Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour by Train with a Night in Aguas Calientes
A night at the foot of the mountain and Machu Picchu first thing in the morning
fromUS$325
Easy
Day Trips
Machu Picchu Day Tour from Cusco
Machu PicchuCusco
- Duration
- 1 day
- Physical level
- Easy
- Max. altitude
- 3,399 m
- Group size
- Small group
- Accommodation
- No overnight
- From
- US$285
The Inca citadel in one full day, by train and with a local guide
Visit Machu Picchu in a single day from Cusco: hotel pick-up, panoramic train to Aguas Calientes, bus up to the citadel, guided tour and return to Cusco the same night. Tickets and transfers included.
Short on time in Cusco? This full-day Machu Picchu tour takes you to the Inca citadel and back in a single day, with everything arranged: transfers, train, bus, entrance ticket and a professional guide. You only need to bring your passport and your curiosity.
Why book this Machu Picchu day tour with us
We are a Cusco-based team of tourism professionals, and we run this tour in small groups so it feels personal and relaxed. The day before, we meet you in Cusco for a short briefing on timings, documents and what to bring — so the day itself runs without surprises.
Good to know
The tour is easy: about 2.5 hours walking at the citadel, with some uneven stone stairs. Machu Picchu (2,430 m) is lower than Cusco (3,399 m), but we recommend spending at least a day in Cusco before the trip. Prefer to travel at your own pace? We also run this tour as a private service.
- Machu Picchu and back to Cusco in a single day
- Panoramic train along the Urubamba river
- Guided tour of one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
- Small groups and a briefing the day before
Machu Picchu day tour route map
← Swipe →© OpenStreetMap
01
Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Car and panoramic train to Aguas Calientes, guided tour of Machu Picchu (circuit 2) and back to Cusco the same night.
2.5 h
Machu Picchu day tour itinerary
Machu Picchu
2.5 h2,430 mDay 1: Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Cusco
We pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early and drive 1 h 30 through the Andes to Ollantaytambo station. There you board the train for a 1 h 50 ride along the Urubamba river to Aguas Calientes, with mountain views the whole way. Your guide meets you at Aguas Calientes station and walks you to the bus terminal. A 25-minute ride up a winding road brings you to the gates of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The guided tour of Machu Picchu follows circuit 2, the classic route with the postcard view of the citadel. Your guide explains the history, engineering and architecture of the Inca city as you walk through its temples, plazas and terraces. After the visit you ride the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for free time and lunch. In the afternoon you take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our transport drives you to your hotel in Cusco.
Customize this journey
Change the pace, upgrade hotels, add days — this itinerary is yours to shape.
What's included
Included
- Briefing in Cusco the day before the tour
- Hotel pick-up in Cusco and transfer to Ollantaytambo station, round trip
- Train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket, circuit 2 (subject to availability)
- Professional guide in Spanish, English or Portuguese (other languages on request, private service only, extra cost)
Not included
- Hotel in Cusco
- Meals
- Huayna Picchu entrance (subject to availability)
- Tips
- Other services not mentioned
Before you go
Passport
Bring the same passport or ID you used to book your ticket: it is checked at the entrance to Machu Picchu and on the train.
Luggage
The train only allows one small bag of up to 5 kg. Leave the rest of your luggage at your hotel in Cusco.
What to bring
A small backpack, camera, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip for the stone stairs.
Timing
Be at the train station 30 minutes before departure. After the guided tour, take a moment to simply enjoy the place.
What to pack
PassportOriginal, not a copy
Soles in cashFor tips and markets
Personal medicationPlus something for altitude
Reusable bottleStay hydrated at altitude
Machu Picchu day tour FAQs
G
Machu Picchu entrance tickets have a daily limit and are issued with your name, circuit and entry time. From June to September book 3 to 6 months ahead; the rest of the year, at least a few weeks. We secure your ticket as soon as you confirm.
Yes. With this tour you leave Cusco early in the morning, travel by car and train to Aguas Calientes, visit Machu Picchu with a guide and are back at your hotel in Cusco the same night.
It is a full day: about 1 h 30 by car to Ollantaytambo, 1 h 50 by train to Aguas Calientes and 25 minutes by bus to the citadel, plus the guided tour and free time for lunch. You return to Cusco in the evening.
Circuit 2, the classic route that includes the famous postcard view of the citadel. Tickets are subject to availability, so we book them as soon as you confirm.
No. Huayna Picchu has a separate, very limited ticket. Ask us when booking and we will check availability for your date.
Only one small bag or backpack of up to 5 kg per person. Your main luggage can stay at your hotel in Cusco.
What our travelers say
- ★★★★★
“Fast, honest answers on WhatsApp before we booked and real support during the trip. When a train was delayed, everything was rearranged before we even noticed.”
Laura & James P., United KingdomPeru Essentials in Style - ★★★★★
“Walking the Inca Trail had been on my list for twenty years. The team handled the permits, the porters were incredible and arriving through the Sun Gate was pure emotion.”
Michael K., AustraliaClassic Inca TrailGoogle - ★★★★★
“Travelling with three kids could have been stressful, but the pace was just right. The llama trek and the chocolate workshop were the highlights for our children.”
The Harrison family, United StatesFamily Adventure in the AndesTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“The perfect honeymoon. The Hiram Bingham train, a private sunrise at Machu Picchu and three nights in the Amazon — Giovanni designed something that felt completely ours.”
Emma T., United KingdomRomantic Peru HoneymoonGoogle - ★★★★★
“Our guide on the Salkantay trek knew every plant, every story and exactly when we needed a break. Crossing the pass at sunrise is a memory we will keep forever.”
David & Claire R., CanadaSalkantay Trek to Machu PicchuTripadvisor - ★★★★★
“Every single detail was taken care of, from the airport pick-up in Lima to a quiet table overlooking the Sacred Valley. We never once had to think about logistics — we just enjoyed Peru.”
Sarah M., United StatesPeru Essentials in Style
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