How much does the Machu Picchu tour cost?
Machu Picchu Vacation Cost
The cost of visiting Machu Picchu in 2024 will vary depending on whether you decide to use a reputable travel agency or plan the trip independently. In the first case, you will need to choose a travel agency that suits your preferences. In the second option, you will be responsible for purchasing your own entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, train ticket, bus ticket and hiring a qualified tour guide. Which is the best option? It depends on each visitor. Independent travel may be somewhat more economical, but requires more thorough planning.
Overview
Machu Picchu is situated roughly 100 kilometers from Cusco, the capital of the eponymous region in Peru. However, there is no direct road connecting Cusco to Machu Picchu. The quickest and safest way, favored by most tourists, is by train. To do so, you’ll need to depart from Cusco in the direction of Ollantaytambo train station, which is 61 kilometers away by road (approximately a 1 hour 45-minute journey on average). If you choose to go independently, this route can be completed for 12 soles using public transport minivans departing from Pavitos street.
Additionally, there are train services that originate directly from Cusco, although most trains depart from Ollantaytambo station. In Ollantaytambo, you’ll need to board various train services (which vary in price and experience) to reach the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machupicchu town. It is advisable to purchase train tickets online (note that only the local train for Peruvians cannot be bought online). The train journey typically takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes, with prices ranging from 12 soles (for the local train, available to Peruvians) to 450 dollars for the luxurious Hiram Bingham train.
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, the final step is to take the Consettur company bus, which departs every 10 minutes. This bus ride will take you to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu in approximately 30 minutes. The bus ticket costs around 12 dollars for foreign tourists and 7 dollars for Peruvians.
Is the trip to Machu Picchu expensive?
he cost of a journey to Machu Picchu varies depending on the type of experiences the traveler seeks. Indeed, there are hotels in both Cusco and Aguas Calientes where you might need to budget $200 – $300 or higher for a single night’s stay.
The cost of the journey will be determined by the kind of travel experience you desire. There are numerous choices available, ranging from budget-friendly backpacking routes to complete luxury.
How much does the trip to Machu Picchu cost?
One of the most secure methods for reaching Machu Picchu is by participating in an arranged tour. Nonetheless, the most cost-effective and independent approach is to go solo.
For an independent journey to Machu Picchu, you must have:
- Flight reservations to Lima (Peru) and subsequently to Cusco.
- Entry tickets for Machu Picchu.
- Train tickets from Ollantaytambo (Cusco) to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
- Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
Estimated flights from Lima to Cusco
Flight fares to Peru vary based on the country of departure. Regardless of the origin, the final destination is the Jorge Chávez airport in Lima. From there, you will need to catch another flight to the city of Cusco.
Here are the expenses:
Estimated price for flights from Lima (Peru) to Cusco:
| Airlines (Lima-Cusco-Lima) | Round trip price) |
| Peruvian Airlines | 299 S/. (93 U$D) |
| LATAM | 291 S/. (90 U$D) |
| Avianca | 389 S/. (121 U$D) |
| Star Peru | 480 S/. (150 U$D) |
| LC Perú | 487 S/. (152 U$D) |
Official Machu Picchu ticket prices:
Machu Picchu entry passes should be reserved online well ahead of time because of limited availability. There is an authorized website where you can make ticket purchases. Nevertheless, if you are a university student, you’ll need to acquire your tickets through a travel agency.
These are the official prices:
Entrance price Llacta Machu Picchu (Circuit 1, 2, 3 or 4)
| Foreign | Price | National (Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador). | Price |
| Adult | 152 S/. | Adult | 64 S/. |
| Student | 77 S/. | Student | 32 S/. |
| Child (8 to 17 years old) | 70 S/. | Child (3 to 17 years old) | 32 S/. |
Entrance price Huayna Picchu + Circuit 4
| Foreign | Price | National (Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador). | Price |
| Adult | 200 S/. | Adult | 112 S/. |
| Student | 125 S/. | Student | 80 S/. |
| Child (8 to 17 years old) | 118 S/. | Child (12 to 17 years old) | 80 S/. |
Entrance price Machu Picchu Mountain + Circuit 3
| Foreign | Price | National (Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador). | Price |
| Adult | 200 S/. | Adult | 112 S/. |
| Student | 125 S/. | Student | 80 S/. |
| Child (8 to 17 years old) | 118 S/. | Child (3 to 17 years old) | 80 S/. |
Entrance price Huchuy Picchu Mountain + Circuit 4
| Foreign | Price | National (Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador). | Price |
| Adult | 152 S/. | Adult | 64 S/. |
| Student | 77 S/. | Student | 32 S/. |
| Child (3 to 17 years old) | 70 S/. | Child (3 to 17 years old) | 32 S/. |
Entrance price Inca Bridge + Circuit 1 or 2
| Foreign | Price | National (Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador). | Price |
| Adult | 152 S/. | Adult | 64 S/. |
| Student | 77 S/. | Student | 32 S/. |
| Child (8 to 17 years old) | 70 S/. | Child (3 to 17 years old) | 32 S/. |
Price of Train to Machu Picchu
ere are two railway operators: Perurail and Incarail. In either instance, it is advisable to purchase your train ticket online well in advance. Otherwise, tourists might have to endure lengthy lines in Cusco to obtain their tickets, and availability may not be guaranteed.
These are the reference prices of Peru Rail and Inca Rail:
Peru Rail Train Prices
| Train service | Price in dollars | Price in soles |
| Train ‘Expedition’ | $ 140 | S/. 459 |
| Train ‘Vistadome’ | $ 190 | S/. 623 |
| Luxury train ‘Hiram Bingham’ * | $ 950 | S/. 3115 |
| Local train (only for Peruvians) | $ 6 | S/. 20 |
*The Hiram Bingham luxury train departs directly from Cusco.
Inca Rail Train Prices
| Train service | Price in dollars | Price in soles |
| Economy class | $ 140 | S/. 459 |
| Executive class | $ 150 | S/. 491 |
| First class | $ 398 | S/. 1305 |
Price of bus to Machu Picchu
Bus tickets can be easily obtained online or in Cusco. Nevertheless, it’s common to encounter substantial queues when boarding the bus, particularly in the mornings. The bus journey typically lasts around 30 minutes on average. An alternative is to hike to Machu Picchu, which takes approximately 2 hours.
These are the official prices of bus tickets:
Price of buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)
| Bus service (round trip) | Price in dollars | Price in soles |
| Foreign adult | $ 24 | S/. 78 |
| Peruvian adult | $ 15 | S/. 49 |
| Foreign child (5 to 11 years old) | $ 12 | S/. 39 |
| Peruvian child (5 to 11 years old) | $ 8 | S/. 26 |
Santa Teresa route
The train isn’t the sole means to access the Wonder of the World. There are alternative routes such as the Inca Trail or the path through Santa Teresa to Machu Picchu.
The journey combines a bus ride and a hike along the Santa Teresa route, passing through Santa María, also known as the Hidroeléctrica route. Here’s the breakdown:
- The cost to reach Santa Teresa is approximately $30.
- Minivan transportation from Santa Teresa to Hidroeléctrica will range from $1.5 to $3. Please note the return fare (for the same route).
- From Hidroeléctrica, you can walk along the train tracks to reach the town of Aguas Calientes. It’s advisable to carry water, which costs around $0.65.
- Spending a night in Aguas Calientes with basic accommodations can cost about $25.
- On the following day, you can either walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, or if you choose not to, the round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu will set you back $24.
Inca Trail Route
Getting to Machu Picchu via the 4-day, 3-night Inca Trail route usually costs about US$800 per person.
