Machu Picchu: guide to choose the perfect ticket
A trip to Machu Picchu is a long-awaited, even dreamed-of day for many visitors. When planning your trip, whether with a tour or on your own, you’ll need to choose from ten ticket types. These allow you to explore one of three circuits and, optionally, different types of hiking trails, such as those to Huayna Picchu Mountain, the Inti Punku Gate, the Temple of the Moon, and many more. The ticket you choose will depend on the type of trip you want: first-time travel, travel with friends, travel with seniors, travel with children, or a second trip. Learn a simple guide to the ticket types and choose the perfect one for you.
- The trip to Machu Picchu for the first time
- The trip to Machu Picchu with children
- The trip to Machu Picchu with older adults
- The trip to Machu Picchu with friends
- The trip to Machu Picchu for the second time
- Frequently Asked Questions
Panoramic view of Machu Picchu
The three tour circuits in Machu Picchu
Each of the ten tickets available for Machu Picchu includes a tour circuit, offering you very different experiences, tailored to your purpose and desires for your visit.
- Circuit 1 – Panoramic Route: As its name suggests, this is a panoramic experience, where you’ll explore the upper reaches of Machu Picchu, including the upper terrace and the Guardian’s House. This is an ideal circuit if you’re looking for a relaxing tour to admire the entire historic sanctuary, while also enjoying a relaxing break in a wide natural setting and taking that classic photo of the site.
- Circuit 2 – Classic Route: This route takes you through the middle of the Inca citadel, which houses most of the temples and most important buildings. This is a historical and immersive tour, perfect for further understanding the context and reason for Machu Picchu.
- Circuit 3 – Royal Route: This circuit runs through the lower part of the historic sanctuary. It’s an immersive tour that includes visits to important buildings and temples. It offers a different perspective, where you’ll be closer to the agricultural terraces with minimal physical effort.
The trip to Machu Picchu for the first time
If you’re visiting Machu Picchu for the first time, the best option is to choose one of the two tickets to Circuit 2 (Classic Route) of Machu Picchu.
This ticket is the most popular option for visiting Machu Picchu, as it allows you to take the second circuit, also known as the classic circuit. It offers the most comprehensive tour of the archaeological site, visiting most of the Inca temples and stone structures.
The classic route includes: the Lower Terrace, the Temple of the Sun (seen from the top), the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, the Sacred Fountains and the agricultural sector (terraces where there are llamas).
If you’re traveling to Machu Picchu for the first time, it’s also recommended to be accompanied by a professional tour guide. Each of the stone structures bears a legend describing its significance and function. A guide also provides a clear explanation to better understand the importance of the Inca citadel.
The tour to Machu Picchu with a professional tour guide through circuit 2 lasts two hours and thirty minutes on average.
The Classic Designed Machu Picchu ticket (Route 2A) has the following costs and discounts:
| Classic Designed Machu Picchu Ticket (Route 2A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults in general | 152 S/. | 64 S/. |
| University students | 77 S/. | 32 S/. |
| Minors under 18 years of age | 70 S/. | 32 S/. |
Circuit map 2 Designed route (Classic Route)
The trip to Machu Picchu with children
If you are visiting Machu Picchu with children, there are two excellent options: the Machu Picchu Royalty Designed Ticket or lower temples (Route 3B) and the Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace Ticket (Route 2B).
If your child enjoys hiking, is active, and is interested in history, the classic route offered by Circuit 2 is the best option. This ticket is the most popular choice for Machu Picchu because it allows for Circuit 2. It includes: the Lower Terrace, the Temple of the Sun (seen from the top), the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, Sacred Rock, the Water Mirrors, the Sacred Springs, and the agricultural sector (terraces where llamas are kept).
If your child gets bored easily, you can choose the Machu Picchu Lower Temples or Designed Royalty ticket, which includes circuit 3 of Machu Picchu. This circuit allows you to visit the lower temples, such as the Royal Tomb, the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Three Doors site, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Springs, and the agricultural area (a postcard photo of Machu Picchu). This circuit takes approximately two hours.
