The buses leave from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa. The road is called Hiram Bingham in honor of the American explorer who in 1911 made the Inca City known to the world. The route covers approximately 9 kilometers uphill and another 9 kilometers back. The trip takes 30 minutes.
The bus trip to Machu Picchu: route, frequency and time
The bus trip to Machu Picchu is the last section of the route to get from Cusco to the Inca City. The bus leaves from Aguas Calientes and ends right at the door of the archaeological site. Although it is also possible to go up on foot, the vast majority of tourists decide to choose the bus trip to visit the Wonder of the World.
What is the route of the bus trip to Machu Picchu?
The bus trip covers the route Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes. Travel approximately 9 kilometers in each section.
This route can also be done on foot. However, most tourists choose to do it by bus.
How long does the bus trip take?
The trip takes approximately 30 minutes uphill and another 30 minutes back.
If the tourist goes up on foot, it takes between 2 or 3 hours, depending on the physical condition of the visitor.
Where to board the buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
The buses are approached half a block from the Aguas Calientes train station. The bus stop is on Hermanos Ayar avenue s / n.
It is not necessary to take a taxi in Aguas Calientes to get to the bus stop. The town is small and safe. No taxi passes through there since you can reach every place on foot.
What is the bus schedule from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes?
In the early hours of the morning the buses leave every 5 minutes from the Aguas Calientes bus station.
Starting at 9 in the morning, the buses leave every 10 minutes from Aguas Calientes.
In Machu Picchu the bus schedule from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is every 10 minutes for the return trip.
What time does the first and last bus leave?
The first bus leaves from Aguas Calientes at 5.30 in the morning. The last bus leaves at 3.30 in the afternoon.
In Machu Picchu, the last buses return at 5.30 in the afternoon.
Bus tickets to Machu Picchu: sale, prices and discounts
Train tickets and entrance tickets to Machu Picchu must be purchased weeks and even months in advance. The case of bus tickets is different: they can be purchased on the same day of travel. Visitors can choose the entire trip (round trip) or just one trip (either one-way or return).
Where to buy bus tickets to Machu Picchu?
Bus tickets to Machu Picchu can only be purchased in person and with your valid passport in the following places:
In Aguas Calientes:
In Av. Hermanos Ayar S / N, before the Ruinas bridge. The box office is open from 5 a.m. at 9 p.m.
In progress:
There are 2 Consettur Offices in Cusco:
- In Av. Infancia 433 – Wanchaq. This Consettur Office in Cusco is open from 8 a.m. at 12.45 p.m. and 3 p.m. at 6 p.m.
- In Av. El Sol 380 – Banco Interbank. This Consettur Office in Cusco is open from 8 a.m. at 12.45 p.m. and 3 p.m. at 6 p.m.
How much are bus tickets to Machu Picchu?
Below we show you the current rates of the buses to Machu Picchu.
- FOREIGN ADULT Up and Down: 24.00 USD $
- FOREIGN ADULT Up or Down: 12.00 USD $
- FOREIGN CHILD Up and Down: 12.00 USD $
- FOREIGN CHILD Up or Down: 7.00 USD $
- NATIONAL ADULT Up and Down: 15.00 USD $
- NATIONAL ADULT Up or Down: 8.00 USD $
- NATIONAL STUDENT Up and Down: 10.00 USD $
- NATIONAL STUDENT Up or Down: 6.00 USD $
- NATIONAL CHILD Up and Down: 8.00 USD $
- NATIONAL CHILD Up or Down: 5.00 USD $
Remember the following:
During the high season in Machu Picchu (June, July and August) large queues tend to form at the Aguas Calientes box office.
A good option is to buy bus tickets in the city of Cusco. Remember that tickets are valid for 3 days after the date chosen for your visit.
How to buy bus tickets to Machu Picchu?
The purchase of the bus ticket can be done in person or online.
If you decide to do it in person, you must pay the amount and present your passport or identity document.
If you decide to do it online, you just have to fill out the reservation form on the website in charge and make the payment by credit or debit card.
Where to take the bus to Machu Picchu?
The buses leave from the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). The usual stop is located on the avenue ‘Hermanos Ayar’, a few meters from the train station.
The buses arrive at the entrance gate to Machu Picchu. From there take the buses back to the town of Aguas Calientes.
How is the bus trip to Machu Picchu?
The bus trip to Machu Picchu lasts approximately 30 minutes.
The outward section is up the slopes of a steep mountain. At the top is the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
The return is the same way. The section lasts approximately 25 minutes. The journey is downhill. Some people decide to go up by bus and return on foot.
Is the bus trip to Machu Picchu dangerous?
The bus trip is not dangerous. Only the tourist buses cross the Hiram Bingham road that leads to Machu Picchu. These buses are ecological, modern and in constant revision.
Bus or hike to Machu Picchu?
From the town of Aguas Calientes you can go up to Machu Picchu by bus or on foot.
It is recommended to go up by bus in the following cases:
- If you chose to ascend the Huayna Picchu mountain.
- If you chose to ascend the Machu Picchu mountain.
- If you chose to do the trek to Intipunku (Puerta del Sol).
It is recommended to go up on foot in the following cases:
- If you are in good physical condition and chose to do the guided tour of Machu Picchu.
How long is the bus ticket to Machu Picchu valid?
The bus tickets to Machu Picchu are valid for 3 days.
Important information about buses to Machu Picchu
There is no fixed schedule on the bus ticket. Vehicles leave every 5 to 10 minutes. The visitor can take any of them.
Tickets do not sell out. You can buy one during the visit to Cusco.
In case of having some of the Machu Picchu tickets that include the mountains, it is recommended to go up by bus.
The ascent by bus to Machu Picchu will depend on the time you chose to enter the Inca City (morning shift or afternoon shift).
The buses to Machu Picchu are ecological, have air conditioning and are the only vehicles authorized to travel the Hiram Bingham highway.
Bus tickets are as important as train tickets.
Is there a bus from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
There is no bus that directly connects Cusco with Machu Picchu.
There are 3 routes to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu:
- Train route from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
- The Inca Trail.
- Route to Machu Picchu by Hydroelectric.
Visiting Cusco is a real adventure whose protagonist will be yourself, instead of a memorable experience, that is why Cusco is definitely one of the most incredible cities with a great variety of archaeological centers and tours such as Sacred Valley, Camino Inca or Machu Picchu. To enjoy an unforgettable experience, contact Inka Trail Backpacker, a company that will better assist you during your visit, of course it is always with the necessary advice for you and yours as well as the guarantee, responsibility and security that characterizes us. If you visit the city of Cusco another impressive destinations that you can visit are the tour to rainbow mountain peru or the humantay lake tour from cusco, which only takes one day. But if you are gonna to stay more days in Cusco, other archaeological places you can know will be the choquequirao trek peru, the salkantay trek to machu picchu, and the classic inca trail 4 days 3 nights.
