Bus prices to Machu Picchu
The last of the steps to travel to Machu Picchu is the bus ride. This route is only 10 kilometers long. Although it is also possible to walk, most tourists choose to take the bus. The price for foreigners in round trips costs 24 dollars. There are discounts for Peruvian citizens, children and residents of Cusco. Find out the updated prices, how to buy tickets and all the details about this bus trip.
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The bus trip to Machu Picchu
The bus ride to Machu Picchu is 8.9 kilometers along the road called ‘Hiram Bingham’ in honor of the American explorer who arrived at Machu Picchu in 1911.
The bus route takes approximately 22 to 30 minutes. Although this route can also be done on foot, since it is an uphill path, most visitors prefer to go up by bus.
The road is full of mountains full of vegetation. Through the windows you can appreciate the Vilcanota river, Putucusi mountain and the tropical geography that surrounds Machu Picchu.
The whereabouts in Aguas Calientes
The bus stop is located in the heart of the Aguas Calientes town, too known as Machu Picchu town.
On Hermanos Ayar Avenue (you can get there walking from anywhere in town) the buses leave. These are the only buses that exist in the town. This is so small that there are no taxis or buses, only the trains that arrive from Cusco and the buses that will take you to Machu Picchu.
The buses
The buses that will take you to Machu Picchu are spacious and comfortable. They have capacity for 29 passengers, approximately. Everyone travels seated, no tourist does it standing.
All buses have seats with seat belts, large windows and air conditioning.
The buses belong to the company ‘Consettur’. These have a showy green and brown color. The buses are ecological. That is, they do not release gases that are toxic to people and the environment.
Updated prices
Know the updated prices of the bus trip to Machu Picchu:
Bus to Machupicchu | Peruvians | Residents | Aliens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | 17.50 S/. | – | 12 USD |
| Students | 8 S/. | – | – |
| Children | 7 S/. | – | 7 USD |
| Cusqueños | – | 9.50 S/. | – |
| Machupiccheños | – | 3 S/. | – |
| Tour guides | 4.50 S/. | 3 S/. | – |
Frequency of daily departures
The buses leave every day, except for very special cases such as natural disasters or protests within the town of Aguas Calientes.
The buses start from 5.30 in the morning. The last bus to leave from Aguas Calientes does at 3.30 in the afternoon. The last bus to return from Machu Picchu does so at 5.30 in the afternoon.
The departure frequency during the mornings (from 5.30 to 8 in the morning is when most people queue to take the buses) is every 5 minutes. The rest of the day, buses leave approximately every 15 minutes.
How to buy tickets?
Because the availability is not wide, bus tickets can be purchased in the same town of Aguas Calientes at the following address:
- Calle Mayta Cápac s/ n (just a few steps from the bus station).
It is also possible to buy bus tickets in the city of Cusco. This is the address:
- Avenida Infancia 433, Wanchaq (Consettur offices).
You can also buy bus tickets online through the official Consettur website (www.consettur.com). Another option is to purchase the tickets through an authorized tourism agency.
Can I go on foot?
Walking the Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu route on foot is also possible. The road follows almost the same route as the bus trip. However, in some sections of the road there are steps that make the walk shorter. Even so, the upward journey (one way) is demanding. It takes about 2 hours or more to get there.
If you like hiking, it is best to take the bus for the outward journey (from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu). The return path (from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes) is downhill so it is easier. This section can take 1 hour 30 minutes or more.
Additional information
To get to Aguas Calientes the first thing to do is take the train from any of the Cusco stations: in San Pedro, Poroy, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo. The trip takes almost 4 hours. Train prices to Machu Picchu vary according to the type of service tourist.
You can also get to Aguas Calientes through the optional Hydroelectric route. This route through the jungle of Cusco can take 8 hours or more. This route is much cheaper compared to the train ride from Cusco.
Tourists who will visit the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountains (short hiking trails) must reach the Inca city on foot. This way they will not be wasted during your visit. The same in the case of older adults, children or people not used to physical exercise.
Young people accustomed to hiking or physical activity can easily go up on foot from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
By Machupicchu Terra – Last updated, August 28, 2023