Planning a trip to Peru? Our guide has everything you need to know to visit Machu Picchu, including the latest rules, how to get there and - most importantly - how to buy tickets for Machu Picchu.

Completely updated in September 2023

Machu Picchu isn’t simply another stop on a convoluted trip through the Americas - it is the reason for many to board a plane to Peru in the first place.

One of the most famous places in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was deservedly chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

That means it’s very, very popular.

Receiving more than a million visitors a year, it was only a matter of time before stricter rules and regulations were brought in to conserve this important Incan citadel for future generations to come, better protect it from overtourism, and improve aspects of the visitor experience.

The first changes were implemented in 2019 (such as a four-hour time limit), but its post-pandemic reopening in 2021 saw much more stringent limitations introduced: a significant reduction to visitor numbers, caps on hikers, a change in entry times and ticket types, the introduction of specific routes, strict entry time slots, various rules concerning what is acceptable inside and what you can bring in, and limits on your permitted time there.

For any person visiting Machu Picchu, it is absolutely essential that you are aware of these overly complicated changes and the big impact they’ve had on aspects of the visitor experience.

It also means that you need to plan ahead in order to understand the different ticket types and circuits before choosing and buying the best one available for your trip dates.

And that’s where our guide comes in.

We’ve been fortunate enough to visit Machu Picchu twice in recent years, and have done our best to summarise and explain it all for you: the costs, where you can buy official tickets, the differences between the circuits, the combo packages, and the main reason you should get things sorted before you arrive in Peru.

At the end of the post, you can also find advice on how to get to Machu Picchu and other tips to make the most of your time there.

Simply put, do not visit Machu Picchu or buy your ticket without reading this guide!

The Essentials

Rules / New regulations for 2023
Quota / Strict daily limits on visitor numbers
Plan / Tickets must be purchased in advance
Pick / Multiple ticket types + circuits to choose from
Buy / Book tickets here or via official site
How / Visit from Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, or Cusco
Day / Possible as day trip from Cusco (but only on a tour)
Hike / Inca Trail is the only multi-day trek that finishes in Machu Picchu

How and Where to Buy a Machu Picchu Ticket

The most important thing to be aware of, right off the bat, is that tickets to Machu Picchu must be bought in advance - they cannot be bought at the gate to the site.

And with the recent reduction in the number of tickets available, this means that whereas in the past you could often buy tickets a couple of days in advance from the local ticket office in Aguas Calientes or Cusco (like we did the first time we visited), this is increasingly difficult nowadays.

For most of you reading this, buying your entry in advance online is advisable and essential if you want to do catch sunrise or hike Huyana Picchu - daily tickets are capped at 300 people for those and usually sell out several months in advance.

We have broken down each of the four ways of purchasing your Machu Picchu ticket below.

In terms of costs, a standard Machu Picchu ticket in 2023 is:

· 152 soles / $40 USD per adult

· 77 soles / $20 USD for students with a valid ID card

· 70 soles / $18 USD for children between 3 and 17 years old)

However, there are also tickets that include different parts of the site, or different circuit routes to follow, and this increases costs overall; that’s the most confusing aspect of the planning process, so we’ve explained it in more detail in the next section.

Online | In Advance

If you are visiting Machu Picchu in high season and would like to buy your tickets in advance (and for the lowest possible price), you will need to do so online via the official government website.

Do note that the website is a a little clunky to operate. Make sure, after the purchase, to take a note of your reservation number - not only will you require it to access and print your tickets, but you’ll also have something to refer to should you need to chase up a booking.

It’s important to be aware that although you can translate various parts of the website into English, the actual ticket buying part of the process is only available in Spanish - if you feel uncomfortable about doing this, consider booking via a site like GetYourGuide or Viator which also sell the admission tickets.

Additionally, it is important to be aware that it is no longer possible to transfer, change the date or request a refund for tickets bought via the official website (or indeed via an aggregator like those mentioned above).

