How to visit Machu Picchu on a Budget
There are tons of ways to visit Machu Picchu and a dizzying array of tour companies offering different activity combinations to the ancient Inca city from Cuzco. Other than the famous Inca Trail (which must be booked weeks in advance), there are trips from 3-7days that may include other Inca ruins, lots of hiking, cycling, whitewater rafting, zip-lining and even visits to hot springs.
They all sound pretty exciting to me, but as I was time strapped and really wanted to visit the ruins early in the morning, I thought it’ll be interesting to find out how to visit Machu Picchu on a budget. (if your’e just interested in Machu Picchu pictures, scroll towards the end!)
Pro-tip: Beat the crowds by staying in Aguas Calientes the night before your visit
The most direct route typically begins with an expensive train ride (from USD144 round-trip, 3hrs) from Cuzco to Aguas Calientes, the gateway town to Machu Picchu. That is followed by a bus ride (USD28 round-trip, 20mins) up to the entrance of the ruins. Machu Picchu tickets cost $131soles (~USD48) inclusive of tax and has to be purchased beforehand, either from a tour agent in Cuzco or Aguas Calientes. This adds up to at least USD220 excluding food and accommodation.
Let me show you how to do it with ~USD72.5 ($196soles), a third of the standard cost.
(1) Cuzco to Hydroelectric Plant
There are two main ways to do this.
- DIY Method: Take a public bus (3hrs) from Cuzco to Santa Maria in the direction of Quillabamba. Change to the smaller minibus (1hr) to Santa Teresa. Get a taxi (35mins) from Santa Teresa to the Hydroelectric Plant.
- Recommended Method: As this route is getting more common among backpackers, many tour agencies now offer round-trip transport to the Hydroelectric Plant at just $65soles. It is easier and cheaper to do this, and you’ll meet other travellers on the shared transport there! It starts at 8am in Cuzco and you’ll arrive at the Hydroelectric Plant around 230pm, slightly earlier than if you were to DIY. It’s a very scenic ride too as you’ll drive past the Sacred Valley!
You’ll pass by some breathtaking scenery on the way to the Hydroelectric Plant
Start of your hike from the Hydroelectric Plant. If you’re really tired you can take the train to Aguas Caliente.
Pro-Tip: Buy your supplies in Cuzco cause the prices at Aguas Calientes is 20-30% higher
(2) Hydroelectric Plant to Aguas Calientes
Walk for 2-3hrs along the train tracks. Along the way, you will pass by bridges, walk along the river, and even get a glimpse of Machu Picchu from a far! It is an easy walk and you won’t get lost because there are many travellers along the way. Good opportunity to make friends before the morning hike!
(3) Overnight at Aguas Calientes
Take your pick at the numerous accommodation options at Aguas Calientes. It’s a pretty touristy town so it should be easy to find a place that fits your budget.
(4) Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Leave town by 445am and begin your 1-1.5hr hike to Machu Picchu! It’s a short 15min walk to the control point by a bridge (opens at 5am), before a steep hike up a series of steps to the entrance. It shouldn’t be a problem if you are of moderate fitness!
Pro-Tip: Bring a headlamp/torch for the morning hike
Check point just before climbing to the entrance of Machu Picchu. Can you imagine how many more people there will be if you arrive with the tourist trains?
And tadaaaa…
Welcome to Machu Picchu
Main plaza of the ancient Inca city
The famous 3 windows of Machu Picchu
Llama approves of this Machu Picchu budget option. There are a couple of them roaming the ancient city!
Total Cost: $65soles (return-trip transport) + $131soles (Machu Picchu entrance) = $196soles or USD72.5 :)
Need more information or know cheaper ways to visit the ruins? Drop a comment below!
very informative write-up! thank you!
would love to visit machu picchu and uyuni salt lake someday with your tips!
but so many places i want to go now… *headache*
It is beautiful :) Glad you’re having a great time
I hope to Follow you experience to visit Peru and Uyuni on next Easter holydays
You’ll love it! :)
wow! this is amazing. machu picchu is definitely on my bucketlist.
hey pohteck, i enjoy reading your “money saving tips” as I’m in South America now and going to visit certain places you have been. Just wondering, how much time u spent exploring the Machu Picchu site, and whether you went back to Cuzco on the same day (meaning, just 1 night at Agua Calientes)? Hope to hear from u soon, thanks!
Hey Haan,
Great to hear from you. Hows South America!
