---
title: Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco
lang: en
type: tour
city: Cusco
country: Peru
price: 306
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.51
reviews: 1721
duration_minutes: 840
languages: [en, es]
rank_in_category: 77 of 77 (Machu Picchu Day Trips)
schedule_checked: 2026-11-08
data_updated: 2026-11-08
canonical: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/tours/machu-picchu-day-trip-from-cusco/
---

# Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco

**Guidekin's take:** Reach Machu Picchu by train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo, with a choice of rail services and citadel circuits. Hotel transfers, return rail travel, citadel buses, entry and guiding are included; the entry ticket is non-refundable and cannot be amended. 4.51 from 1721 reviews at €306 per person for 14h.

In our comparison: #77 of 77 in Machu Picchu Day Trips, by rating weighted by review volume (table below).

## Overview

Board your selected train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo and enjoy the scenic journey to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, our staff will assist you with the bus ride to the legendary Lost City of the Incas , where impressive terraces, ceremonial sites and breathtaking views await. At the scheduled time, return by train and transfer to your hotel in Cusco.All details are arranged: round trip railway ticket, bus up/down to the citadel, Machu Picchu admission ticket, and an incredible expert local guide.

VIPAC refund cancellation Policy: if you cancel your booking before 20 days of the tour departure, we will refund 80% of the total amount. Cancellations with less than 20 days prior of the tour departure are non refundable in 100%.

Due to high demand of visitors to Machu Picchu and limited capacity, we suggest to book 60 days prior. Last minute bookings, less than 60 days, can be booked on midday and afternoon shifts.

## Before you book

- Hotel pickup: no car needed
- Entry ticket included: skip the ticket desk
- 4 start times: between 04:00 and 07:30
- Food not included: bring or buy your own
- Non-refundable: no free cancellation

**Pickup:** Hotel pickup included

## Key facts

- Price: from €306 per person for the Expedition train & Circuit 3 option; other options up to €369
- Duration: 14h
- Rating: 4.51/5 from 1721 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Operator: VIPAC Travel
- Group: Shared tour
- Guide languages: English, Spanish
- Tickets: Admission included
- Start times: 04:00, 05:00, 07:00, 07:30
- Booking: Instant confirmation, mobile ticket
- Price checked on Viator: 2026-11-08

## Reviews

4.51 from 1721 ratings on Guidekin, Viator & Tripadvisor.
88% of ratings with a star breakdown are 4 or 5 stars: 1508 of 1721.

- 5 stars: 1262 (73%)
- 4 stars: 246 (14%)
- 3 stars: 101 (6%)
- 2 stars: 54 (3%)
- 1 star: 58 (3%)

### What reviewers say

Reviewers praise the guiding and train journey; extensive travel can leave the visit feeling rushed.

**Praised:**
- Many value the guides' knowledge of Machu Picchu and Inca history
- Helpful guides who find photo spots and take pictures
- Comfortable train rides with scenic views and onboard entertainment
- Many find tickets, pickups and transport connections well organised

**Complaints:**
- Some find the schedule smooth, while others report tiring travel and rushed visits
- Some get clear advance instructions, while others must chase tickets and answers
- Some praise detailed guiding, while others find the historical explanations lacking
- Bumpy van transfers to the train station

Written by Guidekin from the 50 most recent English reviews on Viator & Tripadvisor (2026-03-12 to 2026-11-06); last checked 2026-11-08.