Cusco | In Person

The city of Cusco is probably the most popular place to buy tickets in person as most people are based there before travelling onward to Machu Picchu.

In order to make the purchase, head to Ministerio de Cultura (Casa Garcilaso on Calle Garcilaso), open Mon - Sat, 7am to 8pm. Ensure you bring your passport, a valid student card (if required), plus credit card or cash.

You can find the ticket office here on Google Maps.

Plan | 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Cusco

Aguas Calientes | In Person

Alternatively, you can also buy them in the town closest to Machu Picchu itself, Aguas Calientes.

You can find the ticket office at the Machu Picchu Cultural Centre (Av. Pachacutec), open Mon - Sun, 5am - 10 pm. Ensure you have your passport and a valid student card (if required). An important thing to note is that credit cards are not accepted here, so you will need to pay in cash.

You can find the ticket office here on maps.

At A Bank in Peru | In person

If you would like to buy online, but for whatever reason are unable to pay with your card, it is also possible to reserve online and then attend any Banco de la Nacíon in Peru with your reservation printed out.

This is however only really possible if you speak Spanish conversationally (to converse with the staff, and advise what you require).

If your Spanish is non-existent or fairly basic, we’d recommend instead paying online or in person.

Join a Machu Picchu Tour

The good news for those of you that have booked yourself on to a Machu Picchu tour - whether that be part of a multi-day hike such as the Inca Trail or the Lares Trek, or a simple day trip from Cusco - is that the Machu Picchu ticket is almost always included in the fee.

If standalone Machu Picchu tickets are sold out for your dates, this means joining a tour offers a fantastic ‘Plan B’ opportunity to get a ticket last minute.

The cost will vary considerably dependent upon duration of tour and what’s included, but three good examples to take a look at are:

A four-hour tour from Aguas Calientes that includes transport, entry ticket and guide. Find out more here.
A full-day tour from Cusco including round-trip transport - bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, onwards train to Aguas Calientes, then bus to Machu Picchu - admission to Machu Picchu with guide plus optional lunch. Find out more and check availability here (a similar tour is also available here).
This four-day Inca Trail tour has thousands of excellent reviews and is a good choice if you’d like to really make that Machu Picchu experience special!

Plan | The 7 Best Day Trips from Cusco

how far in advance to Buy Your Machu Picchu Ticket?

As we mentioned above, it used to be that visiting Machu Picchu could be arranged at relatively short notice, simply turning up at a ticket office in Aguas Calientes or Cusco just a few days in advance.

However, new regulations and the reduced number of tickets available mean that for most people this is simply not advisable; instead you should book in advance online with as much notice as possible once you know your dates.

A good rule of thumb is the busier the season and the shorter your time in Peru, the earlier you should buy your Machu Picchu ticket. High tourism season in Peru runs from May to October, with the greatest number of visitors seen in July and August.

For those that would like to climb Huyana Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, you will need to look into tickets even earlier due to daily caps.

The only exception to this is perhaps long-term backpackers who may well be in Cusco for some time, and are flexible with which ticket they buy.

Check availability for your dates on the official government website or on this website.

Before purchasing anything though, you really do need to get your head around the new rules on circuits and know why not all tickets offer the same experience of visiting Machu Picchu…

four things to know before buying Machu Picchu tickets in 2023

As of January 1st 2019, a number of significant new rules came into play with the aim of getting Machu Picchu off of UNESCO’s naughty list and becoming more sustainable - further significant changes were then made when the site re-opened in 2021.

These were added to again in 2023.

As mentioned, we’re fortunate enough to been there twice and some of these measures were long overdue: we sincerely hope they better preserve the site and stave off the symptoms and impact of overtourism

However, some of the rules and processes are unncessarily complex and bureaucratic, and may prevent you from experiencing the site exactly how you hoped.

This is why it’s essential that you understand and prepare for the main changes ahead of your visit, and before buying any ticket.

