Getting Machu Picchu tickets is easier than you’d imagine.
Machu Picchu is a wonder of the world. It’s a super popular destination and receives millions of visitors per year, and so it’s understandable that you can’t just rock up whenever you like, get a ticket, and go in.
In fact, as of 2017 the UNESCO World Heritage Site has implemented a time slot system, with a certain amount of time slots in which a certain number of visitors are allowed in. In total, less than 4,000 people daily are allowed to enter Machu Picchu, and tickets sell out quickly in the high season (June through August).
With that in mind, you must book your tickets as soon as you know which date you’ll be visiting. Don’t leave it to the last minute!
In this post, I will tell you everything you need to know to plan your visit to Machu Picchu, including how to get your tickets and how to get there.
2022 MACHU PICCHU UPDATE!
With a view to protecting this incredible site, all visitors to Machu Picchu need to purchase tickets in advance and select a specific time slot to enter the site. There are 9 time slots of one hour each, per day, and visitors can spend up to four hours on the site, unless they are also hiking to Huayna Picchu, in which case they obviously will have longer.
To visit Machu Picchu you will have to follow certain circuits – it literally is like trails inside the site. This is done to ensure that there are no large gatherings of people at any time. You can hire a guide directly at Machu Picchu entrance (official guides will be wearing a badge) or join one of the guided tours departing daily from Aguas Calientes or Cusco (more about that in a bit).
Once you leave the site you won’t be allowed to re-enter on the same day (unless you have a ticket for Machu Picchu Mountain).
Why You Must Visit Machu Picchu When In Peru
Machu Picchu isn’t just something to tick off on the tourist itinerary in Peru. This 15th-century Inca citadel is truly a marvel. You probably saw it on TV a million times, but nothing compares to actually being there in person and taking it all in. It’s such an enchanting site that I literally burst into tears when I first caught a glimpse of it in person!
Aside from the spectacular scenery surrounding this Inca ruin, there is the intrigue that surrounds the citadel itself. It feels mysterious – even today. The site was long abandoned before being “discovered” by Hiram Bingham III in 1911. In fact, when he chanced upon Machu Picchu, he was actually looking for something else, Vilcabamba – the former Inca capital.
There is also the added dimension of being able to reach Machu Picchu by hiking along a historic path, the Inca Trail, making this place feel like even more of an adventure.
If you are interested in history, architecture, or even just the vastness of nature (or if you are on the hunt for UNESCO World Heritage Sites), this marvel of South America really is a must, whoever you are.
Visiting Machu Picchu More In Depth
Machu Picchu is often just thought of as one single citadel, but actually there’s much more to this “lost city” than one, or a handful of buildings. There are many places to see and discover and learn about with your guide spread across the 13-square-kilometer site.
Below are just a few of the highlights – I can’t possibly name them all as there is too much to see!
Wayna Picchu
Wayna Picchu is the name of the mountain that overlooks the famous citadel – as famous a landmark as Machu Picchu itself. This towering peak can also be accessed as part of your ticket when you book, for an additional fee.
It’s perfect if you are a keen hiker and you feel like working up a sweat, or just getting an amazing view of Machu Picchu from above. Be warned, however, that getting to the summit of Wayna Picchu (also referred to as Huayna Picchu) is a steep, narrow climb, so come prepared.
You should also read my post A Guide To Hiking Huayna Picchu.
Machu Picchu Mountain
Also looking out across the Inca ruins is the eponymous Machu Picchu Mountain. This comprises a less popular hike than the one at Wayna Picchu, so chances are you will be enjoying this one (almost) in solitude.
Note that this is also a tougher climb, and it takes longer, too. However, once you’re at the top, you will be treated to some incredible views. It’s easy to see why the Incas used to perform ceremonies up at this sublime spot.
Temple of the Sun
Built by the Inca for ceremonies in which offerings were given to the sun and creator god of their civilization, the Temple of the Sun was also used as an astronomical observatory. It is one of three of the main sights to see at Machu Picchu.
The Royal Tomb
It is thought that sacrificial or burial rituals took place at what is now called the Royal Tomb. Situated below the Temple of the Sun, more than a hundred skeletons have been excavated at this site. Also close by are a series of ceremonial baths that are connected to an aqueduct system, showcasing more impressive Inca masonry.
The Intihuatana stone
This carved rock may look like some sort of throne, but it was in fact used as a sundial. More than simply telling the time, the Intihuatana stone was actually used for predicting solstices, as well as the dates for religious ceremonies to be performed.
