After your visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, we provide two options for your return journey to the city of Cusco. You can choose between returning by car or by train. Below, we detail everything about these two return options to Cusco.
TRAIN OPTION
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- Your train ticket is typically for 2:30 pm, 2:55 pm, or 3:20 pm, depending on availability. To catch the train, return to Aguas Calientes either by a one-hour walk or a $12 bus ride. Spend some time exploring the picturesque town, having lunch, and relaxing. Arrive at the train station 30 minutes before departure. The train journey takes around 1.5 hours to Ollantaytambo, where a Machu Picchu Reservations transfer with your name awaits. You’ll then travel by car back to Cusco for an additional 2 hours, with a drop-off at Plaza Regocijo, marking the end of your tour. You can expect to be back in Cusco around 6:30 pm
- Train Option: Choosing the train option gives you more time in Machu Picchu, especially if you’re planning to climb one of the mountains, such as Waynapicchu or Montaña Machupicchu. The train is more convenient, comfortable, and quicker for returning to Cusco. After visiting Machu Picchu, you’ll need to head back to the town of Aguas Calientes. You can either walk for about an hour from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes or opt for a 25-minute bus ride costing approximately $12.
Once in Aguas Calientes, you’ll have time to explore the town and perhaps enjoy lunch before boarding the train to Ollantaytambo, usually scheduled for around 2:30 or 3:30 pm. This 1.5-hour journey offers views of Amazonian and Andean landscapes as it’s a daytime trip. Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo, a transfer from Machu Picchu Reservations will be waiting to take you to Cusco, a further 2-hour drive, arriving around 6:30 pm. You’ll be dropped off at Plaza Regocijo, a block from Cusco’s main square.
Benefits of the Train Option:
- More time in Machu Picchu, especially beneficial if you plan extra hikes.
- Comfortable, quick, and relaxing, particularly after mountain treks.
- Safer during the rainy season (November to March) with more flexible and potentially reschedulable train times in case of weather delays.
- Offers an upgrade to the Vistadome train for more panoramic views.
However, note that the train option is more expensive than traveling by car due to the monopoly of train services and their higher rates. Despite the cost, many find the additional comfort, safety, and time-saving benefits well worth it.
CAR OPTION
If you choose the car option, start a 3-hour walk from Machu Picchu to the hydroelectric station, beginning no later than 11 am. This walk involves an initial 30-40-minute descent and approximately 1.5-2 hours of flat terrain along train tracks. Arrive at the hydroelectric station by 2:30 pm to catch the 3 pm car. The car journey lasts around 6-7 hours, returning you to Cusco at about 10 pm, with a final stop at Plaza Regocijo in Cusco’s center.
