How To Go From Lima To Machu Picchu
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Last Updated on November 24, 2023 by James Bustamante
Going from Lima to Machu Picchu is easier than you thought. There are several ways to go from the Peruvian capital city to the Inca Citadel, but it’s not a direct trip. Instead, there are a few stops you’ll need to make along the way. Below we go over the routes and costs, so travelers can choose the best option to take. Below is the most common package that leads from Lima to Machu Picchu for reference.
The Most Popular Lima to Machu Picchu Package
- Day 1 Arrival to Lima – Transfer to Lima Hotel
- Day 2 Lima City Tour
- Day 3 Domestic Flight to Cusco – Check into Cusco Hotel
- Day 4 Full Day Sacred Valley Tour
- Day 5 Train to Aguas Calientes
- Day 6 Machu Picchu Guided Tour
- Day 7 Transfer to Airport for Domestic Flight back to Lima
Peru has several popular destinations to visit. First, starting in Lima and then wondering whether the best option is to go directly to the highlands or spend some time in the Amazon rainforest. With places like Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Arequipa, The Colca Canyon, The Nazca lines, The Huacachinna Oasis, and several more to choose from, putting together a comprehensive route from Lima to Machu Picchu can be overwhelming. It will be a very entertaining endeavor from beginning to end.
Information on Lima
Lima, the capital of Peru, is situated on the country’s Pacific coast. Most trip itineraries, including Lima to Machu Picchu, will start with at least a day or two in the capital. Then, over the first two days, travelers have several options for activities like a city or culinary tour.
Touring Lima
The Lima city tour is an adventure into its colonial past, where buildings are still marvelously preserved. The day tour will also head towards the bustling districts of Miraflores, where its views of the Pacific Ocean are unrivaled. Barranco is also on the itinerary. The bohemian district features cart galleries by local artists, rustic bars, and upbeat nightlife.
Some of the cultural landmarks we’ll visit on tour are museums. Lima is home to the Museo Larco collection of pre-Columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, tracing the history of Peru’s ancient civilizations. In addition, the Plaza de Armas and the 16th-century cathedral are the heart of the old Lima city center.
Information on Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan city in Peru located about 795 miles (1280 kilometers) southeast of the capital city of Lima. The Incas built the structure close to the year 1450. What many researchers believe, nevertheless, is that the complex was eventually abandoned. The fact that it was abandoned means that it was less than 100 years after its construction.
Part of the attraction to Machu Picchu is due to its settlement. The stone city was situated on an obscure mountaintop, making it difficult for anyone to find. Due to the abandonment of Machu Picchu, its 200 buildings eventually succumbed to jungle overgrowth, where it remained hidden for many years.
An interesting fact mentioned by specialists is that the Machu Picchu structure mainly remained very much intact, despite being swallowed up by the jungle for many years.
Today, a 70-mile (113-kilometer) train ride connects travelers to Machu Picchu from Cusco, a regional center in the eastern Andes Mountains. The surroundings are full of growth at a staggering elevation of 7,546 feet (2,300 meters).
The subtropical climate sees average highs in the low 80s with cool nights. On the other hand, the dry season in this area ranges from May to mid-October. It’s important to consider that the mornings are usually relatively sunny despite being in the wetter months.
If you want to take one of the multi-day hikes to Machu Picchu, we recommend going during the dry season. Getting to this world heritage site from the capital can be a quick task when you weigh your options correctly. Below are some alternatives to go from Lima to Machu Picchu.
Getting From Lima to Machu Picchu
To get from Lima to Machu Picchu, you first have to get to Cusco. Your options to reach Cusco from Lima are by plane or by bus. Unfortunately, there are no trains connecting these two cities.
The preferred method of travel will be by airplane, of course. If you decide to opt for the bus ride can take 22- 26 hours and, in some cases, longer.
For most, the land travel time is much too long since you would spend over a day just riding the bus. Most travelers ultimately want to see as much of the country as possible. Probably not from the perspective of a long bus ride. While we don’t recommend it, below is some information in case you want to get from Lima to Machu Picchu by bus.
Lima to Machu Picchu by Bus
So to get to Machu Picchu from Lima, we’ll first need to reach the old Incan capital city. Cusco is separated from Lima by the Andes Mountains, which presents a bit of a problem.
Cusco is also located at over 10,000ft above sea level. This means that the elevation change can often affect tourists who go directly to Cusco.
Altitude sickness is more common than most people tend to think. The extremity of symptoms does vary from each person to person. It has been shown that travelers taking a bus to Cusco will be less likely to have altitude sickness due to the slower ascend into the highlands. Still, though, 26 hours by bus can be a long time, and if you suffer from car sickness, you are really out of luck.
About Bus Routes to Cusco
Buses in Peru are safe as long as you book the ticket with certified companies. Unfortunately, it is common to hear about bus accidents outside Lima.
Nonetheless, this is most likely the doings of informal bus companies. There are quite a few, so it’s best to look around rather than try to book the cheapest option. Below are examples of two very professional routes you can take to Cusco via bus, and below that, you’ll see three reputable bus companies.
Route A: LIMA-NAZCA-CUSCO: This route takes you south from Lima to Nazca and ascends through the Andes, passing Abancay and arriving at Cusco approximately 22 hours later.
This is the fastest way from Lima to Cusco by bus; however, it can be dangerous. The roads are both curvy and steep, add the rainy season, and it could be a better ride.
