Machu Picchu bus from Aguas Calientes: how it works, tickets and queues

Between Aguas Calientes, the town where the train arrives, and the entrance of Machu Picchu there is a climb of about 400 metres and a road of hairpin bends, the Hiram Bingham road. Most visitors cover it by bus in about 25 to 30 minutes. It sounds minor, but the bus shapes your morning: the queues, your entry time and getting back to the train. This guide explains how it works, where to buy tickets and when it's worth walking up.

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Who runs the bus

For decades the route was run by a single company, Consettur. Its concession expired in 2025 and, after a tender marked by legal disputes, in 2026 the service is provided provisionally by Consettur and San Antonio de Torontoy while the municipality prepares a new tender. The situation may change, so check which company is selling tickets for your travel dates.

Where to buy tickets

• Online, on the operator's official website, by card.
• In Aguas Calientes, at the ticket office on Avenida Hermanos Ayar, before the Ruinas bridge.
• Through your agency, if you buy a package or a Machu Picchu tour.

You'll need your passport or ID. Buy the ticket before the night before your visit to avoid queues at the office.

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The morning queues

The first bus leaves very early and, in high season, the line to go up forms before dawn. Buses leave in order of arrival in the line, not by the exact time of your entry, although staff usually prioritise the first slots. Plan to join the queue with enough margin to enter in your time slot.

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Coordinate the bus with your entry

Your Machu Picchu ticket has a specific entry time. If you're late you can lose access, especially on routes with mountains such as Huayna Picchu, where checkpoints are strict. Plan like this:

1. Check your entry time.
2. Add the queue time and the 25 to 30-minute ride.
3. Add a margin for surprises.

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Going down and the train

There's also a queue to go down, shorter in the morning and longer in mid-afternoon. If you have a return train, leave at least an hour and a half between leaving the citadel and your train departure.

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Walking up

The alternative to the bus is a stone-step trail that climbs from the Ruinas bridge on the edge of town to the entrance. It takes around an hour and a half to two hours, depending on your fitness.

• For: it's free, you don't depend on the queue and it's an experience in itself.
• Against: it's demanding, hot and humid, and you arrive tired for a visit that also involves steps.

Many travellers take the bus up and walk down, a good combination.

Can I get there without Aguas Calientes?

Those on the classic Inca Trail arrive on foot through the Sun Gate, without a bus. Everyone else passes through Aguas Calientes, reached by train or on foot from Hidroeléctrica.

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High season and low season

From June to August, and on Peruvian public holidays, queues are long both up and down, and it's best to have your ticket bought in advance. In the rainy season, November to March, there are fewer people, but the road can suffer occasional closures from landslides; in that case the operators adjust the service. If you travel in those months, check local news the day before and have a backup plan for your train.

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With children or reduced mobility

The bus is the logical choice if you're travelling with small children or older people. Bring a warm layer for the morning wait and water for the day.

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Practical tips

• Keep the bus ticket on your phone and on paper.
• Use the toilet before going up: there are none inside the citadel.
• Carry cash in case you need to buy the ticket at the office.
• If it rains, keep a raincoat handy for the queue.

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Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).