Getting your ticket to Machu Picchu is no longer just a matter of choosing a date. Today, you need to select a circuit, a route, and an entry time, and tour the citadel with an official guide. Understanding how this system works before you buy your ticket can help you avoid losing your admission and make the most of every minute inside the sanctuary.
In this guide, we explain what a guided visit involves, how much each type of ticket costs, the available entry times, and the documents and rules you should know about on the day of your visit.
What It Means to Visit Machu Picchu With a Guide
Since July 2017, visits to the citadel have been conducted with an official tour guide. Your ticket grants you admission, while the guide accompanies you along the route and is hired separately unless your tour package already includes this service.
Why a Guide Is Required
This measure is part of the sustainable use regulations adopted by the Peruvian government to protect the sanctuary and manage visitor traffic. The guide makes sure your group follows the route indicated on your ticket and stays together inside the citadel.
The Benefits of Exploring With a Guide
There are very few informational signs inside Machu Picchu. Without an explanation, the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana, and the royal residential area might look like ordinary stone walls. A knowledgeable guide explains the purpose of each area, how it was built, and which details you should not miss.
How to Identify an Official Guide
An authorized guide must present a valid credential at the entrance. If you hire someone at the gate, ask to see their identification before agreeing on a price.
Circuits and Routes: Choose Your Experience Before Buying
Since June 2024, the citadel has been divided into three circuits, each with several routes. Your ticket specifies one route, and you cannot switch routes once you are inside.
| Circuit | Routes | What You Will See | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Panoramic | 1-A Machupicchu Mountain, 1-B Upper Terrace, 1-C Intipunku Gate, 1-D Inca Bridge | Elevated viewpoints, the classic view of the citadel, and walks toward the Sun Gate or Inca Bridge | Travelers looking for the best panoramic photos |
| 2. Classic | 2-A Designed Route, 2-B Lower Terrace | Main temples, plazas, and buildings of the citadel | First time visitors who want to see the highlights |
| 3. Royalty | 3-A Waynapicchu Mountain, 3-B Designed Route, 3-C Great Cavern, 3-D Huchuypicchu | The royal sector and hikes to nearby mountains or caves | Travelers in good physical condition who enjoy hiking |
Routes Available Only During Peak Season
Routes 1-C, 1-D, 3-C, and 3-D are available only during peak season. If you travel between November 3 and June 18, they will most likely not be offered.
Which Circuit Is Best for Your Trip?
If this is your first visit, Circuit 2 takes you through the heart of the citadel. If you want the iconic postcard photo, Circuit 1 with Route 1-B is the most direct option. If you want a challenging hike, Waynapicchu or Machupicchu Mountain offers views that relatively few visitors get to experience.
Machu Picchu Ticket Prices in 2026
Foreign adults pay S/ 152 for standard routes and S/ 200 for mountain routes. Official prices are set in Peruvian soles and vary depending on your nationality, age, and chosen route.
| Visitor Category | Standard Routes (1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 2-A, 2-B, 3-B, 3-D) | Mountain Routes (1-A, 3-A, 3-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign adult | S/ 152 | S/ 200 |
| Foreign student | S/ 77 | S/ 125 |
| Foreign visitor under 18 | S/ 70 | S/ 118 |
| Peruvian or Andean Community adult | S/ 64 | S/ 112 |
| Peruvian or Andean Community student or minor | S/ 32 | S/ 80 |
What Your Ticket Does Not Include
The price covers admission to your selected route only. Your guide, the bus from Aguas Calientes to the citadel, and the train are paid for separately unless you book a tour that already includes them.
Other Costs to Include in Your Budget
Children under 3 enter free of charge. If you pay by credit or debit card, expect an additional processing fee. Bring some cash in soles as well, since the restrooms near the entrance charge a fee.
