Buses in Machu Picchu – Details and Schedules

Buses in front of the hotel Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge

Buses in Machu Picchu are the perfect option to reach the archaeological site with all possible energy. Of course, you can also get there walking, but that requires an effort that you can save. This takes into account that the tour of Machu Picchu has a minimum duration of at least 2 hours on foot. During these two hours, of course, you can rest, but only for a short time. The best thing to do is to have enough energy available to have a comfortable tour with a good attitude. All this, we will detail in this blog, we will also learn more about the ecological buses that operate daily for the service of domestic and foreign tourists.

What is the company in charge of bus transportation to Machu Picchu?

Consettur bus on its way to Machu Picchu archaeological site

The company in charge of regulating the correct operation of the buses to Machu Picchu is Consettur Machu Picchu SAC. They have been performing this function since August 23, 1995. Each year they have been improving the buses and increasing the number of buses. That is why you can visit with total comfort in any of its 24 buses that operate with almost immediate frequency.

This consortium is the entity in charge of directing, organizing, and managing the operations of all the buses. In addition, it has more workers, not only bus drivers, but also office workers, sales, logistics, and many other tasks. In the field area we must point out the presence of drivers, personnel in charge of maintenance of the Hiram Bingham highway, and also security personnel, ready for any unforeseen event.

The way they work, as mentioned above, is through associations that are integrated into Consettur’s regulations. According to them, they prioritize contact or partnership with Cusquenian businessmen. In addition to having quality control, thus is a special service for all tourists who want the service. The service is not divided into foreign and domestic tourists. Some discounts can be found for national tourists and especially for the cusqueños as we will see later on.

The buses that are associated with these services must have LPG installations. This is so that like the rest of the buses, they comply with the lowest possible carbon emission. Machu Picchu Town and the Llaqta of Machu Picchu (archaeological site) are the only destinations in the world that managed to have a carbon-neutral emission certification. For this, the entire community prepared and educated themselves for a long time. As time goes by, it is expected that the rest of the Wonders of the World will achieve this highly valued certification. All the above mentioned helps enormously to maintain the beautiful biodiversity of the place and the entire Machu Picchu Natural Sanctuary in general.

How are the buses to Machu Picchu?

The buses to Machu Picchu are very comfortable in general terms. In addition, the travel time is only 30 minutes on average. During the trip, a route of 10 kilometers is covered. The buses have panoramic windows which makes it possible to enjoy the views and the trip. For some sections of the road, you can see part of the ruins and archaeological remains of the Llaqta of Machu Picchu.

Likewise, bus tickets only have several seats. All those who have purchased a ticket have the right to travel seated. In addition, standing passengers are strictly forbidden. In case your group of friends exceeds the capacity, it is advisable to wait for the next bus and give your turn to other passengers. There is a short queue to board the buses so that the boarding is done in order. Reservations that are made do not have a fixed or determined seat, but rather the seats are occupied randomly. Here are some other characteristics of these buses to the Llaqta of Machu Picchu.

• Reservations can be made for both roundtrips.
• The buses have a capacity of 29 seats. All of them are comfortable and spacious.
• The buses have a dedicated space for backpacks.
• They are environmentally friendly and run on LPG.
• This trip as well as the hike allows you to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of the high jungle.
• Reservations for the buses can be made digitally.
• Tickets can also be purchased right at the bus stations.
• The trip is safe, all seats are equipped with safety belts.
• Departures are almost immediate. The wait is usually about 10 minutes at the most.
• There are days when the queues stretch for blocks, but everyone will be able to access the services, there are no limits.
• The stretch along the Hiram Bingham road is only 10 kilometers long.
• It is an option to arrive with all the energy to the Llaqta of Machu Picchu.
• If you make a virtual reservation, it is advisable to bring your printed ticket.
• The attention of these buses is from 5:30 in the morning until 18:00 hours at the most.
• The availability is according to the number of tickets that exist to visit the Llaqta of Machu Picchu.
• Tickets can also be purchased in Cusco. The address is Av. Infancia 433 – Cusco.
• Children under 5 years old have the option to travel for free.
• The bus station is located in front of the handicrafts market and near the Abastos market.
• By taking this trip you will be able to arrive at Machu Picchu with all the energy available.

Why travel by bus?

View of the mountains that surround Machu Picchu

Traveling by bus will allow you to reach the access area of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu without any problems. The bus trip is recommended for people with some ailments or discomforts. Also for minors and even for the elderly. The comfort of the trip guarantees that this short trip, of only 30 minutes, can be made without any kind of problem. It is unlikely to affect people who suffer from motion sickness or the like. The important thing is to remain calm during the trip.

The route that covers starts from the district or town of Machu Picchu Town. In this place, you can also find the train station, craft markets, and supplies, restaurants of different offers, and also the presence of some banks. Some of them with banks as such and others are only agencies or ATMs for obtaining cash. Some people also decide to go to Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu town to have a day of recreation. For them, it is recommended to visit the baths, hot springs, and other activities that can be done in this district. They can stay as long as they wish because of the activities.

One of the best reasons to travel on the buses, before we digress, is that you can make round-trip reservations. That is, by making a single reservation you will be able to purchase both tickets. So you will not have to worry about returning. On the other hand, it is important to take into account that at the moment of making the reservation you will not be able to choose the time of departure or return. In this sense, a way to generate control and certain order is that, at the time of showing the bus reservation ticket, the ticket and time of entry to Machu Picchu are also shown. This action is also done because it is a way to maintain the flow of people ascending and not have congestion of people in the access area. In this sense, make sure to go up at a time close to the entrance time to Machu Picchu.

The option of walking to Machu Picchu

Return on foot after Visiting Machu Picchu

In case you want to avoid the bus trip because it does not suit your adventurous spirit. The foot option would be the only option left. The hike to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu is done following the buses. Once you cross the bridge, you will find an exclusive route for those who decide to do this hike. The average walking time is 2 hours. If you plan to do the hike, it is recommended that you choose to enter Machu Picchu after 8:00 in the morning. Some people got overconfident and did not manage to arrive on time or according to the schedule indicated on their tickets and unfortunately lost the right to enter.

You should also keep in mind that the hike is done on completely ascending trails. Some parts of the section have stairs that can be exhausting for many people. Therefore, it is recommended to make the hike to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu without rushing and taking adequate breaks to avoid accidents or overloading the muscles. It is important to do this hike with adequate time.

Schedules and price table for the buses to Machu Picchu

The buses that cover the route from Machu Picchu Town or Aguas Calientes to the Llaqta of Machu Picchu, do not have a specific schedule of departure of the buses. However, you can access these services from 5:30 in the morning and for an average of 12 hours, that is, until 17:30 hours of the day. It is also important to mention, again, that you will have to show your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu to enter the buses and avoid congestion. Next, let’s get to know the price table.