Limitations on Number of Daily Visitors

Strict limits have been placed on the total number of tourists that can enter Machu Picchu each day, and there are also specific daily caps on the number of visitors who can access certain parts of the site.

Machu Picchu Citadel | 2950

Huayna Picchu Mountain | 300

Machu Picchu Mountain | 400

Huchuy Picchu Mountain | 200

Standard Inca Trail | 500 (including support staff)

Short Inca Trail Tickets | 250

Additionally, tour groups (and groups of visitors travelling together) must not be larger than 16 people.

Plan | Everything You Need To Know Before Hiking The Inca Trail

Designated Entry Times

The site is open from 6am to 5.30pm, but when buying your ticket you will be required to select a specific entry time within a 60-minute slot.

The various 60-minute slots vary depending upon the type of ticket you’d like to buy.

Needless to say, do not arrive late for your entry window and we strongly recommend planning your transport and arrival to the entrance in advance.

We have shared details on how to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes later in this post.

no re-entry

Previously you were able to exit Machu Picchu and re-enter on the same ticket (providing this was used on the same day).

This is no longer possible.

As they don’t sell tickets at the gates, if you leave, you will need to re-enter with a new ticket.

The only exception to this rule is if you have previously purchased a second ticket in order to access multiple circuits; you will then be able to leave after completing one, and re-enter on the second ticket.

New circuits Around Machu Picchu

Gone are the days when you could clamber about on the ruins (a good change), or walk around in whichever direction you chose (not such a good change).

You now need to follow one of four designated circuits (or routes) as part of your visit, and the circuits you are permitted to access depends on the ticket you buy.

A ‘standard Machu Picchu Ticket’ allows you to walk any of the four circuits BUT only the one you choose when you arrive. So, you’ll turn up and go to the entry that corresponds to the circuit you’d like to access.

And if you want to walk more than one circuit? You’ll need to buy a second ticket in advance.

The standard ticket only covers these circuits within the citadel and does not include access to Machu Picchu Mountain, Huayna Picchu Mountain, Huchuy Picchu Mountain or The Incan Bridge. If you also wish to hike those, then you need to purchase a specific ticket (separately or in addition).

Yes, it’s too damn complicated.

You’d think that given this quite significant change and bureaucratic hurdle, the official website would make choosing a circuit easy? Nope. It’s confusing as hell, and to make matters worse they keep changing the routes every year.

So, before jumping into the various Machu Picchu tickets that are available, we need to do a brief explainer of the four circuits you can choose:

Circuit 1 | This is known as the ‘shortcut circuit’, and is an abbreviated version of Circuit 2 that we discuss below. It aims to cover several of the big sites, plus the famous Machu Picchu viewpoint, but doesn’t include as much walking, making it more appropriate for older travellers or those with limited mobility.

It does not cover the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza and Temple of Three Windows, Intihuatana, the Sacred Stone, or the Temple of Condor.

As far as we’re aware however, this circuit is currently shut. If you visit after reading this and discover it has re-opened, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Circuit 2 | This route is the most comprehensive, covering the vast majority of the citadel’s well-known sites. This means that it’s by far the most popular circuit with tourists and the one that allows you to capture that famous Machu Picchu picture!

When buying your ticket you have the option of purchasing one that combines Circuit 2 with the Inka Bridge; some say that this is the best ticket to buy for Machu Picchu and if we were to return to the famous Incan site for a third time, this is the combo ticket we’d opt for.

Note that it does not cover the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the House of the Inka, or the Ceremonial Fountains (these can only be seen on Circuits 3 and 4). Whilst this route includes the Temple of Condor and the Hall of Mirrors, due to new opening times for certain sites, you won’t be able to visit both.

Circuit 3 | This is the shortest route through the citadel, and focusses purely on the lower section. Due to the presence of just a few stairs, it is another circuit that is particularly recommended for those with reduced mobility.

