Machu Picchu was once the vacation home to ancient kings in the Incan Civilization. Present-day, you can hike through the ruins and marvel at the architecture. It can be a trek and also costly to visit Machu Picchu, but it is highly worth it. There are several options on how to get there.
Flights to Lima generally run around $500 from Los Angeles and cheaper from the east coast. I have seen them for as low as $350 from Los Angeles.
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Peru hotels here!
1. Guided Group Tour
When I visited Peru, I chose to do a 10-day guided group tour through Gate 1. I had a wonderful experience and I thought it was fairly priced for what we received on the trip. It was a no-hassle way to visit Machu Picchu and it was a bonus to see other sites in Peru. There are shorter versions of this tour as well as other companies who run similar tours. Gate 1 was the cheapest tour I found (at the time) with a reputable company.
Total Cost: $1600 and up plus airfare to Lima depending on the departure date. Includes hotels, most meals, intercountry flights, admission to all the sites in the itinerary, and tours with a tour guide in each city. This tour goes on sale a lot, so watch out for sales.
2. Hiking the Inca Trail
One of the most popular ways to get to Machu Picchu is to hike the Inca Trail. This is a very strenuous hike that takes multiple days to complete. If you decide on this option, make sure you are in very good health and shape. Remember Machu Picchu is about 8,000 ft above sea level, so the air is thinner. There are many companies that run these treks. You must go with a guide.
Total Cost: $560-$1600 includes guide, entrance fees, and return on the train plus airfare to Lima. My friend Tanya went on her trek through Xtreme Tourbulencia and highly
3. On Your Own
The most budget-friendly way to get to Machu Picchu is planning it on your own. If you choose this option, it is important that you plan in advance as you must reserve tickets to visit Machu Picchu. Some tickets to Machu Picchu may be available for purchase in Cusco or Aguas Calientes, but I would not take the risk of not getting one. Entrance Ticket to Machu Picchu cost $45.
Step 1
Fly to Cusco. The nearest airport to Machu Picchu is in Cusco. You can fly into Lima and then get a connecting flight to Cusco. Flight from Lima to Cusco is around $60 round trip on a budget carrier. Cusco Lodging for 3 nights ranges from $12/night and up for a hostel and $75/night and up for a hotel.
Step 2
Take a bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo ($1). You can also take a taxi for around $20.
Step 3
Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes ($56 round trip).
Step 4
Take the bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu ($24 round trip).
Total Cost: $127 for the day at Machu Picchu, $412 total including flight and hotel.
4. One Day Guided Tour
Another option is to take a guided tour from Agua Calientes. There are many tour companies who run these tours. Check Viator for some options. I would recommend visiting the ruins with a guide as they can explain what many of the sites are and some of this history behind them.
Flight to Cusco, lodging in Cusco and transportation to Agua Calientes: $343
Tour: $130 (includes guide, round trip bus to Machu Picchu, and tickets to Machu Picchu)
Total Cost: $473 for everything
Cheapest Option: Visiting on your own using public transportation
Best Value: Multiple day guided tour of Peru
Best Experience: Hiking the Inca Trail
**Remember to give yourself time to adjust to the altitude. The elevation in Machu Picchu is around 8,000 feet. Read more about how to avoid Altitude Sickness here.
2 thoughts on “Visiting Machu Picchu”
I wish I had read this before I visited back in the day! I wanted to do the Inca Trail but waited way too long and went on my own but took way too long in each place. Lol. Whoops. In spite of it all I had a great time. Thanks for bringing back great memories and for great tips.
I want to plan a visit here so bad within the next year or two! Thank you for laying out these different options, very helpful.