Machu Picchu Entry Tickets
Machu Picchu Peru surely needs no introduction. One of the 7 wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Incan ruins rightly rank high on many tourist bucket lists.
However, what many visitors don’t realize is that careful planning is needed to organize a successful visit to Machu Picchu.
As of 2024, new visitor regulations come into play. Visitors now need to pre-book their Machu Picchu entry tickets, plus decide in advance which time slot and visitor circuit to choose.
It is a little confusing, which is why we’ve put together this blog post to guide you smoothly through the process.
So, keep reading for all of the information you’ll need about Machu Picchu entrance tickets. How, Where, and When to buy them. What are Machu Picchu time slots? Which is the best Machu Picchu circuit to book? Plus, much more.
Do I Need a Machu Picchu Entry Ticket?
Yes. Entry to Machu Picchu Peru is only allowed with a pre-purchased ticket.
There are no tickets for sale at the Machu Picchu site entrance. So, you’ll need to do your homework and plan before you go.
How to Buy Machu Picchu Entry Tickets?
1. Direct Booking Online
Machu Picchu tickets can be purchased online at the official website: https://tuboleto.cultura.pe.
Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are personalized, so be sure to have the full passport details of each visitor to hand when booking.
Each ticket is issued for a specific date and timeslot. For each timeslot, there are a limited number of tickets available, which are sold first-come, first-served. Machu Picchu tickets are also restricted to specific circuits which you´ll need to follow on the day.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. There’s detailed information about time slots and circuits below.
2. Pre-book an Organised Tour
If you are traveling on a longer, organized tour itinerary then your travel agency will likely take care of the logistics of Machu Picchu entry tickets for you.
Happy Gringo, for example, offers this service to all clients who join one of our private Peru Tours.
This can be a great way to avoid all of the hassles of the Machu Picchu ticketing process.
When to Buy Machu Picchu Entry Tickets?
It’s a common question, how far in advance to buy Machu Picchu entry tickets?
Due to the limited number of visitors, we recommend buying tickets at least 40 days in advance. If you can buy them sooner then even better, especially during high season travel months (school summer vacations, Easter break, Christmas & New Year).
It is sometimes possible to buy last-minute Machu Picchu entry tickets on the official website, but it’s also a risk to take.
Machu Picchu Circuits & Routes
The 2024 Machu Picchu rules incorporate different circuits/routes. Visitors need to decide which route to book before booking entry tickets. Here is a brief summary of each Machu Picchu visitor circuit:
1. Machu Picchu Circuit 1 (upper short tour, red)
Circuit 1 allows you to visit the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site. This tour goes through the main constructions as well as the area of the terraces in the highest part (from there you get the classic postcard photo of Machupicchu). The tour is recommended for seniors or those with limited time. It lasts approximately 2 hours.
2. Machu Picchu Circuit 2 (upper long tour, dark blue)
Circuit 2 allows you to tour the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site (both the upper and lower religious areas). Of course, it also includes the main constructions of the Inca citadel. The tour is recommended for all tourists. It lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes approximately.
3. Machu Picchu Circuit 3 (lower short tour, yellow)
Circuit 3 allows you to visit the nuclear area of Machu Picchu (lower part). It includes the visit to the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors and the agricultural area. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
4. Machu Picchu Circuit 4 (lower long tour, turquoise)
Circuit 4 allows you to visit the core area of Machu Picchu (lower part). It includes the visit to the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors, the agricultural area and the Sacred Rock. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Machu Picchu Combination Circuits
There are also some interesting combination-tickets which include the Machu Picchu Citadel plus other surrounding peaks.
1. Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Circuit
Wayna Picchu is the most famous of the mountain peaks that surround Machu Picchu.
To combine Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu you’ll need tickets for circuit 4. Follow the shortest path of Circuit 2 until the entrance to Wayna Picchu. After ascending and descending the peak then continue on the remainder of circuit 2.
Wayna Picchu is a challenging trekking route. Some sections are extremely steep and narrow, with exposed drops. While the views at the top are rewarding, please only consider this route if you are an experienced hiker, and not afraid of heights.
2. Huchuy Picchu & Machu Picchu Circuit
For a shorter and easier hike than Wayna Picchu, consider Huchuy Picchu. This small peak is reached by hiking for approximately 15 minutes, so is much easier for those with less experience on mountain trails.
Access to Huchuy Picchu is via Circuit 4. After the descent, Machu Picchu must also be exited along this route.
3. Machu Picchu Mountain Circuit
Machu Picchu Mountain is the Apu (sacred mountain) of the Machu Picchu complex.
Located to the south of the citadel, opposite Wayna Picchu, the hike is quite demanding as there are a lot of steps. It takes about 90 minutes to get to the top of Machu Picchu Mountain, depending on your pace.
Access to Machu Picchu Mountain is directly via the first part of Circuits 1 or 2 to the control point. After the descent, however, it is not possible to continue along these routes and you have to leave Machu Picchu along the same path.
Then you can enter the facility again with the Machu Picchu Mountain ticket to complete the short tour along Route 3.
Which Machu Picchu Circuit is the Best?
For most visitors, circuits 1 or 2 are the most popular for a general overview of the Machu Picchu site. What’s the difference? Circuit 1 is shorter, and more suitable for seniors. Circuit 2 is more comprehensive.
