What tickets to buy to go to Machu Picchu without a tour?
Traveling to Machu Picchu without a tour and on your own is easier than you think. You only have to book your ticket online for the day you want. You must also get train and bus tickets to the Wonder of the World.
How to organize the trip on your own? Know the tickets you need and be encouraged to experience the magic of Machu Picchu.
- How is the trip to Machu Picchu with tour?
- How is the trip to Machu Picchu without a tour?
- What tickets to buy to go to Machu Picchu on your own?
- How to visit Machu Picchu on your own?
- How to visit Huayna Picchu on your own?
- How to visit the Machu Picchu mountain on its own?
- How to visit Huchuy Picchu mountain on your own?
- How to visit the Inca Bridge on your own?
- How to visit Machu Picchu and the Museum on its own?
- How to hire a tourist guide in Machu Picchu?
- Frequently asked questions about the trip to Machu Picchu without a tour
Tourists resting in Machu Picchu
What is a tour to Machu Picchu like?
The most famous tour in Machu Picchu is the one-day service that begins and ends in the city of Cusco. This service includes pick-up from the hotel, complete transportation by tourist bus and train, final bus from Aguas Calientes, entrance to Machu Picchu, professional tourist guide and return to Cusco by bus and train. Lunch is optional on tours. The tour normally starts at 5 in the morning and ends at 8 or 9 at night.
How is the trip to Machu Picchu with tour?
- The tours to Machu Picchu are 1 or 2 days.
- A tour usually includes the transportation service (round trip), the entrance to the Inca City and the tour with a tour guide.
- The prices of the tours vary according to the number of days and the quality of the service (the type of train, the hotel, the restaurant).
- The costs are higher compared to a visit without a tour.
How is the trip to Machu Picchu without a tour?
- Traveling to Machu Picchu without a tour is easy. You only have to book online and in advance the entrance tickets, train and bus to Machu Picchu.
- The tourist guide service, the food, the hotel and other expenses are paid by the visitor.
- The trip to Machu Picchu on your own is the most economical way to know the Wonder of the World.
- In addition, it allows greater freedom of decision for the tourist.
What ticket to buy to go to Machu Picchu on your own?
There are 3 tickets needed to know Machu Picchu on your own: the Machu Picchu ticket, the train ticket and the bus ticket.
Machu Picchu Tickets
Currently, there are 4 types of tickets in Machu Picchu, which offer a different experience in Machu Picchu.
When visiting Machu Picchu, the visitor must choose one of these five types of tickets.
These are the 5 types of Machu Picchu tickets and their respective schedules:
Machu Picchu Only Entrance
- Entry from 6 in the morning.
- Entry from 7 in the morning.
- Entry from 8 in the morning.
- Entry from 9 in the morning.
- Entry from 10 in the morning.
- Entry from 11 in the morning.
- Entry from noon.
- Entry from 1 in the afternoon.
- IEntry from 2 in the afternoon.
Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Entrance
Group 1:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 6 in the morning.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu: between 7 and 8 in the morning.
Group 2:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 7 in the morning.
- Entry to Huayna Picchu: between 8 and 9 in the morning.
Group 3:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 8 in the morning.
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu: between 9 and 10 in the morning.
Group 4:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 9 in the morning.
- Entry to Huayna Picchu: between 10 and 11 in the morning.
Machu Picchu + Mountain Entrance
Group 1:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 6 in the morning.
- Entrance to the Mountain: between 7 and 8 in the morning.
Group 2:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 7 in the morning.
- Entrance to the Mountain: between 8 and 9 in the morning.
Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu entrance
Group 1:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 6 in the morning.
- Entrance to Huchuy Picchu: between 7 and 8 in the morning.
Group 2:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 7 in the morning.
- Entrance to Huchuy Picchu: between 8 and 9 in the morning.
Group 3:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 8 in the morning.
- Entrance to Huchuy Picchu: between 9 and 10 in the morning.
Group 4:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 9 in the morning.
- Entrance to Huchuy Picchu: between 10 and 11 in the morning.
Group 5:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 10 in the morning.
- Entrance to Huchuy Picchu: between 11 and 12 in the morning.
Group 6:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 11 in the morning.
- Entrance to Huchuy Picchu: between 12 and 1 in the afternoon.
Group 7:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from noon.
- Entrance to Huchuy Picchu: between 1 and 2 in the afternoon.
Group 8:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 1 in the afternoon.
- Entrance to Huchuy Picchu: between 2 and 3 in the afternoon.
Machu Picchu Entrance + Inca Bridge
Group 1:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 6 in the morning.
- Entrance to the Inca Bridge: between 7 and 8 in the morning.
Group 2:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 7 in the morning.
- Entrance to the Inca Bridge: between 8 and 9 in the morning.
