The short answer
- Standard ticket (foreign adult)
- About S/152 to S/163 (US$40 to 45)
- With Huayna Picchu or the Mountain
- About S/200 (US$55)
- Daily limit
- 5,600 in high season, 4,500 otherwise
- Official seller
- tuboleto.cultura.pe
What's changed recentlyShow
- Sep 2026After an audit of agencies holding blocks of tickets, the free 3 hour hold on reservations was replaced by a 15 minute payment window, and every ticket must carry the visitor's name and ID number. Tickets cannot be transferred.
- Sep 2026Route 1-D (Inca Bridge) closed from 20 to 25 September for repairs; ticket holders were moved to route 1-C.
- 2026Daily limit of 5,600 visitors on high season dates (1 January, 2 to 5 April, 19 June to 2 November and 30 to 31 December) and 4,500 on other days.
- Sep 2025A dispute over the bus contract led to protests that blocked the railway, and trains to Machu Picchu were suspended for several days. See how to get there.
Since June 2024, you no longer wander Machu Picchu freely. Every ticket is for one of three circuits, split into ten routes, and you must follow your route in one direction. Each ticket also has an hourly entry time and is tied to your passport.
That makes choosing the right ticket more important than it used to be. The classic postcard view, the most ruins and the mountain climbs are on different routes, and the most popular ones sell out weeks or months ahead in the dry season.
Which ticket should you buy?
Pick what matters most to you and we will suggest the route to book.
What matters most to you at Machu Picchu?
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- The classic photo: Circuit 1, route 1-B: Upper Terrace
- The postcard view from above the citadel, with Huayna Picchu behind it. You see the city from above rather than walking through all of it, so some people book a second ticket for circuit 2. In 2025 and 2026 this route closed from 16 October to 29 December, so check dates.
- Walking among the most ruins: Circuit 2, route 2-A: Designed Classic Route
- The most complete route through the city, from the upper terraces down through the main temples and houses. The best single ticket if you only visit once, and the one most guides recommend.
- A big climb: Route 3-A Huayna Picchu, or 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain
- Huayna Picchu is the steep peak in the photos: about 1 hour up, with narrow stone steps and drops, and only 400 tickets a day. Machu Picchu Mountain is higher and longer but less exposed, with 800 a day. Both sell out first, and the mountain routes are for adults only.
- Easy walking or children: Route 2-B Lower Terrace, or 3-B Royal Route
- Shorter routes with fewer steps that still pass the main temples. Avoid the mountain and Inca Bridge routes, which are for over 18s only.
- I'm hiking the Inca Trail: Your permit includes entry
- Inca Trail permits include Machu Picchu entry and your operator books the circuit. You arrive through the Sun Gate and tour the site with your guide. Add a separate Huayna Picchu ticket if you want the climb.
- I want to see everything: Two tickets on two days
- Book route 1-B or 1-A for the views on one day and route 2-A for the ruins on another. Staying a night in Aguas Calientes makes this easy.
The 3 circuits and 10 routes
| Route | What you see | Time allowed | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain | Climb to the summit high above the citadel | About 4 hours with the climb | Adults only; 800 a day |
| 1-B Upper Terrace | The classic postcard view | Up to 2 hr 30 min | Seasonal closure late in the year |
| 1-C Inti Punku (Sun Gate) | Walk up to the end of the Inca Trail | About 2 hours to the gate | High season only |
| 1-D Inca Bridge | A wooden bridge on a cliff path | Up to 2 hours | Adults only; seasonal closure |
| 2-A Designed Classic Route | Upper and lower city, main temples | Up to 2 hr 30 min | The most complete single visit |
| 2-B Lower Terrace | Shorter walk through the city | Up to 2 hr 30 min | Fewer steps |
| 3-A Huayna Picchu | The steep peak behind the citadel, plus the lower city | About 1 hr in the city plus up to 3 hrs climbing | 400 a day; seasonal closure |
| 3-B Designed Royal Route | Lower city and royal areas | Up to 2 hr 30 min | All ages, no climbs |
| 3-C Great Cavern | Long hike to the Temple of the Moon cave | About 1 hr in the city plus up to 4 hrs | Adults only; seasonal closure |
| 3-D Huchuy Picchu | Short climb to a small peak | About 1 hr 30 min in total | Adults only; high season only |
Time limits and closures as published for 2026. The seasonal closure applied from 16 October to 29 December in 2025 and 2026. Check the official site when you book.
Prices
| Ticket | Foreign adult | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit 1, 2 or 3 standard routes | About S/152 to S/163 (US$40 to 45) | Sellers quote different figures; check the price on the official site on the day you book |
| Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain, Great Cavern | About S/200 (US$55) | Includes entry to part of the citadel |
| Students (with valid ID) and children 3 to 17 | Roughly half price | Children under 3 are free but must be named on a ticket |
| Bus up and down (Consettur) | About US$24 return | Bought separately in Aguas Calientes or online |
Prices checked in October 2026 and rounded. Some sellers report a price rise from May 2027, so check the official price before you pay.
How and when to book
- Buy from the official site tuboleto.cultura.pe sells every ticket. Agencies and train companies can also book for you, usually for a fee. Since September 2026 you must pay within 15 minutes of reserving.
- Use your passport details exactly Tickets are named and checked against your passport at the gate. They cannot be transferred or moved to another date.
- Book early for June to August Book as soon as you know your dates, and at least 2 to 3 months ahead for the dry season. Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and the Upper Terrace sell out first.
- Last minute tickets About 1,000 tickets a day are sold in person in Aguas Calientes for the following days. Queues start before dawn and they are not guaranteed, so do not plan a trip around them.
- Book the train to match Choose your entry time first, then a train that gets you to Aguas Calientes the evening before, or at least 2 hours before your slot.
Rules on the day
- Arrive at your entry time. Late entry is allowed for about 30 minutes in low season and 45 minutes in high season, then you can be refused.
- Bring your passport, not a copy. The name and number must match your ticket.
- Visitors are meant to enter with a licensed guide. Enforcement varies, but a guide is worth having: there are no signs inside.
- Large bags, walking poles with metal tips, drones, food and plastic bottles are not allowed. There are lockers at the entrance.
- There are no toilets inside, and once you leave you cannot go back in on the same ticket.
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Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I buy Machu Picchu tickets?
For June to August, 2 to 3 months ahead, and longer if you want Huayna Picchu. In the wet season, a few weeks is usually enough, but buy as soon as your dates are fixed.
Which Machu Picchu circuit is best?
Circuit 2 (route 2-A) if you can only visit once, because it walks through the most ruins. Circuit 1 (route 1-B) has the classic photo. Many people book both on different days.
Can I buy Machu Picchu tickets at the gate?
No. There are no sales at the site itself. A limited number of tickets are sold in person in Aguas Calientes for the following days, but they sell out quickly.
Is Huayna Picchu dangerous?
It is steep and exposed, with narrow stone steps and long drops, but it is safe for fit adults who take their time. Skip it if you are uneasy with heights; Machu Picchu Mountain is a gentler alternative.
Can I visit Machu Picchu without a tour?
Yes. You can buy your own entry, train and bus tickets. A guided tour or a 2 day package is simpler, and makes sure your train and entry times fit together.
Sources we checked
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