Visiting Machu Picchu is a wonderful experience that every traveler dreams of and should do at least once in their life. However, along with Petra (in Jordan), Machu Picchu is one of the most expensive wonders to visit. But there are certain ways to experience this amazing experience without paying too much. Below, we’ll give you some tips on how to get the best prices on your trip to Machu Picchu.

• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu
• Train tickets
• The tour guide service in Machu Picchu
• Hotels in Cusco
• Other tours in Cusco
• Frequently Asked Questions

Machu Picchu, a wonderful place in the world

How much does a luxury trip to Machu Picchu cost?
Machu Picchu can be an expensive or economical trip depending on the visitor’s preferences. There are many options for a luxury trip. For example, a trip on the Hiram Bingham train, one of the most luxurious services in the world. Next to the Inca citadel is a 5-star hotel, the only one located steps from the archaeological site. Additionally, Cusco has some of the best restaurants, such as Chicha (by chef Gastón Acurio) or MIL (by acclaimed chef Virgilio Martínez). A trip to Machu Picchu in this way is expensive but unforgettable.

Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu

• There are 10 types of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu:
  • Ticket Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Classic Designed (Route 2A).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cavern (Route 3C).
  • Ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (3D Route).
• All tickets have fixed prices. Tickets for Machu Picchu Classic Photo or Upper Terrace (Route 1B), Machu Picchu + Inti Punku (Route 1C), Machu Picchu + Inka Bridge (Route 1D), Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Classic Designed (Route 2A), Machu Picchu Classic Circuit or Lower Terrace (Route 2B), Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Royal Designed (Route 3B), and Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu (Route 3D) cost 152 soles for foreign adults.
• The tickets for Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A), Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Mountain (Route 3A) and Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon or Great Cave (Route 3C) also cost 200 soles for foreign adults.
• However, there are discounts that tourists should take advantage of. These discounts apply to university students (under 25 years of age and pursuing undergraduate studies), minors under 18 years of age (at least 17 years old at the time of their visit to Machu Picchu), and citizens of the Andean Community of Nations (Peruvians, Colombians, Ecuadorians, and Bolivians).
• To purchase a discounted ticket, you must have a passport, ID card, or university ID that proves your nationality, age, or student status.
• Remember, too, that children under 3 years old enter Machu Picchu free.

Train tickets

• Train tickets are available on the websites of two companies: Peru Rail and Inca Rail .
• There are several types of services. For example, Peru Rail offers the Expedition, Vistadome, Vistadome Observatory, and the luxury Hiram Bingham train.
• Inca Rail, on its own, offers The Voyager, The 360, The First Class and The Private services.
• For a budget-friendly trip to Machu Picchu, foreign tourists should choose the Expedition train or The Voyager train, the two most affordable services offered by both companies.
• Only Peruvian tourists have access to the local train, which is not a tourist service (some people travel standing). However, the cost is much cheaper than the tourist trains mentioned above.
• One of the best options is to board the train from the city of Ollantaytambo. We recommend booking your train tickets immediately after knowing your arrival date. This way, you can choose the company, schedule, and type of service you prefer to reach the Inca city of Machu Picchu.
• Remember that the earlier you purchase train tickets, the cheaper the prices will be.
• Another option is to travel to Machu Picchu via the affordable route via Hidroeléctrica. This route begins in Cusco with a bus ride to the Hidroeléctrica station, approximately 6 hours away. Then, there’s a 2-hour hike to Aguas Calientes. This way, you can visit Machu Picchu the next day without having to purchase a train ticket.

Train station in Machu Picchu

The tour guide service in Machu Picchu

• While tour guide service is mandatory in Machu Picchu, it is not enforced, and visitors are allowed to enter without the company of a professional guide.
• However, for a more complete and enjoyable visit to Machu Picchu, it is highly recommended to hire a tour guide.
• Guides can be found in several ways: through a travel agency’s website, in the town of Aguas Calientes, or at the entrance gate to Machu Picchu .
• The best way to save money on tour guide services is to choose a group guide (shared with other tourists) at the Machu Picchu entrance gate. These services can cost between $8 and $10 per tourist.
• The guided tour of Machu Picchu lasts approximately two hours. The guide is responsible for accompanying tourists to each of the Inca temples, each of which holds a story to tell. The guide is also responsible for ensuring the safety and protection of both the tourist and the archaeological site.

