Arriving in Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, does not mean you have reached the entrance to Machu Picchu yet. From the town, you still need to make your way up to the entrance area of the citadel.
There are two main options: taking the Consettur bus or walking.
The bus travels along the Hiram Bingham Road and takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes. The walking route uses a steep staircase trail and is free, but it requires considerably more physical effort.
In this guide, you will learn how to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, how long each option takes, the current bus fare, where to catch the bus, and which alternative may fit your itinerary better.
Where is Aguas Calientes in relation to Machu Picchu?
Aguas Calientes is the town located below Machu Picchu Mountain. The Municipality of Machupicchu places Machupicchu Pueblo at approximately 2,040 meters (6,693 feet) above sea level, while the Machu Picchu archaeological site is located at around 2,430 meters (7,972 feet) according to Peru’s Ministry of Culture.
This means there is an elevation difference of approximately 390 meters (1,280 feet) between the two locations.
The bus climbs the Hiram Bingham Road, while the pedestrian route follows a staircase trail that ascends directly toward the Machu Picchu entrance area.
How do you get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
There are two main options:
| Option | Approximate time | Cost | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consettur bus | 25–30 minutes | Depends on current fare | Low |
| Walking | Approximately 1.5 hours or more | Free | High |
Actual travel times can vary depending on weather, trail conditions, your walking pace, and bus demand.
You can also combine both options
You do not necessarily have to choose the same option for both directions.
You can:
- Take the bus up and walk down.
- Walk up and take the bus back.
- Take the bus in both directions.
- Walk in both directions.
A common option is to take the bus up and walk back down, allowing you to experience the trail without having to complete the more demanding uphill section before your visit.
Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
The bus is the motorized transportation service used to travel from Machupicchu Pueblo to the Machu Picchu entrance area.
The service is operated by Consettur and uses the Hiram Bingham Road.
The journey takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes, although the actual travel time can vary depending on road conditions and demand.
How much does the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu cost?
Bus fares can change, so you should check the current fare before purchasing your ticket.
As a current reference, the published fare for a foreign adult is:
- One way: US$12
- Round trip: US$24
Different fares are available for children, Peruvian nationals, students, guides, and residents.
Important: The Machu Picchu entrance ticket and the Consettur bus ticket are separate. Buying the bus ticket does not include admission to Machu Picchu.
Where do you catch the bus?
The bus boarding area in Aguas Calientes is located around Avenida Hermanos Ayar, where buses depart for Machu Picchu.
Ticket sales and boarding procedures can change, so check the operator’s current information before your trip.
What time does the bus run?
The currently published schedule is approximately:
Up to Machu Picchu:
- From around 5:30 a.m.
- Until around 3:30 p.m.
Back to Aguas Calientes:
- From around 6:30 a.m.
- Until around 6:00 p.m.
Buses can operate approximately every 5 to 15 minutes depending on demand.
These times should be used as a general reference rather than as a guarantee of a specific departure time.
How long does the bus take?
The journey from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes each way.
However, if you have an admission time at Machu Picchu, do not plan your arrival based only on the 25–30 minute bus ride.
You also need to allow time for:
- Walking to the bus boarding area.
- Waiting in line.
- Boarding the bus.
- The journey itself.
- Getting to the entrance checkpoint.
For an early admission time, it is better to leave Aguas Calientes with a reasonable time buffer.
Does the bus have a specific departure time for each passenger?
Do not confuse the bus operating schedule with your Machu Picchu admission time.
Your Machu Picchu ticket is associated with a specific date, circuit, route, and admission time. The current visitor system is organized into three circuits and ten routes.
The bus ticket, on the other hand, is for transportation between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
This means that if you have an early admission time, you should allow enough time for possible waiting before boarding the bus.
Walking from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
You can also reach Machu Picchu on foot without paying for the bus.
The pedestrian route climbs a long series of steps toward the Machu Picchu entrance area and requires a significant amount of physical effort.
Information published by Peru’s Ministry of Culture has used approximately 90 minutes as a reference for the pedestrian route between Machu Picchu and Machupicchu Pueblo. Actual walking times vary depending on the direction, pace, weather, and trail conditions.
For planning purposes, allow around 1.5 hours or more for the uphill walk.
What is the walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu like?
This is not a simple town walk.
The route includes numerous stone steps and a continuous uphill climb. Depending on weather conditions, some sections can also be humid or slippery.
Before choosing this option, consider:
- Your physical condition.
- Your Machu Picchu admission time.
- The weather.
- Whether you will do another hike during your visit.
- How much time you have available.
- Your experience with steep stairways.
How long does it take to walk up?
As a general planning estimate, allow approximately 1.5 hours or more.
Some travelers may take less time, while others may need considerably longer. Your walking pace and trail conditions can make a significant difference.
If you have an early admission time, avoid planning your arrival around the minimum possible walking time.
Can you walk back to Aguas Calientes after visiting Machu Picchu?
Yes.
The pedestrian route can also be used to return toward Machupicchu Pueblo, subject to the current conditions and instructions for the trail.
A popular combination is:
Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu by bus → visit Machu Picchu → walk back to Aguas Calientes.
This allows you to avoid the more demanding uphill climb before your visit and experience the walking route afterward.
Keep in mind that you will already have spent several hours walking around Machu Picchu, so consider your energy level before choosing the downhill walk.
Bus or walking: which option should you choose?
There is no single option that works best for every traveler. Your decision mainly depends on your available time, physical condition, and Machu Picchu admission schedule.
If you have an early admission time
The bus can make your journey easier to plan because it significantly reduces the time and physical effort required to reach Machu Picchu.
