Non Stop Family

Traveling to the distant and mysterious city of Tokyo is a dream come true for many of us who love to travel. However, from an early age, we got used to associating the idea of traveling to Tokyo with the high price associated with that trip and that has always been one of our concerns, especially since we started traveling with our son because Family travelers know that travel costs increase with parenting.

Trying to overcome these fears, it was not until 2018 that we finally managed to make one of our dreams come true and to know one of the cities that most delighted us to know, and that we really advise visiting, because we had a wonderful experience that we will surely repeat.

Is Tokyo expensive?

Before answering this question, we invite you to visit our post to get to know our Tokyo city trip and itinerary in detail (click here for our 4 day Tokyo itinerary).

But let's go looking to answer the real question and the reason for our post: is it expensive to travel to Tokyo?

Traveling to Tokyo by plane often tends to be very expensive. However, we will not address much about the price of air travel to Tokyo. Of course, this always depends on your place of origin and, in our case, a trip from Europe to Tokyo is never cheap, but we can also guarantee that it is currently possible to do it at prices that would have been impossible to reach a few years ago. which has allowed more and more people to visit the city, the capital of Japan.

Now what we were afraid of was the cost of living in Tokyo, because for many years we had heard stories of the absurd prices of, for example, buying a watermelon in Tokyo, which really made us terrified and wondered how we could afford our money. stay in the city.

However, after our experience in Tokyo, in a nutshell, we are forced to say that while this is not the cheapest destination in the world, we can consider that a good holiday can be spent at prices that are cheaper than for example, many of the European cities we have visited.

So let's get down to business and leave our suggestions on how you can save money on your trip to Tokyo.

1- How to save on your stay in Tokyo?

This is a question that can scare a lot of people and the truth is that it scared us a lot. However, if you book in advance, you will find that you can get a very acceptable price for a good room in Tokyo. One of the issues for those traveling with children is the increased price for family rooms, but what we found is that there are hotels that allow a child to stay up to a certain age free of charge if they sleep in their parents' bed. So that's what we did, during our stay our 7-year-old son slept in our room and we just had to pay his breakfast apart. For a reasonable quality room, 3 stars, well located in our opinion, we paid in July 2018 less than € 80 per night which we considered a very good price when compared to cities like Paris, New York or London where we paid much higher values.

In addition to the need to book several months in advance, we recommend that you book with the possibility of free cancellation and, as your travel date approaches, go through the different offers to find better options.

Another of the secrets of marking a good hotel is the location. Unlike other major cities, Tokyo cannot be said to have a center. Instead, it has several centers, and the key to a good location for your stay is to stay by the Yamanote train line. This is a circular line that runs close to the city's main attractions, and being located at a station on this line will ensure you quick and easy access to just about anything you want to see in Tokyo.

Another option we didn't use because we don't consider it the best for our family but may be great for many travelers is the ability to sleep in a Capsule Hotel. In addition to being a different and very “Tokyo” experience, it is one of the best ways to get accommodation at really low prices.

2- Always ride on public transport (or walk)

Another issue we recommend to save money is to always use public transport. In Tokyo, Taxi and Uber are extremely expensive and we only recommend them as a last resort. Even in the last need, it is to be avoided. For example, the train crashes near Haneda Airport shortly after midnight, but there is still a chance to go by night bus (see here our post on how to get from Haneda Airport to the city center) If you prepare your trip well, you'll almost always find affordable alternatives.

The cost of train and subway tickets in Tokyo does not differ much from those in other major cities, so your budget will not go down. In order to save even more, what we recommend is for those who like to walk to organize their itinerary so as to walk as few public means of transport as possible and also to walk to the fullest, which is always a wonderful way to know a city like Tokyo.

As we made our itinerary to see the city of Tokyo (click here to see), we tried to organize ourselves to divide the areas we wanted to visit, so we never had to ride more than 3 times by metro or train in one day, sometimes even just twice, so it was not worth buying the daily ticket, we just bought the tickets for each trip. Naturally, one is afraid to imagine what it will be like to buy transport tickets in a city like Tokyo, but you will find it easier than it sounds (click here on our post to find out how to do it).

3- Don't buy internet

The truth is that nowadays it is becoming increasingly difficult to travel on the internet and it is something that many people do not dispense with when traveling outside of their country. And in Tokyo, the internet really serves as a powerful aid to your trip. However, what we tried to do was get the benefits of the internet without paying. We'll explain how we did it, but for more detailed explanations, we invite you to visit our post on the best free apps for your trip to Tokyo.