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition train & Circuit 3 | €306 / person | Spanish, English | Route of royalty: Duration: 2.5hrs Visit the lower part of the sanctuary. Pickup included |
| Voyager train & Circuit 3 | €306 / person | Spanish, English | Route of royalty: Duration: 2.5hrs Visit the lower part of the sanctuary. Pickup included |
| Voyager train & Circuit 1 | €306 / person | Spanish, English | Panoramic Route: Circuit 1 - Upper terrace route, panoramic circuits. There is no access to enter the lower part of the citadel Pickup included |
| Voyager train & Circuit 2 | €306 / person | Spanish, English | Traditional: Duration 2.5hrs Pickup included |
| Expedition train & Circuit 1 | €306 / person | Spanish, English | Panoramic Route: Circuit 1 - Upper terrace route, There is no access to enter the lower part of the citadel. Pickup included |
| Expedition train & Circuit 2 | €306 / person | Spanish, English | Traditional: Duration 2.5hrs Pickup included |
| Vistadome Bimodal Circuit 3 | €363 / person | Spanish, English | Vistadome Bimodal Pickup included |
| Machu Picchu 360 & Circuit 1 | €363 / person | Spanish, English | Panoramic Route: Circuit 1 - Upper terrace route, There is no access to enter the lower part of the citadel. Pickup included |
| Vistadome Train & Circuit 2 | €363 / person | Spanish, English | Traditional: Duration 2.5hrs Pickup included |
| Vistadome Train & Circuit 1 | €363 / person | Spanish, English | Panoramic Route: Circuit 1 - Upper terrace route, There is no access to enter the lower part of the citadel. Pickup included |
| Vistadome Train & Circuit 3 | €363 / person | Spanish, English | Route of royalty: Duration: 2.5hrs Visit the lower part of the sanctuary. Pickup included |
| Machu Picchu 360 & Circuit 3 | €363 / person | Spanish, English | Route of royalty: Duration: 2.5hrs Visit the lower part of the sanctuary. Pickup included |
| Vistadome Bimodal Circuit 1 | €363 / person | Spanish, English | Vistadome Bimodal Pickup included |
| Vistadome Bimodal Circuit 2 | €363 / person | Spanish, English | Vistadome Bimodal Pickup included |
| Machu Picchu 360 & Circuit 2 | €369 / person | Spanish, English | Traditional: Duration 2.5hrs Pickup included |

## What's included

- 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.
- Local Expert guide (The guidance is in Spanish or English)
- Pick up and drop-off from your lodging in Cusco.

## Not included

- Gratuities
- Lunch
- Bottled water

## Itinerary

1. **Cusco** (pass by, no stop) - Hotel Pickup and Transfer to Train Station Begin your adventure with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco, followed by a transfer to the train station.
2. **Aguas Calientes** (pass by, no stop) - Train Journey to Aguas Calientes Enjoy a scenic 1.5-hour train ride, where you can choose between various train options, such as the Expedition, Vistadome, Executive Class 360, or Voyager, each offering unique ways to take in the beautiful landscapes. Once you arrive at Aguas...
3. **Machupicchu** (3h; admission included) - Discover the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu, known as the Lost City of the Incas, with its terraces, shrines, steps, and urban areas, while your expert guide walks you through the historic site. There will be time to be alone and fully embrace this magnificent wonder of...
4. **Aguas Calientes** (pass by, no stop) - After your exploration, head back to Aguas Calientes station to board the train for your return trip to Cusco.
5. **Cusco** (pass by, no stop) - Relax and enjoy the scenic train journey back to Cusco, where your day concludes with a transfer to your hotel.

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 04:00, 05:00, 07:00, 07:30
- Schedule last checked: 2026-11-08
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

## Good to know

- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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.

## Compared with other Machu Picchu Day Trips

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #77 of 77** | €306 | 14h | 4.51 (1721) | shared |
| [Machu Picchu Full Day - Private Tour](/peru/cusco/tours/machu-picchu-full-day-private-tour/?format=md) | €465 | 12h | 4.97 (582) | private |
| [Machupicchu full day private tour](/peru/cusco/tours/machupicchu-full-day-private-tour/?format=md) | €342 | 14h | 4.98 (349) | private |
| [Machupicchu 1 day tour](/peru/cusco/tours/machupicchu-1-day-tour/?format=md) | €363 | 17h | 4.99 (171) | shared |

Ranked #77 of 77 in Machu Picchu Day Trips by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €150 to €2050, median €368; typical length 14h. 32 of 77 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/machu-picchu-day-trips/?format=md

## More in Cusco

- All Cusco tours: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/?format=md
- This page as HTML: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/tours/machu-picchu-day-trip-from-cusco/

Filters, the full catalogue and the URL contract for this city: https://guidekin.com/peru/cusco/?format=md