The visit to Machu Picchu and the buses
Machu Picchu is open to tourist visits every day of the year without exception. Its visiting hours are from 6 am to 5 pm.
To get to Machu Picchu, most tourists depart from the city of Cusco by bus and then, in Ollantaytambo, take a train to the town of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu town since it is only ten kilometers from the archaeological site.
From Aguas Calientes, there are two ways to reach Machu Picchu: by bus or on foot. The bus takes 30 minutes, while walking takes about 2 hours on average.
The buses have departure and return times based on the entry times to Machu Picchu. The Inca city allows entry every hour, from 6 am to 3 pm. Likewise, the buses can also be boarded every hour: from 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, and 9 am.
For example, a visitor with a Machu Picchu entry ticket for 8 am cannot board the bus at the 6 am time slot. The staff will not allow them to take the bus.
However, if their Machu Picchu entry ticket is for 10 am, they will be able to board the bus in the 7:15 am group.
Keep in mind that the bus ride takes 30 minutes. Additionally, the line to take the bus takes between 10 to 15 minutes. Finally, the buses depart from Aguas Calientes every 5 minutes on average. In the mornings, the frequency is more constant, with departures every 2 minutes on average. This is because most tourists prefer to visit Machu Picchu in the morning.
💡 The walking route from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu – The bus ride is not the only way to reach Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes. You can also do it via a pleasant but challenging walking route. The walking route can be done from 4:30 am, as Machu Picchu opens at 6 am. To do the route, at the Ruins Bridge sector, a park guard will ask to see your Machu Picchu entry ticket. This can be in printed form or in PDF format on your phone. The walking route can be completed until 3 pm at the latest. To better organize your time, buying a bus ticket will always be the best option.
Departure times to Machu Picchu
The outbound journey covers the 10-kilometer route from the town of Aguas Calientes to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu. The buses depart every 5 minutes on average. There are a total of ten entry groups: the group visiting Machu Picchu at 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.
Each group can board the bus about 45 minutes before their entry time to Machu Picchu. No visitor can take the bus in a group that does not correspond to their Machu Picchu entry ticket.
These are the departure times:
| Ticket 6 am | Ticket 7 am | Ticket 8 am | Ticket 9 am | Ticket 10 am | Ticket 11 am | Ticket 12 pm | Ticket 1 pm | Ticket 2 pm | Ticket 3 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30 am | 6:30 am | 7:30 am | 8:30 am | 9:30 am | 10:30 am | 11:30 am | 12:30 pm | 1:30 pm | 2:30 pm |
| 5:40 am | 6:40 am | 7:40 am | 8:40 am | 9:40 am | 10:40 am | 11:40 am | 12:40 pm | 1:40 pm | 2:40 pm |
| 5:50 am | 6:50 am | 7:50 am | 8:50 am | 9:50 am | 10:50 am | 11:50 am | 12:50 pm | 1:50 pm | 2:50 pm |
| 6:00 am | 7:00 am | 8:00 am | 9:00 am | 10:00 am | 11:00 am | 12:00 pm | 1:00 pm | 2:00 pm | 3:00 pm |
| 6.10 am | 7.10 am | 8.10 am | 9.10 am | 10.10 am | 11.10 am | 12.10 pm | 1.10 pm | 2.10 pm | 3.10 pm |
| 6.20 am | 7.20 am | 8.20 am | 9.20 am | 10.20 am | 11.20 am | 12.20 pm | 1.20 pm | 2.20 pm | 3.20 pm |
Return trip schedule from Machu Picchu
The return trip covers the 10-kilometer route from the exit gate of Machu Picchu to the town of Aguas Calientes. Buses depart every 5 minutes on average. For the return trip, there are no groups, and each visitor can take the bus as they leave the Inca site.
It is recommended that visitors take the bus considering their return train ticket to the city of Cusco. It is also possible to return to Aguas Calientes on foot. Typically, the visit to Machu Picchu takes between 2 hours or more, especially if you add a hiking route to the mountains.
