See transportation.
Access to Machu Picchu
In case you choose traveling by train, your agency will organize your welcome at Puente Ruinas station. From here, you will take a public bus or the one provided by your agency, which will arrive at Machu Picchu after 20/30 minutes.
If you wish to take the Inca Trail, you can get to Machu Picchu on foot. If so, we recommend you to get up very early in the morning, to see the impressive view of Machu Picchu under the rays of the rising sun.
Entrance to the Archaeological Ruins of Machu Picchu
The citadel of Machu Picchu is open to visitors from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Some distant areas, such as Huayna Picchu, close before this time (at 3 p.m.), and you must register when you climb this peak. Climbing takes about 45'.
Entrance to Machu Picchu
The entrance ticket is US$ 20 a head for the first visit and US$ 10 for subsequent visits on the following days.
For trekkers there is no entrance fee, as this was charged within the US$ 50 paid to use the Inca Trail. For these visitors there is a backpack storage service ($ 0.50/day).
If you visit Machu Picchu without taking the Inca Trail, rates are the following:
Entrance: $ 20 ($ 10 for students) and half that
price on the following days.
Bus ticket: trip from Aguas Calientes to Machu
Picchu: $ 9.
Lodging in Machu Picchu
The only lodging option in Machu Picchu is Hotel Ruinas, located at the entrance to the Ruins. It is expensive (a double room is $ 100) and very comfortable, but it is necessary to make your reservations well in advance at the following telephone numbers: 22-2339 / 23-6062 or in Lima at 440-6197. There is an economical camping site near Puente Ruinas station.
Things to be taken into account
Mosquitoes are the main inhabitants of these ruins. Consequently we recommend you to take a good repellent, so as not to suffer several days' discomfort from the bites.
The only place where you can eat and drink in the ruins is the restaurant at Hotel Ruinas. If you prefer, a box lunch will be offered by your agency.