Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco
Cusco, Peru
- 14 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Spend the day exploring the Inca citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu on a small-group, full-day tour from Cusco—no need to worry about transport logistics. Visit the legendary mountaintop site with a guide who brings its construction and history to life as you explore. Designed with a relaxed, non-strenuous pace, this experience is well-suited to first-time visitors and families.
- There's no need to tackle the roads yourself—round-trip transport lets you relax
- Entrance fees are included, so there aren't any hidden costs to surprise you
- A local guide provides insight you'd miss out on if exploring solo
- Choose the tour grade and transport option that best suits your budget and interests
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Enjoy seamless travel, without the hassle of booking multiple bus and train tickets.
What's Included
- Local Expert guide (The guidance is in Spanish or English)
- Pick up and drop-off from your lodging in Cusco.
- Admission ticket to Machu Picchu Citadel.
- Selected round trip train ticket or bimodal bus&train service from Cusco.
- Round trip shuttle bus ticket to go up & down to the citadel from Machu Picchu town.
- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Bottled water
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
This activity includes roundtrip transfer from your hotel, apartment or your house.
Itinerary
Your day begins with hotel pickup in Cusco and a transfer to the train station, where you board your selected service for the journey toward Machu Picchu. Depending on the option you choose, travel on the Expedition train, upgrade to the panoramic Vistadome with wraparound windows, or ride in Executive Class for added comfort. The scenic rail route winds through dramatic Andean landscapes, offering views of mountains, rivers, and cloud forest along the way.
On arrival in Aguas Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Picchu, continue by bus up the mountain to the entrance of the citadel. Built in the 15th century during the height of the Inca Empire and later abandoned after the Spanish conquest, Machu Picchu remains one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world.
Enter the sanctuary with your guide and walk its main paths as you learn about Inca engineering, architecture, and daily life. Explore highlights such as the central plaza, religious and ceremonial areas, agricultural terraces, and stone stairways while your guide explains the site’s design and historical significance.
After your guided visit and free time at Machu Picchu, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then board the train back to Cusco, to be transferred to your hotel.
On arrival in Aguas Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Picchu, continue by bus up the mountain to the entrance of the citadel. Built in the 15th century during the height of the Inca Empire and later abandoned after the Spanish conquest, Machu Picchu remains one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the world.
Enter the sanctuary with your guide and walk its main paths as you learn about Inca engineering, architecture, and daily life. Explore highlights such as the central plaza, religious and ceremonial areas, agricultural terraces, and stone stairways while your guide explains the site’s design and historical significance.
After your guided visit and free time at Machu Picchu, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then board the train back to Cusco, to be transferred to your hotel.
Cusco (Pass By)
Aguas Calientes (Pass By)
1
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Aguas Calientes (Pass By)
Cusco (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- MANDATORY: The Authority of Machu Picchu asks full name, passport number, date of birth, nationality details to issue the admission ticket.
- The admission ticket of Machu Picchu is NOT REFUNDABLE and date changes or amendments are NOT accepted. *If you need to change your visit date, you will need to purchase a new entrance ticket.
- Due to high demand and limited entrances to the citadel, VIPAC will issue your admission ticket on trail 2 as a priority. If it is not available, trail 3 or 1 will be provided, after prior coordination with the passenger before issuance.
- Machu Picchu Admission ticket and train tickets are included in this tour. Our sales team will send them 72 hour after paid.
- Shifts entry by hours from 6 am to 3 pm. Our shared tour considers 9 am, 10 am and 11 am shifts. If the shifts are not available, we will open a new shared tour in the next hour available. Our staff will inform you for acceptance.
- Travelers must arrive to Cusco city at least one day before Machu Picchu day tour. The authority of Machu Picchu do not accept travel date ammends of admission ticket.
- This shared tour could have a waiting time of up to 40 minutes to start the tour, depending on Machu Picchu shift time and train timetable avaliability.
- One day before the company's staff will contact the travelers to send the pick-up time through Viator or Tripadvisor experiences extranet.
- For weather reasons, from January to March, all excursions departs on bimodal service (Bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo & train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu.
