Machu Picchu: bilhetes, circuitos e como planear a visita

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Machu Picchu is the 15th-century Inca citadel above the Urubamba valley in Peru, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. It is also one of the most tightly managed sites in South America. Plan the ticket first, then the transport around it.

How entry works

• Timed tickets. Each ticket is for a specific date and entry time, and daily capacity is capped. In high season (roughly May to September) tickets can sell out weeks ahead.
• Circuits. Visitors follow set one-way routes (circuits) and cannot wander freely. Different circuits cover different parts of the site, such as the upper viewpoint for the classic photo or the lower sector with the Temple of the Condor. Check which circuit your ticket covers.
• Mountain add-ons. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are separate tickets with their own limited slots.
• Passport. Your ticket is tied to your ID. Bring the same passport you used to book.

The Peruvian Ministry of Culture sells tickets through its official site. Rules on circuits and capacity have changed several times in recent years, so confirm the current rules there before you buy.

Getting there

There is no road from Cusco to the site itself. Most visitors take a train from Cusco (Poroy or San Pedro stations) or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the town below the ruins. PeruRail and Inca Rail run this line. From Aguas Calientes, shuttle buses climb the switchback road to the entrance. You can also walk up on a steep footpath, which takes most people over an hour.

The other way in is on foot via the Inca Trail, which requires a permit and a licensed operator. See our guide to the Inca Trail, Salkantay and the train.

Timing tips

• Early slots often start in cloud that lifts by mid-morning. Later slots are usually less crowded.
• The rainy season runs roughly November to March. The Inca Trail normally closes for maintenance during February, but the citadel stays open.
• Spend a few days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley first to acclimatise. Machu Picchu (about 2,430 m, per UNESCO) is lower than Cusco (about 3,400 m).

A sample three-day plan

Day 1: Travel from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo and take an afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. Stay overnight. You'll be close to the site and won't depend on an early train the next morning.

Day 2: Take an early bus up, enter in your time slot and follow your circuit. If you have a Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain ticket, check its separate entry time, because the climbs are steep and are scheduled on their own. Ride back down and take an afternoon train out.

Day 3: Use it as a buffer, or as a Sacred Valley day at Ollantaytambo's own Inca terraces.

Buying in the right order

1. Fix your dates, then buy the entry ticket, which is usually the scarcest item.
2. Book the train to fit your entry time, and leave a margin.
3. Book the Aguas Calientes bus and your hotel last.

Doing it the other way round is a common mistake. People hold train tickets and then find no entry slots left.

At the site

• Large backpacks, tripods, drones and walking poles without rubber tips are typically not allowed. Check the current list of prohibited items.
• Toilets are near the entrance, not inside the site, so plan for that.
• Re-entry is restricted, so you can't step out and come back in on the same ticket.
• Weather changes fast. Pack a light rain layer and sun protection.

Who should take extra care

Some paths are uneven stone with steep drops, and Huayna Picchu has exposed sections. Travellers with limited mobility or vertigo should choose a lower circuit and skip the mountain add-ons. If you're travelling with children, check the age rules for the mountain climbs before you buy.

If tickets are sold out

When your preferred circuit is sold out for your date, you still have choices. Check other circuits or route variants for the same day, since each one has its own allocation. Shift your visit by a day, and keep a flexible night in Aguas Calientes or the Sacred Valley so a later date still works. Look at packages from licensed operators that already hold entry, and confirm in writing which circuit and time slot are included. Be wary of resellers who can't show a named, dated ticket: entry is checked against your passport, so a ticket in someone else's name won't get you in. If you want to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, book those ticket types early, because their numbers are much smaller.

Checklist

• Buy entry tickets on the official Ministry of Culture site or through a licensed operator, and match the name to your passport.
• Book train or trek permits only after you have entry for the same date.
• Plan at least two days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley first to acclimatise.
• Pack rain gear, sun protection and your original passport.
• Get travel insurance that covers trekking at altitude.

FAQ

Can I visit Machu Picchu as a day trip from Cusco?

Yes, with an early train out and a late train back. It's a long day, and many travellers prefer staying a night in Aguas Calientes.

Flights into Peru usually land in Lima, with a domestic connection to Cusco. Search routes on Search flights (partner). For guided visits and combined train-and-entry packages, compare options on Klook (partner) or Tiqets (partner), and check exactly which circuit and train are included. Altitude and remote terrain make travel insurance worth reading closely: EKTA (partner). For mobile data on arrival: Airalo (partner).