Arriving by train in Aguas Calientes is not the last step of your journey. You still have about 8 kilometers of winding road to reach the entrance to Machu Picchu, and the most practical way to cover that distance is by the bus commonly known as Consettur. It is a short ride, but if you do not plan the line, ticket, or schedule properly, it can affect your entry to the llaqta.
In this guide, we explain how much the bus costs, what time the first and last buses depart, where to buy your ticket, and what has changed on the route since 2025.
What is the Consettur bus and what route does it take?
Consettur is the company that operated the buses between Machu Picchu Pueblo, better known as Aguas Calientes, and the entrance to the Inca citadel for nearly three decades. That is why many travelers and travel agencies still refer to the entire service as the “Consettur bus,” even though it is no longer the only company operating on the route.
Hiram Bingham Road: travel time and route
The bus departs from Aguas Calientes, at about 2,040 meters above sea level, crosses the Vilcanota River, and travels up Hiram Bingham Road to the entrance checkpoint, at about 2,430 meters above sea level. The uphill trip takes between 25 and 30 minutes, and the return trip is usually slightly faster. The road is narrow and has many curves, so the ride is slow but safe.
Who operates the buses to Machu Picchu in 2026?
Consettur’s concession expired on September 4, 2025. Since then, the route has gone through a transition period, with legal disputes involving the Provincial Municipality of Urubamba, Consettur, and the company Inversiones Sumaq Ayllu San Antonio de Torontoy. At present, both companies continue transporting passengers on a temporary basis while the municipality prepares a new bidding process.
For you as a traveler, this means that you may find buses from both companies at the bus stop. The service, route, and travel time are the same. The important thing is to make sure your ticket corresponds to the company whose bus you are boarding.
Bus prices from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
The price depends on your nationality, age, and residency status. These are the reference fares for 2026:
Fares for foreign tourists
| Passenger | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $12 USD | $24 USD |
| Child | $7 USD | $12 USD |
Fares for Peruvians, students, and children
| Passenger | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Peruvian adult | $8 USD | $15 USD |
| Peruvian student | $6 USD | $10 USD |
| Peruvian child | $5 USD | $8 USD |
Fares for Cusco residents and guides
| Passenger | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco resident | S/ 9.50 | S/ 19.00 |
| Machu Picchu Pueblo resident | S/ 4.00 | S/ 8.00 |
| Licensed tour guide | S/ 6.00 | S/ 12.00 |
Fares may change with little notice, especially while the new concession is being defined. Confirm the price on the operator’s website before purchasing.
Consettur bus schedules
The service operates every day of the year with continuous departures. There are no fixed schedules for each bus: vehicles depart as soon as they fill up, every 5 to 15 minutes depending on demand.
First and last uphill bus
The first bus departs from Aguas Calientes at 5:30 a.m. The last bus goes up at around 3:30 p.m. If your Machu Picchu entry time is 6:00 a.m., do not wait until the first bus is about to leave before arriving at the bus stop: the line starts forming much earlier.
Bus schedule back to Aguas Calientes
Downhill buses begin departing from the Machu Picchu entrance at around 6:30 a.m., and the last buses leave between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. If you have a return train to Ollantaytambo or Cusco, head down at least one hour before your train’s departure time.
What time should you line up based on your entry time?
The most common mistake is calculating only the 30-minute bus ride. You also need to account for the waiting time in line and a few minutes for the entrance check. As a reference:
- Low season (November to March): arrive at the bus stop between 45 minutes and 1 hour before your entry time.
- High season (April to October) and holidays: arrive between 1 hour and 1 hour 15 minutes before your entry time.
- 6:00 a.m. entry: during high season, it is advisable to be in line between 4:45 and 5:00 a.m.
Remember that the bus ticket does not have a set departure time, but your Machu Picchu ticket does. If you arrive late for your scheduled entry time, you may lose access to your circuit.
Where to buy your bus ticket
You have three options: buy it online, in Aguas Calientes, or in Cusco before traveling.
Buy online
This is the most convenient option because it saves you from waiting in another line in Aguas Calientes. You can purchase your ticket through the Consettur platform (comprar.consettur.com) or the San Antonio de Torontoy platform (torontoy.com). Be careful with third-party websites that resell tickets at higher prices.
Offices in Aguas Calientes and Cusco
In Aguas Calientes, there is a ticket office next to the bus stop on Av. Hermanos Ayar, open every day. In the city of Cusco, you can also purchase tickets at the operator’s offices from Monday to Saturday. If you only purchased an uphill ticket, you can usually buy the downhill ticket near the Machu Picchu entrance.
Bring your passport or national ID when purchasing your ticket: the information on the ticket must match your identification document.
Where to take the bus in Aguas Calientes
The bus stop is located at Av. Hermanos Ayar S/N, near Puente Ruinas. It is less than a 5-minute walk from the train station: walk through the handicraft market and continue along the river until you see the line of buses. You do not need a taxi because Aguas Calientes is a small town and everything is within walking distance.
Bus or hiking? When it makes sense to walk up
If you do not want to take the bus, you can hike up a pedestrian trail that starts near Puente Ruinas. It is free, but the route consists of steep, often wet steps and takes between 1.5 and 2 hours uphill. The hike down takes between 1 and 1.5 hours.
- Take the bus if your entry time is early, if you are visiting Machu Picchu on a day trip, if you are traveling with children or older adults, or if you also plan to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Walk up if you are in good physical condition, have plenty of time, and want to save money.
- Combine both: take the bus up so you arrive with more energy, and walk down if weather conditions allow.
What documents to bring on the day of your visit
- Valid passport or national ID: the same document you used to purchase your Machu Picchu ticket.
- Official Machu Picchu ticket: printed or digital, showing your circuit, route, and entry time.
- Bus ticket: printed or digital, depending on where you purchased it.
- Cash in Peruvian soles: useful for the restrooms at the entrance or in case card payments are unavailable.
Bring only a small backpack. Large suitcases are impractical on the bus and are not allowed inside the citadel, so leave them at your hotel or in luggage stoconsettur-bus-from-aguas-calientes-to-machu-picchu-prices-and-schedulesrage.
Machu Picchu tours with bus transportation included
If you visit Machu Picchu on a day trip from Cusco, the bus schedule needs to fit with your hotel pickup, train ride, entry time, and return train. Our one-day Machu Picchu tour includes round-trip bus tickets, along with the train, entrance ticket, and guide, so you do not have to arrange each part of the journey on your own. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, the 2-day tour with an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes allows you to take one of the first buses in the morning.
Frequently asked questions about the Consettur bus
Does the bus ticket include admission to Machu Picchu?
No. The bus only covers transportation between Aguas Calientes and the entrance to Machu Picchu. Admission must be purchased separately through the official Ministry of Culture platform.
Can I buy only a downhill bus ticket?
Yes. Many travelers hike up and take the bus back down. You can buy a downhill ticket in Aguas Calientes, online, or near the Machu Picchu entrance.
Does the ticket have an assigned departure time?
No. The bus operates on a first-come, first-served basis and does not reserve seats or departure times. The only fixed time is the entry time on your Machu Picchu ticket.
Is there a direct bus from Cusco to Machu Picchu?
No. From Cusco, you first need to reach Aguas Calientes, usually by train from Ollantaytambo or Poroy. From there, you take the bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu.
Do bus tickets sell out?
It is uncommon because buses depart continuously. The main issue is not ticket availability, but the amount of time you may spend waiting in line at the ticket office during peak hours.
Does the bus operate during the rainy season?
Yes. Between November and March, there may be rain and fog, and departures can be slower. Bring a waterproof jacket while waiting in line and keep your documents protected.
