How to Get to Machu Picchu, How Much Does It Cost?

According to Lonely Planet, the old city of the Incas is at the top of the list of places travelers want to see all over the world. Machu Picchu ranks. Peru'This lost city, which has brought a flood of tourists, has created its own economy. How to get to Machu Picchu, how much does it cost to go to Machu Picchu I wanted to share it with my blog readers as it is one of the things I research the most before I go.

There is no written source about the name of the city, which is thought to have been built around 1450, or why it was built. There are only a few theories. The Incas made their genius speak in this city. In the warehouses they built, corn and potatoes could last for 20 years, sundials, compasses and the water systems they installed can still be used today.

At an altitude of 2430 meters, this city was built on a lower hill in the middle of high hills. Even today, transportation is still very difficult. They may not be making transportation particularly easy, because even getting here is an event in itself 🙂

How to Get to Machu Picchu

I didn't have time to research much before I left, but I didn't understand why it was so complicated until I left. It turns out that there is no fastest, so it's complicated because it's so expensive 🙂

To go to Machu Picchu, you must first go to Cuzco, which is the entrance of the Sacred Valley. This city is one of the most recognizable cities in Peru. It is possible to reach here by plane and bus from the capital Lima. I'll go through this part fast, because the really critical part is Machu Picchu.

There is Machu Picchu at the beginning of Cuzco Sacred Valley and at the end of a road of about 100KM. The last settlement point to exit Machu Picchu is Aguas Calientes. From here, you can take the bus to the Machu Picchu entrance in 25 minutes or take a 1-2 hour walk without paying 10 USD. When I was leaving, I preferred to take the bus and walk on the descent.

Click for information about Macchu Picchu entrance ticket. 

Route 1: Train from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes

This is the fastest and most expensive way to get to Machu Picchu. Depending on your purchase date, you need to give a round-trip ticket of around 200-250USD. The journey takes 4 hours. Even if it's not expensive, crossing the Sacred Valley by train and fast would be a waste of those beauties. That's why I didn't want to go all the way by train.

Route 2: From Cuzco to Ollantaytambo with Sacred Valley Tours, From There by Train to Aguas Calientes

I preferred this method. I took a day trip to the Sacred Valley and visited Pisac and Ollantaytambo. From Ollanta, I took the night train to Aguas Calientes. Machu Picchu early the next morning. The return is similarly by train to Ollanto, from there by bus to Cuzco.

Sacred Valley tour, lunch, round trip train (120USD), Aguas Calientes night hotel, Machu Picchu exit bus(10USD), return bus cost me 200USD in total.

Route 3: Cuzco to Ollantaytambo by Local Bus, From There by Train to Aguas Calientes

You can get the 2nd way not by tour, but by local buses. Probably won't make much of a difference.

Route 4: Back Road of Machu Picchu – Cuzco to Hydro Electrica by Bus+Taxi and Walking From There

The cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu is this back road. From Cuzco you can take local buses to Santa Maria and from there you can take a taxi to Santa Teresa or Hydro Electrica. You can stay overnight in one of these two settlements and take a 2-3 hour walk in the morning to Machu Picchu. Those who went said that this walking route is a very beautiful path in the forest.

Stay on the Road!