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Hours of entry Machu Picchu
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Machu Picchu entrance schedules: entrance, trains, buses and more

Did you know that you can enter Machu Picchu in 9 shifts: from 6 am you enter for spaces of 1 hour until 2 pm. In the case of tickets that include the mountains (Huayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain), the entry times are mostly in the morning. There is also an entrance that allows you to visit the little known Inca Bridge. Keep in mind that reserving your entrance tickets in advance will allow you to choose the type of ticket and the time you prefer. The hours will depend on the entrance ticket you have chosen. In total there are 5 types of tickets that offer different experiences and schedules.



Entrance hours to Machu Picchu

1. Machu Picchu Only

With this ticket you can choose to enter Machu Picchu at 9 different times. The shifts and schedules are as follows:

  • Entry from six in the morning.
  • Entry from seven in the morning.
  • Entry from eight in the morning.
  • Entry from nine in the morning.
  • Entry from ten in the morning.
  • Entry from eleven in the morning.
  • Entry from twelve in the morning.
  • Entry from one in the afternoon.
  • Entry from two in the afternoon.

More information about the ticket Machu Picchu Only:

  • There are approximately 2,500 tickets available in each of the shifts.
  • You can stay for 4 hours from your time of entry.

2. Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu

This ticket has a daily availability of 200 people. There are 4 groups or entry times to Machu Picchu and Waynapicchu mountain.

  • Group 1 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 am The entrance to the Waynapicchu mountain is from 7 am to 8 am
  • Group 2 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 am The entrance to the Waynapicchu mountain is from 8 am to 9 am
  • Group 3 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 am The entrance to the Waynapicchu mountain is from 9 am to 10 am
  • Group 4 – Entrance to Machu Picchu from 9 am The entrance to the Waynapicchu mountain is from 10 am to 11 am

More information about the Huayna Picchu ticket:

  • It is a good idea to book this ticket 4 months in advance. It is the one that runs out the fastest.
  • Only those over 12 years old can access the Waynapicchu.
  • Not suitable for people who fear heights.

3. Machu Picchu + Mountain

The entrance to the Machu Picchu mountain is similar to the Waynapicchu. This hike is difficult, however they offer spectacular views 600 meters above the Inca City.

  • Group 1 – Entrance to Machupicchu from 6 am The access to the mountain is open from 7 am to 8 am
  • Group 2 – Entrance to Machupicchu from 7 am The access to the mountain is open from 8 am to 9 am

More information about the ticket Machu Picchu + Mountain

  • In total there are 400 tickets available for each day.
  • You can travel this mountain in the company of family and friends. There is no age limit.

4. Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu

This ticket is available for 200 people per day. The entry is made at eight different times. Includes the entrance to Machu Picchu and the new hiking route to the Huchuy Picchu mountain.

  • Entry from six in the morning. Access to the mountain is from seven to eight in the morning.
  • Entry from seven in the morning. Access to the mountain is from eight to nine in the morning.
  • Entry from eight in the morning. Access to the mountain is from nine to ten in the morning.
  • Entry from nine in the morning. Access to the mountain is from ten to eleven in the morning.
  • Entry from ten in the morning. Access to the mountain is from eleven in the morning to noon.
  • Entry from eleven in the morning. Access to the mountain is from noon to one in the afternoon.
  • Entry from noon. Access to the mountain one to two in the afternoon.
  • Entry from one in the afternoon. Access to the mountain is from two to three in the afternoon.

More information about the ticket Huchuy Picchu Mountain

  • There are 22 tickets available in each of the shifts.
  • You can stay for 5 hours from your time of entry.

5. Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge

This ticket has availability for 400 people per day. Admission takes place at eight different times. Includes admission to Machu Picchu and the little known route to the Inca Bridge.

  • Entry from six in the morning. Access to the Inca Bridge is from seven to eight in the morning.
  • Entry from seven in the morning. Access to the Inca Bridge is from eight to nine in the morning.
  • Entry from eight in the morning. Access to the Inca Bridge is from nine to ten in the morning.
  • Entry from nine in the morning. Access to the Inca Bridge is from ten to eleven in the morning.
  • Entry from ten in the morning. Access to the Inca Bridge is from eleven in the morning to noon.
  • Entry from eleven in the morning. Access to the Inca Bridge is from noon to one in the afternoon.
  • Entry from noon. Access to the Inca Bridge is from one to two in the afternoon.
  • Entry from one in the afternoon. Access to the Inca Bridge is from two to three in the afternoon.