- The guided tour inside Machu Picchu takes around 2h 30m following a delimited trail.
- Machu Picchu has two seasons. Rainy season from December to March. Dry season, the rest of the year.
- VIPAC is not responsible for flight cancellations or delays. We recommend arriving in Cusco one day before the scheduled tour date."
- Machu Picchu has implemented new visitor circuits, with three main routes with specific differences to distribute passengers in various areas. These changes are intended to improve the visitor experience and preserve the integrity of the archaeological site. The circuit with route 2 will be given as priority and if it is not available, the options of taking circuit 3B or circuit 1B will be informed so that you can confirm your decision before the tickets are issued.
- Remember that, if you are a Peruvian national, you must have a valid National Identity Document (DNI) in order to be able to issue your ticket to Machu Picchu. In addition, this document must be sent through the corresponding platform and presented on the day of the visit. The system does not allow the issuance of tickets with a passport for Peruvian citizens.
- The option to take the Panoramic Circuit 1 tour from the moment you enter the Citadel of Machu Picchu can be extended for a maximum of 2 hours.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Frequently Asked Questions (2)
Q:Where is the meeting point?
A:The meeting point for this tour is our Cusco Head Office located at Av. El Sol 817.
Jul 2019
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 1,696 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Alexandra_C, Jul 2026
What a long day, but It Is So Worth It! Machu Picchu is everything you think it will be and then some! What a beauty! The transfers were handled very well from Laura who picked us up from our hotel, to Veronica who guided us on our tour in Machu Picchu, to Fernando who picked us up from the train station to take us back to our hotel. Just pay attention to your train or bus number and departure time and everything should be seamless.
Veronica was such a knowledgeable tour guide and a great photographer. She made our first visit to Machu Picchu unforgettable. It was an awesome experience!
Nancy_P, Jun 2026
Our family of four, including 2 teens, enjoyed a beautiful day exploring Machu Picchu. We received all of our tickets (train, bus, and site entrance) the night before and downloaded them to our phones. Communication from the tour company regarding the itinerary and transportation transfers was detailed so we felt prepared.
We were picked up from our hotel and taken to the train station (about a 25-minute shuttle van ride). We booked the Vistadome train and it was absolutely worth it! The large panoramic windows including glass panels in the ceiling allowed us to enjoy the scenic views throughout the ride. The train ride was about 3.5 hours which gave us plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery and the onboard entertainment of live music and dancing. Each passenger received a complimentary beverage (coffee, tea, or water) along with a snack box containing a granola bar, healthy chips, chocolate, and candy. Additional snacks and drinks were also available for purchase. Adult passengers each received a small bottle of pisco in a souvenir bag.
When we arrived at the Aguas Calientes train station, we were greeted by a transfer guide holding a sign with our name on it. She escorted us to the bus which took about 25 min to reach the Machu Picchu entrance.
At the sanctuary, we met our English-speaking guide, Hector, who was knowledgeable and personable. We ended up having a private tour which made the experience more enjoyable. Because we booked our tickets 3 months in advance, we were fortunate to secure Circuit 2 which includes the classic viewpoints and far more access to much of the citadel compared to Circuits 1 and 3. We were able to walk through the ancient ruins, which was an incredible experience. Hector shared fascinating stories about the history, architecture, and significance of Machu Picchu. He also took family photos for us and knew all the best locations for memorable pictures.
Our guided tour with Hector lasted about 2 hours. Afterward, we had a couple of hours before our return train which gave us time to enjoy a meal and browse the souvenir shops in the marketplace near the train station.
The return trip on the train was similar to the ride there with complimentary snacks and a souvenir. Instead of live music and dancing, the onboard entertainment featured a fun fashion show.