The way we organized to save money on the internet was, at home, by organizing our itinerary and booking ahead in the free GPS app with the Tokyo map (see here to learn more). This way we always had our destinations organized and we didn't need the internet to reach them. However, as you can see in our post, there are still other applications that are extremely useful but that need the internet. One of the great aids was to be able to organize our metro/train trips and help buy tickets. But here comes another good news, is that all the metro/train stations we walked had free and good quality wifi. What's more, it is not very difficult to find free wifi in Tokyo (there are such apps that help, as you can see in our post) and also in the hotel room we had internet which helps a lot to organize the next day as well as to share and communicate with family and friends.

This way, with just some organization, we can make our trip without having to pay for the internet. Is it a bit more work? Yes. But it's cheaper and for those who save every penny when traveling, this option is a good way to save a little.

4- Don't buy water

Another way to save money is to travel with your reusable bottle and fill up. The water in Tokyo is very good and you will have no problem drinking it. Walking around Tokyo will have to consume a lot of water, especially in hot weather, and a good way to save money (and the environment) really is to use a reusable bottle and not buy any water. Throughout the city, there are several fountains in which you can safely fill.

5- Save on food

By this we do not mean to stop eating or to eat less than you need. The cost of food in Tokyo can be very expensive but it can also be very affordable.

We live in Portugal and we consider that Portugal is one of the best places in the world to eat well (and accompany with a good wine, for those who like), for very affordable prices. Now what we can guarantee is that after our trip to Tokyo, you can eat very well at very affordable prices.

One of the questions that make this possible is to study the places to eat. If you are going to see our Tokyo itinerary (see here), we refer to several places where we ate and many of them had already done some research on where to eat well and cheaply in the areas where we would be. And often the secret is going to eat where the Japanese eat.

Something very good is that you only pay the price of the dish you eat. Nowhere did we have to pay for the drink as there is always water and often tea available. Often there may even be soup at the entrance, for which you will not have to pay.

However, we can guarantee that we eat very good sushi, soba, ramen, for prices that would be perfectly acceptable in Portugal (around € 7 per person). By the way, the most expensive meal we had was about € 15 per person but it was a wonderful sushi lunch by the fish market Tsukiji (you can see our description here) and we can guarantee that for a meal of that quality, in Portugal we would pay at least double.

Another way to save money on food was to use the Kombinis, which are small supermarkets, or convenience stores, which are on every street in Tokyo, especially Family Mart and Lowson, something like 7 Eleven stores.

The point is that in these stores you can eat really good food and for very cheap prices. They sell packaged meals, which they call “Bentos”, with traditional Japanese dishes, at really affordable prices, and even better, when they are not sold soon, after a few hours they get even cheaper so you can buy your meal. really affordable prices and eat wherever you want. If they wish, they can heat their plate in the store and in some there are even small spaces to eat your meal.

If you want to try different types of local beer, these are the places to buy them, as you can try different types of cold beer for less than half the price you would pay at a bar.

Also in larger stores, you will find the famous Depachika, usually on the lower floor or in the basement. These Depachika are an ideal way to sample traditional dishes as they sell food to take with you, although here you can also find places to eat. Generally, the prices are great compared to eating in restaurants and believe me it is a wonderful way to eat traditional Japanese food at truly affordable prices.

Another excellent option is eating street food. This concept that wins fans around the world has a place of excellence in Tokyo. Personally, we loved the chicken kabobs, called Yakitori by the locals, which we highly recommend.

6- Visit Tokyo's free attractions

Many cities in the world have a lower cost of living than Tokyo, it is a fact but not many can visit so many attractions without spending any money. By the way, the vast majority of Tokyo's main attractions are free or for very low prices. Which is really amazing, because we can spend extraordinary days without spending any money, hard to come by in most of the big cities we know. A wonderful example of what we are talking about is something always important to accomplish, which is being able to climb to the top of one of the largest buildings in a city to see the view. In Tokyo, you have 3 possibilities to do this activity, two of which, the Tokyo Skytree and the Tokyo Tower are really paid and its cost is high but, Tokyo offers the possibility to climb to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and enjoy the skyline of the city totally free, a must-see (see here on our third day in Tokyo for more information on how to climb the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for free).

We invite you once again to visit our 4-day Tokyo itinerary, where you can confirm that we spent little money on attractions throughout our trip to Tokyo.

