Do you already have the Machu Picchu tickets? Know that once in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), there is still a section before reaching the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. This short route can be done by bus or on foot. The fastest and most comfortable way is to travel by bus.

Here we indicate how to buy bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

• The bus tickets to Machu Picchu
  • Where to buy the bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
  • Are there other places to buy bus tickets?
  • How much are the bus tickets to Machu Picchu?
  • What are the departure times of the buses to Machu Picchu?
• The bus ride to Machu Picchu
  • Where to board the bus to Machu Picchu?
  • What is the bus trip to Machu Picchu like?
  • Is the bus trip to Machu Picchu dangerous?
• Frequently Asked Questions about the bus to Machu Picchu
  • What time does the first bus to Machu Picchu leave?
  • Is there a bus from Lima to Machu Picchu?
  • Is there a bus from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
  • Bus or trek to Machu Picchu?
  • How long does the bus to Machu Picchu take?
  • Which is the company that sells the bus tickets?
  • Can I buy the bus ticket in the town of Aguas Calientes?
  • Can I walk down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes?
  • Are there cabs from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
  • Can I buy return bus tickets at the gate of Machu Picchu?
• Important information about buses to Machu Picchu

Consettur Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

The bus tickets to Machu Picchu

Where to buy the bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

• The purchase of the bus ticket in person is in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). You can buy bus tickets at the following address:
  • Av. Hermanos Ayar S/N, before the Puente Ruinas.
• Tickets do not need to be reserved in advance. The ticket office is open during the following hours:
  • From Monday to Sunday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

At the entrance gate to the Inca City you will find another ticket office in case you want to walk up and get off by bus.

Bus tickets can be purchased in person or online.

Are there other places to buy bus tickets?

During the high tourist season (June, July and August) people often stand in long lines in Aguas Calientes to buy bus tickets.

There are also other places where you can buy them during the following hours:

• Av. Infancia 433 – Wanchaq – From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. – 1 pm. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Av. El Sol 380 – Banco Interbank – From 9 am – 6 pm

How much are the bus tickets to Machu Picchu?

Below we show you the current rates for the buses to Machu Picchu.

What are the departure times of the buses to Machu Picchu?

Buses leave every 10 minutes in the direction of Machu Picchu. In the morning hours there are long queues to board the buses, so the vehicles leave every 5 minutes.

The bus ride to Machu Picchu

Where to board the bus to Machu Picchu?

The buses leave from the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). The usual whereabouts are located on ‘Hermanos Ayar’ avenue, 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.

The town of Aguas Calientes, known as Machu Picchu town, is a small but touristic place at the foot of the Wonder of the World.

What is the bus trip to Machu Picchu like?

The bus trip to Machu Picchu lasts approximately 30 minutes.

The outward route is uphill on the slopes of a 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 take the bus and return on foot.

Is the bus trip to Machu Picchu dangerous?

Bus travel is not dangerous. Only tourist buses cross the Hiram Bingham highway that leads to Machu Picchu. These buses are ecological, modern and in constant revision.

Frequently Asked Questions about the bus to Machu Picchu

• What time does the first bus to Machu Picchu leave?

  The first bus to Machu Picchu leaves at 5.30 am from the town of Aguas Calientes. The bus frequency at that time is 5 minutes. The last bus leaves at 3.30 pm

• Is there a bus from Lima to Machu Picchu?

  Lima (Peru’s capital) is at a distance of 503 kilometers from Machu Picchu. There is no bus that goes directly to both places.
  This is how you get from Lima to Machu Picchu:

  • Flight or bus trip from Lima to Cusco.
  • Trip by minivan from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
  • Ollantaytambo train trip to Aguas Calientes.
  • Bus trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.

• 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:

  • Route by train from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
  • The Inca Trail.
  • Route to Machu Picchu by Hidroeléctrica.

• Bus or trek 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 board the bus in the following cases:

  • Yes chose to climb the Huayna Picchu mountain.
  • If you chose to climb Machu Picchu Mountain.
  • If you chose to do the walk to the Intipunku (Sun Gate).

  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.

  People who want a little adventure in Machu Picchu can choose to go up by bus and walk down on the way back to Aguas Calientes.

• How long does the bus to Machu Picchu take?

  The bus trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is only 10 kilometers long and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
  The return leg from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes lasts approximately 25 minutes.

• Which is the company that sells the bus tickets?

  The company that operates the bus trip and ticket sales on the route Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes is called ‘Consettur’.
  Bus tickets can be purchased on their website or at their points of sale in Cusco. In addition, tourists can purchase bus tickets online with a tourism agency.

• Can I buy the bus ticket in the town of Aguas Calientes?

  Yes, bus tickets can be purchased the same day of the trip in the town of Aguas Calientes.
  The availability of tickets is wide so no one will be left without getting on the bus.

• Can I walk down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes?

  Yes, the trek from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is downhill so it can be covered on foot without any problems.
  The route is 8 kilometers on average. An average tourist can complete the trek in 2 hours, depending on walking pace.

• Are there cabs from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?

  The town of Aguas Calientes is so small that no taxi or public service transport circulates there, except for the buses that depart in the direction of Machu Picchu.
  Therefore, buses are the only means of transportation to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and vice versa.

• Can I buy return bus tickets at the gate of Machu Picchu?

  In the entrance sector to Machu Picchu there is a booth where the return bus tickets from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes are sold.
  Bus tickets can be purchased at the same place as availability is wide. No tourist will be left without boarding the return bus.

Important information about buses to Machu Picchu

• There is no fixed schedule on the bus ticket. The vehicles leave every 5 or 10 minutes. The visitor can take any of them.
• Tickets are not sold out. You can buy one during your visit to Cusco.
• In case you have 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 just as important as train tickets.

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, December 30, 2023