Cusco Peru Travel thinks that no matter the type of traveler you are, an intrepid adventure-seeker, a history buff or a spontaneous backpacker, everybody dreams with a hike to Machu Picchu. It’s no surprise that this ancient Inca Sanctuary attracts visitors from all over the world. But how much does a Machu Picchu trip cost?
As we mentioned before, it doesn’t matter where you fit into the travel scene, your Machu Picchu trip cost will depend on the style of the trip/experience you are looking for. Indeed, there are plenty of ways to get to Machu Picchu, we will mention the most popular ones. Moreover, Cusco Peru Travel has gathered information about the estimated Machu Picchu trip cost for you.
Cusco Peru Travel always recommends booking your tickets in advance, especially in the high season (From June to September). They can sell out very quickly. Besides, there are a limited number of tickets available per day, so you must be clever!
Keep in mind that you can’t purchase your Machu Picchu tickets at the entrance. Entry tickets are sold directly on the Machu Picchu’s official website or through a travel agency (commission included). Take also into consideration that your Machu Picchu trip cost can vary according to the type of entrance ticket you have. Let us explain it.
| Foreign | Peruvian + Andean Community (Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia) | |||
| *Estimated entrance fee as of 2019 | Adult | Child | Adult | Child |
| Machu Picchu Solo | US$46 | US$22 | US$20 | US$10 |
| Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu | US$60 | US$35 | US$33 | US$23 |
| Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain | US$60 | US$35 | US$33 | US$23 |
*Children under 8 years old are free.
*Students (under 25 years old) can apply for a discount. Check it out on Machu Picchu’s official website.
In fact, there are multiple hiking routes to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu e.g. Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, and Inca Jungle Trek. But the most popular one is the famous Inca Trail. It is the only trek that gets to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate or Intipunku.
The Inca Trail is normally a 4-days-and-3-nights trek through splendid Andean scenery, native flora and fauna, and interesting archaeological sites. But it can be extended or shortened depending on your timescales.
You will walk along a truly Inca trail, designed hundreds of years ago. The Inca Trail trek will allow you a glimpse into the lost culture of the Incas. Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Machu Picchu.
But, being the most popular way to visit Machu Picchu, there is a huge demand and also restrictions. The Inca trail availability is limited to 500 permits each day to keep the trail in functional condition. Thus, we recommend booking it three to six months ahead of time.
Furthermore, you can’t do the Inca Trail independently, you must have a permit and also must be accompanied by a licensed guide hired by an authorized travel agency. When booking your trek, ensure to ask what is included in the price. Tour companies often include the Machu Picchu entrance tickets, Inca Trail permits, transportation, all meals, tents, and porters, but may exclude hiking equipment.
How much does this Machu Picchu trip cost? Approximately US$500-600 per person, depending on the tour duration and group size.
*Every year in February, the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance works.
The train is by far the fastest (a full day journey) and most comfortable -even luxurious- way of getting Machu Picchu from Cusco (Poroy Station) or Ollantaytambo. This option is a beautiful and mesmerizing journey from the majestic Sacred Valley of the Incas to Aguas Calientes (the town located beneath Machu Picchu)… From Cusco to Poroy, the ride takes around 30 min.; and to Ollantaytambo, around 2 hrs.
Two companies bring visitors from Cusco to Machu Picchu in train, Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both have excellent levels of service, some more luxurious than others. These are the reference prices of your Machu Picchu trip cost by train.
| Train Service | Route | Price |
| Belmond Hiram Bingham | Cusco: Poroy Station – Machu Picchu
(vice versa) |
US$950 |
| Sacred Valley | Urubamba – Machu Picchu (vice versa)
Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu (vice versa) |
US$406 |
| Vistadome | Cusco – Machu Picchu (vice versa)
Urubamba – Machu Picchu (vice versa) Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu (vice versa) |
US$190 |
| Expedition | Cusco – Machu Picchu (vice versa)
Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu (vice versa) |
US$136 |
| Train Service | Route | Price |
| First Class | Cusco – Machu Picchu (vice versa) | US$406 |
| 360° | Cusco – Machu Picchu (vice versa)
Cusco: Poroy Station – Machu Picchu (vice versa) Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu (vice versa) |
US$190
US$172 US$154-194 |
| Voyager | Cusco – Machu Picchu (vice versa)
Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu (vice versa) |
US$180-236
US$126-192 |
*From January to April, trains don’t depart from Cusco, you must go to Ollantaytambo. Public transport costs around US$7 and private taxi around US$ 25.
*Ensure to arrive at the train station 30 min. before departure. Also, have your passport ready.
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, you can choose between taking a shuttle bus up or hiking up to Machu Picchu entrance. The bus ride will take around 30 min. and the hike around one hour and a half.
| Price | |
| Foreign adult | US$24 |
| Foreign child (5 to 11 years old) | US$12 |
| Peruvian + Andean Community adult | US$15 |
| Peruvian + Andean Community child (5 to 11 years old) | US$8 |
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu? Well, any time is the best time to visit Peru and its wonders. But of course, there are months with better weather conditions than others. Anyway, you must know that the Peruvian weather is an unpredictable one. So, you must prepare for any kind of climate regardless of the season. To illustrate, the rainy season can bring beautiful sunshine while the dry season can bring torrential downpours.
Cusco Peru Travel hopes this article helped you to choose the best way to discover our Wonder of the World. Any of them will take you through wonderful landscapes as if they have been taken from a fairy tale.
Peru has many wonders waiting for you to be discovered. Here in Cusco Peru Travel, our speciality is to make your trip an outstanding experience, fill-in this form and let your tailor-made luxury Peru vacation begin.
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