Machu Picchu for the first time: an easy guide
Traveling to Machu Picchu for the first time is one of the best experiences you can have, and it is no coincidence that it is always among the most desired destinations in the world. Organizing the trip is not complicated, but it does require preparation: the most important thing is to secure tickets in advance, either on your own or through a travel agency, and then you can more calmly arrange trains, hotels, restaurants, and your itinerary. In this guide, you will find how to plan your first trip in a practical, clear, and hassle-free way.
- Tickets to Machu Picchu
- Prices of tickets to Machu Picchu
- Which ticket should you choose?
- The trip to Cusco, Peru
- The trip to Machu Picchu
- The visit to Machu Picchu
- Questions and answers about your first trip to Machu Picchu
Tourist observing the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu
The magic of the first trip to Machu Picchu in Cusco, Peru
Machu Picchu is considered one of the best tourist destinations in the world. The reason? The Inca citadel has a special charm before, during, and after the visit. Beforehand, you get to know Cusco, a city with a lot of history and countless attractions. During the trip to Machu Picchu, you can feel a special energy thanks to the landscapes and archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. After the trip, visitors keep the memory of Machu Picchu as one of the most memorable moments of their lives. That is why most travelers return sooner or later. Machu Picchu is one of those destinations you must visit at least once in your lifetime.
Tickets to Machu Picchu
• The first major step to visiting the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is to purchase the entrance ticket or tour online.
• The first option allows you to travel independently. The second already includes the other necessary tickets (train and bus) and, in some cases, a professional guide.
• Machu Picchu has a daily capacity of 4,500 visitors. In high season (June 19 to November 2), the capacity increases to 5,600 visitors.
• Ticket reservations should be made at least one month in advance. For the most popular tickets (Classic Circuit or Huayna Picchu), it is recommended to book up to three months in advance, especially in high season.
Machu Picchu has ten types of tickets. Below are their main characteristics:
- Machu Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 1A) – 2 entry times / circuit 1 / includes the hike to Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Classic Photo Upper Terrace Ticket (Route 1B) – 10 entry times / circuit 1 / includes the classic photo viewpoint.
- Inti Punku Gate Ticket (Route 1C) – 4 entry times / circuit 1 / includes the hike to Inti Punku / high season only.
- Inca Bridge Ticket (Route 1D) – 4 entry times / circuit 1 / includes the hike to the Inca Bridge / high season only.
- Classic Designed Ticket (Route 2A) – 10 entry times / circuit 2 / includes a tour of the most important temples.
- Classic Lower Terrace Ticket (Route 2B) – 10 entry times / circuit 2 / includes a tour of the most important temples.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3A) – 2 entry times / circuit 3 / includes the hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain.
- Royalty Designed Lower Temple Area Ticket (Route 3B) – 10 entry times / circuit 3 / includes a tour of the lower temples.
- Temple of the Moon or Great Cave Ticket (Route 3C) – 2 entry times / circuit 3 / includes the hike to the Temple of the Moon / high season only.
- Huchuy Picchu Mountain Ticket (Route 3D) – 2 entry times / circuit 3 / includes the hike to Huchuy Picchu Mountain / high season only.
Prices of tickets to Machu Picchu
| Machu Picchu Mountain Route Ticket (1A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 200 Peruvian soles | 118 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 125 Peruvian soles | 80 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 118 Peruvian soles | 80 Peruvian soles |
| Classic Photo Upper Terrace Route Ticket (1B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 152 Peruvian soles | 64 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 77 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 70 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Inti Punku Gate Route Ticket (1C) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 152 Peruvian soles | 64 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 77 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 70 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Inca Bridge Route Ticket (1D) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 152 Peruvian soles | 64 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 77 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 118 Peruvian soles | 80 Peruvian soles |
| Classic Designed Route Ticket (2A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 152 Peruvian soles | 64 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 77 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 70 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Classic Lower Terrace Route Ticket (2B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 152 Peruvian soles | 64 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 77 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 70 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Huayna Picchu Mountain Route Ticket (3A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 200 Peruvian soles | 112 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 125 Peruvian soles | 80 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 118 Peruvian soles | 80 Peruvian soles |
| Royalty Designed Lower Temple Route Ticket (3B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 152 Peruvian soles | 64 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 77 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 70 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Temple of the Moon or Great Cave Route Ticket (3C) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 200 Peruvian soles | 112 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 125 Peruvian soles | 80 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 118 Peruvian soles | 80 Peruvian soles |
| Huchuy Picchu Mountain Route Ticket (3D) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu Entry Ticket | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia |
| General adults | 152 Peruvian soles | 64 Peruvian soles |
| University students | 77 Peruvian soles | 32 Peruvian soles |
| Under 18 years old | 118 Peruvian soles | 80 Peruvian soles |
Which ticket should you choose?
• During the high season (June 19 to November 2) all Machu Picchu tickets are available, while in the regular season (November 3 to June 18) only six tickets are available.
• The ideal schedule will depend on the visitor’s itinerary. If you plan to visit in a single day from Cusco, it is highly recommended to depart at dawn and choose entry times from 10 a.m. onward.
• If your trip lasts two days and you stay overnight in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town), it is best to start early with entry times at 6, 7, or 8 a.m.
• If you want to add a trekking experience to your visit to the Inca citadel, the Huayna Picchu Mountain route (3A) and the Machu Picchu Mountain route (1A) are the best options.