The most important thing to be aware of is that Circuit 3 does NOT include the classic Machu Picchu viewpoint*. It also misses the Main Entrance Gate to Machu Picchu, the Inca Quarry, the Sacred Plaza, Temple of Three Windows, and Intihuatana.

Unfortunately, if you wish to hike Machu Picchu Mountain, you have no choice but to buy a ticket which includes this circuit.

*Note that Circuit 3 is the route you will follow through Machu Picchu if arriving from the Inca Trail, after you pass through the Sun Gate and visit the viewpoint.

Circuit 4 | This route is very similar to Circuit 3; the only real reason you’d choose it is if you’d like to also hike up Huyana Picchu or Huchuy Picchu. If you’d like to hike up either of those, you need to buy one of two specific tickets.

We explain this further in the next section.

Machu Picchu Tickets available in 2023

There are now four types of tickets available to those that would like to visit Machu Picchu in 2023, and when purchasing any ticket you will be required to select a specific entry time slot.

We have summarised the options below:

Machu Picchu tickets | Ruins Only (Circuit 1, 2, 3 or 4)

Also known as the Llaqta de Machu Picchu on the official website, this ticket allows entry to the Machu Picchu ruins along a specific circuit (1, 2, 3 or 4 as discussed earlier), but not Machu Picchu Mountain, The Incan Bridge, Huchuy Picchu nor Huayna Picchu Mountain.

This is what we call the ‘standard Machu Picchu ticket’.

You will have four hours in total to explore the site from your selected time slot (although if you chose to stay a little longer, you’re not exactly going to be hunted down by security!)

It is important to note here that whilst in the past simply buying a ‘morning ticket’ entitled you to arrive at sunrise (the best time to take photos and experience a less crowded site), this possibility will only be open to the 200 or so people able to purchase the 6am time slot ticket.

So, if a sunrise entry is hugely important to you, we highly recommend buying your ticket as far in advance as possible as these are always snapped up very quickly.

The Details | There are hourly slots available, beginning at 6am, with the final entry at 2pm

The price for adults is S/152, children S/70 and students S/77

The official website states that if you arrive more than 60 minutes after your chosen entry time, you will not be allowed to enter. There is a little leeway to this, but we wouldn’t risk arriving long after your entry time.

You can book tickets for for this entry ticket here or on the official website.

Machu Picchu Tickets | Circuit 1 or 2 + Inka Bridge

As we mentioned earlier, this is a great combo ticket - it allows you to combine circuit 2 (the route that covers the most popular sites, including the famous Machu Picchu viewpoint) with a small hike to the Inca Bridge.

The Details | There are eight, 60 minute time slots to choose from for this admission: 7 - 8am, 8 - 9am, 9 - 10am, 10 - 11am, 11am - 12pm, 12 - 1pm, 1 - 2pm and 2 - 3pm

The price for adults is S/152, children S/70 and students S/77

The official website states that if you arrive more than 60 minutes after your chosen entry time, you will not be allowed to enter.

Machu Picchu tickets | Circuit 4 + Huayna Picchu Mountain Combo

Nicknamed the ‘Mountain of Death’ for its incredibly steep climb and terrifying - and seemingly at times, never ending - steps, Huayna Picchu (sometimes called Wayna Picchu), is the mountain that sits behind the Machu Picchu ruins. It offers a phenomenal view over the site.

This is an incredibly popular hike and as only 300 tickets are available each day at four specific morning timeslots it is imperative that you purchase this type of ticket as far in advance as possible (at least three months before during high season).

Access to the mountain is along Circuit 4 where you’ll meet a checkpoint near Sacred Rock. Visitors are explicitly banned from taking the longer Circuit 2 to reach the checkpoint therefore it is important to note that by choosing to prioritise climbing Huayna Picchu, you will be unable to visit a number of popular sites within the citadel.