Children in Machu Picchu

Hotels in Cusco

• Cusco has a significant hotel offering, whether in the city of Cusco, the town of Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Pisac or in the town of Aguas Calientes itself (also called Machu Picchu town).
• If you’re planning to stay in the town of Aguas Calientes before your visit to Machu Picchu, you can find accommodations at all prices and amenities, from camping areas and backpacker hostels for 45 soles a night (US$15) to luxury hotels for US$850 a night.
• One of the recommendations we give you to get the best prices on hotels, whether you decide to stay in Cusco or in the town of Aguas Calientes, is that if you are coming during the high season (from May to August) reserve your room months in advance,
• Knowing the date you will enter Machu Picchu allows you to choose whether to stay in the town at the foot of the Inca city or in the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco . Additionally, rates during peak season often increase by 30% and, depending on the service, can double.

Other tours in Cusco

• In addition to visiting Machu Picchu, tourists should take advantage of their stay to explore other Cusco attractions, such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Sacsayhuamán, Humantay Lagoon, and Rainbow Mountain.
• All of these tourist destinations can be visited on an all-inclusive tour. However, the most affordable option to visit Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Maras, and Sacsayhuamán is to purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket. This ticket costs 130 soles for foreign tourists and 70 soles for Peruvian tourists. It allows you to visit all of these destinations, as well as other archaeological sites and museums in Cusco.
• Only the Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain are not included in this ticket. These two destinations, because there is no affordable public transportation available, can be visited on an all-inclusive tour. These are both budget-friendly tours compared to tours to Machu Picchu or other destinations in Cusco.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) How many types of entrance tickets are there for Machu Picchu?

  There are currently 10 types of Machu Picchu admission tickets, each with different routes and specific experiences. These include options such as Machu Picchu + Mountain (Route 1A), Machu Picchu Classic Photo (Route 1B), Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A), and others.

• 2) What is the price of tickets to Machu Picchu?

  Ticket prices vary: some cost 152 soles for foreign adults (such as Route 1B or 2A), and others, such as those that include Montaña or Huayna Picchu, cost 200 soles. There are also discounts for university students under 25, those under 18, and citizens of the Andean Community of Nations.

• 3) What documents do I need to access ticket discounts?

  To qualify for a discount, you must present a valid passport, ID card, or university ID that proves your age, nationality, or student status.

• 4) Do children pay admission to Machu Picchu?

  No, children under 3 years old enter Machu Picchu free of charge. It is recommended to bring proof of age.

• 5) When should I book train tickets?

  It’s recommended to book train tickets immediately after securing your arrival date to Machu Picchu. This will allow you to choose the most convenient service, schedule, and price.

• 6) Is tour guide service mandatory in Machu Picchu?

  Although regulations establish that guide service is mandatory, in practice it is not strictly required. However, having a professional guide enriches the experience of the visit.

• 7) When should I book accommodation if I am traveling during peak season?

  If you plan to travel between May and August, it’s essential to book accommodations several months in advance, as prices increase by up to 30% and availability is significantly reduced.

• 8) What other tourist places can I visit in Cusco?

  In addition to Machu Picchu, Cusco offers attractions such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Sacsayhuamán, the Humantay Lagoon, and the Rainbow Mountain.

• 9) What is the Cusco Tourist Ticket?

  The Cusco Tourist Ticket allows entry to several archaeological sites and museums. It does not include Humantay Lagoon or Rainbow Mountain.

• 10) How to visit the Humantay Lagoon or the Rainbow Mountain?

  For these destinations, it’s necessary to book an all-inclusive tour, as there’s no affordable public transportation available directly.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Oxana G.

“Spectacular“

“Yes, it is wonderful, due to circumstances of unemployment, we were able to arrive and meet with few people as we had been told, we were exploring with a guide, and then alone enjoying it, my 11-year-old daughter loved it and I especially enjoyed it.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, May 7, 2025