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Is Machu Picchu expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Machu Picchu itself is expensive, even though Peru is otherwise cheap: the citadel ticket, the train and the bus up the mountain together cost well over US$150 per person. A budget traveller needs about S/245 (roughly €60) per person a day sharing a room, mid-range about S/570 and comfort about S/1,500. Cusco and the Sacred Valley are much cheaper than Aguas Calientes.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | S/50 | S/150 | S/600 |
| Food & drink | S/45 | S/100 | S/220 |
| Sights & tickets | S/90 | S/150 | S/280 |
| Local transport | S/60 | S/170 | S/400 |
| Per person, per day | S/245 | S/570 | S/1,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Machu Picchu day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Machu Picchu adult foreign ticket | about S/152-160 |
| Consettur bus up and down (foreigners) | about US$24 return |
| Train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes | US$70-150 one way |
| Boleto Turistico (partial/full) | about S/70 / S/130 |
| Colectivo Cusco to the Sacred Valley | S/10-20 |
| Aguas Calientes hot springs | about S/20 |
| Dinner in Aguas Calientes | S/40-70 |
| Trout or quinoa soup in Urubamba | S/30-50 |
| Mid-range double in Urubamba or Ollantaytambo | S/200-400 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Transport and tickets dominate. The train is the only rail route to Aguas Calientes, and fares are set for foreign visitors, while the citadel ticket, the bus and any add-on hikes such as Huayna Picchu add more. Accommodation in Aguas Calientes is overpriced for its quality compared with Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Food in the valley and Cusco is good value; in Aguas Calientes it costs more.
When it is cheaper
November to March, the rainy season, has lower hotel prices and cheaper train fares on some departures, often roughly 10-30% less than June to August. February is quietest, as the Inca Trail closes for maintenance.
How to spend less
- Sleep in the Sacred Valley or Cusco rather than several nights in Aguas Calientes.
- Compare PeruRail and Inca Rail fares; early and late trains are usually cheaper.
- Walk up to the citadel (about 1.5 hours) instead of taking the bus, if you are fit.
- Buy the Boleto Turistico if you will visit Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Cusco sites.
- Eat set lunches (menu del dia) in Cusco and the valley for a full meal at a low price.
- Consider the Hidroelectrica route (van plus 2-3 hour walk along the tracks) to avoid the train fare entirely.
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Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Machu Picchu?
The adult foreign ticket is about S/152-160, the bus about US$24 return and the train US$70-150 each way, before accommodation.
Is Aguas Calientes expensive?
Yes, compared with Cusco and the Sacred Valley; hotels and meals cost more for lower quality.
Is there a cheaper way to reach Machu Picchu?
Yes: a van to Hidroelectrica and a 2-3 hour walk along the railway avoids the train fare.