Machu Picchu: complete guide to tickets, where to stay and how to get there

The best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, from May to October. In these months the weather is more stable, with less rain, which improves your chances of seeing the citadel and the nearby mountains free of clouds.

☀️ June, July and August are the most popular months, so you'll find more tourists. If you're planning to travel in this high season, it's essential to book your tickets, transportation and lodging in advance.

🌧️ November to April is the rainy season. Although there are fewer tourists, the rain can affect the visibility and the experience. On the other hand, the vegetation is greener.

Since 2024, the way Machu Picchu tickets are sold has changed: there are now 10 different types of tickets, each with specific circuits inside the citadel and, in some cases, with access to neighboring mountains like Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu.

Here's a brief explanation of each one, so you can choose the best option for your interests:

Circuit 1: Panoramic

• Machu Picchu Mountain route: Includes the Guardian's House (Casa del Guardián, where the classic photo is taken) and Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Upper Terraces route: Includes the Guardian's House (where the classic photo is taken).
• Inti Punku Gate route: Includes the Guardian's House (where the classic photo is taken) and Inti Punku.
• Inca Bridge route: Includes the Guardian's House (where the classic photo is taken) and the Inca Bridge.

Circuit 2: Archaeological Site

• Designed Classic route: Includes the classic photo spot at the lower viewpoint and the Inca temples.
• Lower Terraces route: Includes the classic photo spot at the lower viewpoint and the Inca temples. A shorter version of the previous one.

Circuit 3: Lower Section

• Huayna Picchu route: Includes Huayna Picchu, the lower farming terraces and the agricultural sector.
• Designed Royalty route: Includes the lower farming terraces and the agricultural sector.
• Great Cavern route: Includes the lower farming terraces, the Great Cavern and the agricultural sector.
• Huchuy Picchu route: Includes Huchuy Picchu, the lower farming terraces and the agricultural sector.

Planning is crucial for visiting Machu Picchu: tickets are limited, so it's important to buy them in advance. You can buy your ticket on the official Machu Picchu site or book a tour with the ticket included, like this one.

Another tip: before buying your Machu Picchu ticket, book your transfer to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). We explain more about this further down.

Keep in mind that once you choose your circuit, the ticket is non-transferable, the itinerary is fixed and you aren't allowed into other areas. So we advise you to choose carefully the circuit that best suits your interests and to respect the restrictions set for each one.

In this article we explain the different circuits in more detail.

Machu Picchu isn't actually in Cusco but in a small town called Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. There are several ways to get there from Cusco, and the best one depends on your budget, your time and how much adventure you want.

Train

It's the easiest and fastest way to get there. Trains leave from:

• Poroy Station (20 minutes from Cusco, high season only)
• Ollantaytambo Station (about 2 hours from Cusco by car)

Both routes arrive in Aguas Calientes and have incredible views of the valley along the way.

Train companies:

• PeruRail
• Inca Rail

Both offer similar services with panoramic options like:

• Vistadome or 360°: with giant windows for enjoying the scenery.

💵 Approximate price: from US$55 per leg
📌 Tip: Book ahead. It's the most in-demand option.

Minibus to Hidroeléctrica + walk: the budget alternative

If you're traveling on a tight budget, this could be your option.

1. Take a minibus from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica, the hydroelectric plant (6-7 hours), for about US$15.
2. From there, walk about 2 hours along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes.

💡 You can buy the minibus ticket directly at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.

📌 Important: It takes up almost the whole day, but it's the cheapest option.

Multi-day treks: Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek

For those who love the mountains and want a unique experience.

• Classic Inca Trail: a 4-day trek on historic trails that arrives directly at Machu Picchu.
• Short Inca Trail: 2 days, ideal if you don't have as much time.
• Salkantay Trek: less touristy but with incredible scenery. It takes 4 to 5 days.

📌 These require good physical preparation and booking ahead.