Manuel Chavez Ballon Museum
Named after the famous archaeologist Manuel Chavez Ballon, this museum is located around a half an hour walk from Aguas Calientes and offers a rich background to the site. Artefacts include an original National Geographic magazine published in 1913, totally dedicated to Machu Picchu. Allow at least an hour for the museum.
Access to the museum by itself is 22 Peruvian Soles (around $6 USD).
How To Get Machu Picchu Tickets
Now that you know what the main points of interest in Machu Picchu are, and why you need to visit, let’s discover how you can bank Machu Picchu tickets easily.
Types of Machu Picchu Tickets
There are various types of different tickets to Machu Picchu. There are four to be precise (plus concessions), each of which requires you to choose a particular time slot for your visit. Here they are – I am also reporting the official price of a ticket to Machu Picchu at the time of writing, as seen on the official site.
Standard tickets to Machu Picchu
Standard tickets to Machu Picchu give you access to all of the ruins (circuits 1, 2, 3 and 4), but not to the mountains or museum. When booking, you have to select a time of entry – from that time, you will have four hours at the site to explore.
The first time-slot is at 6:00 am (there are only 300 of these early morning slots available). The first time slot is perfect if you want to see the site with less crowds, but if you book it specifically with the intention of walking up to the Inti Puntu and see the sunrise over Machu Picchu, remember that it takes at least one hour to walk all the way up there from the main gate – so it’s not really an option if you are visiting in the Peruvian summer, when the sun rises much earlier
Adult Foreigners: 152 Peruvian Soles (around $40 USD)
Peruvian and Andean Community Residents: 64 Peruvian Soles (around $17 USD)
Tickets to Machu Picchu + Wayna Picchu
This ticket to Machu Picchu allows you access to the site and to the summit of Wayna Picchu, overlooking the citadel.
Note that the hike there and back takes around two to three hours, but in addition to that you will also have the four hours allotted time slot for your visit of Machu Picchu. There are four available time slots to walk up to Wayna Picchu – 7:00 am with Wayna Picchu access at 8:00 am; 8:00 am with Wayna Picchu access at 9:00 am; 9:00 am with Wayna Picchu access at 10:00 am and 10:00 am with Wayna Picchu access at 11:00 am.
Foreigners: 200 Peruvian Soles (around $54 USD)
Peruvian and Andean Community Residents: 112 Peruvian Soles (around $29 USD)
These combined tickets to Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu are also available to book on Viator. For more information, click here.
Tickets to Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu Mountain
Huchuy Picchu is the smaller mountain next to Huayna Picchu – and it’s in fact known as the Little Huayna Picchu. If you want to climb this mountain you will have the option of 9 different time slots – with a few also in the afternoon – but need to purchase a specific Machu Picchu ticket with Huchuy Picchu Mountain – and it is only sold on the official site.
Foreigners: 152 Peruvian Soles (around $39 USD)
Peruvian and Andean Community Residents: 64 Peruvian Soles (around $17 USD)
Tickets to Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain
If you want to climb Machu Picchu Mountain, then you will have to purchase this particular ticket. However, access to this mountain is restricted to the 7:00 am and 8:00 am time slots, so it is really a morning-only ticket. The hike itself takes two hours for a round trip.
Foreigners: 200 Peruvian Soles (around $52.5 USD)
Peruvian and Andean Community Residents: 112 Peruvian Soles (around $29 USD)
Concession tickets
Some visitors to Machu Picchu are not required to pay the full price for a variety of reasons. Children under 18, for example, have reduced prices and pay 70 Peruvian Soles (around $18 USD); whereas students pay 77 Peruvian Soles (around $20 USD).
How to get Machu Picchu tickets
There are a few different ways to purchase your Machu Picchu tickets. However, no matter which way you do it, you must get your ticket ahead of your visit – you can’t buy a ticket at the entrance.
In high season, tickets sell out way in advance: buy your tickets at least a few weeks before you plan to visit. Thankfully, we’re living in the modern day, so that means you can enjoy the luxury of buying tickets for a site built in the 15th century online – without having to go anywhere. With this method, you also have a few different options other than the official Machu Picchu site.
Here are some of the best ways to get your Machu Picchu tickets.
Online via the official website of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture
The official website of the Peruvian Ministry of Culture provides a web portal for buying tickets to Machu Picchu. This way allows you to purchase tickets for the lowest price, basically, but the website is admittedly a little bit clunky – not to mention, it’s only in Spanish.
