Lyla Lindsey
Travelling from La Paz, Bolivia to Machu Picchu, Peru is a common route for tourists. The journey is around 530 miles and can be made by bus, taxi, train, car, plane, or a combination of these. The fastest way to travel from La Paz to Machu Picchu is to fly and then take the train, which takes around 8 hours and 30 minutes. The cheapest way to travel is by car, which costs between $120 and $190 and takes around 13 hours and 50 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Travel options | Bus, taxi, train, car, plane |
| Cheapest option | Driving ($120 - $190) |
| Fastest option | Flying and taking the train ($190 - $800) |
| Distance | 529 miles |
| Road distance | 533.3 miles |
| Travel time | 17h 46m |
| Cheapest option without a car | Bus and taxi ($130 - $160) |
| Fastest option without a car | Flying and taking the train (8h 37m) |
What You'll Learn
Travel by bus and train
To travel from La Paz, Bolivia, to Machu Picchu, Peru, by bus and train, you will need to divide the journey into two segments.
Firstly, you need to travel by bus from La Paz to Cusco. This trip takes between 12 and 14 hours, depending on the source. The buses depart from the La Paz Bus Terminal, located on Avenida Peru, and arrive at the bus terminal of Cuzco on Vía Evitamiento. The direct trip takes between 14 and 15 hours, but you can also make this trip with stopovers in Copacabana and/or Puno, which will add time to your journey.
Once you arrive in Cusco, you can take a train to Machu Picchu. Trains leave every day and the trip lasts about 3 and a half hours. There are three train options: PeruRail Expedition, PeruRail Vistadome, and Hiram Bingham Belmond. The trains depart from the Poroy train station, located about 20 minutes from the centre of Cusco, and arrive at the Machu Picchu train station in the Las Orquídeas neighbourhood.
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Travel by bus, taxi, and train
To travel from La Paz, Bolivia, to Machu Picchu, Peru, by bus, taxi, and train, you will need to make the journey in two segments.
The first segment of the journey is from La Paz to Cusco. You can take a bus directly from La Paz to Cusco, which takes about 13 hours. The bus leaves from the bus terminal in La Paz, located on Avenida Peru, and arrives at the bus terminal in Cusco on Vía Evitamiento. There are a few bus companies that offer this service, including Nuevo Continente Internacional and Trans Salvador. You can also break up this part of the journey with a stopover near Lake Titicaca, in Copacabana or Puno.
The second segment of the journey is from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The easiest way to travel this leg is by train. Trains leave from the Poroy train station, located about 20 minutes from the centre of Cusco, and arrive at the Machu Picchu train station in the Las Orquídeas neighbourhood. The trip takes around 3.5 hours. There are three different types of trains that make this route at different times of the day: PeruRail Expedition, PeruRail Vistadome, and Hiram Bingham Belmond.
The total time for the journey from La Paz to Machu Picchu by bus and train is approximately 17 hours. Tickets for this route can be booked online through Tickets Bolivia, which offers the convenience of paying with credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
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Travel by car
Driving from La Paz, Bolivia, to Machu Picchu, Peru, is a 530-mile (853 km) journey that can be completed in around 15 hours. The road trip offers a great opportunity to explore popular attractions and experience the diverse cultures of both countries. Here is a detailed guide to help you plan your journey:
La Paz to Cusco
The first leg of your journey will take you from La Paz to Cusco, a city in southern Peru. This drive covers a distance of approximately 375 miles (600 km) and usually takes around 11 hours. Cusco is a popular tourist destination known for its ancient ruins and Spanish colonial architecture. Here are some highlights along the way:
- Ollantaytambo Sanctuary: This Incan archaeological site served as a city, fort, and royal estate. It features impressive terraces and a ceremonial area.
- Sitio Arqueológico Pinkuylluna: A short hike will lead you to this former Inca site with panoramic views of the valley below.
- Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu: This 15th-century Inca city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved structures and stunning natural surroundings.
Cusco to Machu Picchu
The final stretch of your journey will take you from Cusco to Machu Picchu. This segment is approximately 155 miles (250 km) and will take around 4 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the scenic drive through the Peruvian countryside and make some stops at the following places:
- Saqsaywaman: This archaeological site served as a religious center and a fortress during the Inca era. It is known for its impressive stone walls and zigzag structures.
- Maras: Home to the Maras Salt Mines, thousands of individual salt pools on a hillside, dating back to Inca times.
- Uros Floating Islands: These unique islands are made of aquatic reeds and are home to the Uros people, who have maintained their traditional way of life for centuries.