Due to the hike itself being a 2-3 hour round-trip, the maximum four hour time limit for visiting Machu Picchu does not apply to this ticket.

The Details | There are four, 60-minute time slots to choose from for admission to Huayna Picchu: 7 am - 8am, 8 am - 9am, 9am - 10am, and 10am - 11am.

The price for adults is S/200, with children costing S/125, and students S/118

The official website states that if you arrive more than 60 minutes after your chosen entry time, you will not be allowed to enter.

You can purchase this entry ticket here.

Travel Tip //A popular option is to buy a separate Circuit 2 ticket in addition for the same day. This will obviously increase your costs, but will allow you to also visit the parts of the site not covered by Circuit 4.

Machu Picchu Tickets | circuit 3 + Machu Picchu Mountain Combo

The slightly less cool little brother to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain is absolutely still worth your time. A slightly easier (and less terrifying) climb, it will provide spectacular views over the ruins and surrounding landscapes.

Only 400 tickets are available each day at two specific morning timeslots for the hike to Machu Picchu Mountain, therefore it is recommended that you purchase this type of ticket at least a month in advance during high season.

As Machu Picchu Mountain is combined with Circuit 3, note that if you only choose this option, you will miss out on other popular sites within the ruins.

This hike itself is around a 2 hour round-trip, and should only be completed by those in good physical condition, wearing appropriate hiking shoes/boots.

Due to the duration of the hike, the four hour time limit does not apply.

The Details | There are two, 60-minute time slots to choose from for admission to Machu Picchu Mountain: 6am and 8am.

The price for adults is S/200, children pay S/125, and students S/118

The official website states that if you arrive more than 60 minutes after your chosen entry time, you will not be allowed to enter.

You can purchase this entry ticket here and on the official website.

Machu Picchu tickets | circuit 4 + Huchuy Picchu Mountain Combo

Until 2020 anybody with a ticket to climb Huayna Picchu was able to climb Huchuy Picchu as an optional extra; since 2021 however, a separate ticket is required for this hike.

As with Huayna Picchu, access to the start point is via Circuit 4, and you will continue along this route upon descent of Huchuy Picchu.

This is a much easier hike than the two mentioned above, therefore is a good option for those that fancy a good view but aren’t up for the longer, more challenging hikes.

Note that tickets are limited to 200 per day for Huchuy Picchu, so whilst it’s not as popular as the other combo tickets, you’ll still need to purchase your entry in advance.

The Details | There are six, 60 minute time slots to choose from for admission to Huchuy Picchu: 7 - 8am, 8 - 9am, 9 - 10am, 10 - 11am, 11am - 12pm, and 12pm - 1pm

The price for adults is S/152, children S/70 and students S/77

The official website states that if you arrive more than 60 minutes after your chosen entry time, you will not be allowed to enter.

How to Get to Machu Picchu: The group Hiking Options

The Inca Trail

There are few hikes more famous than the Inca Trail, the iconic four day / three night hike which leads travellers from km.82 (the start point 40 minutes outside the town of Ollantaytambo) all the way to Machu Picchu via its exclusive Sun Gate (also called Inti Punku).

It’s not for the faint of heart, but as we can attest to (this is how we visited Machu Picchu for the second time), it will create the sort of travel memories that last a lifetime.

We won’t go into too much detail here, instead if this multi-day hike is something you’re interested in, be sure to check out our ‘Complete Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail’ and our ‘Inca Trail Packing List’.

We joined this Inca Trail Tour with G Adventures (which we highly recommend) but if it’s a little out of your price range you can check out the excellent, popular and highly-rated group tour.

As you will probably already be aware, you will need to book the Inca Trail hike at least several months in advance of your arrival in Cusco.

Good news // An excellent development in the last 12 months is the introduction of a limit of 14kg that a porter can carry. These guys are the absolute heroes of the Inca Trail, and we were astounded by how much they were expected to carry upon their backs for several days - this intervention is a real improvement for their well-being. We suggest you give a decent tip too.

