Machu Picchu Tickets: Everything You Need to Know

Machu Picchu is a must-visit destination for both travelers and locals alike. To visit the “Lost City of the Incas”, you must have an entrance ticket, which can quickly sell out due to high demand. To help you make planning much easier, here’s all the information you need on Machu Picchu tickets, circuit types, and more!

To cut to the chase, there are five types of Machu Picchu tickets. Each allow you to explore four types of circuits depending on the sites you want to visit. Before learning how to buy Machu Picchu tickets, familiarize yourself with the different circuits available at Machu Picchu below:

Machu Picchu Circuits

To ensure the preservation of the Machu Picchu and control the flow of people, the Peruvian government has established 5 circuit types for visiting the citadel.

• Circuit 1 and 2: These circuits allow a panoramic view of the citadel where you can take the classic Machu Picchu photo. Circuit 2 allows you to visit most of the buildings. The approximate visit time is 2 and 3 hours, respectively.
• Circuit 3: Allows a visit to the religious area of the citadel, the hike lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Circuit 4: Allows a visit to the lower area of Machu Picchu, the hike lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Circuit 5: This circuit is only available for people arriving from the Inca Trail. Visitors can reach the lower area and immerse themselves in the urban area of Machu Picchu. The approximate hike time is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Machu Picchu tickets

Five types of tickets that allow you to visit the Inca citadel. For a more challenging adventure, you can request tickets that include any of the mountains.

• Machu Picchu Site Only Ticket (Circuit 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Huayna Picchu (Circuit 4)
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Machu Picchu Mountain (Circuit 3)
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Huchuy Picchu (Circuit 4)
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Inca Bridge (Circuit 1 and 2)

Machu Picchu tickets availability per day

The Peruvian government has also set a limited number of visitors per day. Currently, 4,000 people are allowed to enter per day. The number of people entering either the citadel, Machu Picchu mountain, Huayna Picchu, Huchuy Pichu, and the Inca bridge are divided into groups at different times of the day.

• Machu Picchu Ticket Site Only: Around 2,500 people per day divided into groups of 250 people approx.
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Huayna Picchu: 200 people per day divided into groups of 50 people.
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Machu Picchu Mountain: 400 people per day divided into 2 groups of 200 people.
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Huchuy Picchu: 200 people per day divided into groups of 25 people approx.
• Machu Picchu Ticket + Inca Bridge: 280 people per day divided into groups of 35 people.

What is the best way to get Machu Picchu tickets?

The best way to get Machu Picchu tickets is by purchasing a tour or trek with Yapa Explorers. These tours also include pick-ups from your hotel/hostel in Cusco and train tickets (if you choose that option). Yapa Explorers offers the convenience of providing different train tours and treks such as the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, or Inca Jungle, without having to worry about booking Machu Picchu tickets and transportation from your hotel separately. You can even purchase access to mountains such as Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu. But if you want to do so, you should contact us in advance as they tend to sell out well in advance.

We don’t recommend buying tickets directly in Cusco, as you may often not find tickets available for the date desired. Machu Picchu is one of the 7 Wonders of the World, and access to it is restricted due to high demand. Make sure to organize your trip well and establish the desired date of your visit to the Inca citadel!