How to Visit Machu Picchu on a Budget of Just $100 USD

Since being recognized as a Modern Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu has soared in popularity. Thousands of people visit the site daily. 

With information about expensive hikes and train journeys at the forefront, it’s easy to think that a trip to this mystical monument is just for the well-off. But don’t worry, it is possible to visit on a budget too!

Summary of options and costs

There are several ways to get to Machu Picchu suiting a variety of budgets and travel styles. We’ll go into more detail about each, but below is a summary of the options and their costs, whether you decide to go on foot or by vehicle, with an agency, or independently.

Option	Independently	Organized tour
Machu Picchu by road	From $120 USD	From $100 USD
Machu Picchu by train	From $180 USD	From $250 USD
Inca Trail	Not possible	From $780 USD
Salkantay Trek	From $150 USD	From $500 USD

I’ve also written a very, very detailed guide to Machu Picchu, including different routes to get there, which are the best tickets to buy to explore the site (yup, there are LOTS of confusing options), and how long you should spend there.

Key things to consider when visiting Machu Picchu on a budget

Road closures

The roads between Cusco and Hidroeléctrica are built on precarious terrain. Plus, the climate becomes more tropical after Abra Malaga, as you descend into the cloud forest.

Heavy rains during the rainy season can sometimes cause landslides or wash out bridges. During the dry season, there are often road works, which means that sections can only be used during specific time slots. 

Transport providers will have information about the state of the roads and should adjust their schedules accordingly. During January through March, it can be a good idea to speak to a provider before making plans.

Purchasing your Machu Picchu ticket

There is a daily cap on the number of people who can enter Machu Picchu (4500 during low season and 5,600 during high season). During high season they can sell out well in advance, so buy your ticket as soon as you can.

Most agency-organised tours include the entry (check this!) but tickets can only be purchased for named individuals, so you will still need to plan ahead.

When online tickets sell out, some agencies will tell you to purchase in Aguas Calientes. Next-day tickets are made available locally, but queues to buy them can be massive, so there’s no guarantee you’ll get one. It’s only worth trying this as a last resort.

Traveling to Machu Picchu by bus and foot

• Cost: Under $120 USD
• Duration: Two days, one night
• Travel time: Seven hours each way
• Hiking time: Two-to-three hours each way

There is no road to the town of Aguas Calientes, the gateway town for Machu Picchu. The only ways in are by rail or on foot.

Trips advertised in Cusco as “Machu Picchu by Car” comprise a seven-hour bus journey to Hidroeléctrica. From there, you hike along the railway to Aguas Calientes. The Peruvian government has tried to put an end to people hiking the latter, but hasn’t been successful – and I find it highly unlikely that they will actually enforce this, as it would significantly reduce the number of visitors to Machu Picchu. 

You can also do this route independently; read on for information about both. 

The car ride

You’ll need to be a good bus traveler for this trip! From Ollantaytambo, you climb 29 miles (40 kilometers) on a winding road, to the majestic Abra Malaga Pass at 14,100 feet (4,300 meters). 

Then comes the 9,840-foot (3,000-meter) descent, over 50 miles (80 kilometers) of endless switchbacks to Santa Maria. The road is largely paved, but rivers cut across it and some sections are poorly maintained.

The main link between Santa Maria and Hidroeléctrica is a dirt road. It zigzags along the mountainside and is not always wide enough for two vehicles.

The hike

Hiking along the train tracks might not sound fun, but it’s not a busy railroad. Just make sure you leave the tracks via the marked trail before they enter the tunnels.

The 5.6-mile (9-kilometer) hike is incredibly beautiful. It follows the river through a deep, forest-clad canyon. You even catch tantalizing glimpses of Machu Picchu high above you. Luckily, it’s flat, so most people complete it in two-to-three hours.

How it works in practice

Day One: 

Your seven-hour journey will start around 6am in Cusco on your chosen method of transport. (Check the exact time with your chosen provider.)

The drivers usually stop in Ollantaytambo so you can use the bathroom and eat breakfast*. There may be no other scheduled bathroom stops, so take precautions!

You will arrive in Hidroeléctrica between 1.30 and 2.30pm where you can have lunch*. 

From Hidroelectrica, hike two-to-three hours along the railway to Aguas Calientes. There will likely be many other hikers and it’s almost impossible to get lost.

Once in Aguas Calientes, if you don’t fancy the steep climb to Machu Picchu, you’ll need to buy a bus ticket online or at the Consettur office. Then refuel and rest up!

Day Two:

• Machu Picchu opens at 6am. Your ticket will have your designated entry time on it, which will dictate what time your day starts.
• Getting to the site by bus: The first buses leave at 5:30am. Go to the bus stop at least 30 minutes before you want to catch the bus as you’ll likely have to queue. The journey takes about 20 minutes and buses run regularly all day.
• Getting to the site on foot: The trail to Machu Picchu opens at 5am. It’s short, but very steep and the hike to the top takes at least 45 minutes, even for the very fittest (think more like one to two hours otherwise).
• Only small bags can be taken into Machu Picchu, larger packs must be left at the left luggage office just outside the entrance ($1 USD).
• After exploring the site (one to two hours, unless you have a mountain hike) you can return to Aguas Calientes by bus or on foot (leave at least 45 mins).
• Choose to go back into town or hike directly back to Hidroeléctrica (saving a 2 mile / 3.2 kilometer round trip).
• You will need to be back at Hidroeléctrica by 1:30pm or 2pm but check the exact time with your transport provider.
• It’s advisable to get some lunch* in Aguas Calientes or at Hidroeléctrica, because the driver likely won’t stop until Ollantaytambo. 
• Once you’ve found your vehicle, settle in for the seven-hour, winding journey back to Cusco. You’ll arrive between 8pm and 9pm.

