The Lost City of the Incas is one of the most touristy and crowded attractions in the world (averaging 2,500 people a day)! Getting your Machu Picchu tickets can be a real struggle. Thankfully, here at Cachi, we’ve taken care of almost all the thinking and planning for you. Below is a complete guide on how to buy your entrance ticket to Machu Picchu with 3 options to choose from, the cost associated, how to add Machu Picchu Mountain and/or a Huayna Picchu ticket, explain how to get refunds, and lastly we threw in a few tips on how to make this lengthy process a little bit easier. Keep in mind, this entire process is the “grassroots” way; it’s all the planning you’d need to do from start to finish. If you want, you can just click on this link right here and we’ll take care of all your booking options for you.
Heading into 2020, there are three ticket options for Machu Picchu plus a ticket option for the Machu Picchu Museum:
- The main Machu Picchu ruins by itself
- Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu
- Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain
- Machu Picchu Museum
Please note, you can’t do Machu Picchu Mountain & Huayna Picchu in the same day.
Machu Picchu Only Ticket
This ticket allows you general admission to the Inca City of Machu Picchu with entrance times options from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
This ticket provides entry to Machu Picchu Citadel including the temples, terraces, and main ruins. It does not provide entrance to either of the mountain summits, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. There is no re-entry upon leaving so don’t exit until you’re sure you are done for the day.
The cost is:
- Adult: $70 (246soles)
- Students: $38 (134 soles)
- Kids (8 to 17 years old): $38 (134 soles)
Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain
This ticket allows you general admission to the citadel of Machu Picchu from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. You also get access to the restricted climb of Machu Picchu Mountain. There are 400 tickets allotted daily, along with two different entrance periods:
- entrance to the Machu Picchu at 6:00 AM with Machu Picchu Mountain at 7:00 AM access
- Machu Picchu at 7:00 AM with Machu Picchu Mountain at 9:00 AM
Pricing is:
- Adult: $85 (229 soles)
- Student: $65 (229 soles)
- Kids (8-17 years old): $65 (229 soles)
Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu
These ticket types permit you general admission to the citadel of Machu Picchu from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and additionally access to the restricted climb of Huayna Picchu Mountain.
This is the most popular hike in Machu Picchu. You will have to purchase those tickets months ahead due to its popularity. There are three-time slots for this ticket:
- Machu Picchu at 6:00 AM with Huayna Picchu at 7:00 AM access
- Machu Picchu at 7:00 AM with Huayna Picchu at 7:00 AM
- Machu Picchu at 8:00 AM and Huayna Picchu at 10:30 AM
Prices are:
- Adults: $85 (229 soles)
- Student: $65 (229 soles)
- Kids (8 to 17 years old) $65 (229 soles)
Machu Picchu + Museum
This ticket offers you general admission to the citadel of Machu Picchu from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM and access to the Machu Picchu Museum. As the ticket indicates, the museum pass is valid for one day only.
The museum is located on the shuttle bus road between Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo before you cross the bridge and obtain entrance to the ruins.
The entrance hours to the museum are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For adults, the ticket costs $12 for morning entrance. The museum is free in the afternoon.
For those who are not aware, Huayna Picchu is the mountain that is situated over the Machu Picchu ruins. This particular mountain is where the high priest and local virgins lived. The hike up can be very treacherous as it contains the Stairs of Death and the Temple of the Moon, which is one of the three temples that is located in Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Mountain, however, is the mountain situated opposite of Huayna Picchu. It is the less popular of the two-day hikes at Machu Picchu. Nonetheless, many say that it is much more spectacular. The hike is higher in elevation than Huayna Picchu, so you get a better view of the ruins and the surrounding mountains. Both of these hikes contain a lot of exposure, it is not a good idea to do these if you are afraid of heights.
There are three ways that you can obtain a Machu Picchu tickets: buying tickets in advance online, buying them in Cusco or Aguas Calientes, or using a tour operator and guide to gain entrance.
