Budget to visit Machu Picchu

Contrary to what many people think, Machu Picchu is one of the cheapest destinations on the planet. It can be visited with a budget starting at $ 60 or even less. There are many alternatives during the trip: such as the classic train route, the economic route through Hidroeléctrica or even the famous 4-day Inca Trail. In short, people who want a luxurious trip will require a high budget. People who want a cheaper trip will require little budget.

How much does the trip to Machu Picchu 2021 cost?

The trip to Machupicchu in 2021 is cheaper than in previous years. Both the tours and the various services have reduced their costs due to the economic reactivation in Peru caused by the Covid 19 pandemic. Even, at the end of 2020, the entrance ticket to the Inca wonder was free for all people.

This is the approximate budget if you travel on your own:

If you travel with a tour, try to choose a tourism agency with good recommendations in internet forums. If you are traveling on your own, you will have to buy online: the ticket, the train ticket and the bus ticket. Likewise, at the entrance door you can get a tour guide. Going on your own can be cheaper than going with a tour.

In 2021, the authorities of Machu Picchu put in place some protection measures to prevent the spread of Covid 19. For example, the number of daily visitors has been reduced to almost half of its maximum capacity.

All tourists must enter accompanied by a tour guide. Finally, during the visit you must buy with all the necessary protocols: hand disinfection, footwear, social distancing, temperature measurement and use of masks.

1 day tour price

The Machu Picchu Full Day tour has a cost of between 250 to 300 dollars per tourist (the price varies depending on the tourism agency you choose). Most services include: pick up from the hotel, transportation to Ollantaytambo, train trip to Aguas Calientes, final bus trip to Machupicchu, tour guide, entrance to the Inca citadel and return to Cusco.

Price of multi-day tours

The 2-day Machu Picchu tour is a recommended service because the visit to the Inca wonder is more leisurely and provides the opportunity for the visitor to enjoy all the attractions without haste. The cost of the 2-day tour varies between $ 300 and $ 350 per person. Includes: pick up, transportation by minivan, train, bus, lodging in Aguas Calientes, dinner, breakfast, entrance fee, tour guide and return to Cusco (lunch is optional).

The 4-day Inca Trail tour is perhaps the best adventure in Machu Picchu. Travel 39 kilometers in 4 days (and 3 nights of rest in camp) in the direction of the Inca wonder. The entrance is through the Intipunku (the Gate of the sun), which was used by the Incas. This route can only be done with a tour, the cost of which varies between $ 550 and $ 650 per person. Includes: transportation, tour guide, team of cooks, team of porters, camp, entrance and return to Cusco.

Train ticket cost

Train tickets allow you to travel from Ollantaytambo station to the final station of Aguas Calientes, a town located just 10 kilometers from Machu Picchu. The trip lasts almost 2 hours and goes through the beautiful landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

There are two companies that provide this service: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both offer different types of tourist services with similar prices. Visitors can choose the service they prefer in roundtrip sections.

In 2021, due to the economic reactivation in Peru, the prices of train tickets are cheaper. You can buy tickets online through the websites of the companies: Peru Rail or Inca Rail.

These are the prices (approximate) of the train tickets one way or return

Cost of the bus ticket

Bus tickets allow the trip from the famous town of Aguas Calientes to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. This route is approximately 10 kilometers long and lasts almost 30 minutes. All buses are ecological and spacious.

In 2021, the buses to Machupicchu comply with safety protocols such as hand and footwear disinfection before boarding the bus.

These are the prices of the bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machupicchu

Entrance fee to Machupicchu

In 2021 the official tickets to Machu Picchu for foreign tourists cost 152 Peruvian soles (41 dollars approximately). For Peruvian, Colombian, Ecuadorian or Bolivian tourists, the cost is 64 Peruvian soles per person (17 dollars, approximately). Children under 3 years old enter for free. Keep in mind that until December 31, 2020, the entrance ticket was free for everyone.

To acquire the entrance ticket you must enter the official page of Machupicchu and choose the time that suits you best. Tourism agencies also offer ticket sales for an additional commission. Remember that within the Inca city you must comply with all health protocols such as: disinfection of hands, footwear, use of a mask and taking a temperature before entering.

Optionally, visitors can choose to visit the three mountains that surround the Inca citadel: the Huayna Picchu mountain (ticket cost of 200 Peruvian soles), the Machupicchu mountain (ticket cost of 200 Peruvian soles) or the new mountain Huchuy Picchu (ticket cost 152 Peruvian soles).

Official prices to Machu Picchu 2021

Tour guide service

In 2021 the tour guide service is mandatory in Machu Picchu. This is because the guide is the one who, in addition to providing information to the visitor, will be in charge of ensuring that all protection measures are met within the archaeological site. Today, in addition, the maximum number of visitors per group is 7 people.

All tours already include the tour guide service. If you decide to go on your own, you can get a guide at the entrance of the archaeological site. The price varies from $ 5 to $ 15 per tourist (depending on the number of people in the group). Remember that you can choose between a shared or a private service.

Lunch in Machupicchu

Some tours include lunch in the town of Aguas Calientes (most restaurants are there) while others do not. If you are traveling on your own, in this town you can find several restaurants whose prices vary from 3 to 30 dollars per person. You can try Mediterranean, French, Italian, Mexican and, of course, Peruvian food (considered one of the best gastronomies on the planet).

Keep in mind that due to the situation caused by Covid 19, restaurants must comply with protection measures such as: hand disinfection, footwear, temperature measurement, social distancing, etc. Try to choose a hygienic service that complies with all the indicated measures.

Other possible expenses

During your visit to Machu Picchu you have to take into account other minor expenses such as: a) public transportation from the city of Cusco to the Ollantaytambo station. The price of this service is 10 Peruvian soles (3 dollars) one way and another 10 Peruvian soles for return. You can get this service on ‘Pavitos’ street, a short distance from the city center.

Another additional expense that you must take into account is the purchase of snacks and drinks. You can buy these products in the city of Cusco (before leaving) since in the town of Aguas Calientes, prices tend to double. It is also advisable to bring a rain poncho, sunscreen and mosquito repellent with you.

By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023