girl Machu Picchu fullday tour
girl on her back with machu picchu in the background
Panoramic train to Machu Picchu
Scenic train to Machu Picchu
walls and stairs of machu picchu urban area
archaeological site of machu picchu as seen from above during the guided tour
machu picchu mountain landscape
interior of the ruins of machu picchu
Transfer Cusco <> Ollantaytambo
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Machu Picchu full day tour

Full-day Machu Picchu tour by train from Cusco

(22 reviews)

🚨 Tickets to Machu Picchu sell out fast! 🚨 Book in advance.

Cusco
1 day
Spanish / English
Starts: From your accommodation in Cusco at 3:50 a.m.
Ends: To your accommodation in Cusco between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Flexible cancellation policy

Briefing

The Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco is perfect for travelers who want to make the most of their time and visit the Inca citadel without spending the night in Aguas Calientes. The tour starts with a transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, where you'll take the train to Machu Picchu. Once in Aguas Calientes, you'll take the bus up to the Inca citadel and follow the circuit assigned to your ticket. When booking, you can choose the tour with or without a Machu Picchu entrance ticket.

After your visit, you'll return to Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where a minibus will be waiting to take you back to Cusco. If you prefer, you can upgrade your return journey to a first-class train.

✅ At Howlanders, we organize all the transportation you need to visit Machu Picchu from Cusco and return the same day. Book in advance for the best availability of entrance tickets and departure times.

Want to compare this day trip with other options? Explore our Machu Picchu Tours and choose the itinerary that best fits your trip.

Tour details

Included

  • Transfer Cusco-Ollantaytambo (round trip)
  • Train Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes in the selected category (round trip)
  • Bus Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu (round trip)
  • Machu Picchu entry ticket (according to selected option)

Not included

  • Meals

Important information

The tour can be booked with or without a ticket to Machu Picchu. If you selected the option with a ticket, you'll be assigned the best available time slot and circuit.

A guided tour is only guaranteed for Circuit 2 in the early morning slots. If your ticket is for a different circuit or a later time, the guided visit to Machu Picchu will only be included if a group is available. Otherwise, a private guide will be offered at an additional cost.

You can upgrade your tour by adding any of these extras during the booking process:

  • Upgrade to first-class train – Upgrade your train tickets to travel in panoramic cars with onboard service and entertainment.
  • Upgrade to a private guided tour of Machu Picchu – Instead of joining a group tour, you will have a private guide just for you and your companions.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel more than 15 days before the tour starts, you’ll receive a refund of 70% of the total booking amount. If you cancel less than 15 days in advance, you’ll receive a 50% refund. After this period, or in the event of a no-show, no refunds will be issued.

Tour itinerary

Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu

4:00 A.M.

Pick up in Cusco

Your guide will pick you up at your accommodation in Cusco around 4:00 a.m. with a minibus and you will head to Ollantaytambo train station. From there, you will take the 6:10 a.m. train to Aguas Calientes. Also known as Machu Picchu village.

🚆🕐 The journey takes about an hour and a half, circulating through spectacular scenery with views of the snow-capped mountains, the Vilcanota River and the semi-tropical and high jungle zone.

perurail train blue color running from ollantaytambo to aguas calientes
8 : 00 AM

Machu Picchu

When you get to Aguas Calientes, you’ll hop on a bus that’ll take you up to the Machu Picchu archaeological park. Once you're there, you'll follow the route based on your ticket since there are different paths to explore the citadel. After the tour, you’ll have some free time to check out certain areas of Machu Picchu, but just a heads up—you won’t be able to wander around wherever you want because they’ve limited visitor movement to help preserve the site.

view of the citadel of machu picchu during the machu picchu full day tour

Aguas Calientes - Return to Cusco

We will take the bus again from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town, where you can have lunch in one of its restaurants before taking the train that will take you back to Ollantaytambo.

At the Ollantaytambo train station, a minibus will be waiting for you to take you back to Cusco. You will arrive in the city around 6:30 p.m.

🚆🕐The exact arrival time in Cusco may vary depending on train schedules and will be indicated in your booking confirmation.

town of aguas calientes during the machu picchu full day tour

What to bring to Machu Picchu full day tour

Due to the altitude, mornings are usually cold and midday temperatures can get warm, so be prepared for changing weather conditions. Also, keep in mind that the rainy season runs from November to March. Bring only the essentials, as large suitcases are not allowed on the train.

