How far is Machu Picchu from Lima? About 503 km (313 miles) in a straight line, and more than 1,100 km (685 miles) by road. Nothing goes there directly: the usual route is a 1 hr 15 min flight to Cusco, then a drive, a train and a short bus ride.
Door to door, the fastest trip takes 8 to 10 hours. By bus and train it takes about two days.
We are a local tour operator in Cusco and we move travelers along this route every week. This guide covers distances, each leg of the trip, 2026 prices, when to book and why we never recommend doing it all in one day.
Distance from Lima to Machu Picchu in Kilometers and Miles
The trip has several legs, and each one is measured differently. Lima and Machu Picchu are not in the same region: Machu Picchu sits in the Cusco region, in the Andes, about 500 km southeast of the capital.
| Leg | Distance | How you travel |
|---|---|---|
| Lima to Machu Picchu (straight line) | about 503 km (313 mi) | No direct route |
| Lima to Cusco (flight) | about 584 km (363 mi) | Plane, 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min |
| Lima to Cusco (road via Nazca) | about 1,102 km (685 mi) | Bus, 21 to 24 hours |
| Cusco to Ollantaytambo | about 72 km (45 mi) | Car or van, 1 hr 30 min to 2 hrs |
| Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes | about 40 km (25 mi) of track | Train, 1 hr 30 min to 1 hr 50 min |
| Aguas Calientes to the citadel | about 8 km (5 mi) | Shuttle bus, 20 to 30 min |
Road distances vary by source: Cruz del Sur, the main bus company, lists 1,102 km for Lima to Cusco, while route planners give 1,066 to 1,143 km. Rail distances are not published officially, so treat them as approximate.
Altitude Along the Way
The altitude matters more than the distance. You start at sea level in Lima and land at 3,399 m (11,152 ft) in Cusco. Machu Picchu itself is almost 1,000 m lower than Cusco.
| Place | Meters | Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Lima | sea level | sea level |
| Cusco | 3,399 m | 11,152 ft |
| Ollantaytambo | 2,792 m | 9,160 ft |
| Aguas Calientes | 2,040 m | 6,693 ft |
| Machu Picchu | 2,430 m | 7,972 ft |
That is why the smartest plan sleeps in the Sacred Valley first and leaves Cusco for the end of the trip. Our Sacred Valley altitude guide explains how to acclimatize step by step.
How to Get to Machu Picchu from Lima, Step by Step
For most travelers the route has four legs: a flight, a drive, a train and a bus. These are the realistic times we see in our own operations.
Step 1: Fly from Lima to Cusco
Flights leave from Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Callao and land at Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete airport in 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min. The first departures leave around 5:15 am.
Step 2: Drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
From Cusco airport it is about 1 hr 30 min to 2 hours by road to Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley. Most trains to Machu Picchu leave from this station, so it has the widest choice of departures.
PeruRail also runs trains from Poroy, about 13 km (8 miles) from central Cusco. That ride is much longer, about 3 hours 15 minutes, and it is replaced by a bus and train service in the rainy season.
Step 3: Take the Train to Aguas Calientes
The train from Ollantaytambo reaches Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu Pueblo, in 1 hr 30 min to 1 hr 50 min. PeruRail and Inca Rail both run this line, with several classes and departures through the day.
Stations, classes, real fares and timetables of both companies are in our guide to the train to Machu Picchu.
Step 4: Ride the Shuttle Bus to the Citadel
The last leg is an 8 km (5 mile) zigzag road up to the entrance. The shuttle bus takes 20 to 30 minutes and costs about US$24 round trip. You can also walk up in 1 hr 30 min to 2 hours.
On paper you can land in Cusco around 6:30 am and stand at the gate in the early afternoon. In practice, any delay breaks the chain, which is why we plan at least one night along the way.
The Budget Alternative: Via Hidroeléctrica
Backpackers often skip most of the train. A van goes from Cusco to Santa Teresa and the Hidroeléctrica station in about 6 to 7 hours. From there you walk about 2 hrs 30 min along the tracks to Aguas Calientes, or take a short train.
It is cheaper but slow, and the road is unpaved in parts. Our Machu Picchu by Car 2 Days tour follows this route with a guide and the logistics sorted. The other options are in our guide to every route to Machu Picchu.
Flying from Lima to Cusco: Flight Time, Airlines and Connections
The flight is the only practical way to cover the distance. Three airlines fly nonstop between Lima and Cusco: LATAM, Sky Airline and JetSMART. Together they run dozens of flights a day, making it one of the busiest domestic routes in South America.
Typical one way fares run about US$60 to 130. January is usually the cheapest month and June and July the most expensive. Budget airlines advertise lower prices, but they often exclude checked bags, so compare the fare you will actually pay.
We always recommend morning flights. Cusco’s airport is surrounded by mountains, and afternoon weather causes more delays, especially in the rainy season. Never book the last flight of the day before a train or an international connection.
