Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Tickets and Schedule
In case you plan to head to the historic Inca citadel, you must know that the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is the only form of official and authorized mechanical transportation that will get you from the former to the latter. For decades, the service of transport used to be offered solely by Consettur, which is an old term mentioned in some guidebooks. Now, Consettur operates under the new name, namely Camino a la Maravilla. Additionally, a brand-new authorized operator known as Torontoy can be added to the list of bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. That said, learning more about buying tickets for this journey could go a long way.
How to Book the Consettur Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Scheduling your bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu well in advance is something that will only come across as an option until you find yourself queuing up at 4:30 AM and watching the first buses leave as seats get filled up. The primary provider of transport services is Camino a la Maravilla, formerly known as Consettur, which sells tickets either online or face-to-face. There is another licensed service provider called Torontoy that has its ticket office in Aguas Calientes.
Buying Tickets From the Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Online
You can book your tickets for the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu online through the official website of Camino a la Maravilla or Torontoy well before arriving at the city. All you need to do is pick a date and enter your passenger information including passport number; after that, pay by credit card. Your confirmation will come via an email with a downloadable PDF or QR code to be shown at the boarding point.
The advantage of buying tickets from the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu online is that you can avoid the long lines at the ticket office, especially during the morning rush hour. During the high season, particularly between May and October, and on high-demand dates such as Inti Raymi, there is often a large crowd of travelers who also want to go up to Machu Picchu. Although buses run continuously, buying a ticket on the spot can take quite a while due to the lines. For this reason, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance and arrive early at the station to board with greater peace of mind.
Pro Tip
When buying online, double-check that your passport number is entered exactly as it appears in your travel document. Discrepancies can cause issues at boarding, and corrections are not always easy to make on the day of travel.
Physical Ticket Office Locations and Passport Requirements to Buy Your Bus Ticket From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Camino a la Maravilla has its ticket office located in Aguas Calientes, close to the place where the buses depart in Calle Imperio de los Incas. The other authorized transportation company, namely Torontoy, also has its sales office there. In either of these places, you may pay for the bus tickets in cash (soles) or even in credit card, although the latter can be risky.
There is one thing that surprises many groups of tourists who want to make the trip together: you cannot buy a ticket for the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu for the whole group at once under a single passport. It is because the tickets are assigned to the passenger’s passport number. And all passports should be at hand, either literally or at least the passport numbers. One tourist who left his feedback on a famous hiking website said that they came prepared to purchase the tickets for four people, but the other three passports remained at the hotel. It is quite inconvenient, but still it is the anti-scalping measure both companies follow.
Cost of Bus Tickets From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
The cost of bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu varies depending on whether you are a foreigner or Peruvian, as well as whether you will be purchasing a one-way or round-trip ticket. A tiered pricing system is applied at Machu Picchu, both for entry into the park and the cost of transportation within the park.
Shuttle Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Price for Foreigners (Camino a la Maravilla)
For foreign tourists, the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu price with Camino a la Maravilla (previously known as Consettur) are as follows:
| Ticket Type | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Adult – Foreigner | $ 12.00 | $ 24.00 |
| Child – Foreigner (Ages 5–11) | $ 7.00 | $ 12.00 |
Shuttle Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Price for Foreigners (Torontoy)
For foreign tourists, the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu prices with Torontoy are slightly lower than those offered by Camino a la Maravilla:
| Ticket Type | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Adult – Foreigner | $ 11.00 | $ 22.00 |
| Child – Foreigner (Ages 5–11) | $ 6.00 | $ 10.00 |
Save Money: Purchasing a round-trip shuttle bus ticket will save you money compared to buying two one-way tickets. If you do not plan on walking back down, then it’s best to purchase both trips at once.
Bus Ticket Price From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu for Peruvians (Camino a la Maravilla)
For Peruvians, the bus ticket price is cheaper due to a special rate for the nationals. How much is the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu for nationals with Camino a la Maravilla?
| Ticket Type | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Adult – National | $ 8.00 | $ 15.00 |
| Student (Ages 12–17) | $ 6.00 | $ 10.00 |
| Child (Ages 5–11) | $ 5.00 | $ 8.00 |
| Tour Guide | S/ 6.00 | S/ 12.00 |
Bus Ticket Price From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu for Peruvians (Torontoy)
The national bus ticket prices of Torontoy are given below. The proof of citizenship in Peru (DNI) will be required at both the counter and on board for nationals:
| Ticket Type | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|
| Adult – National | $ 7.00 | $ 13.00 |
| Student (Ages 12–17) | $ 5.00 | $ 8.00 |
| Child (Ages 5–11) | $ 4.00 | $ 6.00 |
| Tour Guide | S/ 5.00 | S/ 10.00 |
Bus Schedule From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
The bus timetable from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu is designed in such a way that there are several buses departing in the morning hours and continuing operation until the last downhill trip. In turn, both the Camino a la Maravilla and Torontoy services run from the same place and according to more or less identical schedules.
First Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Citadel Entrance
The first bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu leaves very early, typically at 5:30 in the morning, but some sources report the time as 5:00 in the morning during the busy season. The schedule of buses is tied in with the time that the citadel entrance, which happens at 6:00 in the morning. If your plan is to be amongst the earliest group entering the site, then you will want to catch this early bus or one that is as close to it as possible.