* Meals may be included but it depends on your chosen method.

Because of the length of the journey and time restrictions, it’s impossible to do this option in one day from Cusco.

How to do this independently 

Booking everything yourself can cost under $120 USD if you go for very basic accommodation and food.

• Transport: Some agencies around Cusco offer only the transport element (seven hours each way) of this trip for as little as $22 USD per person. Alternatively, Hidrobus offers the journey for $30 USD return. Public transport is an alternative option, but involves bus changes and uncertainty, with negligible savings.
• Machu Picchu entry ticket: Purchase online as far in advance as possible, especially if you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. The basic entry costs $42, or $55 if you include one of the mountains. Choose an early slot (6am or 7am), so you can get back to Hidroelectrica in time for the return transport.
• Accommodation: Dorm beds in a hostel in Aguas Calientes start from $15 USD per night. If you don’t mind rolling the dice, you may be able to find basic rooms with shared bathrooms from $12 USD upon arrival in Aguas Calientes.
• Bus tickets up to Machu Picchu: Buying a bus ticket will push the budget up. To save time and energy, you may decide to take the bus up and walk back down. Tickets cost $12 USD each way and are available online or at the Consettur office in Aguas Calientes.
• Food: Restaurants in Aguas Calientes are relatively expensive, with main meals starting from $10 USD. Eating at the market or local eateries can bring costs down. Snacks and water are also more expensive, so think about taking some with you from Cusco.

How to do this with a tour

A plethora of agencies in Cusco offer this trip for $110-150 USD. 

However, what the price includes varies wildly! Most include transport, accommodation, and your entry ticket. Some add a guide and meals, while sometimes you have to purchase your entry ticket separately. Be clear on the inclusions before purchasing.

Note that any accommodation, food, and guiding services included in these tours are likely to be very basic. Going independently isn’t much cheaper, but you will have more control over where you stay and what you eat.

Other ways to get to Machu Picchu

You might decide that 14 hours on a bus, is not for you. Or perhaps you feel it’s worth spending a bit more to “do Machu Picchu right”. In that case, there are several other options to get there.

By train

• Cost: From $170 (one day) 
• Duration: One full day or two days, one night
• Travel time: One hour driving plus 1.5 hours by train, each way

This is definitely the easiest and quickest way to go. During peak seasons, trains run from Poroy, just outside Cusco. However, it’s actually cheaper and quicker to get public transport to Ollantaytambo ($3.50 USD one way) and catch the train from there.

Two companies offer different levels of service on multiple daily departures: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. The level of comfort varies based on train/carriage type, but the cheapest option is perfectly comfortable! Tickets start from $50 USD one way.

When traveling by train you can visit Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco, so you won’t need accommodation. But it is a long day, and it might feel rushed. Otherwise, you can do a similar itinerary to that described above, just on a much more relaxed schedule.

An independently arranged two-day trip by train will cost from $200 USD ((or $170 USD for a day trip). You could choose to book an all-inclusive trip through an agency, but these start at around $250 USD, depending on the level of comfort.

Hiking the Inca Trail

• Cost: From $780
• Duration: Four days, three nights
• Travel time: 1.5 hours to the trailhead, 2.5 hours by train and car return
• Hiking time: Six to eight hours each day (two hours on the last day)

The most atmospheric way to get to Machu Picchu is via the Inca Trail. Following in the footsteps of the Inca, this trail takes you directly into Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate. 

There are two issues with this option: 

1. Inca Trail permits are limited so you need to book well in advance.
2. This is not a budget option as you cannot hike the Inca Trail independently. Expect to pay at least $780 USD per person for an all-inclusive tour.

If you have the money and time, it’s an amazing hike though! 

The Salkantay Trek

• Cost: From $150 independently, $500 with an agency
• Duration: Five days, four nights
• Travel time: 3.5 hours to the trailhead, 2.5 hours by train and car return
• Hiking time: Six to eight hours (days one to four)

If you want to hike, the best alternative trail is the Salkantay Trek. Agencies offer this as a three- or four-day hike, with an additional day spent in Machu Picchu. 

The Salkantay trek is long, 43.5 miles (70 kilometers), and includes a high pass over 15,090 feet (4,600 meters). So take time to acclimatise to the altitude before setting off. 

All-inclusive, guided Salkantay treks cost from $500 USD. However, you can do it independently much cheaper, camping or staying at local refuges along the way. You’ll need to arrange transport from Aguas Calientes though, either by train or the road route.

Not sure whether you should hike the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek, or one of the other routes to Machu Picchu? We’ve got an article comparing the different hikes to Machu Picchu that should help you choose. 

Is it worth traveling to Machu Picchu on a budget?

If your travel budget is limited, $40 USD for an entry ticket alone will seem like a big cost. And you probably don’t have an extra $100 USD to spend on train tickets or expensive organized hikes. 

In that case, I’d say scrimping on a trip to Machu Picchu is much better than simply missing out. Despite the crowds, Machu Picchu is well worth a visit: it is a truly magical place.

However, if you are planning far enough in advance, I do recommend swinging the extra $13 USD to add Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain to your ticket. You’ll be able to explore the site more extensively – and the views are incredible!

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Ready to plan your trip? Read my post on the best time to visit Machu Picchu before booking anything. Want insider tips on your upcoming adventure? Here’s everything you need to know about hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Prefer to experience the magic of the Inca Trail with less of the crowds? Discover the Salkantay Trek here.