Organized tour

If you'd rather not deal with anything, there are tours that include:

• Transfer from your hotel
• Round-trip train
• Machu Picchu ticket
• Guide

💡 It's ideal if you don't have much time or want everything taken care of: Machu Picchu tour with tickets

Once you're in Aguas Calientes, all that's left is getting up to the citadel. You have 2 options:

🚌 By bus

• Consettur buses run every 10 minutes from 5:30 am to 15:30.
• The ride takes 25 to 30 minutes.
• Cost: about US$15 per leg.
• You can buy the ticket in Aguas Calientes or online here.

👟 On foot

The free alternative. The trail is all uphill, with steps and demanding stretches.

• It takes 1 to 2 hours.
• Ideal if you want to save money and you're in good shape.

Machu Picchu is one of the 7 wonders of the world, so there are always tourists. But some times are better than others:

• Early morning (6 am): the best light, cool weather and a chance of finding the citadel almost empty (as we did). We took the first bus at 5:30 am and were the first ones in, literally alone… llamas included 😄.
• After 14:00: there are usually fewer people, since most visitors prefer the morning.
• Between 9 and 12: the busiest time.

📌 Our advice: Go for the first time slot (6 am). Although it isn't always empty, it's the most magical and peaceful time. Also, when you buy your ticket, you can see how many spots are left for each time slot, which can help you decide.

As you know, it's one of the 7 wonders of the world and it draws visitors from everywhere, so it's a VERY touristy place.

The best light will always be very early in the morning and around sunset. We went in the first time slot, at 6 am: we took the first bus from Aguas Calientes, at 5:30, and we were literally the first people to enter Machu Picchu that day.

We were lucky enough to walk around the whole citadel with only the local llamas for company, and it wasn't until we were leaving that we started to see big crowds of tourists. But… when we posted on our social media that we recommend this time, many other travelers told us they had gone very early and there were already tons of tourists. So we don't know if we just got lucky or if arriving exactly at opening time (not a minute later) really changes the experience.

On many other blogs we read that around 14:00 there usually aren't as many people, since everyone prefers the 9 am slot.

In conclusion, we think it's a topic worth discussing. But if we go by our own experience, the first time slot seems like the best option to us. Also, when you buy your Machu Picchu ticket, it shows you how many tickets are left for each time slot, and the morning one had the most left 😉.

The best option is to stay in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), especially if you want to go up in the first or last time slot of the day. The town is very small, so a single night is usually enough, unless you want to visit the citadel more than once, as we did.

📍 Where to stay in Aguas Calientes

There's lodging for every budget:

• 🛌 Mid-range: We chose MAPI by Inkaterra, a very comfortable hotel that includes half board. We loved it!
• 💸 Budget: Hostal Machu Picchu Inn is an excellent option with very good reviews and affordable prices.
• 🏔️ Full luxury: If you want an unforgettable experience, at the Sanctuary Lodge by Belmond you can have breakfast overlooking the ruins of Machu Picchu. It's the only hotel right next to the entrance of the archaeological site.

🚆 Is it better to stay in Cusco or Ollantaytambo?

You can also stay in Cusco or Ollantaytambo, but that means taking the train very early and can be more tiring. In that case, the best thing is to book an organized tour that includes transfers, tickets and a guide, so you don't have to worry about anything.

What's the fastest way to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?

The fastest way is to take the train from Poroy or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. The trip takes between 1.5 and 4 hours, depending on your starting point and the type of train.

How much does the train to Machu Picchu cost?

Prices start at US$55 per leg. Fares vary depending on the company (PeruRail or Inca Rail) and the type of car (Expedition, Vistadome, 360, etc.).

Can you walk to Machu Picchu?

Yes. You can do the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek (both multi-day) or go via Hidroeléctrica and walk 2 hours to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

Where's the best place to stay to visit Machu Picchu?

The most practical option is to stay in Aguas Calientes, especially if you want to enter in the first time slot. There are options for every budget.

What time do the buses to Machu Picchu leave?

They leave from Aguas Calientes every 10 minutes from 5:30 am to 15:30. The ride takes about 25 minutes and is run by the company Consettur.

Is it better to go up to Machu Picchu on foot or by bus?

It depends on your fitness and your budget. Walking is free but takes real effort (1–2 hours uphill). The bus costs US$15 per leg and is more comfortable.