Are you looking to buy Machu Picchu tickets and unsure which type to buy online? New changes were implemented in June 2024, bringing with it many changes. New prices, routes and rules were introduced in an effort to protect and preserve the Inca City of Machu Picchu. This guide explains the types of Machu Picchu tickets, prices, where to buy them, how to get there, and some tips from my visit. I hope to help you make the most of your once-in-a-lifetime visit to the world wonder of Machu Picchu.
Updated September 2024
Types of Machu Picchu Tickets, Circuits & Maps
This is the most important step as the Ministry of Culture has implemented three new circuits and 10 routes. Each one offers varying experiences within the citadel, plus additional hiking options. The information below details the new Machu Picchu circuits with their routes and maps. It outlines the circuit routes alongside points of interest, and the flow of each one.
Circuit 1 – Panoramic
As the name suggests Circuit 1 – Panoramic offers panoramic views of Machu Picchu and its sacred mountains. There are 3 route options within circuit 1.
Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain Route
This ticket option includes a hike up Machu Picchu Mountain and in the citadel. It is less popular than Huayna Picchu and a good one to avoid the crowds.
Route 1-B: Upper Terrace Route
This route gives a classic viewpoint and panoramic view of Machu Picchu. The round trip is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km), so it’s fairly short.
Route 1-C: Intipunku Cover Route (high season only)
This route includes the famous Intipunku Gate, which is the entrance to the city from the Inca Trail. There is also an opportunity to get a panoramic view of Machu Picchu from another angle.
Route 1-D: Inka Bridge Route (high season only)
This route includes a stop at the Inka Bridge, and also offers views of the river and surrounding forest.
Circuit 2 – Classic Circuit
Circuit 2 – Classic Circuit is the most popular Machu Picchu circuit ticket as it allows access to the middle part and the whole urban area of the Inca City of Machu Picchu. There are 2 route options within circuit 2.
Route 2-A: Classic Route Designed
This route accesses the main sectors of the urban area of the citadel. It includes the agricultural sector, Llaqta Punku sector or main entrance, the Temple of the Sun Viewpoint, the Main Plaza, the Sacred Rock and the water mirrors. It also has the classic viewpoint of Machu Picchu.
Route 2-B: Lower Terrace Route
This route follows a similar path to route A, except visitors must climb up to reach the lower terrace.
Circuit 3 – Machu Picchu Royalty
Circuit 3 – Machu Picchu Royalty has four route options that include sacred and important sites to Inca royalty, and also additional hikes to Huayna Picchu (Wayna), Huchuy Picchu mountains and the Great Cavern. All of these routes have access to the Temple of the Sun, the Casa del Inka, the Ceremonial Fountains, the Tres Portadas sector and the Temple of the Condor.
Route 3-A: Wayna Picchu Mountain Route
This ticket option grants access to Wayna Picchu (also known as Huayna Picchu) in circuit 3. The hike up Huayna Picchu is the most popular as it is the highest peak. It appears in every picture-postcard image of Machu Picchu as it towers behind the citadel. Note that this hike is steep and requires a good fitness level.
Route 3-B: Royalty Route Designed
This is a shorter route that has access to many sacred sites in the citadel. It’s the perfect route for those requiring assistance or wheelchair access.
Route 3-C: Great Cavern Route (high season only)
This ticket follows the classic Royal route with an additional hike to the Great Cavern, thought to have been used for ceremonial purposes. This requires a high level of physical effort.
Route 3-D: Huchuy Picchu Route (high season only)
This hike option is to the smaller mountain on the left side of Wayna Picchu. The route follows the same path towards Wayna Picchu for part of the way. It also shares the same circuit through the citadel.
What ticket did I buy?
My experience: I found the circuit map a bit confusing to understand and get my head around. I recommend studying it and highlighting the areas and structures that interest you the most. It helped me to determine which circuit to follow, and which ticket to buy online. I bought the Circuit 2 ticket and followed Route 2-A. Circuit 2 is the classic route with the most sights, and it gives the famous views looking over the citadel below, with Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu in the background.
Two people I was travelling with booked the Circuit 3: Route 3-A Huayna Picchu ticket option (also spelled Wayna Picchu). We didn’t understand the one-way circuits until we arrived, meaning our group was split up almost immediately. But in hindsight, a better option would have been for them to book 2 ticket types to allow for re-entry into the citadel after the hike. One ticket for Circuit 3-A Huayna Picchu and a second for Circuit 2 afterwards.
Machu Picchu Tickets Official Site
The internet is littered with companies selling tickets, but I recommend purchasing them directly from the official site (https://tuboleto.cultura.pe/llaqta_machupicchu). You will pay the best price, and the booking tool displays the number of tickets remaining for each timeslot, which is great for planning.
I recommend purchasing tickets in advance as the Peruvian Government has limited the number of tourists that can visit each day. During busy periods tickets do sell out, especially during the high season (April-September). If you want to do one of the mountain hikes, the recommended timeframe is 2-3 months in advance to guarantee a ticket.
However, another option is to book a Machu Picchu tour. There are several options depending on how much freedom you’d like to have. For example, there are tours providing entry and a guide, hiking groups on the Inca trail, to full packages that include transport (bus and train) and hotels if you’d like to stay in the town.
My experience: my group booked things separately and coordinated the moving parts on our own. While we were in Aguas Calientes the rail services went on strike for a couple of days. As a result, we were stuck in the town trying to figure things out. Had we been part of a tour, I believe the situation would have been less stressful as the onus would have been on the tour company to coordinate new plans.
Machu Picchu Ticket Prices
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
The first ticket slots open at 6 am and move up in 1-hour slots until 3 pm. Visitors are granted 4 hours to explore the citadel but must vacate by 5.30 pm. If you are doing one of the additional hikes, booking a morning slot is the only option.
