What is the bus ticket to Machu Picchu for?
The bus ticket, as its name suggests, grants access to the Consettur eco-friendly bus. The bus is comfortable, spacious, and modern. It covers the route from the town of Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu in both outbound and return trips. This route is 10 kilometers along the Hiram Bingham road. It is the only means of transportation to reach the Inca city on the final stretch from Cusco.
The bus tickets are operated by the company Consettur. This means that tickets can be purchased directly through this company. The other option is to do so through a travel agency that offers this service for an additional commission. The bus ticket can be purchased both online and in person in the city of Cusco or in the town of Aguas Calientes.
The bus ticket is issued in the visitor’s name for a specific visit date. The ticket cannot be used by another visitor. It also cannot be used for a date other than the one chosen for the visit to Machu Picchu. However, it can be used for a day before or a day after the registered date. The buses are comfortable. Each tourist travels in their respective seat, which is not numbered. That is, the visitor can take a seat of their choice when boarding the bus.
💡 Purchasing Machu Picchu entry tickets – It is important to buy the bus tickets to Machu Picchu. But it is much more important to get the entry tickets to the Inca city. Bus tickets are not sold out, and visitors can purchase them a few days before without any issue. On the other hand, entry to the archaeological site is limited in availability. In fact, many tourists miss out on visiting it because they buy their tickets at the last moment. It is recommended to buy the entry tickets online, through a travel agency, or via the official website, two to three months in advance. The Inca city receives around five thousand visitors per day, totaling around 1.5 million people per year.
Can I travel the route from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu for free?
In addition to the bus ticket, tourists can travel the Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu route for free, both on the outbound and return trip.
The route is challenging, so most tourists prefer to take the bus. This way, they can arrive faster and with more energy at Machu Picchu. At the archaeological site, visitors must also walk through one of its three established circuits. There are even three hiking routes available in the Inca city. It is not recommended to walk if you plan to do one of these hikes at Machu Picchu afterward.
The walking route is free for all tourists. They only need to show their entry ticket to Machu Picchu to complete the hike. The route is an average of 8 kilometers. The first part of the walk is easy, as it is along flat paths until reaching the Ruins Bridge, which crosses the Vilcanota River.
From this point, the walk becomes challenging. The paths are mainly stone stairways that cross the road. It is estimated that there are over five hundred stairs. An average visitor can complete this route in about 2 hours or a little more, depending on their physical condition.
The return trip, from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes, follows the same route as the outbound trip. However, this time it is mostly downhill along the hundreds of stone stairs to the Ruins Bridge. Then, you must ascend the Hiram Bingham road to the town. The return trip can be completed in about 1 hour and 40 minutes on average.
💡 Hiking routes in Machu Picchu – Taking the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu will always be the most recommended option as it offers safety, comfort, and speed. It is especially recommended if you plan to do a hiking route in Machu Picchu. There are up to six short hikes in total. These are: the route to Huayna Picchu, the route to Machu Picchu Mountain, the route to Intipunku, the route to the Inca Bridge, the route to Huchuy Picchu, and the route to the Great Cave. All hikes can be done by purchasing the respective ticket for each route. If the visitor chooses to walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, they must be in excellent physical condition to complete up to two hikes in a single day.
How to buy the bus ticket online?
Here are the steps to follow to buy the bus ticket to Machu Picchu:
- Go to the official website or that of an authorized travel agency.
- Select the option to book bus tickets.
- Complete your personal information, such as full name, email, age, nationality, document or passport, and its number. If you’re adding more visitors, fill in their information as well. The email must be valid, as that’s where you will receive the bus tickets.
- Select the date of your visit, which must match your Machu Picchu entry ticket (it is recommended to secure the entry tickets first).
- Click to complete the payment. You can use any credit or debit card, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, or even PayPal.
- Make the payment. Afterward, you will receive an email with the tickets in PDF format. On the day of your trip to Machu Picchu, you can show them printed or on your mobile device.
How to buy the bus ticket in Cusco?
Bus tickets to Machu Picchu can also be purchased in person in Cusco, Peru. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to the official bus ticket office in the city of Cusco (Av. Pardo Paseo de los Héroes 827) or in the town of Aguas Calientes (Avenida Hermanos Ayar s/n).
- Request your bus tickets from the customer service staff. They will ask you to complete your personal information, such as full name, email, age, nationality, document or passport, and its number. You can also add more visitors by providing the required information.
- Select the date of your visit, which must match your Machu Picchu entry ticket (it is recommended to secure the entry tickets first).
- You can pay with cash or any credit or debit card, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, or even PayPal.
- After payment, you will receive your printed bus tickets and also via email. On the day of your trip to Machu Picchu, you can show them printed or on your mobile device.
More information about the bus ticket to Machu Picchu
The bus ticket is widely available throughout the year. This means that visitors can purchase it even on the same day as their visit to Machu Picchu. Acquiring the bus ticket is considered the final step in organizing a visit to the Inca city. The two most important tickets are the entry to Machu Picchu and the train ticket to the town of Aguas Calientes.
The official site for purchasing bus tickets to Machu Picchu is Consettur. Additionally, there are travel agencies that offer the sale of these tickets online. They also offer the official price, though with a commission for acting as an intermediary between the tourist and Consettur. In both cases, visitors will obtain their bus ticket without problems, as payment methods are similar.
On the day of the visit to Machu Picchu, tourists can buy their bus ticket at the authorized office in the town of Aguas Calientes. However, it is recommended to purchase it the day before or a few hours before the visit to the Inca city. This is because long queues often form to board the bus. To avoid wasting time, it is advised to have the bus tickets ready. This way, the tourist can quickly access the bus and be among the first to visit Machu Picchu.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I buy the bus ticket to Machu Picchu online?
Yes, online sales are done through the official website or a travel agency’s website. In both cases, you must complete personal information and make the payment with any credit or debit card.
2. Can I buy the bus ticket to Machu Picchu in person?
Yes, in-person sales are available at authorized offices in the city of Cusco or in the town of Aguas Calientes. Tickets are widely available, so they can be purchased in person on the same day as the visit to Machu Picchu.
3. What payment methods can I use to buy the bus ticket to Machu Picchu online?
You can make the payment with any credit or debit card, such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, or even PayPal.
4. Can I buy my bus ticket to Machu Picchu at the last minute?
Yes, unlike the entry tickets to Machu Picchu, bus tickets do not sell out. Therefore, visitors can purchase the ticket in person on the same day as their visit to Machu Picchu.
5. Where is the bus ticket office for Machu Picchu in the city of Cusco?
The official bus ticket sales office for Machu Picchu is located in the city of Cusco at Paseo de los Héroes Avenue 827.
6. Where is the bus ticket office for Machu Picchu in the town of Aguas Calientes?
The official bus ticket sales office for Machu Picchu is located in the town of Aguas Calientes at Hermanos Ayar Avenue s/n.
7. What is the official entity for selling bus tickets to Machu Picchu?
Consettur is the official company and operator of bus ticket sales to Machu Picchu.
8. Can I change the date of my bus ticket to Machu Picchu?
No, bus tickets are only valid for the date indicated on them. They can only be used a day before or after this date, but not for any other date.
9. Can someone else use my bus ticket to Machu Picchu?
No, bus tickets to Machu Picchu are non-transferable.
10. Can I buy my bus ticket at the entrance to Machu Picchu?
Yes, at the entrance to the Inca city, you can purchase the return bus ticket to Aguas Calientes in person.