7- Buy your souvenirs at ¥ 100 shops in Tokyo

Isn't it like going on vacation and buying souvenirs for yourself and your family? Well, don't worry that in Tokyo you can bring wonderful and funny memories without your budget exploding. To do this, we recommend you take a walk around the 100 Yen stores, where for 100 Yen, as the price indicates, you can buy souvenirs (and not only that but you can also buy everyday items you need) for 100 yen, a value of less than one euro or one dollar.

We invite you to read this article on Time Out about the best ¥ 100 shops in Tokyo to discover the best places to shop.

Conclusion

By way of conclusion, and once our trip is over, we can guarantee that you can have a great vacation in Tokyo without having to spend all your bank account money.

Of course, everything depends on the type of trip and traveler you are. If it is your wish, and not about to give up certain luxuries, Tokyo can and can really be a very expensive city. We, as travelers, are not properly tied to luxuries, and we do not mind waiving certain luxuries if this allows us to travel further. However, we have our needs and requirements for family travel. We don't dispense with our comfort and safety and we love to try new foods, new flavors, and new experiences.

The point is, in Tokyo, it is possible to get a good 3-star hotel for a reasonable price (when booking well in advance) and if you choose to eat where the locals eat (which is often a sign of food) you can have wonderful dining experiences at very good prices. As for getting to know the main attractions of Tokyo City, there won't be many places in the world where you can see so much, spending so little.

Regarding travel, as we mentioned, public transport within the city of Tokyo is affordable and of course, we highly recommend walking. Those who wish to ride a taxi will surely spend a lot of money.

Remember, when making your reservations, trying to avoid peak seasons, and booking your hotel along the Yamanote line, you'll find it will be of tremendous importance both in financial terms, but also in community and time wasted in travels.

We hope our ideas may help you plan your family trip to Tokyo. We would like to invite you to follow our experience with us for the 4 days of the trip, in which we describe in detail our entire trip and we believe that it will help you to plan your trip to Tokyo.

Don't forget that hotels can be very expensive in Tokyo and, you should start searching for accommodations early before the prices get really high. We always do our reservations with booking, they are our partners and it’s with them that we get the best deals. You can look for the best deals by clicking here, it won't cost you any money and, it helps us to support our blog.

Booking.com

We also would love to invite you to comment and give your opinion, and we thank you very much for your visit to our Non Stop Family travel blog, which we hope you have liked and continue to visit us.

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When we decided to visit Peru, and especially Machu Picchu, we knew that we would have to spend good money from our budget on the flight from Europe to Peru.

However, we had hoped that we could save on the budget when we arrived in Peru, as we expected the cost of living to be substantially lower than in Europe. And while it is true that in many things it is possible to save, in others it turns out to be really expensive and especially in relation to the visit to Machu Picchu.

For the truth is that the visit to Machu Picchu really involves high costs, especially for those coming from outside Peru. Most visitors from Machu Picchu arrive in Peru via Lima International Airport but to visit Machu Picchu they will have to go to Cusco, the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and also one of the most important bases for visiting Machu Picchu.

Cusco

So, in addition to your trip to Lima, you will have to add the trip to Cusco, which can be done by bus but usually by plane (although there are very interesting bus options that will allow you to discover other wonders of Peru, such as the Nazca Lines and Lake Titicaca).

Well, in addition to these costs, which we advise to spend a few days and their costs to stay a few days in Lima and explore this vibrant city (learn more here why you should visit Lima), you will have to spend money to travel from Custo to Águas Calientes, then you have to pay the bus to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and of course get your tickets to Machu Picchu (you can learn more about visiting Machu Picchu and its costs here in our post about 20 things you should know before visiting Machu Picchu).

As we have mentioned in previous posts about Machu Picchu, if you do not opt for tours organized by tourist companies, visiting this wonder of the world will require planning, researching and getting organized. Of course, it is more laborious but it will probably be cheaper and, in our opinion, more fun. There is nothing like arranging our trip. In our opinion, it's as if our trip started months before we left, and that's so good.

There are two very important issues that you should plan ahead. One of these is the purchase of tickets to enter Machu Picchu. As you can confirm in our post about 20 things to know before you visit Machu Picchu, you may want to purchase them in advance so you don't risk missing the date you plan to visit. Fortunately, you can do so through the official website of the Peruvian government by clicking here. It is possible to buy through tourist sites but we really do not see this need, as the cost will usually be higher and there is nothing easier than purchasing through the Government of Peru website.