If you choose to walk, you need to leave Aguas Calientes considerably earlier and allow extra time for the climb.
If you want to save money
Walking does not require a bus ticket.
However, the financial saving comes with a higher physical effort and a longer journey.
If you are visiting Huayna Picchu or another mountain route
The current Machu Picchu visitor system includes routes involving additional hikes, including Huayna Picchu (Waynapicchu), Machu Picchu Mountain, Great Cavern, and Huchuypicchu, depending on the route and ticket availability.
If your ticket includes one of these hikes, consider the total physical effort of your day before deciding how to travel from Aguas Calientes.
If you are traveling with children or older adults
Taking the bus avoids the long uphill staircase climb and may be a more convenient option from a physical-effort perspective.
The right choice will depend on each traveler’s individual circumstances.
Can you take the bus up and walk back down?
Yes.
This is one of the combinations you can consider:
Bus up + walk down.
It allows you to save your energy for the visit to Machu Picchu and experience the pedestrian trail afterward.
Always follow the current instructions and conditions for the pedestrian route.
Tips for getting from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
1. Check your Machu Picchu ticket first
Before deciding how to get there, check the date, admission time, circuit, and route shown on your ticket.
The current Machu Picchu visitor system is organized into established circuits and routes by Peru’s Ministry of Culture.
2. Do not confuse the bus ticket with your Machu Picchu ticket
They are separate services.
You need:
- A Machu Picchu admission ticket.
- A Consettur bus ticket if you choose to use the bus.
3. Leave enough time
Do not calculate your arrival based only on the 25–30 minute bus journey.
Waiting times can increase when demand is high, so allow additional time between leaving your accommodation in Aguas Calientes and reaching the Machu Picchu entrance.
4. Wear appropriate footwear
Even if you take the bus, you will walk considerably during your Machu Picchu visit.
If you are walking from Aguas Calientes, footwear with good traction can be especially useful because some sections may be humid or slippery.
5. Bring a small backpack
Machu Picchu has specific rules regarding luggage and prohibited items.
Backpacks, bags, or luggage must not exceed 40 × 35 × 20 cm. There are also restrictions concerning food, walking sticks, tripods, drones, and other items.
Check the current regulations before your visit because the rules can be updated.
6. Check the walking route conditions
If you plan to walk, check the current conditions and recommendations before leaving Aguas Calientes.
Rain can make some sections more slippery and can significantly affect your walking experience.
Common mistakes when traveling from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
1. Assuming Aguas Calientes is right next to the entrance.
The town is approximately 390 meters (1,280 feet) lower than Machu Picchu.
2. Assuming the Machu Picchu ticket includes the bus.
The entrance ticket and transportation are separate.
3. Planning around only the 25-minute bus journey.
The actual trip also involves walking to the boarding area and potentially waiting for a bus.
4. Choosing to walk without considering your admission time.
The pedestrian route takes considerably longer than the bus.
5. Arriving tired before starting your Machu Picchu visit.
If your ticket includes an additional hiking route, consider the physical effort of the entire day.
6. Not checking the current visitor regulations.
Circuits, routes, schedules, prices, and operating conditions can change. Always verify the latest information before traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu cost?
Bus fares can change. As a current reference, the published fare for a foreign adult is US$12 one way or US$24 round trip. Different fares apply to other categories.
How long does the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu take?
The journey takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes each way.
What time is the first bus to Machu Picchu?
The current published schedule indicates that buses begin operating uphill at approximately 5:30 a.m.
What time is the last bus up to Machu Picchu?
The current published schedule indicates that uphill service operates until approximately 3:30 p.m.
Schedules can change, so check the current operating hours before your trip.
Can I walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
Yes. There is a pedestrian route from Machupicchu Pueblo to Machu Picchu.
For planning purposes, allow approximately 1.5 hours or more for the uphill walk, depending on your pace and trail conditions.
Is walking from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu free?
Yes. You do not need to purchase a bus ticket if you choose to walk.
However, you still need a valid Machu Picchu admission ticket to enter the archaeological site.
Can I take the bus up and walk back down?
Yes. You can combine the two options, provided the pedestrian route is operating under the current conditions and instructions.
Is the Consettur bus included in the Machu Picchu entrance ticket?
No. The bus and Machu Picchu admission are separate.
Are there taxis or mototaxis to Machu Picchu?
You should not plan your journey to the archaeological site as a conventional taxi or mototaxi transfer. The Hiram Bingham Road is served by the authorized bus transportation service to Machu Picchu.
Where can I buy my Machu Picchu ticket?
Machu Picchu admission tickets are sold online through the official ticketing platform of Peru’s Ministry of Culture.
There is also limited in-person ticket sales in Machupicchu Pueblo. The Ministry of Culture currently indicates that up to 1,000 tickets per day are made available through this method, with these tickets corresponding to admission on the following day.
Because availability is limited, travelers with fixed dates should not rely exclusively on this option.
So, should you take the bus or walk?
The right choice depends on how you have organized your Machu Picchu visit.
The Consettur bus significantly reduces the time and physical effort required to travel from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. It can be particularly convenient when you have a specific admission time or when your visit includes an additional hiking route.
Walking eliminates the bus fare but requires considerably more time and physical effort.
You can also combine both options by taking the bus up and walking back down.
Before deciding, check your Machu Picchu admission time, the circuit and route on your ticket, the current bus schedule, the weather, and the amount of walking planned for the rest of your day.
If you are organizing your Machu Picchu trip from Aguas Calientes, we can help coordinate your train, Machu Picchu entrance, bus transportation, and guide according to your travel date and itinerary.