• The classic circuit tickets of Machu Picchu are the most requested, as they allow a more immersive tour through the main structures and temples of the Inca citadel.
• After securing your Machu Picchu ticket, you must purchase the train ticket through one of the two official railway companies: PeruRail and Inca Rail. Both offer different train services and departure schedules.
• Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas (1 hour 45 minutes from Cusco), has the main railway station to Machu Picchu. The type of train service and schedule will depend on the visitor’s choice.
• For a one-day visit from Cusco, it is recommended to choose the earliest train schedules (departures between 6 and 7 a.m.). The journey takes approximately two hours and passes through the Sacred Valley landscapes.
• After purchasing the Machu Picchu ticket and train tickets, the remaining arrangements must be organized: hotel, transport, or tour reservations.
The trip to Cusco, Peru
• The trip to Cusco in Peru is the next thing to organize. Jorge Chávez International Airport, in Lima, is the first destination, since international flights from major airports around the world arrive there.
• From most countries in Europe and the Americas, no visa is required to enter Peru.
• After purchasing a ticket to Lima, you must then book a flight to the city of Cusco, located 1,102 kilometers away by road. The bus trip takes 20 hours. The flight takes only 1 hour.
• The city of Cusco is located in the Andes mountain range, at an altitude of approximately 3,399 meters above sea level. Once there, depending on your travel plan, you can stay either in the city itself or in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, such as Urubamba (2,871 meters above sea level).
• Upon arrival in Cusco, it is normal to experience some symptoms of altitude sickness if you are not used to high elevations. It is recommended to engage in light activities and get enough rest during the first day to manage it.
Plaza de Armas of the Imperial City of Cusco
The trip to Machu Picchu
• After arriving in Cusco, the next step is to organize the visit to Machu Picchu, with both the train ticket and entrance ticket already secured.
• First, you must board the train that takes visitors to Aguas Calientes. The main station is in Ollantaytambo, approximately two hours from the city.
• The train journey also takes about two hours. It is a highly scenic experience where the landscape transitions from Andean terrain to tropical zones.
• After arriving in Aguas Calientes, you must purchase the bus ticket that takes you on a 30-minute ride to the entrance of Machu Picchu. The cost of this service is around 12 US dollars.
• Alternatively, you can hike up for free via a steep stairway route. The full ascent takes more than 2 hours, so it is recommended mainly for the descent.
Expedition train journey to Machu Picchu
The visit to Machu Picchu
• Depending on the Machu Picchu ticket, you can explore one of the three circuits that divide the Inca citadel.
• With Circuit 1 tickets (panoramic route), you can access the upper sector of the world wonder, where the best landscape views are found, including the classic postcard photo spot.
• With Circuit 2 tickets (classic route), you access the most immersive path, which covers the main temples and structures of the Inca citadel, along with wide scenic viewpoints.
• If you purchase Circuit 3 tickets (royal route), you can explore the lower sector of Machu Picchu, an area featuring an urban layout with important constructions.
• Each circuit lasts around 2 hours on average, although if the ticket includes a trekking route, the visit can extend up to 5 hours.
Tourists in Machu Picchu
Questions and answers about your first trip to Machu Picchu
1) When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
The dry season is considered the best time to visit Machu Picchu because there is less chance of rain. These months are May, June, July, and August.
2) Is Machu Picchu open all year round?
Yes, Machu Picchu is open every day of the year, including Sundays and holidays. Visiting hours are from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
3) Which Machu Picchu ticket should I choose?
Classic Designed Route (2A) and Classic Lower Terrace Route (2B) tickets are the most recommended, as they offer a more detailed visit through most Inca constructions. They also have a higher ticket availability.
4) Which tourist circuit in Machu Picchu should I choose?
Circuit 2 in Machu Picchu is the most recommended because it offers the classic postcard photo (from the Lower Terrace). It includes visits to the main temples such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Intihuatana, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, and more.
5) Can I get discounts for visiting Machu Picchu?
Yes, Machu Picchu entrance tickets offer discounts for undergraduate university students (under 25 years old), visitors under 18 years old, and citizens of the Andean Community of Nations: Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, or Bolivia. Children under 3 years old enter for free.
6) How do I travel to Cusco from Lima?
From Lima to Cusco it is 1,102 kilometers by road. The bus trip takes 20 hours. The flight takes 1 hour.
7) How do I travel to Machu Picchu from Cusco?
From Cusco to Machu Picchu it is a little over 100 kilometers. The trip by car to Ollantaytambo and then by train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) takes approximately 4 hours. The alternative route via Hidroeléctrica takes 8 hours. The Inca Trail trek takes 4 days.
8) How do I get a guide in Machu Picchu? Is it mandatory?
The tour guide is optional in Machu Picchu. You can hire one at the entrance of the Inca citadel or through a travel agency website.
9) How do I get the bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu?
The bus ticket can be purchased in Aguas Calientes itself. It can also be bought online. Availability is wide, so it can be purchased on the same day.
10) What should I know if I visit Machu Picchu for the first time?
Machu Picchu is one of the best tourist attractions on the planet. Most first-time visitors return. Entrance tickets should be purchased online and in advance.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Rosa P.“Beautiful“
“A wonderful experience, I would love to come back with my whole family. Machu Picchu awakens something in you that is hard to explain; it is no coincidence it is one of the best destinations in the world.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, April 10, 2026