The trip and bus ticket to Machu Picchu
The bus trip is the last part of the route to Machu Picchu. The buses leave from the town of Aguas Calientes. After a journey of only 10 kilometers (30 minutes of travel) through the Hiram Bingham highway, we arrive at the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. The return trip to Aguas Calientes follows the same route. Find out here the frequency of departures and more details about this famous bus trip.
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The bus trip to Machu Picchu
Although this route can also be done on foot, the bus is the preferred option since the trip is uphill. Going on foot takes 2 hours on average. Doing it by bus only takes 30 minutes.
It should be noted that the classic train trip to Machu Picchu ends in the town of Aguas Calientes. Bus tickets can be bought in this same Cusco town.
The vast majority of tourists take the final bus to Machu Picchu. Only a few, mostly the youngest, decide to get there on foot.
The Hiram Bingham Road
The Hiram Bingham highway is the road that the bus travels to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. Its name honors the American explorer Hiram Bingham, who made Machu Picchu known to the entire world in 1911.
The Hiram Bingham Highway is only 10 kilometers. It is made of carriage trails surrounded by mountains of the high jungle of Cusco. The road is safe. On its route it crosses a bridge over the Vilcanota River.
Tourists who make the route on foot take part of the Hiram Bingham road to finally take a detour of hundreds of stone stairs.
Consettur buses
The buses belong to the Consettur company, the only one authorized to travel the Hiram Bingham highway with tourists who visit Machu Picchu.
All buses are spacious with capacity for 29 passengers (all seated). It has large windows, curtains, seat belts and space for backpacks. It should be noted that all the buses are ecological, that is, they do not harm the nature that surrounds Machupicchu.
Consettur is also the company that offers the sale of bus tickets. It has ticket offices in the city of Cusco (433 Infancia Avenue) and in the town of Aguas Calientes (Mayta Cápac Street, s/n).
Bus tickets are non-transferable. They are valid for the chosen day as well as one day before or after. Tourists must present, in addition to their ticket, their identity document or passport.
Due to the pandemic, it is necessary to wear a double mask. Before boarding the bus, the authorities monitor the passenger’s temperature. In addition, hand disinfection is necessary.
Daily departures
Buses depart from Aguas Calientes every day from 5.30 in the morning until 3.30 in the afternoon. In the early hours of the day the departure frequency is every 5 minutes. Starting at approximately 9 in the morning, the departure frequency is every 10 minutes.
For the return trip, the buses depart from Machu Picchu at 8 in the morning. The last buses return at 5.30 in the afternoon. The departure frequency for the return trip is approximately every 10 minutes.
The buses leave every day except for emergency situations such as natural disasters or road protests.
The whereabouts of Aguas Calientes is on Hermanos Ayar avenue, just a few steps from the train station.
The bus tickets
Bus tickets allow one-way, return or both. Most tourists choose to purchase the round trip.
Tickets can be purchased through the official website of Consettur or on the website of a tourism agency. You can also make the purchase in person through the authorized offices in the city of Cusco or in the town of Aguas Calientes.
Buses to Machu Picchu are widely available so don’t be afraid to run out of tickets.
Take advantage of the discounts for: children (from 5 to 11 years old), Peruvians and Peruvian university students. If you travel with children under 5 years old, you can travel for free if the little ones do it in the same seat (on the thighs of their father or mother).
More information about the bus trip to Machu Picchu
The bus trip is highly recommended for tourists who will go hiking in Machu Picchu: such as the walk to Huayna Picchu and the Machu Picchu mountain. This is because the walk is tiring and visitors will need strength to complete the hiking trails in Machupicchu.
Bus tickets can be shown both physically and digitally (through the cell phone screen).
The bus trip to Machu Picchu is considered safe. The route is only used by the buses that transport tourists to Machupicchu. The buses are in perfect state of maintenance. Drivers are constantly evaluated responsible professionals.
A good option to enjoy Machu Picchu, its landscapes and, incidentally, save a few dollars is to make the outward journey (ascent) by bus while the return section (descent) on foot.