Route B: LIMA-NAZCA-AREQUIPA-CUSCO: This route takes you down south to Arequipa and then will take you back up to Cusco. This route is arguably better, and there is much to see along the way.
Cruz Del Sur
- Cruz del Sur departs from Lima to Cusco, Arequipa to Cusco, and Puno to Cusco.
- Daily departures offer good service, with comfortable seats that recline.
Oltursa
- Departs from Lima to Cusco
- Departs from Arequipa to Cusco.
- Daily departures.
- The Line Offers good service, with comfortable seats.
Ormeno
- Departs from Lima to Cusco.
- Daily departures.
- The Line offers good service with comfortable seats.
Flights From Lima to Machu Picchu
Next will be a flight taking you to the highland city of Cusco. The fastest way to get to Cusco is by plane. This is also preferable for several reasons. The first is, of course, how much time you’ll save by flying to Cusco. By flying, travelers will go from Lima to Cusco in just under an hour and a half. Safety is a second reason to take a flight to Cusco instead of a bus or a rental car.
This doesn’t need to be an added cost. Most Machu Picchu Travel Packages include domestic airfare within pricing. Below is one of the more reputable airlines with daily flights to Cusco.
LATAM Airlines
Lima – Cusco – Lima
Flights frequency: Every day departs 20+ daily flights
From Lima to Cusco, flights depart starting: at 4:40 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
From Cusco to Lima, flights depart starting: from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The flights take 1 hour 15 minutes approx.
Check for flights by clicking here.
Lima to Cusco, The Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
Located at almost 12,000 feet ( or 3,400 meters ) above sea level, walking around here for the first time can be quite an experience. However, after travelers arrive in Cusco, they may need a day to get used to the city’s high altitude. As part of an elevation sickness protocol, it is usually recommended to have light meals and rest up so your body can acclimate adequately.
Cusco is a beautiful city where you can go around and visit museums, The Plaza de Armas, cathedrals, and many other attractions during a city tour or on your own.
For travelers going from Lima to Machu Picchu, Cusco is a mandatory destination where you’ll need at least to spend a day or two.
The first day is usually reserved for check-in at a hotel, acclimating, and walking around the neighborhoods. The following day (or two days after, depending on how the package was planned), you will head to The Sacred Valley, Pisac market, and the Ollantaytambo fortress. Afterward, You will head back to the city of Cusco for another night to acclimate to the high elevation.
It should be noted that you can also spend the night in a hotel in the Sacred Valley. It is an excellent alternative to spending your second night in Cusco city.
For travelers who are especially prone to suffering from elevation sickness, we recommend accommodations at the Sacred Valley since it is at a lower elevation overall compared to Cusco.
Depending on how your trip was programmed, there can be two routes to get to the next leg of the journey:
Head Straight To Machu Picchu
If travelers decide to stay in the Urubamba valley for the night, you’ll be near the Ollantaytambo train station. In Ollantaytambo, we can board the train that leads to Aguas Calientes town.
From here we continue on a 20-minute shuttle ride which gets you to the Inca city for the Machu Picchu tour.
Spend The Night In Aguas Calientes Before Machu Picchu
For some travelers spending the night in Aguas Calientes before going to Machu Picchu is preferable. If you have an extra day, you can arrive in Aguas Calientes and visit the local hot springs for the afternoon. In the evening, travelers can have dinner in a restaurant as they relax in the cloud forest night.
The following morning the group will make their way to Machu Picchu for the guided tour.
Both options are good, but I always suggest staying in Aguas Calientes for the night to get the whole cloud forest experience. However, if you’ve made it all the way here from your country of origin to Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu, why not spend a day visiting the hot springs?
One of the most popular trips from Lima to Machu Picchu is the seven-day package which includes Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu reservations. Check out the outline below:
7 Day Trip to Machu Picchu
- Day 1 Arrival to Lima – Transfer to Lima Hotel
- Day 2 Lima City Tour
- Day 3 Domestic Flight to Cusco – Check into Cusco Hotel
- Day 4 Full Day Sacred Valley Tour
- Day 5 Train to Aguas Calientes
- Day 6 Machu Picchu Guided Tour
- Day 7 Transfer to Airport for Domestic Flight back to Lima
Frequently Asked Questions About Lima to Machu Picchu
No. There is no direct train to Machu Picchu from the city of Lima.
Yes and no. First, there is no direct bus from Lima to Machu Picchu. However, a bus will take you to Cusco, although we don’t recommend this method of travel since Peruvian roads are sometimes not the best shape.
No, this most certainly will not work. The main methods to arrive at Cusco (not Machu Picchu) is by plane and, in some cases, by bus. Travelers an rent a car but it is not advisable.
No. Machu Picchu is located in the Peruvian Highlands within the cloud forest. You first need to head over to Cusco (1.5 hours by plane) and then head over to Machu Picchu by either train or hike
Although this is possible, it is not recommendable. It will feel rushed, and you will be exhausted from all the traveling.
Flying into Cusco is very safe, no matter what season we are in.
No. You first need to get to Cusco, and from that point, you can head to Machu Picchu in various ways.
The train ride into Aguas Calientes from Ollantaytambo station is around 2 hours.
The ride takes around 20 minutes.
Yes. This hike will take approximately 2.5 hours.
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