The Salkantay Trek

A popular alternative to the Inca Trail, the 74 kilometre Salkantay Trek begins in Mollepata, a small town 100km from Cusco. Reaching a maximum elevation of 4600m, it includes the crystal clear waters of Humantay glacier lake, along mountain passes and offers incredible views.

You have the option of staying in basic accommodation or camping, and whilst most opt to do this as a tour it’s also popular to do independently. The standard duration is five days but it can be done in as little as four and stretched as long as eight (via a more comprehensive route).

Due to the fact that this trek ends in Aguas Calientes rather than Machu Picchu, it’s also a bit cheaper than the Inca Trail.

Many people choose to book this tour on arrival to Cusco, but if you’d like to get something sorted in advance, this five-day small group tour has hundreds and hundreds of exceptional good reviews. Alternatively, if you’re shorted on time, consider this four-day option (which includes a night in a space dome tent perfect for stargazing!).

The Lares Trek

Considered to be more of a cultural experience than the other popular trails, the Lares Trek is a four-day / three-night route that begins in the town of Lares, 40 miles north of Cusco.

A little less demanding that the other options, as well as experiencing the stunning backdrop fo the Peruvian Andes, you will pass through small villages to gain an insight into their culture and way of life.

It’s also an excellent option for those that aren’t the biggest fans of camping, as the hiking portion of this trek actually terminates in Ollantaytambo from where you’ll jump on the train to Aguas Calientes and spend the night in a hotel, before heading out to Machu Picchu the following morning.

As with the Salkantay Trek, many people chose to sort their tour place out on arrival to Cusco, but if you’re on a tighter itinerary or which to get something booked in, in advance, this excellent tour has incredible reviews.

The Jungle Trek

One for the adventurous types, the four-day / three-night Jungle Trek offers travellers the chance to head out river rafting, indulge in downhill mountain biking, hike in the jungle and even zip-line across the canopy.

Unlike most of the other multi-day hikes, accommodation throughout the trip is in hostels (yay for no camping!), with the final night being spent in Aguas Calientes.

You can book this tour in advance here.

How to Get to Machu Picchu: The DIY budget routes

For those travelling Peru on a budget, it may be nice to know that there are a couple of ways to make a trip to the Incan citadel a little more pocket-friendly.

The Long Walk Along the Train Tracks

This is actually the route that we took the first time and whilst a 30 km walk alongside train tracks is definitely not advisable (or indeed preferable) for probably the vast majority of visitors to Machu Picchu, it is by far the cheapest way of getting there.

From Ollantaytambo you’ll need to take a colectivo to Km.82 where you can access the tracks. The entire journey should take between 7 and 8 hours.

We’ve written an entire guide for those wanting to (responsibly) follow in our footsteps, so be sure to check it out for full and frank details. Find the post here.

Note that this route finishes in Aguas Calientes; find details on how to get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu later in this post.

The Route That Goes Via Hidroelectrica

Another popular option with the budget backpacker, but this one involves significantly less walking.

Instead, you’ll take either a shuttle bus from Cusco, or a series of colectivos from either Cusco or Ollantaytambo terminating in Hidroelectrica from which it’s a 2 - 3 hour walk along the tracks the end point of Aguas Calientes.

Again, we’ve written a full guide on how to get to follow this route - find our post here.

Alternatively, you could consider joining this highly-rated, two day budget friendly tour that includes transport from Cusco to Hydroelectrica, dinner and accommodation in Aguas Calientes, entrance and a guided tour of Machu Picchu.

How to Get to Machu Picchu: The train Options

The vast majority of people visit Machu Picchu not by engaging in a multi-day hike, but instead via a rather fancy train journey from either Cusco or Ollantaytambo.

You have the option of either a direct train from Cusco, a direct train from Ollantaytambo (if you wanted to spend a couple of days here before) or a same-day bus from Cusco & train from Ollantaytambo combo.

