Tourist Buses in Dispute as Machu Picchu Struggles with Transportation Issues

Tue Nov 25 2025 20:29:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The iconic Machu Picchu faces challenges as bus service disputes leave thousands of tourists stranded amid operational changes and community tensions.

Machu Picchu, Peru's premier tourist destination, has recently been embroiled in a conflict regarding the transportation of visitors to the site. A dispute between local bus companies has caused operational stoppages, resulting in the evacuation of stranded tourists. This situation highlights broader concerns about community involvement in tourism revenues and the overall accessibility to this historical landmark.

Machu Picchu, the remains of a 15th Century Inca city, is Peru's most popular tourist destination, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Yet, a continuing dispute over the buses transporting visitors to the breathtaking site has recently resulted in approximately 1,400 stranded tourists needing evacuation.

Cristian Alberto Caballero Chacón, the operations chief for Consettur, the bus company responsible for transporting around 4,500 daily passengers from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, admits that recent months have seen tensions rise among local communities.

The core of the conflict stems from Consettur losing its license to a rival firm, San Antonio de Torontoy, amid accusations of an unclear bidding process. For tourists seeking a more comfortable visit to Machu Picchu, the only alternatives to the bus service are either a steep two-hour hike or an extensive train ride to Aguas Calientes, which takes between two to three and a half hours. Once there, visitors must transfer to a bus for the final leg of the journey.

Back in September, protests against Consettur's operations led to blocked railway lines and significant disruptions for travelers. While some locals express concern over Consettur's monopolistic hold on the bus service revenue stream, others worry about the distribution of income from tourism to the local area. With Consettur's license expired, operational questions remain as legal actions delay the transition to the new provider.

Tourists like Australian visitor Annalise Jaksic voice frustrations over the high costs associated with getting to and from Machu Picchu, including both the train tickets ($140 round trip) and entry fees ($57 per adult). Additionally, mayor Elvis La Torre requested more local revenue from ticket sales, as only 10% remains in the region, with the balance sent to the national Ministry of Culture.

As the situation unfolds, community leaders advocate for more oversight of public transport and sustainable tourism strategies. While the debate continues, the future of Machu Picchu's visitor experience hangs in the balance amidst operational and financial challenges.