Another thing to consider is how to get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and, of course, to return to Cusco after your visit. Aguas Calientes is the village at the foot of Machu Pichu, from where you will take the bus to climb to Machu Picchu or where you will start your trek, as it is also possible to reach Machu Picchu by walking from this village. This is a very isolated village because, despite having buses that take you to Machu Picchu, there are no cars running on the roads, as there is no way to get there.

Cusco - Machu Picchu Pueblo

When you do an online search, you will find 2 main ways to get to Aguas Calientes from Cusco, whether by foot, namely through the Inca Trail or, if you don't want to do the walking, take the train that drops from Cusco. to Machu Picchu.

The point is, as you will see, both options are extraordinarily expensive. It is currently forbidden to do the Inca Trail without a guide, which must be hired through a properly accredited agency, and this option is certainly not cheap.

The other option that also easily accessible on the internet is to do the train ride, spatially from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. To do this, there are two companies that run the route, Inca Rail and Peru Rail, but be aware that this route is usually (or at least the cheapest) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, so you will have to organize the route. from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (see how to do this through our post on how best to make the journey between Cusco and Ollantaytambo).

Peru Rail Train

As for the two companies, both offer different types of service, with different schedules and prices, so we advise you to see which one suits your needs and if this is your option, we recommend that you book in advance (especially because of the proximity of the date may lead to rising prices) so as not to risk not having a train on the date you wish to visit Machu Picchu.

Although you may find lower prices on certain dates and times, the fact is that the option of taking this route is also extremely expensive.

However, there are two much cheaper and affordable options. One of them is to walk the railway line, which is about 32 km, which may not be possible for everyone, and although trains run at slow speeds and beep very often, this is still true. that there is a degree of risk and this may not be a suitable option for everyone.

Then there is another alternative which has a huge financial advantage as it is a much a cheaper option than taking the Inka Trail and the train ride and, despite having to hike, nothing compared to the 32 km you would have to take. do if you walk the train line.

How to take the bus to the Hydroelectric

So let's talk about the option we found, unfortunately not through our internet searches, but only in Cusco.

On arrival in Cusco, walking along the Plaza de Armas, the city center, you will come across several tourist agencies, with different offers, and one of the most frequently encountered was the sale of tickets to Hidroelectrica. As a result of our ingenuity, we thought it would be some tourist spot to visit in the Cusco region.

Cusco City Center

But we were totally wrong. The bus to Hydroelectric is an alternative option to get to Aguas Calientes, ie Machu Picchu. And it is an extremely economical way, compared to the rest, that only requires a light walk of about 2 hours, along the railway line, and with fabulous landscapes that you will be pleased to discover along your walk. This is undoubtedly the most economical way to get close to Machu Picchu.

How to get to Machu Picchu by Van via Hydroelectric?

As we mentioned earlier, going to Machu Picchu requires a lot of organization, so it is advisable to arrange in advance to purchase a ticket to enter Machu Picchu, as well as train travel or booking the Inca Trail. However, if you want to reach Machu Picchu de Van via the Hydroelectric Dam, you have the enormous journey of not having to book in advance, as well as being the most economical way to travel.

Of course, with an efficient search on the net, you will find the possibility of scheduling your journey from Van from Machu Picchu to Hydroelectric but this is not at all necessary as, as you will easily see in Cusco, the offer is huge and always available. for the next day. In fact, you can go out in the evening and, after dinner, book your trip for the next morning, which will still have several offers and the possibility of bargaining prices. However, remember that if you can leave your Ticket for the Hydroelectric Ticket to the last day, it cannot be the same as the purchase of your Ticket for Machu Picchu, which must be done in advance.

When purchasing your ticket, be sure to arrange the time of pick-up at your hotel, as this can be arranged as most agencies pick up their clients at their accommodation.

When you reach your destination, next to the Hydroelectric, you still have to go for a walk, but about 13 km and almost always in flat territory, so the degree of difficulty is low. Also, do not worry about getting lost as you will take the route along the train line, usually near the Urubamba River, so you will not be fooled and you will see more people doing it in both directions.

When they leave you will be next to the train station, where they will be told to follow a trail on the right to a new railway line, which you will only have to follow to go to Aguas Calientes. Nothing to fool.

When you leave the van, you will also have the possibility to buy food and even other goods you need, at lower prices than in Aguas Calientes which, we warn you, is a place with prices well above average for those who practice it. Peru, even when compared to other tourist destinations. If you don't have one yet, take the opportunity to buy mosquito repellent and sunscreen, which is essential for your walk and visit Machu Picchu.