Prices vary depending upon which you pick, the time of year your travel (it’s more expensive during high season), and the type of train that you travel on - of which there are three:

Hiram Bingham | This is the most luxurious option - and coming in at at least $500 USD per person, one way - by far the most expensive. It is worth noting that this ticket includes lots of goodies on board the train, your entrance to Machu Picchu and a guided tour but clearly, at this price point, is not going to be an option for the vast majority of travellers. Note that this option is only available if travelling from Cusco.

Tickets can be bought on the official website, but note that you’re only able to book a one-way ticket on the Hiram Bingham for the outgoing train; the return journey will be one of the regular services which should be booked at the same time. If you’d prefer both legs of the journey to be on a luxury train, alternatively you can book your tickets here.

Vistadome | A much more pocket friendly option, this train is famed for its glass ceiling along spectacular views as you travel to Machu Picchu. Your ticket includes some snacks onboard and light entertainment. You can book your tickets here or via Perurail.

Expedition | This is the cheapest option, but still a pleasant experience - on par with travelling in a first class carriage in the UK. There are however no food or extras in your ticket price, which can be as low as $50 USD in the off-peak season. You can book your tickets here or via Perurail.

How to reach Machu Picchu From Aguas Calientes

For those of you not completing the Inca Trail - or visiting on a day trip from Cusco - in order to reach Machu Picchu you will have to first pass through Aguas Calientes. From this small tourist-centric town (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo), you have two ways to reach the site entry point:

Hike

Probably one to avoid if you’ve arrived in the Sacred Valley without allowing yourself to acclimatise, but a lovely relatively easy hike otherwise.

To find the start of the trail, simply follow the route of the shuttle buses towards Machu Picchu until the road takes a sharp left turn over the river and you pass a small bridge (this should take no longer than 30 minutes).

Immediately after the bridge, take a right turn down a small lane and keep going until you reach the clearly sign-posted trail head. From here it is around another 60 minutes uphill walking to the entrance of Machu Picchu.

Shuttle Bus

For most people, especially those wanting to arrive at Machu Picchu as early as possible, the shuttle bus is the preferred method of transport to the entrance. But note that at $12 each way, it is eye-wateringly expensive in terms of the typical distance / cost ratio you will see everywhere else in Peru (you can also buy a return ticket for $24 per person).

These modern and relatively comfortable buses to Machu Picchu leave regularly throughout the day from the stop on Avenida Hermoas Ayer, close to the train station - find it here on maps. They are operated by a company called Consettur.

You were previously able to buy the tickets online via Consettur’s website, but the online transaction process is currently out of service* therefore tickets must be bought from the ticket office next to the bus stop - these can be bought on the day, or in advance. The office is open from 5.30am to 10pm.

If you are on a tight schedule or prefer to be organised, you can still buy the tickets in advance here (although they are a little pricier).

The first departure from Aguas Calientes is at 5.30am, and the last at 3.30pm. To return, the first bus departs at 6.30am and the final heads back to Aguas Calientes at 6pm. There is no specific timetable per se, more that they leave when full and another replaces its space.

The new ticketing system for Machu Picchu has actually improved the entire shuttle bus experience, as new limits on entry means that there are far fewer people travelling up to the citadel at any given time.

The journey should take around 25 minutes, so do be sure to leave enough time to make it to the top for your entry slot.

You can find up to date prices and further information on the shuttle company’s website.

If you read this and discover you’re able to buy online again, please let us know in the comments!

Other Things To Know Before You Visit Machu Picchu

You don’t need a guide

Back in 2019 when the rules first began to change, the official line was that unless you were visiting the site as part of an organised tour from, for example, Cusco or Ollantaytambo, then you would need to hire your guide upon arrival at the site.

