Machu Picchu Full-Day Group Tour by Train from Cusco
Overview
This full-day group tour takes you from Cusco to Machu Picchu and back in a single day. You are collected from your hotel in the historic centre of Cusco, transferred to Ollantaytambo station, take the train to Aguas Calientes and ride the bus up to the citadel for a guided tour of about two hours. The default option includes the Expedition or Voyager train and the entrance ticket. Other options offer panoramic trains or the upper route. It suits travellers with one day to see the Inca citadel.
Highlights
- Tour the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu with a certified local guide
- Ride the train through the Urubamba valley from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
- Choose between standard and panoramic Vistadome or 360 trains, depending on the option
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu included, on Route 2 or 3 depending on availability
- Hotel transfer from the historic centre of Cusco to the train station and back
- Bus between Aguas Calientes and the citadel included
- Free time in Aguas Calientes for lunch before the return train
Full Description
Machu Picchu, the Inca citadel
Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel on a ridge about 2,430 metres above sea level, above the Urubamba River. It is generally thought to have been a royal estate of the emperor Pachacuti, built around the mid-1400s and abandoned during the Spanish conquest. UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site in 1983, and in 2007 it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Your certified local guide leads a tour of about two hours through the temples, terraces and stone houses, explaining the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone and the agricultural terraces. Because Machu Picchu is regulated, you must stay on the guided route and cannot re-enter, so use the time well. Ask your guide about the best photograph points. The visit is the reason most people book a Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco.
Choosing your train and your route
The train between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes each way. The default option uses the Expedition or Voyager train. Other options use the panoramic Vistadome or 360 trains, which have larger windows, and you can pair either with the Circuit 5-1 entrance, a panoramic upper route. Each option lists what is included, so compare them in the booking panel.
Entrance to Machu Picchu is timed and limited, and a route is given to you depending on availability, with Route 2 or 3 in the default option. Bring your passport, because it is required for the train and for entry. If you are searching for how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco in one day, this tour handles the transfers, the tickets and the timing for you.
Aguas Calientes and the bus to the citadel
Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, is the small town at the foot of the mountain and the gateway to the citadel. From here a shuttle bus climbs a zigzag road to the entrance in about 25 minutes, and your guide assists you at the gate. The round-trip bus is included in every option.
After the guided tour you return to town by bus and have free time for lunch at one of the restaurants, at your own cost. Be at the station at the time given by your guide to board the train back to Ollantaytambo. The town also has a market and thermal springs, but a one-day visit leaves little time for both.
The day from Cusco and back
The day starts early, and pickup depends on the train, with times such as 04:00 or 06:00. The bus takes about an hour and a half from Cusco to Ollantaytambo station, and the return journey adds the same, so the total day is around 12 hours. Hotel transfer covers the historic centre of Cusco, and the pickup time is confirmed before the tour.
The best time to visit Machu Picchu is the dry season from May to September, but it is busier then, and the wet season brings mist and rain. Wear comfortable shoes, a rain jacket and sunscreen, and travel light, because large bags are not allowed inside. Smoking is not allowed on the tour.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in CuscoYour driver collects you from the historic centre at 04:00 or 06:00, depending on your train.
- Transfer to OllantaytamboAbout 1 hour and 30 minutes by bus through the Sacred Valley to the train station.
- Train to Aguas CalientesAbout 1 hour and 45 minutes along the Urubamba River in your chosen train.
- Bus up to Machu PicchuA 25-minute shuttle up the mountain road to the citadel gate.
- Guided tour of the citadelAbout two hours with your certified guide through temples, terraces and plazas.
- Lunch on your own in Aguas CalientesFree time for lunch, at your own cost, before the return train.
- Train and transfer back to CuscoRide back to Ollantaytambo, then by bus to your hotel in Cusco in the evening.
What's included
- Round-trip transfer from your hotel to the train station
- Round-trip train (Expedition or Voyager) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes
- Round-trip bus between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (Route 2 or 3, by availability)
- Certified local guide
- Guided tour of the citadel
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Tips
Not suitable for
- Travellers without a valid passport, as it is required for the train and entry
- Guests who cannot manage a very long day with steps at the citadel
- People who want to stay longer at Machu Picchu, as visitors must leave with the guide route
Meeting point
Hotel pickup is included from the historic centre of Cusco, and the pickup time depends on the train and is confirmed before the tour, with times such as 04:00 or 06:00. Be ready in your hotel lobby with your passport.
Important information
- Bring your passport on the day, as it is required for the train and entry
- Wear comfortable shoes, a rain jacket, a hat and sunscreen
- Food and drinks are not included, so plan lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Entry is timed and by route, so you cannot re-enter the citadel
- Large bags and smoking are not allowed
- Pickup is within the historic centre of Cusco only
- The entrance route depends on availability, so it cannot be chosen in advance in the default option
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Machu Picchu day tour by train cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, including the train type and the entrance route. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and youths.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, from hotels in the historic centre of Cusco, with a round-trip transfer to the train station. The pickup time is confirmed before the tour.
How long is the tour?
The tour takes about 12 hours, from the early pickup to the return to Cusco in the evening.
Is Machu Picchu suitable for children?
Yes. Children aged 3 to 17 use the youth rate. There are steps and slopes, so keep younger children close, and bring a passport for each child.
What should I wear and bring?
Bring your passport, comfortable shoes, a rain jacket, a hat, sunscreen and some cash. Food and drinks are not included.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Machu Picchu tickets and trains sell out, so book as early as possible. The booking panel shows the earliest date still open.
What is the difference between the options?
The options differ by train, either Expedition or Voyager or the panoramic Vistadome or 360, and by entrance route, either Route 2 or 3 or the panoramic Circuit 5-1. All include the guide, the bus and the transfer.
Is the Machu Picchu entrance ticket included?
Yes, in every option. The route depends on the option and on availability.
Is lunch included?
No. Food and drinks are not included, and you have free time for lunch in Aguas Calientes.
Is a one-day trip to Machu Picchu worth it?
Yes, if you have limited time. The day is long, but the tour handles the train, the transfers and the guide. For a slower visit, stay a night in Aguas Calientes.