We emphasize the importance of these two items, as they do not play with the sun in Peru, and also with the mosquitoes that, when they attack, attack hard, so take the necessary precautions. Also indispensable for your walk is the wearing of a hat, sunglasses and of course carry some water and some snacks to go eating. Just be careful not to leave trash on your way, take it with you and only throw it in when you arrive in Aguas Calientes, in the appropriate places.

How long does it take to reach Machu Picchu by Van via the Hydroelectric?

The van travel from Cusco to the Hydroelectric takes about 6 hours (don't forget to bring water and snacks for the trip) and after arriving at the Hydroelectric it will take about 2 hours to walk, so the total will be about 8 hours.

There is usually the first stop near Ollantaytambo after about two hours of travel for breakfast and later in Santa Maria for lunch about two hours later, with only about 40 minutes left until the final ride. to hydroelectric power. Now for food, you can find options that, for a higher price, include lunch, so you should look for the offer that suits you best.

Regarding your visit to Machu Picchu, it is best to visit Machu Picchu at least the day following your arrival in Aguas Calientes, so you should look for accommodation for that night in the locality. Of course, you will probably have to stay at least 2 nights in Aguas Calientes as it may be difficult to make the journey back to Cusco after your visit to Machu Picchu but it is possible. That is, if you visit Machu Picchu in the morning, you can make the return journey in the afternoon/evening but it will undoubtedly be a tiring day.

Ollantaytambo

We can leave the suggestion of staying in Ollantaytambo, which is a great base for exploring Machu Picchu and the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas (learn more here in our post “Cusco or Ollantaytambo”).

How much does it cost to get to Machu Picchu by Van via the Hydroelectric?

This is really the good part because if traveling by train or doing the Inca Trail is very expensive, going from Custo to Van Hydro is very economical. As with so many things in Peru, there is always the possibility to haggle, so we advise you not to make this reservation online, but in person and by comparing and haggling with more than one tour operator.

As for prices, of course, it depends on your bargaining power, but you will easily get very affordable prices which, on a round trip, will be around 50, 60 soles (less than 20 euros or USD). When you're exploring train prices or taking the Inka Trail, you will find it really cheap prices to make the trip from Cusco to the Hydroelectric by van.

How to get back to Cusco from Aguas Calientes by hydroelectric?

Well, the return to Cusco (or even Ollantaytambo, if you want you can ask to stay there) has nothing special to know. The most important information to keep in mind is that the last Van leaves at 4 pm, so it should be there early, preferably by 3 pm and remember that the walking route from Aguas Calientes to the Hydroelectric takes about 2 hours.

When you get there, two situations can occur. If you have purchased the round trip ticket right away, you will only have to go to one of the drivers and give their name, who will help you get organized right away.

If you did not get the round trip ticket right away, you will not have any problems either, just go to one of the drivers and try to haggle the price of the trip. Of course in Cusco, with more supply, it's easier to haggle, but even here, you'll have no trouble paying low and fair prices, usually around 30, 40 soles.

Then it will be a journey of fewer than 6 hours, usually with a stop in Ollantaytambo for a quick meal.

Conclusions

Let's be honest, this is probably the most economical way to visit Machu Picchu, but this route is not for everyone. It is generally used more by backpackers but it doesn't just have to be. As we mentioned, the walking route is very easy to enjoy. However, it is not easy to carry your bags for 2 hours on foot, but as you will most likely make your base in Cusco for exploring Machu Picchu, be aware that hotels and hostels usually store their luggage for a few nights, allowing you to travel to Cusco. Machu Picchu lighter and thus make walking easier.

Of course, if you want comfort and speed, train travel is the best option, but you will find that the prices are really very high and even higher are the prices to make the Inka Trail which is an experience that can really be. unique but, in addition to being even more expensive than rail travel, it requires several walking paths. Also, remember that there are limits to the number of people who can take this route per day, so be sure to organize in advance and get ready physically, so make the decision well in advance.

As for Van's ride, we can guarantee that it will be an adventure, not only the car ride itself, but also the walk, so it is highly recommended and the prices are really fabulous. Of course, it will not be as fast and comfortable as the train ride, but it will undoubtedly be an experience you will not forget, as it will go through indescribable places and, we promise, it will be an exciting trip, no doubt.

We hope these ideas will help you prepare for your trip to Machu Picchu. If you still don't have a place to stay on your trip, we always do our reservations with booking, they are our partners and its with them that we get the best deals. You can look for the best deals by clicking here, it will not cost you any money and it helps us to support our blog.

