How to Buy Your Machu Picchu Bus Tickets Online

Buying your Machu Picchu bus tickets online is the most convenient way to avoid long lines in Aguas Calientes. Every day, more than 5,000 visitors arrive at the Historic Sanctuary, so having your bus ticket to Machu Picchu ready saves valuable time and ensures a smooth journey to the citadel.

Which Machu Picchu Bus Ticket Should I Choose?

There are three types of Machu Picchu bus tickets you can buy online:

• Round-trip Machu Picchu bus ticket – from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu and back
• One-way uphill bus ticket to Machu Picchu – from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance
• One-way downhill bus ticket – from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes

Once you complete your reservation, your bus tickets to Machu Picchu will be sent by email within 24 hours. For next-day bookings, tickets are delivered in 30 minutes or less.

Do I Need a Scheduled Time for the Machu Picchu Bus?

No, Machu Picchu bus tickets are flexible. There is no need to select a specific departure time. Buses operate every 10–15 minutes throughout the day. To stay on schedule, arrive at the bus station at least 35 minutes before your Machu Picchu entrance ticket time.

Where Is the Machu Picchu Bus Station?

All buses to Machu Picchu depart from the official station in Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. When you purchase your Machu Picchu bus ticket online, you'll receive directions and a map. However, the town is very small and the bus station is easy to find.

Machu Picchu Bus Schedule

• Uphill buses: Depart every 10 minutes from 5:30 AM to 4:00 PM
• Return buses: Depart every 10 minutes starting at 7:30 AM until all passengers are transported

What’s Included with a Machu Picchu Bus Ticket?

Every bus ticket to Machu Picchu includes a guaranteed seat on a comfortable, eco-friendly bus. The 20-minute ride travels along the scenic Hiram Bingham Highway through lush cloud forest, offering passengers stunning views as they zigzag up the mountain.

Machu Picchu Bus Ticket Prices

• Adults (11+): $35 USD
• Children (5–10): $23 USD
• Infants (under 4): Free (must sit on parent’s lap)

When Should I Board the Machu Picchu Bus?

Arrive at the bus station at least 1 hour before your Machu Picchu entrance time. Expect a line, especially in high season. After the 20-minute ride, use the restrooms at the entrance—there are no restrooms inside the Machu Picchu archaeological site. You’ll also need to show your Machu Picchu entrance ticket and passport before entering.

How Long Is the Bus Ride to Machu Picchu?

The one-way bus ride to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes takes approximately 25 minutes uphill. The return trip down takes around 20 minutes. Buses run continuously from early morning until late afternoon, aligned with your entrance ticket time.

Are There Different Bus Types?

No—when you purchase bus tickets to Machu Picchu, you're reserving a seat on an official ecological shuttle. All buses are standardized: they seat 29 passengers, are equipped with large windows, curtains, seat belts, and luggage space. All are environmentally friendly and approved for use in the protected natural zone.

Luggage Restrictions for Bus Passengers

Machu Picchu bus ticket holders should bring only a small daypack. Large backpacks are not allowed if you're entering through the main tourist entrance at Aguas Calientes. However, if you're completing the Inca Trail or other hikes via the Sun Gate (Intipunku), you're permitted to bring a larger backpack for the return bus ride.

Machu Picchu Bus Ticket Cancellation Policy

All bus tickets to Machu Picchu are non-refundable and non-transferable, as per the regulations of Peru's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC). Tickets are valid only for the chosen date, plus one day before or after. Tourists must present both their ticket and passport or ID at boarding.

Accessibility on the Machu Picchu Shuttle Buses

Accessible travel to Machu Picchu is limited. While buses offer priority seating for passengers with disabilities, they do not have ramps or wheelchair lifts. If mobility is a concern, please contact us in advance to arrange wheelchair rental and porter services to help with bus boarding.

Photos of the Machu Picchu Shuttle Buses

Tourists boarding the shuttle bus from the Machu Picchu exit to Aguas Calientes.

Official bus stop in Aguas Calientes where travelers start their journey to Machu Picchu.

Route Map: From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

The shuttle travels the historic Hiram Bingham Highway, a 9-kilometer unpaved mountain road surrounded by lush Andean jungle. It crosses the Vilcanota River and winds up the mountain in tight zigzags. Though it may look dramatic, the road is safe and well-maintained. Hikers often walk part of this route before ascending stone steps to the citadel.

Map of the official bus route from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Where to Buy Machu Picchu Bus Tickets

You can buy Machu Picchu bus tickets on our website in advance or in person in Aguas Calientes. Booking your Machu Picchu bus tickets online guarantees your seat and helps you avoid long lines, especially during high season. Don’t forget to align your bus ticket time with your Machu Picchu entrance ticket!

Information about purchasing tickets in person

Due to the large number of tourists, it is not recommended that you puchase your bus tickets in Person. But in case you do, the location of the bus stop is not where you purchase your entrance tickets in person. The bus ticket office is 3 short blocks from the actual bus boarding point. The address is Calle Mayta Capac, Aguas Calientes. The bus ticket office is open 5:30am to 22:00pm. Please allow about 1 hour to queue up to purchase bus tickets during the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu operating hours.

Entrance tickets to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu are not included.

The entrance ticket to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu are not included. You must purchase entrance ticketes separately. When you purchase bus tickets to Machu Picchu, only the transportation is included.

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.

Terms and Conditions – Bus to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

Bus Tickets to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu:
Please be aware that bus tickets to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu are non-refundable. This policy is established by the official bus company that operates the authorized transportation service to Machu Picchu and applies to all passengers without exception.

Although refunds are not allowed, you may change the travel date on your bus ticket. However, the change must be requested at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled departure time. A flat rescheduling fee of $10 USD applies per reservation, regardless of the number of travelers included.

Additionally, your bus ticket to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is valid for one day before, on the date, or up to two days after the original date printed on your ticket. This flexibility often eliminates the need for a formal date change.

To request a date change for your bus to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, please contact us by email, WhatsApp, or phone using the details found on our Contact Us page.