Connecting at Lima’s New Airport Terminal
Lima opened its new Jorge Chávez terminal on June 1, 2025. Domestic and international flights now use the same building, and the old access road is closed: the terminal is reached via Avenida Morales Duárez.
Coming from the United States, you clear immigration, collect your bags, pass customs, check your bags again and go through security to the domestic gates. We suggest at least 3 hours between your arrival and your Cusco flight.
Many flights from the US land in Lima around midnight. In that case, the simplest plan is to sleep in Lima and take a morning flight to Cusco the next day.
Is There an Airport Closer to Machu Picchu?
Not yet. The new Chinchero International Airport, in the Sacred Valley, is still under construction. Until it opens, every flight lands in Cusco.
In June 2026 Peru’s Ministry of Transport set the second half of 2028 as the target for finishing the works, so passenger flights are realistically expected in 2029.
Is There a Train from Lima to Machu Picchu?
No. No railway connects Lima with Cusco or Machu Picchu. All the tourist trains run inside the Cusco region, between Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes. You need to fly or take a bus to Cusco first.
These are the train services you can choose from once you are there:
| Train | Departs from | One way price (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| PeruRail Expedition | Ollantaytambo, Poroy | about US$55 to 85 |
| Inca Rail The Voyager | Ollantaytambo | about US$55 to 80 |
| PeruRail Vistadome | Ollantaytambo, Poroy | about US$75 to 130 |
| Inca Rail The 360° | Ollantaytambo | about US$80 to 135 |
| Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train | Poroy | round trip from about US$1,100 |
Both companies use dynamic pricing, like airlines, so fares change with the date and the hour. Take these figures as planning ranges, not fixed prices.
From January to April, part of the track near Cusco closes because of landslide risk. PeruRail then runs a bus and train service: a bus takes you to the Sacred Valley and the train continues from there.
You may also hear about the Belmond Andean Explorer. It is a luxury sleeper train between Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, and it does not go to Machu Picchu.
Lima to Machu Picchu by Bus or Car
The bus is the cheapest way to reach Cusco, but it is long. Cruz del Sur takes 21 to 24 hours, with fares from about US$54 (185 soles) in October 2026. Other companies, such as Oltursa, run similar times.
The main road goes via Nazca and Abancay. In its travel advisory of September 4, 2026, the US State Department lists Abancay as Level 4: Do Not Travel, and it warns that “criminal groups sometimes set up roadblocks to rob people in areas outside of Lima”.
The same advisory says Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are not in the affected area.
Its own staff may travel at night by commercial bus only on the Lima, Arequipa and Cusco corridor, a longer route with a stop in Arequipa.
There is also the altitude. An overnight bus climbs from sea level into the Andes in a few hours, so you arrive in Cusco tired and without any acclimatization.
A slower option is Peru Hop, a bus pass that follows the coast through Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca and Arequipa before going up to Cusco. It takes 7 to 10 days, and the gradual climb is easier on the body.
Can You Drive from Lima to Machu Picchu?
You can drive to Cusco, but no road reaches Aguas Calientes. You would leave the car in Ollantaytambo and take the train anyway. With more than 1,100 km of mountain roads and the risks above, we advise against renting a car for this trip.
Travel Time from Lima to Machu Picchu: Every Option Compared
This table puts each combination side by side. Times run from Lima to the entrance of Machu Picchu and do not include the entrance ticket.
| Option | Total travel time | Nights on the way | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight, then train from Ollantaytambo | 8 to 10 hours | 1 or 2 recommended | Best for most travelers |
| Flight, then train from Poroy | 9 to 11 hours | 1 recommended | Good outside the rainy season |
| Flight, then van via Hidroeléctrica | about 1 day and a half | 1 | Budget option |
| Bus to Cusco, then train | about 2 days | 1 or 2 | Not recommended |
| Peru Hop along the coast | 7 to 10 days | 6 to 9 | Good if you also want the coast |
| Rental car | 2 days or more to Cusco | 2 or more | Avoid |
Swipe the table sideways to see more →
When to Book Your Flights, Train and Bus Tickets
The order matters as much as the timing. Book the Machu Picchu entrance ticket first, then the train, then the flight, then the bus. Each piece depends on the one before it.
1. Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket
Entry is limited to a fixed number of visitors per day, with a timed entrance. In high season, Route 2-A sells out 3 to 4 months ahead, and Huayna Picchu tickets for April and May usually go within two weeks of release.
The ticket costs about US$44 (152 soles) for foreign adults in 2026, plus a small card fee. Buy it only on the official site, tuboleto.cultura.pe, and pay right away.
Routes and prices are explained in our Machu Picchu tickets guide.
2. Train Tickets
In our experience, trains for April, May and June sell out about 3 months ahead. Sales open around the middle of the previous year: in October 2026, trains for 2027 were already on sale.
