Getting your Machu Picchu ticket is the first thing to secure when planning your trip: daily quotas are limited and sell out, especially in high season. This guide explains how circuits and schedules work and how to avoid the most common mistakes.
How much it costs
As a reference, the general ticket for adult foreigners starts from S/ 163; with Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain it costs somewhat more. Students and minors have reduced rates with a valid document. Always confirm the current price on the official website before paying.
Visiting circuits
The citadel is toured on fixed-route circuits, with no going back. Each circuit goes up through a different area:
- Circuit 1: upper part (with panoramic views) and a short tour of the city.
- Circuit 2: the most complete and the most requested: terraces, main plaza and the main temples.
- Circuit 3: lower part of the city, without the classic viewpoint.
- Circuit 4: other combinations, depending on the current scheme.
If your dream photo is the classic view of the citadel from above, choose a circuit that passes that viewpoint and confirm with your guide.
Entry times
Each ticket carries an entry block (for example, 6:00 to 7:00) and allows a limited stay, usually about 4 hours. Arriving in the first block means fewer people and better light. Keep in mind that the bus line in Aguas Calientes can be slow, so leave early.
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain
These are additional climbs with their own, much more limited quotas. They are bought together with the general ticket. Huayna Picchu is steep and demanding; Machu Picchu Mountain is longer and less crowded. Neither is suitable if you have vertigo.
How to buy it
- Choose a date, circuit and time.
- Have your passport at hand: the details must match exactly.
- Buy on the official website of the Ministry of Culture or through an agency that handles it for you.
- Print or save the ticket: together with your original passport, it is checked at the gate.
If you travel with us, the ticket is included in Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley, and also in the Short Inca Trail and the Classic Inca Trail.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the purchase to the last minute in July and August.
- Misspelling your name or passport number: it cannot be corrected at the gate.
- Buying the train without the ticket (or the other way round): coordinate both schedules.
- Not considering that inside there are no restrooms or food sales: use those at the entrance.
Prefer that we take care of everything? Send your request and we will coordinate ticket, train and guide. For other ways to get there, see how to get to Machu Picchu.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I buy the Machu Picchu ticket?
In high season (May to September), one to two months ahead; for early time slots and Huayna Picchu, more. In low season there is usually availability a few weeks ahead.
Can I buy the ticket in Aguas Calientes?
It is not advisable to depend on it: quotas are limited and in-person sales may be sold out. Buy the ticket in advance through official channels or with your agency.
Do I need to go with a guide?
Yes. The current rules of the citadel require visiting with an authorized official guide, and the circuits follow a fixed route.