Many questions are asked about how to get to Machu Picchu.
No direct roads to MP exist , you can only get there by train or by walking the Inca Trail. The operating train company is Peru Rail.Trains depart from Cusco POROY station or from Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley.Three types of services are offered, the Hiram Bingham , the Vistadome and the Backpacker. A local train also does the route but you have to be Peruvian to be able to use it. The ride from Cusco takes about 4:15 hours and from Ollantaytambo about 1:15 hours.
You can get to Ollantaytambo by taxi (1:30 hrs, $30) or by bus (2:30 hrs, $2)
For schedules and ticket prices go to the Peru Rail web page : wwww.perurail.com. You CAN purchase tickets on line. You will need to print out your receipt and eticket and exchange if for an embarkation ticket at one of the following offices. Poroy does NOT do ticketing.
PeruRail’s ticketing offices.
| Station | Address | Opening Hours | |
| Monday to Friday | Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays | ||
| Wanchaq, Cusco (Main Train Station) |
Av. Pachacuteq s/n, Distrito de Wanchaq. | 07:00hs -17:00hs | 07:00hs - 12:00hs |
| San Pedro, Cusco | Calle Ccascaparo s/n, Cusco | 05:00hs -12:00hs | 05:00hs - 09:00hs |
| Ollantaytambo, Valle Sagrado | Ollantaytambo s/n | 05:00hs - 21:00hs | 05:00hs - 21:00hs Excluding Bank Holidays |
| Machu, Machu Picchu Town | Aguas Calientes s/n | 05:00hs - 21:30hs | 05:00hs - 21:30hs Excluding Bank Holidays |
Tel: 51 84 238 722 ext 335 and 336 Fax: 51 84 222 114
It is recommended to secure your train tickets before you make your plans to visit MP, then you can reserve the rest of your trip schedule. During the high tourist season, from June to August , tickets may be sold out especially from Cusco (Poroy) however there are many more trains from Ollantaytambo. (The two places are about 1 1/2 hours by taxi). .Tickets are issued in your name and are not transferable. Tickets may be refunded or rescheduled for a fee during office hours, allowing at least 24 hours notice.. Some hotels and travel agents provide this service for a fee.
Do not risk going to Cusco with the idea of getting your train tickets a couple of days before going to MP, as you could be very disappointed and miss your opportunity to visit MP altogether.
Some real adventurous travelers can get to MP by the back road. You will have to get first to Ollantaytambo and the get on a bus to Santa Teresa. From there you can catch the local train to Aguas Calientes or walk. Not a recommended or usual way to get there.