Entry Times and Visit Duration
Each ticket has a fixed entry time, with the first admission slots starting at 6:00 a.m. You must arrive at the gate within the permitted grace period or you will lose your admission.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| First entry time | 6:00 a.m. |
| Grace period at the main entrance | 45 minutes during peak season and 30 minutes during regular season |
| Grace period for mountain routes | None; the second checkpoint is usually scheduled one hour after entry |
| Reentry | Not allowed with a standard ticket |
| Elevation of the citadel | 7,972 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level |
How Long Does a Guided Tour Take?
A guided visit through the main areas takes about two and a half hours. Mountain routes add several more hours of hiking, so an early entry time is recommended if you choose one of them.
Peak Season and Regular Season
| Period | Daily Visitor Capacity |
|---|---|
| June 19 to November 2 | 5,600 visitors |
| November 3 to June 18 | 4,500 visitors |
During peak season, the most popular routes sell out weeks in advance. There is generally more availability during regular season, although rain is common from November through March.
Requirements and Rules for Your Visit
Tickets are issued to individual visitors and are valid only for the person, date, time, circuit, and route selected at purchase. At the entrance, you must show your ticket and the original identification document used to buy it.
Documents You Must Bring
- Your original passport or identification document, the same one used for your purchase.
- Your downloaded digital ticket or a printed copy.
- A valid student identification card or supporting document if you purchased a student ticket.
Date Changes and Refunds
According to rules published in September 2026, changes to the date or visitor name are not allowed. A document number may be corrected once if there was an obvious error, and an unused ticket becomes invalid except in cases of documented force majeure.
What to Bring and What Is Not Allowed
| Recommended | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Comfortable shoes with good traction | Food and beverages |
| Rain poncho or waterproof jacket | Umbrellas and tripods |
| Layered clothing and sunscreen | Large selfie sticks and drones |
| Small backpack | Strollers and pets |
An Important Rule Many Visitors Do Not Know
There are no restrooms or places to buy supplies inside the citadel. Use the facilities at the entrance before starting your tour, since you cannot leave and then enter again.
How and When to Buy Your Ticket
The official sales channel is the Peruvian Ministry of Culture’s TuBoleto platform, although you can also purchase through an agency registered with the Decentralized Directorate of Culture in Cusco. It is best to book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, especially during peak season.
Buy Your Ticket in Four Steps
- Choose your date, circuit, route, and entry time, keeping your train schedule in mind.
- Visit tuboleto.cultura.pe and enter each visitor’s information exactly as it appears on their passport.
- Pay online and download your digital ticket.
- Arrange an official guide in advance or hire one at the entrance to the citadel.
Book an All Inclusive Tour
If you would rather not arrange tickets, train transportation, the bus, and a guide separately, a one day Machu Picchu tour handles all the logistics in a single reservation. This helps ensure that your entry time works with your train schedule.
If You Prefer to Arrive on Foot
For travelers looking for a more immersive experience, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu ends at the Sun Gate and already includes guided admission to the citadel. Keep in mind that trail permits can sell out months in advance.
Buying Tickets in Person in Aguas Calientes
There is an office in Machu Picchu Pueblo that sells a limited number of tickets for the following day. These tickets sell out quickly, so you should not rely on this option as your main plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Enter Machu Picchu Without a Guide?
No. All visits to the citadel must be accompanied by an official tour guide.
Does the Ticket Price Include a Guide?
No. The ticket only covers admission. A guide costs extra unless your tour already includes this service.
What Happens if I Arrive Late for My Entry Time?
You have a grace period of 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the season. There is no grace period for mountain routes, so arriving late means losing your admission.
Can I Change the Date on My Ticket?
No. Tickets are issued to individual visitors, and changes to the date or name are not permitted.
Which Circuit Is Best for a First Visit?
Circuit 2 is the most recommended option because it takes you through the citadel’s main temples and plazas.
How Far in Advance Should I Buy My Ticket?
During peak season, buy your ticket as soon as your travel date is confirmed. Waynapicchu and Machupicchu Mountain routes are usually the first to sell out.