The journey from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu is through a switchback road through cloud forest, taking between 20 to 25 minutes.
| Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu | Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes |
|---|---|
| First bus: ~5:30 AM | First return: ~6:00 AM |
| Frequent departures: 5:30–9:00 AM | Regular intervals throughout day |
| Interval: every 10–15 min | Buses depart when full |
| Midday: as needed | No advance reservation for return |
| Last uphill bus: ~3:30 PM | Last bus down: ~5:30 PM |
Last Bus From Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
The last bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes is at about 5:30 PM; however, this might change depending on the time of year. Since Machu Picchu will close to visitors at 6:00 PM, this will give you enough time to take the last shuttle before the place closes. You can only walk down the mountain (takes about 1.5 to 2 hours by foot along the Incas stairway trail), but not much else can be done at the end of a long day of sightseeing.
The bus time from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on your way back works in reverse too; if you are within the site and running late, walk towards the entrance gate leaving enough time to get on the bus.
Boarding the Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu What Entry Time
One of the most common misunderstandings among first-time visitors is how your bus ticket ties in with your entry time for Machu Picchu. Both of these documents are independent of each other, and it is the latter document that will dictate when you enter the site.
How Long Is the Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu lasts around 20 to 25 minutes. The bus winds its way up around 400 meters along steep curves, providing stunning views of the river below and the cloudy mountain peaks above. This is a transition ride from the town to the atmosphere of the archaeological site.
Based on the duration of the trip, you would have to board a bus at least 30 minutes earlier than your actual entry time for the citadel.
Real Waiting Lines and Boarding Time Management for Buses From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Having a ticket for the buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu does not necessarily mean that you get to hop into the next bus heading for the citadel. Especially during rush hours, that is to say, from 5:30 AM till 8:00 AM, the queue at the boarding point can get quite long, and wait times of 30 to 45 minutes are common. Bus loading follows the order in which people queue, filling the vehicle up and then departing, irrelevant of which bus company you are traveling with.
How should you apply the above information? Well, if your entrance into the citadel is scheduled for 6:00 AM, you ought to be in the bus queue by 5:00 AM or even better by 5:15 AM. The 45-minute grace period that Machu Picchu entry tickets come with (which means that you can enter up to 45 minutes past your time) helps, but you cannot bank only on that. Think of your entrance in the queue as another deadline.
Important
While Machu Picchu entry tickets have a 45-minute grace period, do not use it as the sole deciding factor in planning your arrival at the line.
Return Trip Bus Ride From Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
The trip back is essentially the same but in reverse the bus to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes runs both ways all day long, and this leg is usually easier going.
Where to Take the Bus to Machu Picchu From Aguas Calientes on the Return
The board for the return bus is situated right outside the main entrance gate of Machu Picchu. After leaving the site, follow the marked trail leading to the bus departure point, where both buses to Camino a la Maravilla and Torontoy constantly arrive and leave. The bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu return is not run according to the minute-to-minute schedule; rather, buses come when they are fully loaded. Therefore, unless you’re trying to catch the final bus, it shouldn’t matter at what time during the afternoon you board your return bus.
Those who purchased the round-trip bus ticket only need to present their return tickets to the personnel at the departure area. Passengers with the one-way ticket can buy a return ticket there and then.
Walking Down the Mountain vs. Taking the Bus on the Machu Picchu Bus Ride
Some travelers skip the Machu Picchu bus ride on the descent and walk down instead. This hiking route from the ruins down to Aguas Calientes will take about 1.5 – 2 hours along steps built of stone in lush greenery. Definitely feasible for those who have only been involved in light trekking during their vacation. On the contrary, when you’ve visited the Inca Trail, Sun Gate, Huayna Picchu, or even Mountain, your legs will certainly prefer the bus.
Going down also ensures that you get into the town by walking to the bottom of the switchback road, not too far from the middle of Aguas Calientes. The route is marked, and it is safe even during daytime. When taking a train in the afternoon or night, manage your time properly whichever route you decide to take.
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When planning a visit to Machu Picchu, there are various things that need to be taken into consideration, such as an entrance ticket, trains, buses from Aguas Calientes, and how much time will be needed. However, with Uros Expeditions, planning your visit becomes easy because the company offers the full Machu Picchu tour, which means that you will not need to take care of any arrangements separately.
In our tour, all the logistic details are planned by our staff you won’t need to deal with the transportation, ticketing to the train and bus, entrance permit, and other things. You will be provided with everything necessary when arriving in Aguas Calientes in order to make sure that your visit becomes pleasant and memorable.
If you decide to visit Machu Picchu together with friends, as a couple or alone, the tour to Machu Picchu will work out perfectly well.
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Frequently asked questions about Bus From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu Tickets and Schedule
You can buy bus tickets online through the official Consettur website, which operates the shuttle service between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
If you’re looking for companies that offer bus service from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, the bus services are Camino a la Maravilla and Torontoy
A round-trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu for foreign adults costs approximately $24.00 on the Camino a la Maravilla line. On the other line Torontoy the price is about $22.00.
This hike is of moderate difficulty. Estimated time: 1.5 to 2 hours of hiking. Elevation gain: 400 meters. Difficulty: moderate to high (due to humidity, altitude, and stairs). Best departure time: between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to arrive in time for sunrise.
Yes, booking the Machu Picchu bus from Aguas Calientes to the ruins in advance is highly recommended, though not mandatory. Booking online saves time, avoids long queues, and guarantees a spot, especially during the high season (June–August).
