Machu Picchu Tours from Cusco

All Tours 27 Sacred Valley 9 Cusco 22 Machu Picchu 5

From Cusco you can visit Machu Picchu in one day or in two days. On the one-day tour you travel by train from Ollantaytambo, explore the citadel with a guide for about two and a half hours and return to Cusco the same night. On the two-day tours you spend the night in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) and visit the citadel at a more relaxed pace. All of them include the Machu Picchu entrance ticket and the guide. Below you can compare duration, transport and price, and see ticket availability by date.

5 of 5 tours

  • 5 tours to choose from
  • USD 125 per person, lowest price
  • Circuit 2 or 3 Machu Picchu ticket included, subject to availability

Compare the tours

Tour Duration How you get there Accommodation From
Machu Picchu Full Day Tour from Cusco by Train 1 day Round-trip train from Ollantaytambo No: you return to Cusco the same day USD 370 per person View tour →
Machu Picchu by Train from Cusco (2 Days) 2 days / 1 night Round-trip train from Ollantaytambo 1 night in a hotel with private bathroom in Machu Picchu Pueblo USD 400 per person View tour →
Machu Picchu by Bus from Cusco (2 Days) 2 days / 1 night Bus to Hidroeléctrica (hydroelectric station) and a walk of about 3 hours along the railway 1 night in basic lodging with private bathroom in Aguas Calientes USD 125 per person View tour →
Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour (Classic) 2 days / 1 night Classic Sacred Valley tour and train from Ollantaytambo 1 night in a basic hotel in Aguas Calientes USD 438 per person View tour →
VIP Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour 2 days / 1 night VIP Sacred Valley tour and train from Ollantaytambo 1 night in Machu Picchu Pueblo Ask for a quote View tour →

Machu Picchu in one day or two?

The Machu Picchu Full Day tour is for travelers who are short on time: we pick you up at your hotel between 3:40 and 4:00 a.m., you travel about an hour and a half by train, explore the citadel with your guide and have about five hours of free time in Machu Picchu Pueblo before the return train, depending on its schedule. It is a long day, but you do not need a hotel.

Over two days the pace is more relaxed: you arrive in Machu Picchu Pueblo on the first day, spend the night there and go up to the citadel the next day. You still have time for the site museum or the hot springs in town. You can go by train, by bus via Hidroeléctrica or combine it with the Sacred Valley, in the Classic or VIP version.

Train or bus: how to get to Machu Picchu Pueblo

There is no direct road from Cusco to Machu Picchu Pueblo. By train, you travel by road from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and from there on the Expedition or The Voyager train (subject to availability), about an hour and a half. By bus, you travel by road to Hidroeléctrica (hydroelectric station) and walk about three hours along the railway: it is the most affordable option and the one with the most scenery on foot.

Tickets and availability

The tours include the Machu Picchu entrance ticket for Circuit 2 or 3, depending on availability. Tickets have limited daily quotas, so we recommend booking at least three months in advance, especially if you want Circuit 2, which offers the classic photo from the Guardhouse. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are booked separately, as an add-on. In the calendar below you can see availability by date and route.

Updated every 30 minutes

Machu Picchu ticket availability

Online spots by date and route. Choose a date to see entry times and book.

  • Available
  • Few spots
  • Last spots
  • Sold out

Choose a date in the calendar to see spots and entry times.

Source: official availability of the Ministry of Culture of Peru · last reading 24 Oct · 00:43 (Peru time)

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Machu Picchu tour from Cusco cost?

Our Machu Picchu tours from Cusco start from USD 125 per person. The Full Day by train costs USD 370, the 2-day tour by train USD 400 and the 2-day tour by bus via Hidroeléctrica USD 125. All of them include the Machu Picchu entrance ticket and the guide; the transport, accommodation and meals of each tour are listed on its tour page.

Can you visit Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco?

Yes, with the Machu Picchu Full Day tour. We pick you up at your hotel between 3:40 and 4:00 a.m., you travel by train from Ollantaytambo, explore the citadel with a guide for about two and a half hours and return by train and bus. At the end we drop you off three blocks from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

Is it better to go to Machu Picchu by train or by bus?

The train is the fastest way: from Ollantaytambo you reach Machu Picchu Pueblo in about an hour and a half. The bus via Hidroeléctrica is the most affordable option, but it includes a walk of about three hours along the railway, so it suits you if you enjoy walking.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking at least three months in advance to get Circuit 2 and a better train schedule. Machu Picchu tickets have limited daily quotas, especially in high season.

Which Machu Picchu circuit do the tours include?

Circuit 2 or 3, depending on ticket availability. With Circuit 2 the guided visit lasts about two and a half hours, goes through the agricultural sector and includes the classic photo from the Guardhouse.

Can I climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

Yes, as an add-on and subject to availability. Spaces are limited: check the availability for each route in the calendar on this page and write to us before booking.

How do I pay for my booking?

All payments are made online through WeTravel. You pay the deposit stated in your quote and the balance when you arrive in Cusco or on the agreed date. More details in Payment Methods and Policies.