More information about ticket Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge

  • There are 50 tickets available in each of the eight schedules.
  • You can stay in Machu Picchu for 4 hours from your entrance time.

How to manage schedules and not miss anything in Machu Picchu?

Many people think that the schedules in Machu Picchu are very tight. However, if you drive punctually, time is enough to fully enjoy the Wonder of the World.

How to manage the schedules in the Inca City?

If they enter early in the morning (from 6 am)

  • 6 am to 7 am – Enter Machu Picchu and appreciate the sunrise
  • 7 am to 9 am – Tour the Inca City accompanied by a guide
  • 9 am to 10 am – Tour the Inca site on your own and enjoy the landscape

If they enter in the afternoon (from 1 pm)

  • 1 pm to 3 pm – Enter Machu Picchu and do the tour accompanied by a guide.
  • 3 pm to 5 pm – Tour the Inca site on your own and appreciate the sunset.

How to manage the schedules in Huayna Picchu?

If they enter from 6 am

  • 6 am to 7 am – Enter Machu Picchu and appreciate the sunrise.
  • 7 a.m. a 10 a.m. – Tour Huayna Picchu.
  • 10 am to 12 am – Tour the Inca City accompanied by a guide.
  • 12 am to 1 pm – Tour and enjoy the Inca site on your own.

If they enter from 8 am

  • 8 am to 10 am – Tour the Inca site accompanied by a tour guide.
  • 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. – Tour Huayna Picchu.
  • 1 pm to 2 pm – Enjoy the scenery of the Wonder of the World.

How to manage the schedules in the Machu Picchu mountain?

If they enter from 6 am.

  • 6 am to 7 am – Enter Machu Picchu and appreciate the sunrise.
  • 7 am to 11 am – Tour the mountain.
  • 11 am to 1 pm – Tour the Inca City accompanied by a guide.

If they enter from 8 am

  • 8 am to 9 am – Enter Machu Picchu and go to the mountain.
  • 9 am to 12 pm – Tour Machu Picchu Mountain.
  • 12 pm to 2 pm – Visit Machu Picchu in the company of a tour guide.

How to manage the schedules in the Huchuy Picchu mountain?

If they enter early in the morning (from 6 am)

  • 6 am to 7 am – Enter Machu Picchu and go to the door of Huchuy Picchu mountain.
  • 7 am to 9 am – Tour the Huchuy Picchu mountain.
  • 9 am to 10 am – Tour the Inca site with a tour guide.

If they enter in the afternoon (from 1 pm)

  • 1 pm to 2 pm – Enter Machu Picchu and go to the door of Huchuy Picchu mountain
  • 2 pm. at 3 pm. Tour the Huchuy Picchu mountain.
  • 3 pm to 4 pm – Tour the Inca site with a tour guide.

How to manage the schedules in the Inca Bridge?

If they enter early in the morning (from 6 am)

  • 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. – Enter Machu Picchu and go to the Casa del Guardian (classic postcard photo).
  • 7 am to 8 am – Tour the Inca Bridge.
  • 8 am to 10 am – Tour the Inca site with a tour guide.

If they enter in the afternoon (from 1 pm)

  • 1 pm to 2 pm – Enter Machu Picchu and go to the Guardian House (classic postcard photo).
  • 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Walk the Inca Bridge.
  • 3 pm to 4 pm – Tour the Inca site with a tour guide.

Visit to Machu Picchu for 1 day – How to manage the schedules?

The 1 day trip to Machu Picchu is very tight, however it is not impossible. To achieve this, the visitor must choose the ticket Machu Picchu Only (from 11 am).

Machu Picchu 1 day visit schedules:

  • 6 am to 7.30 am – Travel by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
  • 7.45 am to 9.15 am – Travel by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
  • 10 am to 11 am – Travel by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
  • 11 a.m. a 3 p.m. – Visit to Machu Picchu.
  • 3 pm to 3.30 pm – Travel by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
  • 4.20 pm to 6.10 pm – Travel by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • 6.10 pm to 7.40 pm – Travel by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Visit to Machu Picchu for 2 days – How to manage the schedules?

