Machu Picchu 2027

How to Visit Machu Picchu in One Day?

Perhaps this is one of the most common questions asked by thousands of travelers who have limited time in Cusco, and it is also one of the most important ones. Visiting Machu Picchu is one of the biggest dreams on many travelers’ bucket lists.

To visit Machu Picchu, many people think that it is complicated, tiring, and even exhausting. Don’t worry, here we will tell you everything you need to know about this unforgettable experience.

How to Get to Machu Picchu in One Day

To reach Machu Picchu in just one day, the only option is to take a train. Some travelers consider this the most expensive option, but believe us, this is the only way that will allow you to save time. To do so, you need to follow these steps:

  1. First, you need to take a vehicle from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. Usually, transportation leaves from Pavitos Street in Cusco, near the city center. The journey to Ollantaytambo takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  2. Once you arrive in Ollantaytambo, you will take the train for about 1 hour and 45 minutes until you reach the town of Aguas Calientes.
  3. In Aguas Calientes, to get to Machu Picchu, you must take a bus up to the citadel. The bus ride takes approximately 25 minutes. After this, you will arrive at Machu Picchu.

For the return journey, the route is the same. You must take the train back and then transportation from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Which Train Company Should You Use?

To reach Machu Picchu, the train is perhaps one of the most important forms of transportation. Unlike other destinations, trains do not have very frequent departures, so it is important to plan your train schedule carefully to make sure everything goes smoothly.

In Cusco, especially for routes to Aguas Calientes, you can find two main train companies:

PeruRail

This company has more than 20 years of experience in the market and has a great reputation in the railway industry. With PeruRail, you can find train tickets with departures from around 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Here are some of the services available:

Expedition Train

This is the most basic service offered by the company. By “basic,” we do not mean uncomfortable; it simply means it is the standard option with regular seats. It has standard windows where you can enjoy views of the surrounding landscapes.

train to machu picchu

Vistadome Train

This service features panoramic windows and also includes snacks during the journey. This train is known for offering wider views from the train carriages, making it one of the favorite options among travelers.

train vistadome to machu picchu

Vistadome Observatory Train

In addition to panoramic windows, this train includes an open-air observatory carriage where you can enjoy an outdoor view of the route. It also offers onboard service with snacks and beverages available for purchase. Another highlight of this train is the live show featuring traditional Peruvian dances.

Luxury Hiram Bingham Train

This train represents the ultimate luxury experience. It includes premium seating and exclusive services such as onboard dining, open-air terraces, and live entertainment. It is perhaps the most expensive train service, but it is an experience that is truly worth it.

hiram bingham train

Should I Visit Machu Picchu Alone or With a Guide?

Many travelers choose to have a guided tour at Machu Picchu because it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, having a guide is not absolutely necessary to explore the citadel.

Below, we explain the advantages and disadvantages of visiting Machu Picchu with or without a guide.

Benefits of Having a Guide at Machu Picchu

  • You will receive explanations about the different routes based on professional historical information.
  • You will be able to capture amazing photos thanks to recommendations from your expert guide.
  • You will learn about Inca culture, history, and important details that you would not discover on your own.
  • You will have a much more organized visit throughout the archaeological complex.
  • Finally, you will enjoy a more personalized experience.

As a final piece of advice, we recommend making your reservation with reliable tour operators who can organize everything for you, allowing you to enjoy your Machu Picchu experience without worries.

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Anna R Mar 2026 • Friends

Fantastic 4 Day Salkantay Trek

I did the 4 day Salkantay trek with Joaquin (Guide), Matias (Chef) and Zenobio (Assistant Chef) and had the best time! The crew were so friendly and caring. It was well organised and they let us know what we would be doing each day. I struggled with the altitude and got a headache on day 2 so the crew gave me some oxygen to help. I felt very cared for. Joaquin was so knowledgable and gave us lots of information on the history of Machu Picchu. Matias and Zenobio’s cooking was incredible and much needed after long days of hiking. We had such a great time and I would highly recommend Sam Travels to anyone who is planning a trip to Peru!

Georgia Hayes Mar 2026 • Friends

Great experience with Sam Travel Peru!

I had a fantastic experience with Sam Travel Peru on the Salkantay Trek. Our guide Joaquin was great. He took great care of us throughout the journey, ensuring all our needs were met while also sharing fascinating historical insights that really added the experience. Chef Matias exceeded all expectations with his food. It was really delicious with generous portions. His assistant, Zenobio, was equally fantastic. The whole team had a great sense of humour, which made the experience even more enjoyable. When I started feeling unwell due to the altitude, they were incredibly attentive, making sure I was comfortable and providing any medicine I needed. I felt well looked after from start to finish. Would definitely recommend!