How to Buy Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket Online
Buying Machu Picchu tickets online is the most labor-intensive of the three ways to secure your ticket. In December 2018, Peru unveiled a new Machu Picchu reservation site. Purchasing tickets can usually be done just a few days before your trip, depending on the season. Additionally, there are now nine hourly phases, compared to two previously, to enter Machu Picchu:
- Phase 1: admission from 6 am
- Phase 2: admission from 7 am
- Phase 3: admission from 8 am
- Phase 4: admission from 9 am
- Phase 5: admission from 10 am
- Phase 6: admission from 11 am
- Phase 7: admission from 12 pm
- Phase 8: admission from 1 pm
- Phase 9: admission from 2 pm
ProTip – If you’re going to Machu Picchu June through September, you’ll want to secure the tickets at least three months before the trip, or you won’t get to visit Machu Picchu. This is the high season and tickets sell out fast. If you plan to climb Huayna Picchu, you will have to book your ticket at least three months prior (for both high and low season).
Huayna Picchu is the most sought-after ticket as they only allow 400 people per day to enter the ruins. The morning is the most popular time to visit the ruins because of the fantastic views of the morning clouds dispersing once the sun rises. You also have to be 12 or older, as it can be a dangerous trek. You will hike trails next to massive cliffs and climb the Stairs of Death to get to the ruins.
Protip: if you are adding Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain as options you may want to have a second day to explore so you can take it all in.
Online Step by Step Process
- In order to secure your Machu Picchu tickets, the first step in the process is going to the Peru Ministry of Culture government website.
- Next, you’ll want to determine if you’re attending Machu Picchu by itself, or if you’d like to add-on Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Huayna Picchu’s entrance times are between 7-8 AM or 10-11 AM and Machu Picchu Mountain is between 7-8 AM or 9-10 AM. Keep in mind, Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain only allow 400 people per day. This is a change for Machu Picchu Mountain as of 2019. Previously, 800 people per day were allowed to hike Machu Picchu Mountain. It’s best to book well in advance to get the time slot that works best for you.
- First, you must decide if you are a part of the general entrance (mostly foreigners), special entrance (Bolivians, Colombians, Ecuadorians, and Peruvians) or Cusqueños (Peruvian citizens born in Cusco). Cusqueño entrance is only permitted on Sundays.
- Select the date and how many adults, students, or children. If you have a valid student ID you must start by including them as an adult. Then use the online chat or email [email protected] to provide proof before paying. The student will be changed from adult to student at the payment screen. Then select the availability button to move to the next step.
- The next screen you will select if you want the Machu Picchu citadel entrance, Machu Picchu plus Huayna Picchu (Wayna Picchu) entrance, or Machu Picchu plus Machu Picchu Mountain entrance. Make sure to select if you want the early morning entrance or the afternoon entrance. This screen also shows the availability of each ticket option.
- The following screen, you will enter your passport information exactly as it is printed on your passport. If you do not, you will not be permitted entrance. After you hit next you will be taken to a screen to confirm your personal information.
- Confirm that you entered your information correctly. Check the confirmation button. You will then confirm that you read the terms and conditions and agree to them. Hit next and a pop-up will generate asking you for your contact address and email address. Enter this, complete the captcha, and hit generate.
- Click the payment option. Currently, only Visa credit card is accepted for online payment. However, MasterCard is coming soon. After selecting your payment a button is populated to confirm your credit card payment selection. After selecting pay, a pop-up overlay shows where you can enter your credit card information. Enter your credit card info and select pay. You now have your ticket, and can print off each copy. You’ll have to print your ticket. There is no option for a mobile ticket.
- On the first screen, you can now select the check-in tab, enter your reservation number to confirm that you have secured a ticket and your Machu Picchu tickets will then be emailed to you.