The extended ticket to Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu is also very popular, and highly recommended for the strenuous hike and tremendous views. If these tickets are sold out (as they often are), then Machu Picchu Mountain or Huchuy Picchu make for a good plan B.
If you still can’t decide, then why not book Machu Picchu entrance tickets for 2 days on different circuits?
Machu Picchu Entry Time Slots
Entry to Machu Picchu is regulated with time slots.
When you purchase your tickets online, just select your preferred time slot and route. Choose carefully though, because it is not possible to make changes once you have paid for the tickets.
Circuits 1 & 2
- Time Slot Entry Hours
- Time slot 1 Entry from: 6 am to 8 am
- Time slot 2 Entry from: 9 am to 11 am
- Time slot 3 Entry from: 12 pm to 2 pm
When is the best Machu Picchu entry time slot? Many visitors prefer to visit early in the morning, but, that said, there is no good or bad time per se.
Circuits 3 and 4 have different time slots than circuits 1 and 2.
Circuit 3 (with Machu Picchu Mountain)
- Time Slot Entry Hours
- Time slot 1 Entry from: 6 am to 8 am
- Time slot 2 Entry from: 9 am to 11 am
Circuit 4 (with Wayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu)
- Time Slot Entry Hours
- Time slot 1 Entry from: 6 am to 7 am
- Time slot 2 Entry from: 7 am to 8 am
- Time slot 3 Entry from: 9 am to 10 am
- Time slot 4 Entry from: 10 am to 11 am
Fast Machu Picchu facts
MP Shuttle Buses
Shuttle buses run every day between the town of Aguas Calientes and the Machu Picchu citadel.
The buses to Machu Picchu run from 05:30 to 15:30. The return trip operates from 6:00 to 18:00. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
When there are high volumes of visitors, it is common for queues to form for the shuttle bus. We, therefore, recommend adding some buffer time into your plans and joining the queue from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at least 30 minutes before your time slot.
The shuttle bus fee is NOT included in the Machu Picchu entry fee and should be purchased separately.
If you pre-book through a travel agency then your bus tickets should already be organized for you. Alternatively, visitors can buy their own Machu Picchu bus tickets from the ticket office in Aguas Calientes.
MP Opening Hours
The Machu Picchu site is open to visitors daily from 6:00 to 17:30.
Machu Picchu Entry Price
Referential 2024 Machu Picchu entry prices are:
- Machu Picchu Tour AdultStudentChild
- Machu Picchu Only USD 62 USD 31 USD 23
- Huayna Picchu Ticket + Circuit 4 USD 80 USD 40 USD 37
- Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket + Circuit 3 USD 80 USD 40 USD 37
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket + Circuit 4 USD 62 USD 31 USD 23
Children under 3 years of age enter for free.
Quoted Child rates apply up to the age of 17.
Students up to 25 years of age receive a discount on the presentation of a valid student ID from their university (an ISIC student ID is not sufficient).
Do I Need a Guide for Machu Picchu?
As of 2024, yes, it is mandatory to visit Machu Picchu with a tour guide, although this rule is not always applied rigorously.
Anyway, we do highly recommend a guide to enhance your experience. A licensed guide will add significantly to your visit, providing information about the history of the site, and answering your questions.
After your guided tour you can also spend more time in the Machu Picchu Citadel by yourselves, to take more photos, or enjoy the ambiance.
Machu Picchu Entry Rules
To help protect the delicate Machu Picchu site, the following rules are enforced:
- Every visitor must show their ticket and passport at the entrance. Students must also present their valid student ID.
- Once issued, entry tickets to Machu Picchu are non-refundable and non-transferable. It is also not possible to re-enter the ruins with the same entrance ticket.
- Visitors must follow the specific circuit route as detailed on their ticket. It is not possible to stray from the designated path.
- No smoking or alcohol
- No drones
- No tripods or selfie sticks
- No high heels
- No baby push-chairs
- No large backpacks
- Walking sticks are only allowed for physically challenged and elderly visitors.
Rules can be frustrating, but remember, they are in place to prevent damage to Machu Picchu from tourism.
Violation of rules may result in fines or expulsion from the site.
How many hours do you need at MP?
Under the 2024 Machu Picchu entrance rules, tourists can spend up to 4 hours at the citadel using their time slot ticket.
The average guided tour lasts 2 hours, so visitors can also spend additional free time afterward.
So, there you have everything you need to know to plan your successful visit to Machu Picchu Peru under the 2024 entry rules.
Check out Happy Gringo’s 7-day Cusco & Machu Picchu itinerary, or the longer 14-day Peru Highlights trip. Both have entrances to Machu Picchu with licensed guides and tickets included, so you can enjoy the trip hassle-free and without problems.
Happy Gringo can also custom-make your Peru itinerary, tailoring your visit to your precise needs.
In conclusion, be sure to plan your visit to Machu Picchu Peru. Most importantly, you’ll need to pre-book your Machu Picchu Entry Tickets. For that, you must choose your preferred time slot and visiting circuit.
Yes, it’s all a bit confusing and overwhelming at first sight. But, with a little patience, it’s not so complicated to make the right decision before taking the plunge to buy tickets.
It is still perfectly possible to do your own Machu Picchu travel organization and ticketing. Alternatively, avoid the hassles by going through a reputable travel agent. Either way, your vacation to Machu Picchu is sure not to disappoint!
Note: All information is correct at the time of publishing, but may be subject to change by local authorities.