You may have to be patient as you book your tickets. Once you select the type of ticket you want and a time slot for your visit, you will be taken to another page where you’ll be asked to input your full name, nationality, passport number and day of birth. Once you’ve booked your ticket, print off your confirmation and make a note of your reservation number just in case.
To book your Machu Picchu entrance ticket via the official website, click here.
Get Machu Picchu tickets via a third party site
Alternatively, you can also buy tickets from a number of different third-party websites. The prices of the tickets will be a little higher than those sold on the Peruvian Ministry of Culture website.
On the other hand, you will also have the company to contact or go back to if you have any problems – and there will be someone available to talk to 24/7. Third party sites include GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Viator, for example.
Get your Machu Picchu ticket on GetYourGuide here.
To get your ticket on Viator, click here.
If you prefer using Tiqets, click here.
Join a Machu Picchu tour
Guided tours of Machu Picchu will include tickets to the site itself. The price of a Machu Picchu tour will vary, depending on the company and what the tour entails – it might be a multi-day tour, you may be visiting other places along the way, or it may be a trekking tour.
If you are choosing to embark on a Machu Picchu tour, make sure to do your research and only use reputable tour companies that come with lots of great reviews.
For information on guided day tours departing from Cusco, click here or here. For guided tours from Aguas Calientes, click here.
Get your Machu Picchu tickets in person in Cusco
It is possible to buy your Machu Picchu entrance tickets in person, too, if you happen to be in Peru and haven’t already booked them in advance online. In Cusco, you will have to go over to the Ministerio de Cultura – there are two places:
- Casa Garcilaso in Calle Gargilaso – only 2 blocks from the Plaza de Armas, in the Historic Center of Cusco.
- Calle Maruri 324 at the Desconcertada Direction of Culture Cusco – also close to the Plaza de Armas.
In order to buy your ticket, you will need your passport. You can pay in cash or by credit / debit card.
Get your Machu Picchu tickets in person in Lima or other cities in Peru
You can also get your Machu Picchu tickets in person in Lima and other cities in Peru via the Banco de la Nacion, but the process is less than straightforward. You will have to reserve your ticket on the official site, print a confirmation and within 6 hours find a Banco de la Nacion where you can pay for your tickets – provided you speak enough Spanish to explain what you need to do (or you can pay online via the bank page).
Then, you’ll have to go back to the official Machu Picchu website to retrieve your ticket and print it. It’s honestly so tricky that getting tickets from Cusco or Aguas Calientes in person is probably a better idea.
Get your Machu Picchu tickets in person in Aguas Calientes
If you really want to get last minute Machu Picchu tickets and you’re willing to risk not being able to enter, you can also buy your tickets in Aguas Calientes – the gateway to Machu Picchu. Make your way to the Machu Picchu Cultural Centre (Dirección Regional de Cultura Aguas Calientes Office), over on Avenida Pachacutec. It’s open from Monday to Sunday, pretty much the entire day – from sunrise to well into the night. Again, you’ll need your passport, but it’s cash-only here (there are ATMs in town if you need them).
Walk the official Inca Trail
If you want to arrive at Machu Picchu in one of the most adventurous ways possible, then you may be interested in hitting up the iconic Inca Trail. This multi-day hike is done with a guide and porters, who will carry your luggage and lead you all the way to Machu Picchu.
Only 500 people per day are allowed to trek along the Inca Trail (and that includes guided and porters). Tickets sell out extremely quickly for this option, which also includes a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
Various companies run the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You can very easily book it online here or here.
Make sure to read my post A Complete Guide To Walking The Inca Trail To Machu Picchu.
Walk one of the alternative hikes
It’s not just about the Inca Trail. In fact, there are many different hikes that weave their way around this part of the Andes all the way to Machu Picchu. These range anywhere from one to 12 days in length.
Routes include the Lares Trail and the Salkantay Trail and included in the cost of these or other trekking tours will be entry and a guided tour of Machu Picchu.
You can book your Lares Trek here.
For more information about the Jungle Trek, click here.
You can book your Choquequirao Trek here.
You can book your Salkantay Trek here.
What to do if tickets to Machu Picchu are sold out
Are Machu Picchu tickets sold out? First of all, don’t panic! Go online and check out third party sites. Usually there are some number of Machu Picchu entrance tickets allotted for third party websites, so if you check websites for companies like Viator or GetYourGuide, you might be lucky and find last minute Machu Picchus ticket available for your desired date and time slot.