Booking.com

We would also like to invite you to leave your opinion and questions, in case you have already visited Machu Picchu, let us know what you think is the best time of the day to visit. Thanks for your visit to our Non Stop Family Travel Blog, come back often and, if you liked our article, do not forget to share it with your friends.

If you are planning your visit to Peru, here is a list of some of our destination-related posts that are sure to be very helpful in organizing your itinerary:

- 10 reasons why you should visit Lima
- 20 things you should know when planning your trip to Machu Picchu
- What is the Sacred Valley of the Incas? What to see in the Sacred Valley, Peru
- How to avoid the crowds in Machu Picchu
- How to visit the Rainbow Mountain in Peru? Things to know when planning your trip
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Visiting Machu Picchu is the dream of many that, just like us, love to travel. Fortunately, we can say that we have already had the privilege of visiting one of the biggest treasures of humanity and we can also guarantee that it is a fantastic experience, that we highly recommend to anyone who can to least do it once in their lifetime.

However, when we marked our trip to Peru, where one of the main objectives, if not the main one, was to visit Machu Picchu, we discovered that there was a need for some preparation and planning, and this is not one so easy task as it might seem at first sight. As we always try to avoid organized trips, and we like to plan and organize our own experiences, we began to study our trip in detail and we leave here our opinion about 20 things that we consider important to know when planning your trip to Machu Picchu. We hope it will be a great help to plan your trip and, if you have not decided to go, we promise you will not regret it.

1- How to buy the ticket to Machu Picchu. When planning your trip to Machu Picchu, you should organize and plan the precise day you will visit Machu Picchu, and then buy your ticket in advance. Never forget, Machu Picchu has a limited number of daily tickets and nothing worse than planning your trip to Peru than, when you want to reach the high point of your trip, you discover that you do not have a ticket to visit Machu Picchu.

It is a fact that very often, tickets to Machu Picchu may not be sold out, but in times of more tourists arrive at Cusco, this is not uncommon to happen and, if there is a possibility of buying your ticket in the comfort of your own home, why not do it and be completely safe? You can do so through the official government website (click here) and, if you decide to make the journey to Aguas Calientes by train, we suggest that you book your train trip at the same time you buy your ticket to Machu Picchu, to be sure of the availability of both. You can make the purchase of your train ticket through IncaRail and PeruRail (click on the company's name's to go to their official websites).

Unlike the ticket to Machu Picchu, the cost of your train trip may vary, so we recommend buying in advance and comparing the different schedules and offers of the two companies in order to get the best deal. Take note that, in some cases, you will get a meal with the train ride.

If you do not choose to buy your Machu Picchu tickets online, you can do so in the city of Cusco, at the Ministry of Culture, from Monday to Saturday, from 7 to 20 hours. You can also buy it in Aguas Calientes, at the Ministry of Culture, which has the opening hours from Monday to Sunday, from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm (click on the names to see the exact address on Google Maps). You can also buy your tickets for Machu Picchu at any Banco de Nacion, spread across several cities in Peru. Do not forget that you need to have your passport to get your ticket, and if you want to get a student ticket, bring your student card.

2- How to buy Machu Picchu tickets for children. This is a question that can confuse many people, as there is not much clear information. Although it is possible to purchase tickets for children and students with a discount, they can not be purchased through the official government website, so you will have to do it through an authorized touristic agency, which will cost you extra money or you will have to make your buy only in person, in the places mentioned above. The good news is that if your child is 7 or under, you will not have to purchase a ticket, as admission is free when accompanied by adults with a ticket

3- How to get to Machu Picchu. There are 3 main chances to reach Machu Picchu. You can make your way on foot, and the most famous route is through the Inca Trail, a walking route that takes about 4 days, but it's not the only one. The second hypothesis is through the expensive train, with the best option is doing the connection between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. For last but not least, but much cheaper, there's the possibility of taking a collective transport to the Hydroelectric and then making a journey on foot about 2 hours to Aguas Calientes. In all three cases, you can then choose to go up and down from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on foot or buy a minibus ticket that costs USD 12 each way.

4- When to go. The first minivan that goes from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu leaves at 5:30 in the morning. If you want to be one of the first to arrive and have the privilege of seeing the sunrise in this fantastic place, prepare yourself because you will have to lose a few hours of sleep but we can guarantee that it is worth it. However, it is not enough to arrive a little before 5:30 am to pick up your transport, because queues are formed a long time before, so at least one hour before departure we recommend that you join the queue, although it is always difficult to say how long before it you should arrive, as it varies greatly depending on the time of year in which you will make your visit.