By the end of the day, we were exhausted from a 15-hour day from start to finish, but it was absolutely worth it. Visiting one of the new Seven Wonders of the World was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Dan_H, Jun 2026
Overall, the tour of Machu Picchu was excellent, as was our tour guide. The company that the transportation (VIPAC) was booked through was absolutely horrendous. They were supposed to give us our tickets months ago. We didn't get them until the night before. I asked several questions that went unanswered. I tried calling the person who the trip was booked with and they didnt ever bother to answer the phone. The train made us get back onto the car, despite needing to get off at Pornoy, and when I called the company, they basically said not my problem. We had to get a cab on our own dime, which they arranged, but it never should have come to that. The company arranging transportation and providing tickets is marginally competent at best. You don't ask for a live location update on WhatsApp and then ignore your customer.
Drew_P, Jun 2026
Highly recommend Viator! Our one day trip to Machu Picchu was phenomenal! An entire team took care of us from beginning to end - providing detailed tour information, staff we could message with questions, transportation, and a guide through the Citadel. Everyone was knowledgeable, professional and super welcoming. Can’t wait for our next Viator adventure in Peru!
jeannie_b, Jun 2026
My parents and I traveled by train, and we were provided with clear instructions and guidance throughout the journey since it was a long trip. The train itself was very comfortable, with spacious seating, snacks, beautiful scenic views, and even a live dance performance on board.
Upon arriving at Machu Picchu, we had a private guide, which made the experience even better. We were able to ask questions freely, learn in depth about the site, and take plenty of photos without feeling rushed.
Cherie_E, Jun 2026
We did the Panoramic Tour with the Voyager train. The transportation portion of the trip was through Inca Rail, and a local guide met us for the tour of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu itself was absolutely incredible, and the train ride was comfortable and enjoyable. Our guide was friendly and did a great job helping us take photos, but we felt the historical information and overall tour experience were lacking, especially considering the cost of the excursion.
Had we known what to expect, we likely would have booked the train and Machu Picchu tickets separately and hired our own guide. That said, the destination itself is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Machu Picchu is breathtaking, and we highly recommend visiting this wonder of the world.
Raine_M, Jun 2026
Receive my own personal guide Paul who is very informative about the history of machu picchu. Learn that circuit one only allows you to climb the adjacent peak.To get the picturesque view of all Machu pichu. Circuit 2 allows you to actually tour the inside of the citadel itself and circuit 3 allows you to tour the base of the citadel and possibly climb to the top of the tallest peak with a structure on it. The train ride was just about as entertaining, both to the destination and back with bands, dance parties. Traditional masked dancers, and even a fashion show!
Nancy_W, Jun 2026
This tour was phenomenal. Our pick up was on time. We rode the a vista dome train with live entertainment and snacks. We had guides meeting us to make sure we made our connections. Machu Picchu was unbelievable! We had perfect weather and the most amazing guide. Hector was very patient with me due to a bout of altitude sickness. We took so many pictures. He was very helpful, fun and knowledgeable. It’s a day we will never forget. Take this tour!
Anna_R, May 2026
This was one of the best experiences ever! From pick up to drop off, the coordination, organization and communication were perfect! Our tour guide in Machu Picchu, Ronaldo, was amazing! He provided great information about the Inca and kept us engaged and also helped us get some great pictures! That final touch was amazing as he captured a video of our family which will last us a lifetime. So happy we did this.
Beverley_A, May 2026
Had to chase the company for contact as not heard anything 48 hours previous.
Was reassured a guide would be with us from start to finish but that wasn’t true.
Very confusing so to avoid this for others here you go:
You will be picked up on time and taken to the train ‘station’ in Cusco. It’s not a station it’s where you check in for your train and the train company organise you from here. (We didn’t know this when the guide left us).
They give you a boarding card with your bus number on, then they call you by bus number and you hand over your boarding card and give your name (makes sure you’re on the right bus.)
The bus leaves for a hour and a half drive to where you catch the train. A rail
Company staff member goes with you (ours spoke very little English so we couldn’t work out what happened at the other end).
We arrived and walked over the to holding are (not the platform) and worked out that we needed to look for someone with a B sign. We found her and she guided us to the platform with it was our turn. All very chaotic but we got there.
Voyager train was good.
Our guide did wait at MP train station with a yellow sign and handed us over to our guide. He took us to the bus (long queues) which took us up the hill to MP.
He was good, we ended up with a private tour on circuit 2 which was amazing!!!!