It is recommended to take this tour with a professional tour guide. The guide can be very entertaining for the group, especially for children. Guides know how to capture the little ones’ interest by explaining each of the stone structures and the history behind them.
Both the Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace ticket and the Machu Picchu Royal Designed ticket include a visit to the agricultural sector at the lower part of the archaeological site. There, in addition to taking a postcard photo of Machu Picchu, children can have their photos taken next to llamas, which is very entertaining for them.
The Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) ticket has the following costs and discounts:
| Ticket Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults in general | 152 S/. | 64 S/. |
| University students | 77 S/. | 32 S/. |
| Minors under 18 years of age | 70 S/. | 32 S/. |
Map of Machu Picchu Temples of the lower part
The trip to Machu Picchu with older adults
For seniors visiting Machu Picchu, depending on their physical condition, you can choose between two types of tickets: the Machu Picchu Designed Royalty Ticket or lower temples (Route 3B) and the Machu Picchu Upper Terrace Ticket or classic photo (Route 1B).
If the senior is not in good physical health, has difficulty climbing several sections of stone steps, or is overweight, it is best to choose the Machu Picchu Upper Terrace or Classic Photo ticket (Route 1B), which covers Circuit 1 – Panoramic Route. This circuit allows you to visit the upper part of the Inca citadel, next to the Guardian’s House and the upper terrace, a place that can be used to take a break and contemplate Machu Picchu in all its magnitude. The standard tour lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes, but you can extend it for an additional hour.
Alternatively, if the senior is in good physical condition and feels capable of ascending stone steps on some sections of the route, they can choose the Machu Picchu Designed Royalty ticket or the lower temples (Route 3B). This ticket includes circuit 3, which includes: the Royal Tomb, the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Three Doors site, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Springs, and the agricultural area.
Unlike the Machu Picchu Upper Terrace ticket, the Machu Picchu Designed Royalty ticket visits important buildings, but there are not many resting places and the tour is continuous.
Regardless of the itinerary, it is recommended that you always tour Machu Picchu with a professional tour guide. The guide will help seniors complete the route in the most appropriate manner possible. Furthermore, guides are knowledgeable in first aid and know the best evacuation route from the archaeological site in case of any emergency.
The Machu Picchu Superior Terrace or Classic Photo Ticket (Route 1B) has the following prices and discounts:
| Ticket Machu Picchu Upper Terrace or Classic Photo (Route 1B) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults in general | 152 S/. | 64 S/. |
| University students | 77 S/. | 32 S/. |
| Minors under 18 years of age | 70 S/. | 32 S/. |
Machu Picchu Opening Hours
Each Machu Picchu ticket has its own entry time, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., which is the last entry time. Remember that Machu Picchu is open from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., every day of the year, including holidays.
The trip to Machu Picchu with friends
If you’re visiting Machu Picchu with friends, especially if they’re over 12, hiking to Machu Picchu is recommended. However, if you’re looking for a more exciting and memorable hike, the Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu (Route 3A) ticket is ideal.
The Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket (Route 3A) includes Circuit 3 as part of your visit to the Inca citadel. This Circuit 3 tour covers the lower part of the archaeological site, including the Royal Tomb, the House of the Inca, the Temple of the Sun, the Three Doors, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Sacred Springs, and the agricultural area (a postcard photo of Machu Picchu). Circuit 3 takes an average of two hours, but can be extended up to six hours if your ticket includes an additional hike, such as Huayna Picchu.
But the most striking feature of this ticket is that it includes the hiking route to the top of Huayna Picchu . This hike is uphill for almost 2 kilometers, reaching the summit of the mountain at 2,693 meters above sea level. From there, you have a scenic view of Machu Picchu and its surrounding landscape. A young visitor can complete this hike in an average of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu ticket is available year-round, but only for people over 12 years old.