Group 3:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 8 in the morning.
- Entrance to the Inca Bridge: between 9 and 10 in the morning.
Group 4:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 9 in the morning.
- Entrance to the Inca Bridge: between 10 and 11 in the morning.
Group 5:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 10 in the morning.
- Entrance to the Inca Bridge: between 11 and 12 in the morning.
Group 6:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 11 in the morning.
- Entrance to the Inca Bridge: between 12 and 1 in the afternoon.
Group 7:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from noon.
- Entrance to the Inca Bridge: between 1 and 2 in the afternoon.
Group 8:
- Entrance to Machu Picchu: from 1 in the afternoon.
- Entrance to the Inca Bridge: between 2 and 3 in the afternoon.
Machu Picchu + Museum Entrance
Entrance to Machu Picchu:
- Hours: from 6 a.m. / 7 am. / 8 a.m. / 9 a.m. / 10 a.m. / 11am. / 12 p.m. / 1 pm. / 2 p.m.
Entrance to the Museum:
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Which entrance to Machu Picchu should I choose?
If you visit Machu Picchu on your own and want a 1-day trip, it is best to choose any ticket whose entry time is between 9 and 11 in the morning. This way you will have time to arrive from Cusco and return on one of the trains in the afternoon. If you visit Machu Picchu on a 2-day trip (with a night in Aguas Calientes), you can choose any type of ticket at the time of your preference
Train tickets to Machu Picchu
There are two companies that offer train service to Machu Picchu: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. The reservation of the trains is through the internet. Prices vary according to train services to Machu Picchu.
Peru Rail offers 4 types of train services:
- Vistadome – Train with wide windows and service on board.
- Expedition – Train with wide views that include snacks and Peruvian food.
- Sacred Valley – Exclusive train that has a bus stop in Urubamba, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- Belmond Hiram Bingham – Luxury train. It has dining room, bar, service on board and lunch or special dinner.
Inca Rail also offers 4 types of train:
- The Voyager – Train with wide tables and windows. It allows a pleasant trip with service on board.
- The 360º – Train with panoramic windows. It has service on board, music and show on board.
- The First Class – Exclusive train that has music, tables, windows, welcome cocktail and other services on board first class.
- The Private – Luxury train for a private group (8 people). It has decorative details, gourmet lunch or dinner and free bar.
Peruvians can take the local train to Machu Picchu. This service does not have the amenities of a tourist train but it is cheaper.
The train tickets transport the visitor from the Ollantaytambo station to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Bus tickets to Machu Picchu
- Once in the town of Aguas Calientes there is only one bus trip to the entrance to Machu Picchu.
- To make this journey you need to get one of the bus tickets.
- Bus tickets can be booked online or purchased directly in the town of Aguas Calientes.
- The price for foreign adults is $ 24 (round trip). Children have a discount.
The bus trip takes between 30 minutes on average. It is also possible to make the journey on foot.
How to visit Machu Picchu without a tour?
To visit Machu Picchu on your own you need to book the 3 tickets: the entrance ticket, the train ticket and the bus ticket.
To make the trip to Machu Picchu for 1 day on your own you must follow the following steps :
- Step 1: Travel by bus or minivan from the city of Cusco to the Ollantaytambo train station.
- Step 2: Travel by train from Ollantaytambo station to the town of Aguas Calientes.
- Step 3: Travel by bus from the town of Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu gate.
- Step 4: Enter Machu Picchu in one of the entry shifts from 9, 10 or 11 in the morning.
- Step 5: Return to the city of Cusco from the same way it was arrived.
Once in Aguas Calientes, tourists can choose to stay overnight to visit the Wonder of the World early the next day.
How to visit Huayna Picchu without tour?
To visit Huayna Picchu on your own you need to book the ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu as well as train and bus tickets.
Follow the following steps to know Huayna Picchu without tour in 1 day:
- Step 1: Travel at dawn by bus or minivan from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
- Step 2: Take one of the first trains that leave from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
- Step 3: Take the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Step 4: Enter Huayna Picchu in Group 4 (entrance to the mountain from 10 to 11 in the morning). The rest is to enjoy Machu Picchu and Waynapicchu.
- Step 5: Return by the same form.
A great option is to choose to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes and visit Huayna Picchu early and without hurry the next day.
How to visit the Machu Picchu mountain without a tour?
To visit the Machu Picchu mountain you need to buy the Machu Picchu + Mountain ticket and, due to visiting hours, take a 2-day trip with an overnight stay in the town of Aguas Calientes.
Follow the following steps to visit Machu Picchu mountain without tour in 2 days:
- Step 1: Depart from Cusco to Ollantaytambo by land.
- Step 2: Travel to Aguas Calientes with a tourist train (preferable to do it in the morning).