I think this post that I wrote previously will help http://pohtecktoes.com/machu-picchu-budget/
Was at the ruins of Machu Picchu from morning till after lunch and spent 1 night in Aguas Caliente only before heading back to Cusco. I must say the plan I did in the blog post was not the most comfortable, but it was definitely the cheapest.
by the way, I read that things in Aguas Calientes are overpriced. What about the accommodation?
Dear Poh Teck
How do I go from Singapore to Machu Picchu.
Hi Cynthia. I flew in to Brazil before traveling to Cusco (Peru) by a mixture of bus and flights.
You can probably find the most direct route there via this website called Rome2Rio. It will take a few days even if you go straight to Machu Picchu though.
Hey Pohtecktoes!
Would like to check with you if you managed to purchase the Machu Picchu entrance tickets via their govt website online beforehand or you simply buy it at Cusco/Aguas Caliente 1-2days before heading there?
Hello! I got the normal entrance tickets when I was there. However if you want to go to Huayna Picchu, it’s best to purchase them in advance cause those are sold out pretty fast!
Ok! I was trying to book via their govt website, however, they kept rejecting my payment from my SG credit card… HaHa… & it seems like online credit card payment rejection is a pretty common thing for bookings of South American attractions/transportation tickets.. Did you encounter this as well when making online bookings during your trip???
I didn’t book anything online but my ATM card got rejected. Had to call DBS to unblock cause Peru is a black listed country at that point so you needed to activate it.
hI
how did u find the tour transport from Cuzco to Hydroelectric Plant (return)?
thanks
Hi Hendric,
I chanced upon your blog as I’m planning a trekking trip in Cusco in September. I’ll be doing the Salkantay route and we’ll be at Machu Picchu enroute. Just wondering how the altitude sickness was like for you when you were in Cusco? Thanks!
Hi Marlene,
I think it differs from person to person but it was fine when I was just walking around. However trekking was pretty tiring as my body don’t respond that well to altitude despite being a seasoned hiker. Your muscles kind of don’t listen to you. Lol. Slow and steady wins the race and if you give yourself enough time to acclimatize it should be ok.
Thanks for the great tips! Is the road from Cuzco to Hidroeletric really dangerous? Some comments from TripAdvisor said the Drivers go quite fast and overtake each other very close to sheer drops..
Hi Crystal. I think the experience is quite subjective. The roads are definitely winding and the drivers do go a bit fast. But for me, it’s part of the experience and think it’s actually pretty fun as I trust that the drivers know what they are doing.
This looks absolutely amazing and such a great piece of art.Machu picchu can amaze every traveler. Would you recommend to bring the warm hiking gear? Or is this something you could rent there?
Definitely yes! Do check the season requirements before you travel as well. You can rent but it’s always cheaper to bring your own.
A very nice blog for a very nice place.I am just speechless, what a great blog post!! (Y)
I am hiking up to Machu Picchu after few months and I can’t wait. I am spending a few days in Cusco before. Any tips or ideas for other fun things to do around there?
This photo is amazing! Well from the photograph it pretty clean that you are very good photographer. Thanks for sharing this lovely travel experience with us
I went to Peru in spring of 2012 and the crown jewel of any Peruvian getaway is Machu Picchu. We also were able to snap a few pics with limited people since we waited out a rain storm. But we were treated to the clouds climbing up Machu Picchu which was beautiful! 😊
Was just very patient to wait for the right moment!
My husband and I went to Peru for our honeymoon in 1982. Other than the hotel up at the site and a small guesthouse in Aguas Calientes, there were no other overnight accomodations to stay at Machu Picchu, so the place really cleared out when the tourist train left to return to Cuzco. We were able to take a photo of from the Sun Gate with no people in it before sunset. We climbed Huayna Picchu. I was terrified for a good part of the climb. The day before our climb, a guide warned us to be careful when reaching up to grab hold of a rock overhang because there could be a viper sunning on it. That was underscored when we came upon a dead viper by the side of the trail leaving Machu Picchu. There is an old photo of me at the top, clinging anxiously to a rock near the edge. That climb is right near the top when I think back over my reverse bucket list (i.e. wonderful things I’ve already done and seen.) 😊
Very detailed and helpful review of your trip to Peru! Enjoyed reading without getting bored in a bit. Simple, straight and full of useful info. Great job guys! Carry on travelling and sharing! 💙