The guide didn’t return to the station with us but did take us to the bus. We had a 2 hour wait for the train so sat in the main square which was nice.
Same rigmarole on the return with traffic causing an hours delay.
Despite the confusion and logistics we feel lucky to have seen Machu Pichu via circuit two!
Kana_A, May 2026
Herman was the most wonderful tour guide we could’ve asked for! He gave clear instructions to get on the bus and what lines to wait in. He has a vast knowledge in the history of not only Machu Picchu, but also Cusco and Peru. He also knew all the best photo spots, and even took photos for us. He also gave us a great recommendation for lunch before we got back on the train.
Michael_R, May 2026
This was a great experience. One of the best organised tours that I have ever taken.
Guide arrived bang on time to transfer me from the hotel to the train station, and explained well how the rest of the day would work.
Experience on board the train was incredible - a band playing (two separate sessions) in the observation car, great views from the train, and free drinks and snacks (with opportunity to purchase beer, etc.)
On arrival at Machu Picchu Pueblo station, another guide was waiting with my name on a board and swiftly ushered us towards the included bus to go up to Machu Picchu. Only a few minutes later, an English-speaking guide appeared and explained that I would be getting a private tour as I was the only English speaker that day!
The guide at Machu Picchu was incredible. A really good amount of time was allowed to walk around the site at a leisurely pace, take lots of photos, and ask questions and discuss the history of the place. He also had a great photo book of historical pictures, etc.
The guide then escorted me back to town and was happy to recommend places to eat with no hard sell. At every point, he was only interested in what I wanted to do (explore, eat, do something else). There was plenty of time to then wander the town before boarding the train back.
After arriving back at Poroy, another representative was waiting with names on a board again to whisk me back to the door of my hotel in Cusco.
Really, really well organised and really maximises time at Machu Picchu (which is an incredible place, it goes without saying). Would recommend this company without hesitation. It’s a long day, but totally worth it.
Sari_S, May 2026
We had our own guide, and he was great. He took care everything, we learned lot of history, and best of all, he was genuine person with a big heart.
The whole trip was well organized. We were even able to buy snacks on the train ride.
The guide contacted us day before and made sure that everything was schedule.
Angelica_M, May 2026
Epic experience and everything was so perfect, great logistics every step of the way! Our tour guide was incredible and had so much knowledge of Machu Picchu. It’s a long day but the company made it flawless!
adrienne2434, Apr 2026
I would absolutely recommend this tour!! The team communicated often and clearly which I really appreciated and it helped all the transfers go smoothly. Our guide, Jaime, in Machu Picchu was wonderful and knowledgeable. The train was also very comfortable with gorgeous views!
Stanley_P, Apr 2026
This trip was very well organized. There was always someone waiting for us to get us to the next step in the trip. Frank Robert was a great guide! He knew so much about the history of Machu Picchu and the best places for photos.
Zonia_C, Apr 2026
We had a lovely time our tour guide Paul was excellent he was patient and always look up for us to take the best pictures also very knowledgeable of the surroundings, he give us a lot of history context and very detailed descriptions we really enjoyed plus know we understood more Inca culture.
Mie_J, Apr 2026
Very well organised. I was picked up at my hostel in the morning, transferred to the bus, then the train and bus again. The staff kept me well informed and I always knew what was next and what to expect. The tourguide was the best. He shared a lot of historical knowledge and kept a perfect pace! All together a five star experience no doubt!
Zeev_L, Apr 2026
Super organized and very efficient and professional. Everything was done on time, handouts between buses and trains and pick ups and everything was perfect. Tour guides were excellent.
Paula_D, Apr 2026
We had an amazing day trip to Machu Picchu! Everything was perfectly organized—the transportation was smooth, efficient, and stress-free. Our guide, Veronica, was fantastic—knowledgeable, engaging, and made the experience truly special. The train ride was a highlight on its own, with breathtaking views, great entertainment, and excellent service—special thanks to John for making it so enjoyable. Overall, we are very satisfied and highly recommend this experience!