The high season runs from April to September as it coincides with the dry weather. It is the best time to visit Machu Picchu as the wet season brings in clouds and rain.
My experience: the early morning slots can be cloudy. On the day I visited in mid-April, entering at 6 am, we waited 2.5 hours for the clouds to clear. It paid off being patient but arriving early doesn’t guarantee the best views. We faced quite a few crowds at some points, but that’s mother nature.
How to get to Machu Picchu
If you do not book a tour, you will need to arrange transport to and from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) to Machu Picchu. Tickets are only valid at the time slot specified, so it’s important to look into your transport options before selecting a timeslot for entering Machu Picchu.
The train services from Cusco or Ollantaytambo arrive into the town of Aguas Calientes. From this point, visitors can either hike up to the Machu Picchu citadel (it’s a steep climb) or take the bus transfer to the top. The bus ride takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the entrance from the town, and they leave frequently. You need to purchase a ticket for the bus transfer in Cusco, at the terminal in Aguas Calientes or online through the official company, Consettur (https://comprar.consettur.com/). The price per person was USD$24.00 for a return ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy tickets at the entrance to Machu Picchu?
No tickets are not available at Machu Picchu, or in Aguas Calientes. They must be booked in advance or in Cusco, subject to availability.
Do I have to get a tour guide for Machu Picchu?
No, this is not a requirement. It is recommended but there are several professional guides waiting at the entrance to offer tours.
Do I need to print Machu Picchu tickets?
Yes. In your booking confirmation email you should receive your tickets. You must then print the tickets and present them at the entrance of the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
What should I take with me? Are there any restrictions?
Remember to take your passport, you will not be able to enter without it. (You can also have your passport stamped with the official Machu Picchu stamp in Aguas Calientes.) There are restrictions on cameras and professional filming equipment. My bag wasn’t checked so I believe they perform random spot checks.
Are there any bathroom facilities in the citadel?
No, there are no bathroom facilities inside the citadel, but there is a restaurant with facilities at the entrance and exit.
Thanks for reading. I hope this guide has been helpful in choosing your tickets for Machu Picchu. If you have any questions about anything I’ve covered, please let me know in the comments below or find me on Instagram.
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Machu Pichu is on my bucket list and I’d love to visit. Your insight into the different routes and tips for the best time of year and day to visit will be helpful when I book my trip!
You’re going to have the best time, enjoy every minute when it comes! 🙂
This is one of my dream! Your tips are great and will help me (hopefully soon ;)) Saved this for later! Nice blog!
Thank you!! I’m so happy it’s helpful. Hopefully you’re there soon 🙂
This is such a helpful post. I’m sure hiking Machu Picchu is a bucket list item for many travelers that requires tons of preparation, and this post simplifies the process! That’s nice to know you don’t have to get a tour guide – I know lots of experiences like this require them. Thanks so much for sharing this helpful guide!
So happy to share!
Thanks for breaking this down! The process definitely is a bit overwhelming but this is super helpful!
I’m so happy to read it’s been helpful 🙂
Visiting Machu Picchu looks like such an incredible experience! It is definitely up there on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing this thorough guide. I can’t wait to visit one day!
Enjoy every minute of it when you do 🙂
This was SO DIFFICULT for me when I went a few years ago. People were buying tickets and missing a click and not going 100% of the way through the process left and right. Everyone got their main entry tickets, but half of our group missed getting tickets to Huyana Picchu (which I totally recommend) and it was sold out by the time they really figured it out.
I hear stories like this so often. It’s a crazy overwhelming process, with some travel companies scamming people to top it off. Happy to hear you were able to visit too with the correct tickets 🙂
We are so sad we missed Machu Picchu when the pandemic derailed our trip in Peru. We had not got as far as looking for tickets so this post was a good guide. Although it is a good reminder that processes and costs do change so should be confirmed before final plans are made. Great tip about studying the site plan before you visit to plan the best route to see everything of interest.
I absolutely agree, double-checking processes especially with a site like this is crucial. Hopefully you can reschedule your trip for another time soon 🙂
Machu Picchu was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had. This is a great guide to buying tickets, I wish we had this when we were planning our trip!
Me too haha!
What an insightful post! This will definitely come in handy for when I finally make it to Machu Picchu. I love all of your photos — for a second there, I made the association with the alpaca being the tour guide, lol. Wouldn’t that be fun?! Thanks for the detailed guide.
I’d much rather have an alpaca as a guide 🙂
Machu Picchu is definitely on my bucket list, so thank you so much for sharing these tips! 🙂
Happy to help 🙂
Machu Picchu is a one-lifetime experience! I am dreaming to visit this since forever! This is a very nice article to plan your time in the best way and plan the expenses! thanks a lot for sharing this! This motivates me!
That’s so great to hear 🙂
Great Post ! I have read your other posts which are really informative for any traveler. Articles that have meaningful and insightful comments are more enjoyable.
Thanks a lot for reading!
Quick question.
when do you choose the circuit? Circuit 2 seems to be much better than 3, but when booking the ticket is for circuit 1,2,3, or 4.
Hello! With the Llaqta de Machu Picchu ticket option, you choose the circuit when you arrive at the citadel. Circuit 2 is the best in my opinion and the one I did too. Have a great time 🙂
Tickets are sold out for Nov 25 on the official website.
what are my other options to buy tickets for the date I need?
thank you.
Hi Erin, your best bet is to see if you can purchase tickets in Cusco. Failing that you might have to join a tour as companies often buy up tickets in advance to host groups. Good Luck!
Fantastic Post! I’ve read your earlier postings, and they’re quite helpful for anyone planning a trip. Reading articles with thoughtful and informative comments is more fun.