5- How to avoid crowds in Machu Picchu. It is not easy to avoid crowds in Machu Picchu as it is one of the most desired places to visit in the world and, like us, very much want to know it. Despite the difficulties, there are some ideas that can help. One of them is to start very early, as we mentioned, if you are one of the first people to climb, you will have time before the biggest crowds, coming from Cusco, arrive at the destiny. Another good alternative is to book your visit more towards the end of the day, as Machu Picchu tends to have more visits in the morning than in the afternoon. Another of the chances is to escape the times of greater tourist flow, which tend to coincide with summer in Europe and North America, namely from June to September. Of course, visiting Machu Picchu during the rainy season may not be the wish of all of us but, from the middle of April until October, rainfall possibilities decrease considerably and make the chances of a visit without water greater.

6- Inca Trail. If you want to do the Inca Trail, you should make your reservation well in advance, as only 500 people are allowed per day, and this route tends to run out, especially in high season. Be prepared that it will always be an expensive option and you can not do it without a guide, so you always have to go to a certified agency.

7- Huayna Picchu. What also-rans out quickly is the possibility of acquiring the ticket that gives access to climb the mountain Huayna Picchu or the mountain Machu Picchu. This leads to a walk that for many is an experience that makes the visit to Machu Picchu even more unforgettable, but for others, as was our case, we did not consider it essential. This is a personal choice that we invite you to consider before buying the ticket, but as both tickets have an even smaller offer, and tend to sell out quickly, you will have to buy them in advance. To purchase tickets or just to check their availability, check the official website here.

8- Go slow. Make your way without haste. There are two main parts of the route, and when you enter, you may feel an irresistible urge to go very quickly to the far side of the place where you start the visit, with the intention of returning later where you started your visit. However, this is not allowed and, if you try to "go back", you will not be allowed to do so, only if you have a ticket to Machu Picchu Mountain or to Huayna Picchu. So, make the most of the hours you have to spend in this spectacular place, without haste.

9- Food and drink. This is a very pertinent question in Machu Picchu. According to the visiting rules, that was changed in 2019, you can not carry water that is not transported in reusable bottles, such as camping-type bottles. Also in relation to food, it is forbidden to be taken inland. However, through our experience, as well as other people we share, this is not a rule that is actually used and there is no effective control of the interior of the suitcases that people enter in Machu Picchu, so easily you will see people with plastic bottles and eating during their visit. However, you never know when the control will become more effective and we recommend that you always take care of the cleaning issue, do not take anything that could harm the environment where you are, especially when your environment is a treasure of humanity.

10- Bathrooms. If in relation to the rule of food and water there has been some slightness in the way it is applied, the same does not refer to the bathroom, as they do not exist within Machu Picchu. There is however a bathroom at the entrance, which we recommend you to use, despite being paid, as the vast majority of the bathrooms in Aguas Calientes. It is recommended that you hold your bladder during your visit but if it is not possible, usually asking at the entrance it is possible to go to the bathroom and re-enter you will be able to do it.

11- Backpacks in Machu Picchu. Another issue to take into account when making your visit to Machu Picchu is related to the entrance of backpacks, which can not pass the limits of 40 x 35 x 20 cm, and have the maximum capacity of 20 Lts. However, you can leave them stored in Aguas Calientes, before picking up the minibus or storing them in the precinct, where are two possibilities, one before entering and another after, and the value is not high, especially the hypothesis after entering, that is even less expensive.

12- Walking-sticks. Although they are an aid to hikers, indoors in Machu Picchu it is not allowed to use walking-sticks, so do not take them. This is linked to the need to protect the heritage, so it is not allowed to jump, so characteristic in some poses of photographs that, in this specific place and, in order to protect the space, are not allowed and, the same applies to drones, they are not allowed.

13- What to take to Machu Picchu. There are some items that you can not miss on your visit to Machu Picchu. One of them, of course, is proper clothing, always pay attention to the weather, as it can be very hot, very cold and beware of the rain, so prepare yourself properly. In addition to the care of the clothes, attention must be paid to the sun, Machu Picchu it is about 2,500 meters high, not far from the Equador line and, even though it may not seem like it, sunscreen is a necessity that we can never neglect. Put on sunscreen before you start your visit and take it with you to put it back during the visit. Also do not forget to bring a hat, sunglasses and, also very important, insect repellent. Something you'll often see are street vendors with repellents for your visit to Machu Picchu and when you get there you'll realize why. You may not feel the bites right at the time but later you will be sorry if you did not use repellent.