How to Buy Machu Picchu Tickets in Cusco
You can buy tickets in person for Machu Picchu in either Cusco or Aguas Calientes, which is easier if you are traveling in the shoulder season or low season (October through May). In high season, it may not be possible to buy in person as tickets sell out months in advance. In Cusco, this can be done at the Ministerio de Cultura (Ministry of Culture) which is open Monday through Saturday, 7 AM-8 PM. The Ministry of Culture office in Cusco is located at Casa Garcilaso on Calle Garcilaso, just before the Plaza Regocijo and near the Museo de Chocolate. In Aguas Calientes, tickets are situated in Direccion Regional de Cultura Aguas Calientes Office (Machu Picchu Cultural Centre), which is located at Av. Pachacutec (just off the main square) and is open from Monday through Sunday, 5 AM-10 PM. The location in Cusco accepts credit cards and cash, while the Aguas Calientes location only accepts cash payment. Both sites require your passport.
Tour Agency
Utilizing a travel agency is the way we recommend you obtain your Machu Picchu tour ticket because it cuts out a lot of extra steps on your end. Securing tickets on your own is a very cumbersome process. The Peru Ministry of Culture website isn’t extremely user-friendly, which could leave room for mishaps while trying to book. Moreover, when you book your ticket on your own, not only are you responsible for obtaining your ticket, but you are also responsible for arranging transportation to Ollantaytambo, securing your Vistadome train ticket to Aguas Calientes, and receiving your ticket for the bus from Aguas Calientes to the base of Machu Picchu. Allowing a tour agency to organize these steps for you will make the process smooth and time-efficient.
In addition to needing a ticket for your entrance into Machu Picchu, you will also need to have an official tour guide during your time at the ruins. This is a new requirement as of 2018, and something to be mindful of. Booking with a tour guide will kill two birds with one stone, and you’ll be lined up with both your tickets and a guide.
Refunds
It is challenging to obtain a refund for Machu Picchu tickets in South America once you have purchased a ticket. The only way you will receive a full refund is if Machu Picchu is closed to the public for any reason. If you are wanting to change your trip dates or if something health-related comes up, it is possible to receive a small refund. Up to 72 hours before the date of entrance, 90% of the ticket is refunded, between 48 and 72 hours before, 80% is refunded, and between 24 and 48 hours before, only 75% is refunded. Otherwise, all sales are final!
Conclusion
In summary, obtaining tickets to Machu Picchu can be a very complicated process without a tour agency. By booking your adventure through Cachi Life, we secure your tickets, take care of the transportation, provide you with an English-speaking guide, and provide special care and attention to what YOU want to see in Machu Picchu. Here at Cachi Life, we do all the legwork for you, so you can focus on having a great trip!
Machu Picchu Tickets FAQs
What are the Machu Picchu ticket options?
There are four Machu Picchu ticket options. Machu Picchu by itself, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu combination ticket, Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain combination ticket, and Machu Picchu plus the Machu Picchu Museum.
Where do I buy Machu Picchu tickets online?
You can buy Machu Picchu tickets online through various avenues. You can use the official website or you can purchase tickets through a tour agency, complete with a guided tour, round-trip transportation, and entrance.
Where do I buy Machu Picchu tickets in Cusco?
You will have to purchase your Machu Picchu ticket from the Ministry of Culture in Cusco. However, during the busy season, they can sell out very quickly. Therefore we recommend you purchase your tickets before you arrive in Peru.
Do you have to print Machu Picchu tickets?
Yes. You will need to print out a paper copy of the ticket. The Ministry of Culture does not accept any form of an electronic ticket.
I’ve been trying for three weeks to buy Machu Picchu tickets for our family. I’m able to place the order for the two adults, but the website strikes through the reservations for our three children (minors). I’ve emailed three times with [email protected] for help. The woman answers my email messages quickly, but still does not understand my problem. I don’t have the language skills to write her in Spanish. Do you have any solutions to offer?
By the way, I’ve tried entering the children as students, but the drop down menu does not allow me to put in accurate birth years. I don’t want to enter the wrong information and then be denied at the gates.
Hey there Catherine! We’ve definitely heard of many people having problems when trying to book Machu Picchu themselves via the website.
Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] if you would like to set up a tour with us. We take care of your permits, roundtrip transportation from Cusco, and your guide.
🙂