We recommend bringing:

  • Small daypack with what you need for the day
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Clothing suitable for changing weather:
    • First layer: lightweight short-sleeved T-shirt
    • Second layer: sweater or fleece
    • Outer layer: waterproof and windproof jacket
  • Passport (required to access Machu Picchu and board the train!)
  • Sunscreen
  • Insect repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Personal medication and, if needed, altitude sickness pills

Where does the tour Machu Picchu full day start

The tour includes hotel pick-up, so you’ll be picked up from your accommodation as long as it’s located in Cusco’s historic center. If the street isn’t accessible for the minibus, the coordinator will walk with you from your accommodation to the designated pick-up point. If your hotel is not in the city center, the minibus won’t be able to deviate much from its route, and a pick-up point as close as possible to your accommodation will be arranged for you.

Questions & Answers

  • Can you visit Machu Picchu from Cusco in one day?

    Yes. This Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco is organized so you can leave Cusco early in the morning, visit Machu Picchu and return to Cusco the same day. The journey combines a road transfer to Ollantaytambo, the train to Aguas Calientes and the bus to and from Machu Picchu.

    It's a good option if you're short on time, but keep in mind that it's a long day with a very early start.

  • What type of Machu Picchu ticket is included in my booking?

    When booking, you can choose the tour with or without a Machu Picchu entrance ticket. If you select the option with a ticket, the best available circuit and entrance time will be assigned when your booking is processed.

    Tickets have limited availability, so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible.

  • What’s the best ticket for visiting Machu Picchu?

    There isn’t one “best” ticket—each circuit offers a different experience. We recommend checking out this article where we break down the differences between each type of ticket.

  • What can I do if Machu Picchu tickets are sold out?

    You have two main alternatives:

    1. Book the Inca Trail tour (2 or 4 days), which includes different types of entry.
    2. Try to get a ticket on your own—either by grabbing one of the few that occasionally go back on sale, or by purchasing directly at the Aguas Calientes ticket office.

    In this case, we recommend booking the 2-Day Machu Picchu Tour without a ticket, which gets you to Aguas Calientes early enough to try and buy one.

    Just keep in mind that this option carries some risk—you may not get a ticket and miss out on visiting Machu Picchu.

  • Can I book the tour without a Machu Picchu ticket?

    Yes, you can. Just select the no-ticket option when booking.

    If there's a scheduled guided tour available for the time and route of your entry, it will be included at no extra cost. Otherwise, we’ll offer you a private guided tour for an additional fee.

  • Will I be able to take the iconic Machu Picchu photo?

    That depends on the ticket we’re able to secure. We'll do our best to get a circuit that includes the classic viewpoint, but due to limited availability, we can’t guarantee it.

  • Can I customize the tour?

    Yes, some parts of the tour can be customized depending on availability. For example, you can request a private guide or upgrade your return train.

    If you need a specific change, contact Howlanders before booking so we can check the available options.

  • When should I book the Machu Picchu tour?

    As soon as possible. The most popular tickets sell out quickly. You can book the tour with admission included, or you can buy your ticket directly on the official Machu Picchu website and then book the tour without a ticket.

  • What is the first-class train upgrade?

    Part of the journey is on a tourist train with large windows and a slow pace so you can enjoy the scenery. The first-class upgrade gives you access to a more luxurious, panoramic train with overhead windows, complimentary snacks, and often a live show on board.

  • Can I book a private guide at Machu Picchu?

    Yes. You can request a private guide for your visit to Machu Picchu.

    We recommend arranging this in advance, as availability depends on the date and entrance time of your visit.

  • Can I add entry to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain?

    Yes, but tickets are extremely limited. They can't be added during the online booking process—you’ll need to contact us after booking, or purchase them directly on the official Machu Picchu ticket site.

  • Do you offer discounts for students or children?

    Yes, we offer a $20 discount for students under 25 with a valid student ID. Just reach out to us and request it.

  • Has this tour ever been canceled due to rainy season?

    No, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour has never been canceled because of weather. The stretch between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes is done by train, not by road, so it’s not affected by rain-related road closures. We recommend bringing a waterproof jacket or poncho, comfortable footwear and layers.

    From November through March, it's especially important to be prepared for rain.

Machu Picchu full day tour reviews with Howlanders

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