Danielle Nikka ... T Mar 2026

2 day Inca Trail with Sam Travel

Sam Travel has made our trip to Machu Picchu seamless. Joel Apaza was our guide and he has been extremely helpful throughout! I had stomach problems during our hike, not sure if it was food poisoning or altitude sickness, but I was extremely nauseated up to Winay Wayna which was the most strenuous part of the hike. He was very patient with us and even helped carry out daypacks with our heavy water bottles. We were stopping every 5 minutes because of my condition, but he was very gracious and still encouraging me that we can do it! We were able to reach the citadel after almost 9 hours and wouldn’t be able to do it if it wasn’t for Joel’s kindness. Definitely recommend!

dave d Mar 2026 • Couples

Two day tour of sacred valley and machu picchu

Carlos estrada was our guide for the 2 day sacred Valley and machu picchu tour .He was very knowledgeable and really courteous. As I am a man in his sixties and was in a group of twenty year old he paced the trip brilliantly .Great guy and guide

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Matt Ward 2026/01/29

We had a wonderful few days with Liz as our guide and Jair as our driver. We did a city tour of Cusco and then the Sacred Valley, culminating with an early start and Machupicchu on our final day. Liz was very patient and had incredible knowledgeable of all sites as well as telling us about all the history and importance of each site. She knew some ways to avoid packed areas and made each day special. Jair was a very skilled driver, courteous and made sure we were comfortable in the very clean car. Liz checked on us to make sure we arrived on time, smoothed the path for transport on the train and hotel stays, as well as entry to each site. Wilfredo was a good driver to take us back to Cusco and more than willing to stop so I could take photos of dairy cows. I’d highly recommend SAM tours as they had everything sorted for each amazing site, removed the stress and hassle of entry and logistics and made you feel like one of the family.

Tess Edwards 2026/01/29

We did the 3-day Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu tour with Sam Travel, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. This was a real bucket-list trip for us, and with somewhere as iconic as Machu Picchu, expectations can sometimes be unrealistically high. In this case, the experience far exceeded them and was the highlight of our four weeks travelling in South America. Sam Travel is locally owned and operated, and our guide Liz Montesinos is also local. Liz has a university degree in tourism and a deep love for her history, culture and people — and that really shows. Her enthusiasm and knowledge made the three days feel meaningful rather than rushed or superficial.

Nina Shen 2025/10/29

We had an amazing experience visiting Machu Picchu with our guide, Liz Montesinos from SAM Travel Peru. She was so knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture. Liz was also incredibly kind and patient, making sure everyone in our group was comfortable and enjoying the day. Plus, she took some of the best photos of our trip. She knows all the best spots and took truly great photos and didn’t try to make us do cheesy poses like some other guides try to. We couldn’t have asked for a better guide and would absolutely recommend her to anyone visiting Machu Picchu. She really made our 2-day trip to Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu very special!

Marcelle James 2026/02/29

We just completed our 3 day Sacred Valley and Machu tour with Sam Travel Peru (our guide was Jose). Firstly they were very easy to deal with, and able to add in airport transfers etc as needed. Jose was an excellent guide for the whole 3 days from airport pick up to the end of the tour. Jose was able to amend the itinerary as we went to suit the weather conditions and our ability to walk through all of the sites, ensuring we still got to see all of the most picturesque and important parts of each site. Jose is exceptionally knowledgeable and passionate about Peru as well as being very adaptable and positive - would absolutely recommend him.

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Cheri Buccino April 21, 2024
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Powerful! This journey tests your humanity and leaves you in awe of yourself and the beauty that Pachamama provides. April 2024 We conquered the Inca trail and it was only made possible with the help and guidance from our expert guides Jean Pierre (JP) and Jimmy. The knowledge these gentlemen shared was admired by all of our group and the envy of other trail hikers who stopped to listen. The hike has many layers of challenges including language barriers, altitude sensitivities and food specifications. The team at Sam travel exceeded the needs and went above to ensure our comforts were met. A special mention must be made to Mario, the Chef who somehow performed magic with nutritious flavourful meals to satisfy even the pickiest consumers and Francesco who was our lead porter who orchestrated the harmony that happened behind the scenes to get everything done. Nothing less than marvellous from this team. Thank you to each of the group who made our trek a remarkable experience.

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Bhavana Lalwani April 18, 2024
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Jose and Henry were great guides for our first time exploring machu pichu! They were very attentive and kept everything on a smooth schedule. Highly recommend!

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Ryan April 9, 2024
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The whole experience was amazing. Ray, our guide answered all of our questions and definitely had our best interest in mind the whole time. Timothy the cook made fantastic food and somehow found a way to prepare a birthday cake with no notice! Boni our head porter and his whole crew were kind, accommodating, and had such upbeat attitudes which really made the experience great!

Isabel Batteria April 17, 2024
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I spent two days with Sam Travel’s guide Raymier, who guided us through the one-day 12-km stretch of the Inca trail and then took us to Machu Picchu the next day. In my group, I was always the last one on the trail because I come from the coast and I’m not used to altitudes, and honestly I could also have prepared physically a little better. Raymier respected my pace, never rushed me, and supported me throughout the ardous trail. He had much knowledge to share. I speak Spanish, but ended up in an English tour, and Ray’s English was very good. He was funny, respectful, and versatile. He knew where to take all the best photos and patiently took photos of all of us. I would trust Sam Travel again especially if I was lucky enough to have Ray as a guide again.

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