HOW MUCH IS THE TICKET TO MACHU PICCHU AND WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE TO ARRIVE?
Everyone who visits Peru has in its list of places to know Machu Picchu. It is one of the most emblematic destinations of that country, and without a doubt it is worth visiting. That’s why I leave you here some of the things you have to know when organizing your visit.
What are the options I have to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
Train to Aguascalientes
This is not the cheapest or most adventurous option, but definitely the most touristy option. Usually tourists decide to take a train (it can be the Inca Rail or the Perurail) to the town of Aguascalientes – the closest to Machu Picchu – to spend the night, rest, and from there, the next morning, take a Micro to Machu Picchu. The value of the train ticket will vary depending on whether you want to stop at other destinations and the luxury you want to travel with.
For example, around June of this year in Perurail, the most economical ticket costs around 75 dollars, while the most luxurious one has a value of 437 dollars. Whichever you choose, I recommend you enter the official page to book your ticket. It is very easy you just have to enter, choose the route Cusco -Machu Picchu, put day and time, and ready !.
Important fact: when you arrive in Aguascalientes, the first thing you have to do is go to the bus station to get your tickets (round trip) at the time you have planned. Do not leave it for the last moment. More or less you have to calculate about $ 25.
The road of the Inca
This is definitely the option that I recommend, I think it’s the perfect dose of adventure, culture and history. The only bad thing is that if or if you have to hire a tour to do it, so the 43 kilometers that are made walking from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, is always accompanied by a guide.
There are two options when choosing the path of the Inca, two -620 dollars- or four days -680 dollars-. Either includes: guide service, return train, accommodation and the entrance to Machu Picchu.
There are several agencies with which you can make the trip, everything will depend on the one that suits you best. Some good options are Inca Trail Machu Picchu, Inca Point and Inca Trail. What I recommend is that as soon as you know the date on which you are going to go to Peru, reserve your place to do the Camino del Inca, since some agencies have all the seats occupied for about six months, so better make sure you place.
In general, all agencies begin the expedition very early in the morning so it is best to sleep well and rest the day before to go out with all the batteries. And the day you go back, do not have anything organized or planned because you’ll probably arrive when it’s already dark and you’ll also be exhausted (but happy).
Alternative route by Hydroelectric
It is the cheapest option of all, and can be done with agency or independently. Cusco / Hydroelectric / Cusco transportation costs about $ 25 depending on the stay. From the hydroelectric to Machu Picchu you have to calculate a walk of about 3 hours.
How much is the entrance to Machu Picchu
Everything will depend on what you want to see, do and what your budget is. There are people who only want to enter the ruins and with that they are already happy, but I think that being there is worth going a little deeper.
Only Machu Picchu
If you only want to go to the ruins and not leave there, the value is 46 dollars for adults and 24 dollars for students. But there is good news, if you are not an early riser and you plan to go in the afternoon, I warn you that the evening ticket – starting at 1:00 pm – has a value of 31 dollars for adults and 16 for students.
Huayna Picchu + Machu Picchu
The mountain Huayna Picchu is the one that appears behind Machu Picchu in almost all the photos we see there. Not many tourists visit it, but it is good to go to have another perspective of the place. You have to bear in mind that to be able to climb there are two schedules at 7:00 am and 10:00 am – more or less you have to calculate about 4 or 5 hours to get to the top – and that there is a restricted number of people who can go up per day , so the best thing to do is to ensure the entrance in advance. Adults have to pay $ 62, while students $ 39.
Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu mountain
The entrance is very similar to Huayna Picchu, there are two entry times one at 7:00 and another at 9:00. You also have to calculate about 4 hours of climbing, although the Machu Picchu mountain path is much easier, since the trails are less inclined. Admission is $ 62 for adults and 39 students.