These are the return trip schedules:
| Ticket 6 am | Ticket 7 am | Ticket 8 am | Ticket 9 am | Ticket 10 am | Ticket 11 am | Ticket 12 pm | Ticket 1 pm | Ticket 2 pm | Ticket 3 pm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.40 am | 8.40 am | 9.40 am | 11.40 am | 11.40 am | 12.40 pm | 1.40 pm | 2.40 pm | 3.40 pm | 4.40 pm |
| 7.50 am | 8.50 am | 9.50 am | 11.50 am | 11.50 am | 12.50 pm | 1.50 pm | 2.50 pm | 3.50 pm | 4.50 pm |
| 8.00 am | 9.00 am | 10.00 am | 11.00 am | 12.00 am | 1.00 pm | 2.00 pm | 3.00 pm | 4.00 pm | 5.00 pm |
| 8.10 am | 9.10 am | 10.10 am | 11.10 am | 12.10 pm | 1.10 pm | 2.10 pm | 3.10 pm | 4.10 pm | 5.20 pm |
| 8.20 am | 9.20 am | 10.20 am | 11.20 am | 12.20 pm | 1.20 pm | 2.20 pm | 3.20 pm | 4.30 pm | 5.30 pm |
| 8.30 am | 9.30 am | 10.30 am | 11.30 am | 12.30 pm | 1.30 pm | 2.30 pm | 3.30 pm | 4.30 pm | 5.40 pm |
Schedules at Machu Picchu
The bus departure schedules are directly related to the entry times to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu.
At Machu Picchu, there are up to ten entry tickets with different schedules:
- Machu Picchu Classic Photo ticket schedules (entry from 6 am to 4 pm).
- Machu Picchu Classic ticket schedules (entry from 6 am to 4 pm).
- Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace ticket schedules (entry from 6 am to 4 pm).
- Machu Picchu Lower Temple ticket schedules (entry from 6 am to 4 pm).
- Machu Picchu with Temple of the Moon ticket schedules (entry at 6 am and 9 am).
- Machu Picchu with Intipunku ticket schedules (entry at 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and 11 am).
- Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket schedules (entry at 6 am and 9 am).
- Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket schedules (entry from 6 am and 8 am).
- Machu Picchu with Huchuy Picchu ticket schedules (entry at 11 am and 1 pm).
- Machu Picchu with Inca Bridge ticket schedules (entry at 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, and 11 am).
More information about the bus schedules to Machu Picchu
The bus schedules to Machu Picchu for the outbound route (Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu) are strict. This means that visitors form queues to take the bus according to their entry time to the Inca city. This helps to better manage the flow of people in the Inca city and the queues before boarding the buses. In previous years, many tourists would gather early in the morning to take the buses. Today, each visitor forms the queue and boards the buses according to their visit time to the archaeological site.
The bus schedules to Machu Picchu for the return route (Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes) are not strict. This means that visitors can take the bus as they leave the Inca city. No groups are formed according to the schedules at the archaeological site. However, it is recommended to calculate the travel time back to Aguas Calientes. This will ensure you take the return train to Cusco on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What time does the first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu leave?
The first bus leaving Aguas Calientes towards Machu Picchu departs at 5:30 am. This is because the first entry time to the archaeological site is at 6 am.
2. What time does the last bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu leave?
The last bus leaving Aguas Calientes towards Machu Picchu departs at 3 pm. This is because the last entry time to the archaeological site is at 3:30 pm.
3. How frequently do the buses leave from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
The buses leave Aguas Calientes every 5 minutes. In the mornings, when the lines are longer, they typically leave every 2 minutes on average.
4. Can I take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at any time?
No, to take the bus in Aguas Calientes, visitors form groups according to their entry time to Machu Picchu. The groups are based on the times of 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm.
5. Can I take my return bus from Machu Picchu at any time?
Yes, after visiting Machu Picchu, tourists can take their return bus without any time restrictions. They just need to form the queue and board the bus back to Aguas Calientes.
6. What do I need to show to take the bus to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes?
In the bus queue, you will need to show your bus ticket, your entry ticket to Machu Picchu, and your passport or ID card.
7. How long do the queues take to board the bus to Machu Picchu?
The queues to take the bus depend on the high or low tourist season at Machu Picchu. They can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
8. What time does the last bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes return?
The last bus returning from Machu Picchu departs at 5:30 pm. The last entry time to the Inca city is at 3 pm.
9. Can I take a bus to Machu Picchu on the road?
No, the only bus stops to board the bus are in the town of Aguas Calientes and at the exit gate of Machu Picchu.
10. How long does the walk from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu take?
This route can be completed in 2 hours or a little more, depending on the physical condition of each visitor.
