Aguas Calientes Bus to Machu Picchu (Consettur)
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), the citadel is still 8 km away by road and 400 meters higher up the mountain. The road climbs in a series of 13 sharp switchbacks that take 25-30 minutes to drive.
One company has the concession: Consettur. They run a continuous shuttle service from town to the citadel entrance and back.
2026 prices
| Visitor type | One-way | Round-trip |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign adult | ~$12 USD | ~$24 USD |
| Foreign child (5-11) | ~$7 USD | ~$14 USD |
| Peruvian / CAN adult | ~30 PEN | ~60 PEN |
| Peruvian / CAN child | ~15 PEN | ~30 PEN |
Prices may be paid in soles or USD. Card payments are accepted at the ticket office. Round-trip is slightly cheaper than two one-ways and saves the queue on return.
Where to buy the ticket
- In Aguas Calientes, in person: Consettur ticket office on Av. Hermanos Ayar, near the bus stop. Open from ~05:00.
- Online in advance: Available at consettur.com. Saves you the morning queue. You print the ticket or save the QR code.
- From Cusco, in advance: Same online site. Many travel agencies also sell them as part of a package.
Schedule
- First bus up: 05:30 from town.
- Last bus up: 15:30 from town.
- Last bus down: 17:30 from the citadel.
- Frequency: Buses depart as soon as they fill (every 5-15 minutes during peak hours).
The bus stop in Aguas Calientes
The bus departure point is on Av. Hermanos Ayar, the street that runs along the river just past the market. From the train station, walk straight out toward the river and turn right; the bus queue is unmistakable in the morning.
What if I want to walk?
You can hike the mountain trail instead — 1.5 to 2 hours of steep stone stairs through cloud forest. Free. Trailhead opens at 05:00 from a checkpoint just past the bus departure point. You'll need your citadel entry ticket and passport at the checkpoint (it's the same gate as the bus arrival).
Pros: free, beautiful, fewer people, satisfying. Cons: tiring (you arrive sweaty before a 3-hour citadel visit), wet in the rainy season (slippery rocks), slower than expected because of stair fatigue.
Many travelers walk one direction (down, after the visit) and bus the other.
Common bus mistakes
- Arriving at the bus stop without the ticket. Buy from Consettur first, then queue.
- Showing up at 05:50 for a 06:00 entry. Even with the bus ticket, the line takes 15-20 minutes and the ride is 30. You'll miss your slot. Aim to be in the bus queue by 04:50-05:00 for a 06:00 entry.
- Taking large luggage. Buses do have under-bus storage but space is tight. Leave anything you don't strictly need at your Aguas Calientes hotel.