However upon reviewing every PDF on the official website (all in Spanish mind you), we can no longer find any evidence of this rule. Additionally, many readers have commented on this blog post and sent us messages stating that they guides were not compulsory upon their visit.

Of course, some of you may like to have a guide join you on your visit to Machu Picchu, to gain a deeper understanding its historical, cultural, and religious significance - but haven’t arranged to join an organised tour. The good news in this case is that there are always lots of guides buzzing about the entrance.

Technically they should all hold a degree in tourism, but perhaps don’t rush into accepting an offer from the first guide that approaches as knowledge and language skills and vary quite considerably.

The price per person for a guide depends on the number in the group, but as a general rule a 2.5 hour tour for 1-2 people will cost approx. S/140 in total. Should you have a larger group, expect the per person price to reduce. Tipping is often expected, but is absolutely not mandatory so do not feel that you have to.

Alternatively, you can buy your ticket, shuttle transport and guide as a complete package - click here for more information.

The Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu

Whilst a visit to Machu Picchu is certainly bucket-list fulfilling at any time of the year, there are definite plus points to visits at a particular time of the year.

For example, should you want to see this New Wonder of the World the way you have seen in in photographs - clear blue skies with only a wisp of beautiful cloud, ruins bathed in golden sunlight - you’ll need to visit in the dry season, between May and October when the weather is at its best.

Unfortunately, from June to August, this will also correspond with the largest crowds. Due to the fixed ticket numbers each day, there is a natural cap on visitor numbers, but we definitely noticed a difference in the number of people milling about during our visit in the low season, as compared to the high season.

A with much of Peru, it’s important to note that visitors in low season run a much greater chance of experiencing heavy downpours, so be prepared for this.

Have Your Paperwork in Order

For those that lack a little organisation, this one is super important: you must have your passport with you in order to enter Machu Picchu. This does not mean a photocopy of your passport, nor a blurry photo on your phone, but your genuine, valid passport. Turn up without it and you almost certainly won’t get in.

With regards to tickets, thankfully the Machu Picchu guys have finally come into the 21st century, and you’re able to simply show your entry ticket on your phone instead of having to run around Cusco or Aguas Calientes trying to find somewhere to print it out!

Just be sure that the name on your ticket matches the name on your passport.

Don’t Be a Dick

Besides serious concerns regarding sustainability, the other reason it was felt that stricter rules needed to be brought into force was due to the lack of respect some travellers have shown to the site.

Contrary to what some leaping, flashing, and generally in-bad-taste selfies would suggest, Machu Picchu is a revered site. And when people time and time again show that they can’t play nice, the toy needs to be taken away - or in this case, an abundance of guards brought in with very loud whistles.

So yeah, treat the site with the respect it deserves.

Be Aware of What You can and Can’t Bring in

If you had visions of laying out a picnic overlooking picture-perfect ruins, now is the time to scrap it - the rules concerning food, and pretty much everything else are now pretty stringent in Machu Picchu to reduce litter, lingering, and (in some cases) fun.

Water bottles are fine (we’d recommend filling up a refillable one before you enter) but food of any description is not, so leave those sandwiches back in the hostel.

Neither are tripods, drones, obnoxious selfie sticks, or large backpacks. Trust us when we say that those guards have eyes everywhere, and you’ll soon be alerted to the fact that you’ve brought in something you shouldn’t.

If you fall foul of the backpack rule, there is a storage place before the entrance.

Be Sure to Pee First

Understandably for a site that is hundreds of years old, there are no toilets once you step through the turnstiles at the entrance to Machu Picchu - so be sure to pee before you enter. This is especially important with the new rule that bans re-entry, meaning that if you don’t take a prophylactic toilet break before heading in, you may find yourself negotiating much of Machu Picchu with your legs firmly crossed.

There’s a toilet next to the luggage storage that costs 2 soles per person (if you’ve arrived here after the Inca Trail, like we did, it’ll be the best 2 soles you’ve ever spent!).