Getting from Lima to Machu Picchu

Have you booked your flight to Lima in Peru and want to go to Machu Picchu? Not sure how to make the trip? Fear not, we are here to help you and give you some useful tips on how to get from Lima to Machu Picchu. Leave stress aside, because together with the experts from Cusco Peru Travel we have prepared a small article about how to get from Lima to Machu Picchu. Know all the alternatives, from the economic to the most luxurious.

All about how to get from Lima to Machu Picchu 

VISITING MACHU PICCHU FROM LIMA

getting from lima to machu picchu
Visiting Machu Picchu is not as difficult as you might think, there are numerous ways to travel to the Inca Citadel both from Lima and from nearby Cusco. Before traveling from Lima to Machu Picchu, be sure to tour the beautiful Peruvian capital. Having arrived at the Lima international airport, you will want to spend a few days in the Capital of Peru. This coastal city is now known as one of the top eating places in the world. The city is a mix of old and new and is worth a couple of days. The capital is home to some of the most incredible restaurants in all of Peru. Make sure to take advantage of the different luxury Peru tours around that will make your experience more pleasant.

FROM LIMA BY PLANE

getting from lima to cusco machu picchu
To get from Lima to Machu Picchu you can choose to take a plane to Cusco and then continue your trip to Machu Picchu. From Lima, there are several ways to get to Cusco and Machu Picchu. The first and fastest way is through a plane trip. There are different airlines to choose from, some are more expensive and more reliable than others. There are cheap airlines as in most countries and surely you pay less but there is more probability that your plane will be canceled. This will often depend on the weather in Cusco, as there can be heavy rains during the rainy season. The flight takes an hour and you will have to be careful with the altitude when you first arrive at the Imperial City. If you are going to travel to Machu Picchu with kids, we recommend you to consider the plane as it may be the lightest option.

FROM LIMA BY BUS

get from lima to machu picchu by bus

To get from Lima to Machu Picchu you will have to make a stop in Cusco for this trip. There is also the option of the bus. If you have some time available, you can take the time to travel overland through the mountains to beautiful Cusco. The trip will take you around 20 direct hours. Be aware that roads can be very winding and you may feel nauseous. Some of the best bus companies will provide you with dinner and breakfast, so be sure to check that this is included in your ticket price. This is often considered to be not the safest way to travel to Cusco. But you can appreciate the wonderful landscapes and natural settings of Peru.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BUS TRIP

Getting from Lima to Machu Picchu is quite a journey to enjoy. Among the companies you can choose from, they can sell you hop-on, hop-off tickets. These are a great way to see the countryside. From Lima, you can go to Nazca, stay a few days, and then travel to Arequipa where you can enjoy a few days in the white city. From there travel to Puno and see Lake Titicaca. From Puno, it takes half a day to travel to Cusco. So if you opt for the bus, you can take advantage of and visit other incredible Peruvian destinations.

FROM PUNO TO CUSCO

get from Lima to Machu Picchu in the train from Puno

If you are in the lake city of Puno, you can also take the train from Puno to Cusco. This journey through the high Andean plains is said to be one of the great train journeys in the world. Spend the day relaxing and watching the world go by. See the high Andes from your comfortable seat and arrive in Cusco rested. An incredible option to kill two birds with one stone.

TO THE COMPLEX BY TRAIN

getting from lima to machu picchu by train
getting from lima to machu picchu luxury
Now that you are in Cusco, you will want to travel to the amazing citadel of Machu Picchu. And to get to there are numerous ways to get to the Wonder of the World. Most of the people who go to Machu Picchu travel by train. Depending on your taste and choice, the Machu trip cost can be influenced, but it is worth it. Two companies make the route.

  • PERU RAIL 

The first is Peru Rail, which has three classes of trains. The first and most popular is the Expedition train, one of the cheapest, which serves the tourist market. The train is clean and comfortable and travels through the Sacred Valley to reach Aguas Calientes. The second and most luxurious Vistadome train, which has many special features. The roof is mostly glass, which makes for spectacular views. You will have fun with a wonderful local show with dances from the area. The last train in the Peru Rail fleet to Machu Picchu is the Belmond Hiram Bingham. This train is the ultimate in luxury and has been designed in the image of the 1920 Pullman trains. You’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch accompanied by free cocktails. After your tour, you will be invited to enjoy afternoon tea at the fabulous Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.

  • INCA RAIL 

The other train company is Inca Rail. This company also has three trains that travel to Machu Picchu daily. Inca Rail offers the same types of trains as Peru Rail, so you may want to visit their website and compare the times and prices. One of the most incredible things about Machu Picchu is its train travel.

HIKE TO MACHU PICCHU

getting from lima to machu picchu hike
If you’re feeling more energetic, there are several different hiking options for you. The first and the most famous is the Inca Trail. Traveling the path of the Incas, you will spend three days climbing high passes, down ancient stairs, through cloud forests, and past ruins. The payoff after three days of hard hiking is unmatched. During the fourth day, you will arrive at the Puerta del Sol of Machu Picchu, one of the most amazing places to visit in Machu Picchu. Afterward, take a tour of the ruins and learn the history of the ancient site. There are other treks to Machu Picchu that take other routes, some more difficult than others but all of them are worth the effort for the reward you will get in the end.

BEST TIME TO GO

getting from lima to machu picchu when to go
What is the best time to go to Machu Picchu? Well, there is no bad or good time since you can enjoy the site all year round. One of the things about Machu Picchu is that there are two well-marked climates. The first, the rainy season, which is from November to April. Yes, it is going to rain and you may get wet, but if you wear a raincoat you will not have problems. Then there is the dry season which runs from May to October, the weather is better but the crowds are bigger.

“WE TRAVEL, SOME OF US FOREVER, TO SEEK OTHER STATES, OTHER LIVES, OTHER SOULS.”

If you like to travel in style, look for a luxury tour in Peru. Numerous companies specialize in these types of tours and. Therefore, getting from Lima to Machu Picchu is quite easy. We hope together with Cusco Peru Travel to have helped. If you want to know more about how to get to the Inca citadel, you can consult with our qualified advisers.


Our outstanding tours in Peru