Large agencies make deals with Inca Rail and PeruRail to block the best departures for the whole high season. That leaves fewer seats for independent travelers on the most popular times.
The hardest seats to get are the afternoon returns from Aguas Calientes: Inca Rail at 2:30 pm and PeruRail Expedition at 2:55 pm and 3:20 pm. For April to June, they can be sold out from February.
This matters if you fly out of Cusco the same evening. With an 8 or 9 pm flight you need one of those trains. On a 4 pm train you will not make the flight.
3. Lima to Cusco Flight
Book the flight once your entrance time and train are confirmed. For June to August, Easter and Fiestas Patrias (Peru’s national holidays on July 28 and 29), we recommend booking 2 to 3 months ahead.
Choose a morning arrival and leave a buffer day if you can.
4. Shuttle Bus to the Citadel
The bus is the easiest part. Buy it the day before in Aguas Calientes or through the official sellers. Avoid reseller websites, some of which charge US$35 for a round trip that costs US$24.
How Much It Costs to Go from Lima to Machu Picchu
Counting only transport and the entrance ticket, expect about US$310 to 600 per person for the round trip from Lima. Hotels, meals and a guide come on top.
| Item (per person) | Price range in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Lima to Cusco flight, round trip | about US$120 to 260 |
| Train, round trip (Expedition to Vistadome) | about US$120 to 270 |
| Shuttle bus, round trip | US$24 |
| Machu Picchu entrance ticket | about US$44 (152 soles) plus card fee |
| Total | about US$310 to 600 |
For a full breakdown with hotels, guides and tours at every budget, see our guide to the real cost to go to Machu Picchu.
Can You Visit Machu Picchu in One Day from Lima?
Technically yes. We do not recommend it, for medical and practical reasons.
The CDC Yellow Book 2026, the US health agency’s travel guide, warns that flying straight to places like Cusco puts travelers in a high risk category for altitude sickness, with “altitude illness rates approaching 50%”. Symptoms usually start 2 to 12 hours after arrival.
The CDC also notes that travelers to Cusco can sleep lower than the airport for one or two nights. That is exactly what a first night in the Sacred Valley does.
Then there is the logistics: a 4 am airport call, a morning flight that can be delayed and a train that must match a timed entrance ticket. One missed connection can cost you a ticket you cannot change.
Our advice: plan at least 2 days from Cusco, flying in, sleeping in the valley and visiting Machu Picchu the next morning. Three or four days is better, ending in Cusco once you are acclimatized.
Machu Picchu Tours from Lima: 2, 3 and 4 Days
Most Machu Picchu tours start in Cusco, so from Lima you fly to Cusco and join the tour there. These are the formats we run most often:
- 2 days: Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley 2 Days, which sleeps in the lower valley first, or Machu Picchu by Train 2 Days.
- 3 days: our Machu Picchu Private Tour 3 Days, with more time in the valley and the citadel.
- 5 days: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
- 8 days from Lima: our 8 Day All Inclusive Peru Vacation Package starts at Lima airport and adds Paracas and Ica before Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Before you book any tour, check these points:
- Is the entrance ticket issued in your name on the official site?
- Which route and entry time is included?
- Which train class and times, and does it include the shuttle bus and a licensed guide?
- Is the first night at a lower altitude than Cusco?
- What happens if a strike or road block stops the train?
You can compare every option on our Machu Picchu tour packages page, or see longer itineraries in our Peru tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling from Lima to Machu Picchu
Is Machu Picchu in Lima?
No. Machu Picchu is in the Cusco region, in the province of Urubamba, about 503 km (313 miles) southeast of Lima in a straight line. Lima is on the Pacific coast; Machu Picchu is in the Andes.
Is Machu Picchu close to Lima?
Not by land. It is more than 1,100 km (685 miles) by road to Cusco alone, plus the train. By plane and train it is a long day of travel.
How many hours is it from Lima to Machu Picchu?
About 8 to 10 hours if you fly to Cusco and connect with the train the same day. By bus and train it takes about two days.
How far is Machu Picchu from Lima airport?
From Jorge Chávez airport it is a 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min flight to Cusco, then about 4 to 5 hours by road, train and bus to the citadel.
Is there a direct flight from Lima to Machu Picchu?
No. Machu Picchu has no airport. The closest is Cusco, and the new Chinchero airport in the Sacred Valley is not expected to open before 2029.
Do I need to stay in Cusco before visiting Machu Picchu?
You need to stay in the area, but not necessarily in Cusco. The Sacred Valley is lower and better for your first nights, and the train leaves from Ollantaytambo.
What is the best time of year to travel from Lima to Machu Picchu?
The dry season, from May to October, is the most reliable for flights and trains. From January to April expect rain and lower fares. Month by month details are in our guide to the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