The ticket to Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu (Route 3A) has the following prices and discounts:
| Ticket Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu (Route 3A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults in general | 200 S/. | 112 S/. |
| University students | 125 S/. | 80 S/. |
| Minors under 18 years of age | 118 S/. | 80 S/. |
Route to Huayna Picchu mountain
The trip to Machu Picchu for the second time
If you’re visiting Machu Picchu for the second time, it’s best to choose a different adventure, so you can experience the archaeological site from a different angle. One of the best options is the “Machu Picchu with Mountain (Route 1A)” ticket.
The Machu Picchu with Mountain (Route 1A) ticket includes Circuit 1 of the tour of the Inca citadel. This tour includes a visit to the Guardian’s House, where tourists can take the famous postcard photo of Machu Picchu.
But the most striking feature of this ticket is that it includes the hiking route to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain. This hike is uphill for almost 2.5 kilometers until reaching 3,082 meters above sea level, at the top of this mountain. This is the longest hiking route at Machu Picchu. An average visitor can complete the hike to the summit in two hours or a little more.
The Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket is available year-round, but only for tourists over 12 years old.
The Machu Picchu with Mountain ticket has the following prices and discounts:
| Ticket Machu Picchu with Mountain (Route 1A) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Machu Picchu | Foreigners | Peru, Colombia, Ecuador or Bolivia |
| Adults in general | 200 S/. | 112 S/. |
| University students | 125 S/. | 80 S/. |
| Minors under 18 years of age | 118 S/. | 80 S/. |
Map of the route to Machu Picchu mountain
Frequently Asked Questions
1) How many types of tickets are there to visit Machu Picchu?
There are currently ten types of tickets, each designed for a specific itinerary within the archaeological site. Choosing the ideal ticket depends on the type of experience you want: whether it’s your first time, whether you’re traveling with children, seniors, or friends, or whether you’re looking for a more adventurous visit.
2) What is the best ticket for a first visit to Machu Picchu?
The best option for first-time visitors to Machu Picchu is the Classic Designed Machu Picchu ticket (Route 2A). This includes circuit 2, which allows you to visit the main temples, viewpoints, and Inca buildings.
3) Can I visit Machu Picchu with small children?
Yes, it is possible to visit Machu Picchu with children. The recommended routes are the Machu Picchu Classic Designed (Route 2A) or Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty (Route 3B) tickets if you are looking for a shorter hike.
4) What ticket is recommended for seniors?
For seniors, the Machu Picchu Temples Lower Part or Designed Royalty ticket (Route 3B) is recommended if you want a quiet tour, without many steps, or Machu Picchu Classic Lower Terrace (Route 2B).
5) Are there hiking trails included in some tickets?
Yes, some tickets include hiking trails as part of the experience. For example, the ticket with Huayna Picchu (Route 3A) includes a hike with spectacular views, ideal for groups of young friends.
6) Can you take good photos with any type of ticket?
Yes, all tickets offer panoramic views of Machu Picchu. However, tickets for Circuit 1 (Panoramic Route) include access to the Guardian’s House, where the most classic photo of the archaeological site can be taken.
7) Are there discounts for entering Machu Picchu?
Yes, there are discounts for university students, minors under 18, and citizens of Andean Community countries (Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia).
8) Is it safe to hike the trails to the Machu Picchu mountains?
Routes like Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are safe, but require good physical condition and responsibility.
9) How far in advance should I buy my ticket to Machu Picchu?
We recommend purchasing tickets at least two months in advance, especially if you plan to take part in any of the hiking trails, as they have limited capacity and high demand.
10) What is the best season to visit Machu Picchu?
The best time to visit is during the dry season, from May to October, when there is less rain and the weather is clearer.
Advice from people who have been there
By: Valentino L.“History, landscapes and energy“
“Machu Picchu is a fantastic place, I keep its great history, the beautiful pictures with amazing landscapes, and the energy that radiates one does not know from where.“
By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, September 1, 2025