The 2-day trip to Machu Picchu is the ideal one. To make the most of it, the visitor must choose the ticket Machu Picchu Only shift tomorrow (from 6 am)

Machu Picchu 2 day tour schedule:

Día 1:

  • 8 am to 9.30 am – Travel by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
  • 10.30 am to 12.10 pm – Travel by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
  • 12.30 am to 2 pm – Rest in hotel and lunch in Aguas Calientes.
  • 2 pm to 5 pm – Free afternoon to visit the town of Aguas Calientes.
  • 5 pm to 8 pm – Visit to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.

Día 2:

  • 5 am to 6 am – Travel by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
  • 6 am to 7 am – Appreciate the natural sunrise in the Inca City.
  • 7 am to 9 am – Visit to Machu Picchu with a tour guide.
  • 9 am – 10 am – Machu Picchu on your own.
  • 10 am to 11 am – Travel by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
  • 12 pm to 2 pm – Lunch in the town of Aguas Calientes.
  • 3.20 pm to 5.10 pm – Travel by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • 5.10 pm to 6.40 pm – Travel by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Visit to Huayna Picchu for 1 day – How to manage the schedules?

The 1-day trip to Huayna Picchu is very tiring. To achieve this, the visitor must choose the ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Schedule 2 (From 8 am / Entrance to Waynapicchu from 8 am to 9 am).

Machu Picchu 1 day visit schedules:

  • 4 am to 5.30 am – Travel by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
  • 6.10 am to 7.40 am – Travel by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
  • 8 am to 8.30 am – Travel by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
  • 8.30 am to 9 am – Entrance to the Huayna Picchu mountain.
  • 9 a.m. a 11 a.m. – Visita a la montaña Huayna Picchu.
  • 11 am to 12 pm – Visit the Inca site on your own.
  • 1 pm to 1.30 pm – Travel by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
  • 1.30 pm to 2.30 pm – Lunch and free time in Aguas Calientes.
  • 3.20 pm to 5.10 pm – Travel by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • 5.10 pm to 6.40 pm – Travel by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Visit to Huayna Picchu for 2 days – How to manage the schedules?

The 2-day trip to Huayna Picchu is ideal for a pleasant visit. To enjoy it in the best way, the tourist must choose the entrance Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu Schedule 1 (From 6 am / entrance to Waynapicchu from 7 am to 8 am).

Machu Picchu 2 day tour schedule:

Día 1:

  • 8 am to 9.30 am – Travel by bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
  • 10.30 am to 12.10 pm – Travel by train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
  • 12.30 am to 2 pm – Rest in hotel and lunch in Aguas Calientes.
  • 2 pm to 5 pm – Free afternoon to visit the town of Aguas Calientes.
  • 5 pm to 8 pm – Visit to the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.

Día 2:

  • 5 am to 6 am – Travel by bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
  • 6 am to 7 am – Entrance and access to the Huayna Picchu mountain.
  • 7 a.m. a 10 a.m. – Visita a la montaña Huayna Picchu.
  • 10 am 11 am – Visit to Machu Picchu with a tour guide.
  • 11 am to 11.30 am – Travel by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes.
  • 11.30 am to 3.30 pm – Lunch and free time in Aguas Calientes.
  • 4.20 pm to 6.10 pm – Travel by train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo.
  • 6.10 pm to 7.40 pm – Travel by bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.

Train schedules

Currently, there are two train companies to Machu Picchu: Peru Rail and Inca Rail. Both have different train services that depart at different times.

Peru Rail ‘Vistadome’ service train schedules (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):

Departure timeArrival time
07.05 a.m.08.27 a.m.
08.00 a.m.09.25 a.m.
08.53 a.m.10.29 a.m.
09.15 a.m.10.52 a.m.
10.32 a.m.12.11 p.m.
01.27 p.m.02.50 p.m.
03.37 p.m.05.02 p.m.

Peru Rail ‘Expedition’ service train schedules (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes)::

Departure timeArrival time
06.10 a.m.07.40 a.m.
07.45 a.m.09.15 a.m.
08.29 a.m.09.54 a.m.
12.55 p.m.02.25 p.m.
7 p.m.8.45 p.m.
9 p.m.10.45 p.m.