Get your last minute Machu Picchu tickets on GetYourGuide here.
To get your Machu Picchu ticket on Viator, click here.
To get your entry ticket on Tiqets, click here.
Other Useful Information For Visiting Machu Picchu
Best time to visit Machu Picchu
The high season for visiting Machu Picchu is June through August, which coincides with much of the northern hemisphere’s summer vacation. This also falls within Peru’s dry season, which actually runs for much longer than the typical “summer”, meaning you can have dry weather either side of high season. April and October, for example, are good shoulder season options and great to avoid crowds – though don’t expect the site to be empty.
The rainy season runs from mid October to mid April, and probably isn’t the best time to visit Machu Picchu. You should also take note that in February the Inca Trail is closed for restoration work.
Machu Picchu opening hours
Machu Picchu’s visiting hours are 6:00 am to 5:30 pm. If you’re visiting in June through August, you’ll be able to catch a sunrise if you manage to get a 6:00 am admission and hike up really fast to the Inti Punku; or an early sunset, but other times of year it’s just a little too late (or early) for either one.
How to get to Machu Picchu
There are a number of different ways to get to Machu Picchu – usually people make their way from Lima to Cusco via bus or a flight, and then from Cusco towards Machu Picchu. Here are the best ways to get there.
For a more complete guide, make sure to read my post How to get To Machu Picchu.
Train + Shuttle Bus
Train travel to and from Machu Picchu comes in different shapes and sizes, from economy to 1920s Pullman-esque luxury. The trains run from Cusco to Aguas Calientes.
Get your Expedition Train tickets on GetYourGuide here, or on Viator here.
Get your Vistadome Train tickets on Viator here or on GetYourGuide here.
You can book your Hiram Bingham Train here.
From Aguas Calientes, you have two options to get to Machu Picchu.
Either walk up the footpath that connects Aguas Calientes to the main entrance (it takes up to two hours, and the trail is a steady uphill through the forest, on a well marked trail) or take the shuttle bus. There is a shuttle bus approximately every ten minutes (first departure being 5:30 am).
You can buy your shuttle bus tickets in Agua Calientes before you get on the bus, but there will be a line at the counter. A round ticket costs $24 USD, and a one way ticket costs $12 USD. You can also get your tickets in advance on sites such as GetYourGuide – for more information, click here.
Hike
For more intrepid travelers, hiking is the ideal way to reach Machu Picchu. You could take multi-day treks along the Urubamba Valley (including the Inca Trail), hike through the jungle, or hike along the railway tracks from Ollantaytambo.
Toilets at Machu Picchu
The restrooms at Machu Picchu are actually located outside the main entrance to the site, and are not free – you will have to pay 2 Peruvian Soles per person to use.
If you exit the citadel to use the toilet you will not be allowed to re-enter with your general admission ticket, since it is outside the main entrance. Average time for visiting the citadel is three hours (you can only stay up to four anyways), so make sure you go to the toilet before you enter and don’t end up ruining your experience by almost bursting by the end!
Accessibility
Machu Picchu is not really accessible to those in wheelchairs. However there are now specialized Machu Picchu tours on offer which have opened up the entire site, making it much more available for people with different abilities.
If you do visit in a wheelchair, and not on a specialized Machu Picchu tour, you will probably need the help of other people to get around and visit certain areas. It is possible to visit the lower part of Machu Picchu by yourself, but you will probably need help to access the higher parts, so bring a friend.
Luggage storage
If you are traveling to Machu Picchu by train, keep in mind, there are actually restrictions on baggage on PeruRail (carry-on luggage only).
Many people choose to leave what luggage they do have at their accommodation in Cusco, or wherever else they may be based – including Aguas Calientes. PeruRail can also store luggage at Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes station, if you need to do so.
Further Readings
For more tips to plan your trip to Peru, check out the following posts:
- What To Pack For The Inca Trail
- The Best Things To Know Before Visiting Peru
- The Best Things To Do In Cusco
- The Best Day Trips From Cusco
- A Short Guide To The Sacred Valley
- The Best Things To Do In Peru
- The Best Things To Do In Lima
- Where To Stay In Lima
- A Guide To Visiting The Islas Ballestas
- The Best Hikes In Peru
- A Guide To Hike Marcahuasi
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