Quick Summary in 3 Sentences
There are several different types of Machu Picchu entrance tickets available: Machu Picchu only, Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu + Montana and Machu Picchu + Museum. Tickets cannot be bought at the entrance to Machu Picchu, and must be purchased from an authorised ticket dealer or direct from the Ministry of Culture. General tickets to Machu Picchu are limited to 2,500 per day, whilst combination tickets types (excluding Museum) are limited to just 400 per day.
Ticket Types
Machu Picchu Only
This ticket grants you general access to the citadel of Machu Picchu only, with entrance times from 6am until 6pm. You can enter and leave Machu Picchu as many times as you want throughout the day. 2014 price: 126 soles (approx US$ 47).
Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu
This ticket grants you general access to the citadel of Machu Picchu from 6am – 6pm, and entrance to the controlled hike of Huayna Picchu. There are only 400 tickets available per day, which is then split into 2 entrance times for Huayna Picchu: 200 tickets for 7 – 8am entrance and 200 tickets 10 – 11am entrance. 2014 price: 150 soles (approx US$ 55).
Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain (Montaña)
This ticket grants you general access to the citadel of Machu Picchu from 6am – 6pm, and entrance to the controlled hike of Machu Picchu Mountain also known as Machu Picchu Montaña. There are only 400 tickets available per day of this ticket type, with one entrance time of 7 – 11am for Machu Picchu Mountain. 2014 price: 140 soles (approx US$ 52).
Machu Picchu + Museum
This ticket grants you general access to the citadel of Machu Picchu from 6am – 6pm, and entrance to Machu Picchu Museum. The ticket is valid only for 1 day and the date indicated on the ticket.
The museum is located on the shuttle bus road between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, just before you cross the bridge and start climbing the mountain. Named after the late resident archaeologist at Machu Picchu (Manuel Chávez Ballón), the museum was re-inaugurated in October 1992 after a long period of closure. The main exhibits include artefacts recovered from Machu Picchu since it was re-discovered in 1911 (some as recent as 2004), plus some pre-Colombian items. The museum is open daily from 10 am – 5pm. 2014 price: 140 soles (approx US$ 52).
Standard Entrance Ticket for Machu Picchu
How to Buy Tickets / Changing Tickets
You can purchase Machu Picchu tickets online, direct from the offices of the Ministry of Culture in Cusco or Aguas Calientes and through an authorized ticket dealer. Alternatively, if you are entering Machu Picchu as part of a trek, hike or tour, your Machu Picchu ticket is generally included with this (check with your operator). If you have not yet booked your trek or tour and want to search options and compare different prices or operators, take a look on the www.findlocaltrips.com website.
Buying Tickets Online (Ministry of Culture)
Peru’s Ministry of Culture has an official website where you can purchase all tickets types online before you travel. Be warned the website it is notoriously bad to navigate making the application process somewhat troublesome. The website only accepts Visa credit cards, and difficulties with payments are frequent and frustrating. Don’t expect any telephone support should things go wrong! Discounted tickets (ISIC student or child) cannot be purchased through the website. To apply for the discounts you need to go in person to the offices of the Ministry of Culture. This site is also useful for checking availability of tickets for your chosen date(s) of entry.
Website: http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/ (good luck!)
Buying Tickets at the Offices of the Ministry of Culture
Peru’s Ministry of Culture has 2 ticket offices, one located in Cusco and the other in Aguas Calientes. To purchase the tickets you will need to take a long your valid passport. Payment is best made in cash, but major credit cards are also accepted. Be warned that queues can often be long and disorganized. As the security guard exactly which line you need to stand in, it may save you some time! You can also make an online application for tickets at the official government website, then print out the reservation and make the payment in person at the office, this is the quickest option and highly advisable.
DRC Cusco Office
Address: Casa Garcilaso – Calle Garcilaso. Monday – Saturday, 8.00 am – 6.00pm.
DRC Aguas Calientes Office
Address: Av. Pachacutec (just off the main plaza). Monday – Sunday, 5.00am – 10.00pm.
Buying Tickets through an Authorised Ticket Dealer
Perhaps the simplest option for buying your Machu Picchu tickets is through a ticket vendor. Only authorised travel agencies and operators can sell tickets, and their authorization number can be found online at the Ministry of Culture’s website. You will pay a premium for this service, but it does allow hassle-free purchase of tickets.
Machu Picchu Entrance Tickets
Website: http://www.machu-picchu-entrance-tickets.com/
USA Toll-free: 1 855 217 9045
UK Free-phone: 0808 101 2673
Errors on Tickets / Changing Dates of Tickets / Expired Passports
It is vitally important that the details given when applying for your tickets are 100% correct. Errors on tickets may mean that you are not granted entrance to Machu Picchu! It is vitally important that your name and passport number are correct. Other information such as age, sex and address are typically used for government statistics, so are less important, but making sure everything is correct is advised. If there is an error that needs to be corrected, you need to go to the Ministry of Culture in person (best in Cusco) with your valid passport. You will need to pay a fine of 15 Soles (US$ 6) to make the change. Allow plenty of time to do this! For changing dates of tickets the previous statement also applies. If you have purchased your ticket with an expired passport number, then you can still use the ticket. Simply present both the old and new passport at the entrance to Machu Picchu.
