes (7:30 AM–10:30 AM). Check in, buy bus tickets, soak in hot springs.
Day 2: Bus up at 6 AM. Machu Picchu entry (7–8 AM). Explore 3–4 hours. Bus down. Train back to Poroy (2 PM). Taxi to Cusco. Evening flight to Lima.
Total cost per person: $80 (flight) + $150 (train round-trip) + $24 (bus) + $40 (entry) + $50 (hotel) + $30 (taxis) = ~$374. Add food and extras. Book everything at least 6–8 weeks ahead for the best prices.