Inca Rail ‘Voyager’ train schedules (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes)::

Departure timeArrival time
06.40 a.m.08.01 a.m.
11.15 a.m.12.45 p.m.
11.30 a.m.01.06 p.m.
04.36 p.m.06.09 p.m.
07.27 p.m.09.09 p.m.

Inca Rail ‘Private’ service train schedules (Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes):

Departure timeArrival time
06.40 a.m.08.01 a.m.
11.15 a.m.12.45 p.m.
04.36 p.m.06.09 p.m.

Bus schedules

The buses leave from the town of Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu approximately every 10 minutes. The first bus leaves at 5.30 am The last one, at 3.30 pm

The bus trip takes 30 minutes on average. The Inca City opens its doors from 6 am The departure time is at 5 pm

You can buy bus tickets in the city of Cusco: av. Infancia 433 or in the same town of Aguas Calientes: Avenida Hermanos Ayar S/N.


Why visit Machu Picchu in the afternoon?

Machu Picchu concentrates a greater number of visitors in the mornings. However, the afternoon schedule offers a similar experience with less tourist traffic.

In 2014, due to the large flow of visitors to the Inca City of Machu Picchu, the Directorate of the Ministry of Culture of Cusco established a promotional rate in the evening hours.

The main objective of this measure was to promote a better balance of visitor concentrations. 80% of visits are registered in the morning.

The promotional schedule managed to improve the management and conservation of the Inca City of Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu in the afternoon offers the following advantages:

  • Lower concentration of tourists. The visitor can have Machu Picchu only to himself.
  • Better environment for taking photos. According to specialists, Machu Picchu looks more radiant with the rays of the sunset sun.
  • Best time to meditate in Machu Picchu in silence.

Frequently asked questions about schedules in Machu Picchu

  • 1. Is Machu Picchu open every day of the year?

    Yes, the Inca Citadel remains open every day of the year, except for emergency situations. Hours of operation are Monday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • 2. Can I stay in Machu Picchu all day?

    There are 9 entry times to the Inca City. Each one allows a maximum of 4 hours of permanence in the archaeological site.

  • 3. How long can I be in Machu Picchu with the ticket to Huayna Picchu?

    The ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu allows you to stay up to 6 hours after entering the Inca City.

  • 4. How long can I be in the Inca City with the ticket to the Machu Picchu mountain?

    The ticket Machu Picchu + Mountain allows you to stay up to 8 hours after entering the Inca City.

  • 5. Does Machu Picchu have night hours?

    No, currently the Inca City is not in a position to host tourists during the night.

  • 6. Is it possible to visit Machu Picchu in just one day?

    Yes. To visit the Wonder of the World in a single day, the tourist must leave at dawn from the city of Cusco. The itinerary is tight and difficult but it is possible.

  • 7. Is it possible to visit Huayna Picchu in a single day?

    Yes, to visit the Waynapicchu mountain in one day, the visitor has to leave Cusco very early in the morning. The tourist must book the Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu ticket in Group 4 (entrance to the mountain from 10 am to 11 am).

  • 8. Are the trains to Machu Picchu punctual?

    Yes. Trains depart and arrive at the exact time except in emergencies.

  • 9. Are the buses from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu punctual?

    Y

    es. The buses leave every 5 or 10 minutes towards the entrance gate of the Inca City. However, during the mornings (5 am to 7 am) long lines form to catch the bus. This is because many tourists want to be the first to enter. The only recommendation is to be patient and in a good mood.

  • 10. Can I enter Machu Picchu at a different time than the one established in the ticket?

    No. The visit to the Inca City is only on the day, time or group chosen. It is not possible to enter at 8 am with a ticket scheduled for 6 am.


Recommendations for managing schedules in Machu Picchu

  • Train tickets are as important as tickets to Machu Picchu. We recommend that you reserve them immediately after knowing on what date you will enter the Inca City.
  • The high season of tourism in Machu Picchu runs from May to August. For those months you must book in advance entrance tickets, plane, trains, hotels, guides and additional tours.
  • To visit the Inca City in the morning, the best option is to spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes.
  • In the afternoon, there is less crowding in Machu Picchu. If you want a more peaceful and quiet visit, it is best to choose a time from noon.
  • If you have free time in Aguas Calientes, take advantage of it by visiting the hot springs, the artisan market or the Mándor waterfalls.

 

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, September 22, 2022