There is no way to “just drive up” to Machu Picchu. The citadel sits on a ridge above the Urubamba River, and there is no road to the town below it, Aguas Calientes — so nearly every visit follows the same three-legged formula: get yourself to Cusco, take a train to Aguas Calientes, then ride a shuttle bus up to the entrance. It takes a little planning, but the system runs like clockwork once you understand the pieces.
The standard route, step by step
Step 1 — fly to Cusco, usually via Lima. Cusco’s airport receives flights from Lima and a handful of other Peruvian cities. Most international travellers route through Lima; build buffer into your schedule, because Cusco sits at 3,400m and you will want at least a couple of days to acclimatise before the citadel (see our altitude and packing guide).
Step 2 — take the train to Aguas Calientes. Two companies, PeruRail and Inca Rail, run trains from Cusco-area stations or from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley down to Aguas Calientes station. The ride is part of the experience: the line follows the Urubamba River through cloud forest into the high mountains.
Step 3 — ride the shuttle bus up to the ruins. From Aguas Calientes, buses climb the switchbacks to the citadel entrance in about 25 minutes, starting early in the morning. Buy bus tickets in town or online in advance during high season.
The trains: PeruRail and Inca Rail
The two operators run on the same tracks to the same station in Aguas Calientes — the difference is in the experience and the price. Both offer multiple service classes, from budget tourist carriages to panoramic cars with oversized windows and full luxury services. Our honest advice: book the class that fits your budget. They all arrive at the same platform, and the views out of every window are the same river valley.
Departure points matter more than class. From Cusco, trains leave from Poroy or San Pedro stations and the journey takes about 3.5 hours. From Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, the ride is only about 1 hour 40 minutes — which is why many travellers base themselves in the Sacred Valley the night before (see our where-to-stay guide). Check your departure station carefully when booking: “Cusco” trains do not all leave from the same place.
Seats are assigned and services do sell out, so reserve ahead — especially June through August. A few weeks’ lead time is wise in high season; a few days is usually fine in the low season. If you’re travelling in the rainy season, keep in mind that very heavy rain can occasionally disrupt the railway, so avoid cutting connections too fine (see our best-time-to-visit guide).
The bus up to the ruins
The shuttle buses are the final link: about 25 minutes from Aguas Calientes up the zigzag road to the citadel entrance, starting early in the morning. The first buses of the day fill with travellers holding the earliest entry slots, so arrive at the bus stop with time to spare if you’re on an early ticket.
Bus tickets can be bought in Aguas Calientes or online in advance — in high season, buy ahead so a sold-out bus doesn’t derail your timed citadel entry. Keep your citadel entry ticket and your passport handy; you’ll need both at the gate, and your passport again matches the name on your ticket.
The budget alternative: the Hidroeléctrica route
If the train doesn’t fit your budget, there is a cheaper — much slower — alternative. A long minivan or bus ride from Cusco winds over mountain roads to Hidroeléctrica, a small hydroelectric station in the valley, and from there it’s a flat 2–3 hour walk along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes. The path is obvious and well-travelled; no guide is needed for the walk itself.
The honest trade-offs: the mountain road is rough, the journey eats most of a day each way, and the return trip means doing it all again. Most first-time visitors take the train. The Hidroeléctrica route suits travellers with more time than money — or those who simply enjoy the adventure of the long way round.
The Inca Trail option
The most storied way in: the classic 4-day Inca Trail trek ends at the Sun Gate, walking you into the citadel on foot. It requires a permit, and permits sell out months ahead on a strictly limited daily quota — this part of the journey needs to be planned far earlier than everything else on this page. Full details in our Inca Trail permits guide.
Sample timelines
The rushed version — same day: earliest train from Ollantaytambo, afternoon citadel entry, evening train back. It’s doable, but it’s a long day with no margin for delays, and you’ll be travelling and sightseeing in one exhausting push — not ideal if you’re still acclimatising.
The recommended version — overnight: travel to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, sleep there (at 2,040m you’ll breathe noticeably easier than in Cusco), and take one of the first buses up for a morning entry when the site is at its freshest and the light is at its best. Head back at your own pace after lunch. Our where-to-stay guide covers the overnight strategy in detail.
Whichever you choose, decide before you book anything non-refundable: same-day or overnight changes which trains you need, which entry slot to pick, and where you sleep. Once the route is decided, lock in citadel tickets for the right circuit, then your trains, then your nights.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Machu Picchu?
No — there is no road to Aguas Calientes, the town below the ruins. Almost everyone arrives by train, then takes a 25-minute bus up to the citadel entrance.
How long is the train ride?
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Ollantaytambo, or about 3.5 hours from Cusco (Poroy station). Two companies run the route: PeruRail and Inca Rail.
Should I book train tickets in advance?
Yes, especially June through August. Book a few weeks ahead in high season; a few days is usually fine in the low season.
What time should I leave Cusco?
If you are visiting the citadel the same day, take one of the earliest trains — but the more relaxed plan is to travel to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, sleep there, and enter the ruins first thing in the morning.
Is there a cheaper way than the train?
The budget alternative is the Hidroeléctrica route: a long bus and minivan ride from Cusco followed by a flat 2–3 hour walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes. It is much slower and the mountain road is rough, so most first-time visitors take the train.