- Step 3: Spend a night in the town of Aguas Calientes.
- Step 4: Take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Step 5: Enter the Machu Picchu mountain at the time of your preference.
- Step 6: Return in the same way as the outward trip.
How to visit Huchuy Picchu mountain without a tour?
To visit Huchuy Picchu mountain you need to buy the Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu entrance, as well as train and bus tickets.
Follow the following steps to visit Huchuy Picchu mountain without tour in 1 day:
- Step 1: Depart as early as possible from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
- Step 2: Travel to Aguas Calientes with the first trains that leave from Ollantaytambo.
- Step 3: Take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Step 4: Enter the Huchuy Picchu mountain in Group 4 (entrance to the mountain between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.).
- Step 5: Return in the same way as the outward trip.
How to visit the Inca Bridge of Machu Picchu without a tour?
To visit the Inca Bridge you need to buy the Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge entrance, as well as train and bus tickets.
Follow the following steps to visit the Inca Bridge without tour in 1 day :
- Step 1: Depart as early as possible from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
- Step 2: Travel to Aguas Calientes with the first trains that leave from Ollantaytambo.
- Step 3: Take a bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
- Step 4: Enter the Inca Bridge in Group 4 (entrance to the bridge between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.).
- Step 5: Return in the same way as the outward trip.
How to visit Machu Picchu and the Museum without a tour?
To visit Machu Picchu next to the Site Museum you must acquire the ticket Machu Picchu + Museum as well as train and bus tickets.
Follow the following steps to visit the Museum and Machu Picchu without tour in 1 day :
- Step 1: Travel by minivan from Cusco to Ollantaytambo at dawn.
- Step 2: Take the first trains from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
- Step 3: Visit the Machu Picchu Museum located near the town of Aguas Calientes.
- Step 4: Get on the bus to the entrance gate to Machu Picchu and tour the Inca City in one of the afternoon shifts (entry from 12 p.m., 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.).
- Step 5: Return to the city of Cusco by the same route.
The Machu Picchu Site Museum remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to 4 p.m. Another option is to choose to visit the Inca City first and then the Museum.
How to hire a tourist guide in Machu Picchu?
- Although you do not need a ticket to hire a guide, you should know that the guide service is mandatory in Machu Picchu.
- You can book a tour guide with an online tourism agency. The advantage is that you can choose the language and the characteristics of the guide.
- Another option is to hire one at the same entrance to Machu Picchu. The cost depends on how many people are in a group.
Questions and answers about the trip to Machu Picchu without tour
1. Is it cheaper to travel to Machu Picchu with a tour or on your own?
Definitely traveling to Machu Picchu on your own is cheaper. The tours have a commission to organize the trip ..
2. Is the train trip the only way to get to Machu Picchu without a tour?
No. It is also possible to do it on your own through the alternative route to Machu Picchu by Hidroeléctrica. The trip is longer but the cost is much less than the train ride.
3. Is the bus trip the only way to go from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
No. The other option is to walk up to the mountain where Machu Picchu is located. However, to avoid getting tired of the Inca City, the best option is to get on the bus and go downhill.
4. 1 or 2 day visit to Machu Picchu. Which to choose?
Machu Picchu is an attraction to enjoy with patience. If you have time, do not hesitate to spend a night in Aguas Calientes and know the Wonder of the World with tranquility.
5. What entrance Machu Picchu to choose?
The most difficult entry to achieve due to high demand and low availability is the ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu. This ticket allows you to ascend to Waynapicchu. This adventure is recognized as one of the best short walks in the world.
6. What is the appropriate entrance to Machu Picchu for traveling with children?
The Machu Picchu Solo ticket allows you to choose any of the four circuits of Machu Picchu: circuit 1, circuit 2, circuit 3 or circuit 4. Therefore, it is the ticket that most people prefer to travel with children, adults, seniors and the whole family.
7. How much does an entrance to Machu Picchu cost for Peruvians?
The ‘Machu Picchu Solo’ ticket costs 64 soles per adult. University students and children pay 32 soles each.
8. What are the opening and closing hours of Machu Picchu?
The opening hours of Machu Picchu are at 6 in the morning. Its closing time is 5 p.m.
9. Can I buy my ticket to Machu Picchu in Cusco?
Yes, there is a small batch of tickets that can be purchased in the town of Aguas Calientes. However, because they are limited, the best option will always be to buy online 2 or 3 months in advance.
10. Can I buy my train ticket in Cusco?
Yes, the train ticket can be purchased in the city of Cusco. However, the best option will always be to purchase it online in advance.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Fanny L.“Excellent!!!“
“Getting to know Machu Picchu was incredible, the buildings and landscape are from another planet. The trip was well organized and comfortable, with an excellent guide who explained everything to us in detail. Highly recommended“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, December 6, 2023