Machu Picchu 1 Day Tour 2027: Full Day from Cusco, Schedule and Price
Machu Picchu 1 Day Tour 2027: Full Day from Cusco, Schedule and Price
Short on time in Cusco but still want to see Machu Picchu? The Full Day tour, or Machu Picchu in 1 day, lets you go and come back on the same day: you leave before dawn, visit the citadel with a guide and return to Cusco at night. It's doable and many people do it, but there are conditions worth knowing before you book. Here's what a real day looks like, what it should include and when the 2-day tour is the better choice.
A Machu Picchu Full Day, hour by hour
This example uses the schedule of The Voyager tourist train, which combines a bus from Cusco and a train from Ollantaytambo. Exact times are confirmed when the tickets are issued.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 4:30 a.m. | Pickup at your hotel in Cusco |
| 4:50 a.m. | Bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo station |
| 7:22 a.m. | Train departs for Aguas Calientes |
| 8:48 a.m. | Arrival in Aguas Calientes and bus up to the citadel (about 30 minutes) |
| Morning | Guided visit of Machu Picchu, 2 to 3 hours depending on the circuit |
| Midday | Bus down and free time for lunch in Aguas Calientes |
| 4:12 p.m. | Return train to Ollantaytambo |
| 8:20 p.m. | Arrival in Cusco by bus |
That's about 16 hours of travel in total. It's a long day, but it works well if you go to bed early the night before.
What a good Full Day should include
Before you pay, check that the price includes all of this. If anything is missing, you'll end up paying for it yourself:
- Hotel pickup and transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo and back.
- Round-trip tourist train.
- Bus up and down between Aguas Calientes and the citadel.
- Machu Picchu entrance ticket with a confirmed circuit and time.
- Professional guide during the visit.
Lunch and the Huayna Picchu entrance are usually charged separately. Ask before you book.
What nobody tells you: the ticket must be bought in advance
A Full Day has no margin. If online tickets for your date are sold out, the only alternative is to buy them in person in Aguas Calientes the day before, which means sleeping there. In other words: the Full Day only works if the ticket is bought in advance.
That's why, if you're traveling in high season (June to August, Easter or the year-end holidays), you should book weeks ahead. We explain the circuits in Machu Picchu tickets and circuits.
Full Day or 2 days: which one suits you
| Full Day | 2 days / 1 night | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 1 day, about 16 hours | 2 days with a night in Aguas Calientes |
| Pace | Intense, you leave at 4:30 a.m. | Relaxed |
| Visit time | You arrive mid-morning | You can enter early, with fewer people |
| If tickets are sold out online | Not possible | Bought in Aguas Calientes |
| Rainy season | No margin if the train is delayed | You have margin |
| Best for | Travelers short on time | Most travelers |
The Full Day suits you if: you have 3 days or fewer in Cusco, you're traveling in the dry season and your ticket is already secured.
The 2-day tour suits you if: you're traveling in the rainy season (November to March), you want to see Machu Picchu early, you're traveling with children or older people, or you'd rather not get up so early. We explain how it works in Machu Picchu 2 days 1 night.
Tips for a smooth Full Day
- Go to bed early the night before and have your clothes ready.
- Bring your original passport: it's checked on the train and at the entrance.
- Travel light: the train allows one small backpack of up to 5 kg per person.
- Bring water, snacks and sunscreen. There's nowhere to buy food inside the citadel.
- Don't plan anything that evening: you get back to Cusco late and tired.
- Not on your first day in Cusco. Allow at least one day to acclimatize first. We explain why in altitude sickness in Cusco.
How much does a Full Day cost
Our Machu Picchu 1 day tour costs from US$380 per person, with transport, tourist train, bus, entrance ticket and guide. The final price depends on the date, the available train and the entrance circuit: high-season and holiday trains cost more.
To see how a full trip budget adds up, read how much it costs to travel to Machu Picchu.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Machu Picchu 1 day tour cost?
With us, from US$380 per person, with hotel pickup, tourist train, bus, entrance ticket and guide. Lunch is paid separately.
Can you visit Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco?
Yes. On the Full Day you leave Cusco before dawn, visit the citadel with a guide and return at night. It's about 16 hours in total and only works if the ticket is bought in advance.
What time does the Machu Picchu Full Day start?
Pickup is usually around 4:30 a.m. at your hotel in Cusco, and you get back around 8:20 p.m. Exact times depend on the train and are confirmed when the tickets are issued.
Which is better, Full Day or 2 days?
For most travelers, the 2-day tour: you get in early, you have margin if the train is delayed, and you can buy your ticket in Aguas Calientes if it sells out online. The Full Day makes sense if you have very few days.
Does the Full Day include lunch?
It depends on the package. The essentials are transport, train, bus, entrance ticket and guide. Lunch in Aguas Calientes is usually paid separately.