14- Give your body some time to rest. Do not go to Machu Picchu as soon as you reach the Andes. When you land in Cusco, you will be more than 3000 meters higher in relation to the height of the sea, which can cause several symptoms related to altitude sickness, or soroche, as referred by locals (see here how you can prevent and deal with the altitude sickness). One problem that occurs is that many people mark their visit for the day after landing in Cusco and it is usually the day after that the body manifests many of the symptoms of altitude sickness, namely headaches, vomiting, between others. As no one wants to visit Machu Picchu we recommend that you do not plan to go to Machu Picchu on the first, second day in Cusco, give your body time to get used to and take some time to enjoy some of the wonders of Cusco and the Sacred Valley has to offer.

15- Do I need a guide to visit Machu Picchu? One of the questions that many people put up is if they need a guide to make the visit to Machu Picchu. The rules for visiting Machu Picchu in 2019, say that anyone who visits this site should do it with an official guide. However, this is an obligation that will greatly increase the cost of your visit and, many people do not like to take guided tours and, in our case, we usually also try to make the discoveries at our pace and, in relation to Machu Picchu, with proper preparation and study, we even believe that it is not necessary to use a guide.

Fortunately, the rule of compulsory recourse to an official guide is still not being implemented (2019), and we are able to make the journey at our will. If you want to use the services of a guide, but want to save some money, you can ask the guide to gather a set of visitors and thus share the costs of the visit. You can order the services of a guide to the entrance of Machu Picchu or even in Aguas Calientes and, as in so much in Peru, do not forget to haggle and look for the best price.

16- Follow the authorized routes. Who arrives in Machu Picchu usually comes imbued with the spirit of discovery and adventure. However, this impetus must be controlled and attention must be paid to the fact that it is located in a heritage site of humanity and that it is appropriate to fight for its preservation. In this way, we recommend that you always follow the path outlined and that you do not step on the walls. In addition, if you do, you will quickly have a safety talking with you (and they do it very often). Don't forget, any act less reflected on your part may put in danger a unique patrimony of humanity.

17- Always take your passport. This is something that applies in many of the experiences in Peru but in Machu Picchu, it applies a lot because to buy the train tickets, the minibus ticket to climb to Machu Picchu and, to buy the tickets to Machu Picchu, you need to do so using your passport. In addition, when you enter, you will need to show your passport again, along with the printed tickets. Therefore, do not forget to bring your passport.

18- Machu Picchu stamp on your passport. And, since we speak of a passport in Machu Picchu, do you know that you can add a stamp of Machu Picchu to your passport? It's not like you are in a different country, but the truth is that we love to see stamps on our passport, it's always a good sign, and if you wish, you can do it in Machu Picchu. It's right at the entrance, on your right-hand side, when you walk towards the toilets. You will see a small table with a stamp, where an official may be there stamping the passport to whoever wishes it, or it may be only the stamp and you can do it yourself.

19- Do not book tours online. We really enjoyed making our own travel plans but generally, we searched online to do a price survey and something that startled us was the prices we found online for the tours/activities to be carried out by Peru, including the visit to Machu Picchu. Something that we can warn you is that, do not make any online reservation, except, of course, the purchase of tickets, train or Inka Trail and, of course, hotels. As for the rest, do not worry, you will have no shortage of offers as soon as you reach your destination. We promise, sometimes you will be tired of having so much supply. However, we can guarantee that prices are much cheaper when negotiated with operators in Peru, and the values presented online have nothing to do with those who are in person. Just do not forget, always negotiate and, do not just go to Machu Picchu, enjoy everything else that the Sacred Valley has to offer.

And so we conclude our set of things that we think are important to know before going to Machu Picchu. Finally, we can not fail to ask those who visit this wonderful place that devotes its respect. It is not many times in life that we have the opportunity to be in a place that makes us feel so privileged and, nothing worse than disregard that honor than not present the appropriate behavior and we must not forget that this place deserves and must be preserved to the maximum, so that whoever visits him has the obligation to leave it exactly as he found it, in the hope that future generations will have the privilege that we have to know Machu Picchu.

20- Llamas in Machu Picchu. Just another information. Yes, there are Llamas in Machu Picchu and, you can touch the llamas, they are very used to people and they are very sociable and sweet.

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We would also like to invite you to leave your opinion and questions and, in case you have already visited Machu Picchu, let us know what is your opinion and experience using our comments box. Thanks for your visit to our Non Stop Family Travel Blog, come back often and, if you liked our article, don’t forget to share it with your friends.

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