If you’re planning a trip to Machu Picchu, staying in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town) is ideal if your priority is being as close as possible to the citadel and getting in very early; sleeping in Cusco is better if you’re looking for a more complete experience, with history, gastronomy, and lots of tours in the region; and staying in Ollantaytambo can be an excellent middle ground, right in the Sacred Valley with easy train connections to Machu Picchu. In this article, we’ll walk you through the key differences between Cusco and Aguas Calientes to help you decide where it’s best to book according to your travel style.
Introduction: Where Is It Best to Stay to Visit Machu Picchu?
The answer depends a lot on how you like to travel, your budget, and how much time you have.
In the city of Cusco, you’ll find a wide variety of hotels at different price ranges, from budget options to 5-star properties. It’s a larger city with services, nightlife, and plenty of tours that depart daily.
In Aguas Calientes, on the other hand, you’ll be just minutes away from Machu Picchu, but the town is small and has a limited selection of accommodations, generally more expensive than in Cusco. Food and other services also tend to be a bit pricier.
In both cases, costs vary depending on the season: in high season prices go up and availability goes down; in low season Machu Picchu receives fewer visitors and it’s easier to find better rates at hotels and restaurants.
Staying in Cusco to Visit Machu Picchu
Cusco is the option most travelers choose, since the majority of tours to Machu Picchu depart from here.
Passengers in Cusco's Main Square
How Long Does It Take to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
To travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu you usually combine 3 types of transport:
Tourist bus or private transfer from Cusco to the train station in Ollantaytambo (about 2 hours).
Train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (about 2 more hours).
Bus operated by Consettur from Aguas Calientes to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu (around 30 minutes).
In total, plan on about 5 to 6 hours of travel each way, depending on schedules and connections.
Average Hotel Prices in Cusco
Accommodation prices depend on the type of service you prefer, whether it is something economical or something more luxurious.
Type of accommodation:
Budget: In Cusco you’ll find budget hotels from about 20 to 50 USD, as well as shared hostels at even lower prices, especially in low season.
Standard: Mid-range hotels (3–4 stars) with good locations and full services usually range from about 60 to 120 USD.
Premium / luxury: High-end hotels with excellent service in Cusco typically start around 150 USD and up.
Best Areas to Stay in Cusco:
Historic Center: A perfect choice if you want to be close to restaurants, museums, and other tourist attractions, with easy access for day tours departing from the city.
San Blas Neighborhood: A quiet, bohemian area famous for its artisan workshops and cobblestone streets. The views from here are incredible, but car access is somewhat limited.
Santiago or Wanchaq: These are more budget-friendly options but further from the main tourist area. They’re not the most convenient if you plan to do many tours, since you’ll likely need extra transport to reach the historic center.
How Much Does It Cost to Eat in Cusco?
Budget restaurants: You’ll find inexpensive eateries or market food at good prices, starting around 4 to 7 USD.
Cafés: Coffee prices vary depending on the place, but are generally affordable, around 3 to 6 USD.
Tourist restaurants: Here you’ll find Peruvian gastronomy as well as international dishes from different countries.
What to Do in Cusco Besides Machu Picchu
City Tour: This tour usually includes archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Coricancha, Qenqo, and several others.
Sacred Valley: You’ll visit the valley near Cusco, the archaeological site of Pisac, Urubamba, and the fortress of Ollantaytambo.
Tourist at San Pedro Market
Staying in Aguas Calientes Before Heading Up to Machu Picchu
Staying in Aguas Calientes is the perfect option if you want to be very close to the citadel and catch one of the first buses of the day.
How Long Does It Take to Get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
There are 2 options to go from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu:
First option: Take the Consettur bus, which leaves every 10–15 minutes and goes up to the entrance gate of the citadel in about 30 minutes.
Second option: Hike up on foot, which takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This is a good option if your entry time isn’t too early and you’re in good physical condition.
Average Hotel Prices in Aguas Calientes
Budget / hostels: Budget hotels and hostels start at around 22 USD per night.
Mid-range: Mid-range hotels generally start at about 100 USD per night.
High-end / boutique: Exclusive hotels with excellent service are more expensive and depend a lot on the season, ranging roughly from 200 to 500 USD per night.
How Much Does It Cost to Eat in Aguas Calientes?
In Aguas Calientes there are many options, but prices are usually a bit higher than in Cusco:
Basic restaurants and simple set menus: from around 5 USD.
Tourist restaurants and more exclusive spots: more elaborate dishes and international menus starting at about 20 USD or more, depending on the place.
What to Do in Aguas Calientes Besides Machu Picchu?
Visit the Butterfly House (Mariposario): A small center home to several butterfly species, where you can appreciate the beauty of nature and enjoy a relaxing, educational experience.
Hot Springs: One of the most popular spots, famous for its hot thermal waters surrounded by nature—perfect for relaxing and unwinding.
Chávez Ballón Site Museum: This museum offers detailed information about the history and discovery of Machu Picchu, ideal to visit before your day at the citadel.
Orchid Garden: A magical place that shelters more than 300 different orchid species—perfect for botany lovers and photographers.
Aguas Calientes main square
Direct Comparison: Cusco vs. Aguas Calientes
CUSCO
AGUAS CALIENTES
Climate
Andean climate with mild days and cold nights for most of the year.
Much warmer and more humid, as it’s located on the edge of the jungle.
Travel Time
5 to 6 hours of travel to reach Machu Picchu.
30 minutes on the Consettur bus to reach Machu Picchu.
Costs
Lunches from around 5 USD and accommodations from about 20 USD.
Lunches from around 7 USD and accommodations from about 22 USD.
Available Activities
Departure point for numerous tours (Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Sacred Valley, City Tour, and more).
Besides Machu Picchu, it offers a few specific activities such as hot springs, butterfly house, site museum, and short walks.
Which Option Is Best for You?
Recommendation by traveler type:
Travelers with limited time: Staying in Cusco and doing a 1-day tour to Machu Picchu is usually the most practical option.
Travelers who want to enter early: The best option is to spend the night in Aguas Calientes so you can get to Machu Picchu first thing in the morning.
Travelers looking to save money: Staying in Cusco is usually more affordable overall, with more budget-friendly options.
People sensitive to altitude: Since Aguas Calientes has a warmer, lower-altitude climate, it can be a better place to stay if you’re very sensitive to high elevation.
Alternatives in the Sacred Valley (Extra)
Although this article focuses on Cusco and Aguas Calientes, there are other interesting options in the Sacred Valley:
Ollantaytambo
An excellent middle option for staying before visiting Machu Picchu. It’s an authentic village with an impressive archaeological site and it’s very close to the train station. Ideal if you want a quieter, more cultural stay without moving away from the route to Aguas Calientes.
Santa Teresa
A more economical alternative surrounded by nature, famous for its Cocalmayo hot springs. It’s mainly used by travelers doing routes like the Salkantay trek or arriving via Hidroeléctrica, but it does require more time and planning for transport to reach Machu Picchu.