Practical Tips for the Journey
- Ensure your vehicle is in good condition and carry essential tools and spare parts.
- Research and be aware of any road tolls or permits required along the way.
- Drive during daylight hours whenever possible and take regular breaks to stay alert.
- Familiarize yourself with the local driving laws and regulations in both Bolivia and Peru.
- Keep yourself hydrated and carry snacks or meals, as dining options may be limited along certain stretches.
- Consider downloading offline maps or GPS apps to help with navigation in case of poor network coverage.
- Be mindful of potential altitude sickness, especially when visiting high-altitude destinations like Cusco and Machu Picchu. Give yourself time to acclimatize if needed.
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Travel by plane
Yes, it is possible to travel by plane from La Paz, Bolivia, to Machu Picchu, Peru. However, there are no direct flights between the two destinations. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to travel from La Paz to Machu Picchu by plane:
Fly from La Paz to Cuzco or Anta:
You can take a flight from La Paz El Alto International Airport (LPB) to either Cuzco (CUZ) or Anta (ATA) in Peru. There are no direct flights to Cuzco from La Paz, so you may need to make a stopover. Check with airlines for specific flight schedules and availability.
Travel from Cuzco or Anta to Ollantaytambo:
Once you arrive in Cuzco or Anta, you will need to make your way to Ollantaytambo. You can do this by taking a bus, taxi, or renting a car. The travel time from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo is approximately 2 hours by bus or car.
Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu:
From Ollantaytambo, you can take a train directly to Machu Picchu. The train ride offers scenic views and takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Make sure to purchase your train tickets in advance, as they can sell out during peak travel seasons.
The total travel time for this journey typically ranges from 8 to 10 hours, depending on flight connections and transfers. It is important to note that the availability and duration of flights and transfers may vary, so be sure to check the latest information before planning your trip.
In addition to the flight options mentioned above, there are alternative flight routes you can consider when travelling from La Paz to Machu Picchu:
- Fly from La Paz (LPB) to Ayacucho (AYP) and then drive to Machu Picchu.
- Fly from La Paz to Juliaca and then take a bus to Cusco, followed by a train to Machu Picchu.
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Travel by bus
To travel by bus from La Paz, Bolivia, to Machu Picchu, Peru, you must divide the journey into two segments. First, you need to take a bus from La Paz to Cusco, Peru. This trip is approximately 13 hours long. Buses leave from the bus terminal in La Paz, located on Avenida Peru, and arrive at the bus terminal in Cusco on Vía Evitamiento. From there, you can take a train to Machu Picchu, which takes about 3.5 hours.
There are two bus companies that offer direct service from La Paz to Cusco: Nuevo Continente Internacional (lie-flat bus) and Trans Salvador (lie-flat 3 rows). The journey takes about 13 hours. Alternatively, you can break up the journey with a stopover near Lake Titicaca, in Copacabana or Puno. The first part of the journey, from La Paz to the Desaguadero border centre, takes about 2-3 hours. After this, the trip continues directly to Cusco without any stops.
Once you arrive in Cusco, you can take a train to Machu Picchu. Trains depart daily from the Poroy train station, located about 20 minutes from the centre of Cusco. The trip takes around 3.5 hours, and there are three different types of trains that operate at various times throughout the day: PeruRail Expedition, PeruRail Vistadome, and Hiram Bingham Belmond. The trains arrive at the Machu Picchu train station in the Las Orquídeas neighbourhood.
Please note that the PeruRail service may vary depending on the time of year. During the rainy season, from January to April, part of the railway may be closed for security reasons. In such cases, PeruRail provides a Bimodal Service (Bus + Train), which combines travel by bus and train, both departing and arriving in Cusco.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no direct connection from La Paz to Machu Picchu. You can take a bus to Cusco and then a taxi to Machu Picchu. Alternatively, you can take a bus from La Paz to Machu Picchu via Puno, Cusco Real Inka Car, and Ave. El Sol 843, Cusco.
The cheapest way to travel from La Paz to Machu Picchu is by driving, which costs $120-$190 and takes 13 hours and 50 minutes.
The fastest way to get from La Paz to Machu Picchu is by flying and then taking a train, which takes 8 hours and 37 minutes and costs $190-$800.
The distance between La Paz and Machu Picchu is 529 miles. The road distance is 533.3 miles.
Yes, the best way to get from La Paz to Machu Picchu without a car is by bus and taxi, which takes 17 hours and 46 minutes and costs $130-$160.