Brijesh_C, Apr 2026
It's a long hectic day. Unfortunately, we were provided with a van to olontontambo train station from Cusco, which prolonged our journey. Otherwise, guide Abraham was really good at Machu Pichu and greeted us at the station. Van journey to olontontambo station is really bumpy and full of sharp turns.
NAEEMIRSHAD_C, Mar 2026
It was amazing tour. The guide Robert was very nice and friendly guy who took wonderful pictures.
Travelling time is too much from Cusco so if you guys manage it stay overnight at Machu Picchu.
It was long journey about 5 hours going and 5 hours coming back but a couple of hours at Machu Picchu was worth it.
Mark_M, Mar 2026
Great experience to see one of the wonders of the world...I did a same day trip from Cusco...it was a lot of traveling from shuttles to buses to trains...if I did it again, I would stay a night or 2 in Agua Calientes to not be so rushed...that said, the tour was well organized, all the staff were friendly and helpful...my tour guide (Francisco??) was great and Machu Picchu is a must see
Madeline_W, Mar 2026
This experience was unforgettable. It’s incredibly complicated to get to and from Machupicchu, and our guides made it as seamless as possible. Our tourguide was amazing, very thoughtful and knowledgeable. This was an absolutely amazing experience and I would highly recommend booking with this team in the future.
Albert_T, Mar 2026
Jonny, our tour guide was very knowledgeable about Machu Picchu and surrounding areas. He brought his fact book and explained a lot of things we would never be able to find online. The vistadome train was terrific. We got nice views, food, and entertainment along our way to and back from Machu Picchu. It’s a lifetime experience we will never forget.
Victoria_B, Mar 2026
This was such an awesome experience. We did circuit 1 and still saw machu picchu’s panoramic view. The staff was super nice and took great pictures. Johnny was awesome!
Chad_W, Mar 2026
An unmitigated disaster. Inadequate communication and I’m pretty sure they forgot to buy our admission tickets until the day of. We were picked up at 4AM and arrived to Machu Picchu at 8:45AM. We then learned that our park admission tickets were for 2PM. There were still tickets available on-site for 2PM when we arrived. Odd since I booked months in advance. Why did we get picked up so early? So we were forced to hang out for 5 hours before going into the ruins. The ruins are amazing and the guide who showed us around was too. The operator then made us wait an additional two hours after our tour because they booked us to depart at 6:30PM. To make matters worse; they didn’t leave enough time between the train and bus connection back to Cusco and we missed the bus. And bus service was over for the evening. Forcing us take an alternate route without even hearing from the tour provider. In short; 20 hours later we made it back to Cusco. I gave a one star; because the guide who met us in the park (Abraham) was fantastic and I gave a pity star as a result. Otherwise; this would have been a zero. I’ve dealt with Viator many times and this is the first huge let down.
SLAVKA_F, Mar 2026
Everything from excellent, from morning pick up, train ride , tour guide at Machu Picchu thanks Viator
Eoghan_O, Mar 2026
The day started off quite smoothly, with our bus collecting us on time and a seamless transfer to the train. However, upon arrival to Machu Picchu, it became clear that our guide did not have great English, considering we booked an English speaking tour. It was quite hard to follow anything she was saying. I understand that this is the company’s fault as they should not have assigned her to an English speaking tour. In addition, we felt quite rushed throughout the tour of Machu Picchu, not getting many opportunities to take in the view or take photos. This was particularly frustrating considering the price. Our tour guide also did not offer to take any photos at any stage. I would highly recommend not getting a guided tour so you can explore at your own pace. If you want to learn some of the history, a google search beforehand would be best. Also, it was not communicated to us that there would not be a chance to eat until 2pm, after the tour had finished. We were not told to bring any snacks. Finally, we had a three hour wait in Aguas Caliente before our train back. However, this may be due to the fact that our tour was very rushed.
Gary_R, Mar 2026
It is a long day of travel, but Machu Picchu and the scenery to and from is well worth it. The train ride had local entertainment. The ruins of Machu Picchu and the views were amazing. You need to be ready to walk a lot of steps. I had a one on one local guide that had lots of information and history to share.
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