An aerial view of a stone building in the mountains

Machu Picchu Online Reservation Guide

Book your visit to Machu Picchu with our online process guide for booking tickets and transportation.

A Full Guide of the Machu Picchu Tour and Online Tickets Booking

To go to Machu Picchu there can be several scenarios of moving and, thus, several stages of transportation that should have definite timeframes. To assist you in this endeavor here is a comprehensive guide on how to plan for it, how to find ticket information and how best to go about your trip at this amazing discovery.

Getting to Machu Picchu:

Step 1: Fly

To get to Machu Picchu, you need to first fly into Lima – the city, which is the capital of Peru. From Lima, you have two options to reach Cusco, you can either take a bus which can take up to 20hrs, or there is quick way which will take only 1.5-hour flight. Flying is preferred most since it takes a shorter time than the other means of transport though it is the most expensive.

Step 2: From Cusco town to Aguas Calientes

After reaching the city of Cusco, the next destination is Aguas Calientes or also referred to as Machu Picchu Pueblo. There are two main train services you can use:

PeruRail

IncaRail

Both services ply the same route; from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. However, PeruRail is highly recommended because of its better services offered and most of all the views to behold.

Step 3:Take a Bus to the historic site of Machu Picchu.

Aguas Calientes is the last town before Machu Picchu; therefore, you will have to take a bus to the entrance of the site. It takes approximately 30 minutes by bus and the buses ply every 10 to 15 minutes. Tickets can be bought online also or at Aguas Calientes bus station.

Step 4: Trek to Machu Picchu

For the more daring; hiking to the Machu Picchu through the Inca trail is a common choice amongst the tourists. This trek takes about 4 days and for you to undertake this trek you will be required to have a trekking permit.

Purchasing tickets to Machu Picchu

Pre-booking your tickets is essential, looking at the fact that there are restricted openings for the opportunity. Due to complex policies in the control of entry to the site, tickets for Machu Picchu often run out several months in advance and especially during the high season of April to September. Here’s how you can secure your tickets online.

Visit the Official Website:

Selling of the tickets for touristic sites including Machu Picchu can only be done through an official known online sales site. Here you can find their tickets for the entry to the site and the train tickets as well as the bus tickets.

machu picchu website
machu picchu website

Select the Type of ticket

There are several types of tickets available, each offering access to different parts of the site:

Machu Picchu Only/ Circuit 1 Only

Machu Picchu & Wuayna Picchu

Machu Picchu + Mountain

Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu

Machu Picchu + Museum

Majority of tourists prefer to use the ‘Machu Picchu Only’ ticket that enables them to visit all the four circuits in the site.

Select Your Dates

Once deciding on the type of ticket, it is necessary to choose when you want to visit the site. It is always wise to confirm the opening times way ahead of time. If tickets to the preferred date are not available, try other dates then book your travel tickets.

Enter Visitor Information

This is the tab where you enter the data on the full name of each visitor, their nationality, and passport number. Make sure that all the information they put in captures your exact image in the passport because this tend to create problems at the entrance.

Make Payment

Following the input of the visitor details, move to the next step, which is payment. Machu Picchu tickets cost $59 for foreign adults and $35 for foreign students and special offer for children. Other charges associated with the card may be observed.

Receive and Print Tickets

However, after making the payment, you shall be issued with the tickets through your Email. Notably, it is advisable to get a hard copy of the tickets because tickets in the digital format on a mobile device may not get accepted at the entrance.

MACHU PICCHU TICKETS SITE
MACHU PICCHU TICKETS SITE

Further Guidelines to Help Your Stay

Timing Your Visit

Early Morning Visits: There is always high demand for the slots from 6AM-7 AM because of the physic nature that is the sun rise. But these slots are also the most busy one from all the available slots.

Afternoon Visits: You would say, those who would wish to avoid large crowds of people then should take the afternoon time slot. This will be slightly less crowded but there can be problems with visibility if it is foggy or if are doing the walk in the earlier morning or the evening.

Guided Tours

It is always recommendable to hire the services of a guide to help in unraveling more meaning to the site and the history associated with the Machu Picchu. There are normally fixed stationed guides which are available at the entrance and can be hired on the site. The fee is a little flexible and it is wise to negotiate with the guide.

Exploring Aguas Calientes

After the tour of Machu Picchu it is recommended to do some exploration in Aguas Calientes. Some restaurants and cafes are found in this small town. If you want to spend money wisely, it is recommended to go to smaller restaurants. There is also a buffet restaurant located at the entrance of the archeological site of Machu Picchu for easy meal access.

What to Pack

Passport: Needed for entry and when required in different control points.

Printed Tickets: Unfortunately, there is no provision for a digital copy of the previously utilized documents.

Comfortable Footwear: For drifting and moving around the site.

Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Layers are recommended due to varying weather conditions over site.

Snacks and Water: Restricted choices of meals that can be obtained within the area referred to as the site.

Additional Sites to Visit

While at Machu Picchu, don't miss these highlights:

Temple of the Sun

Sacred Plaza

Intihuatana

A temple, also known as the Temple of the Three Windows

All these mentioned sites can be viewed and explored if one has the basic Machu Picchu Only ticket.

Conclusion

Visiting the historical structure of Machu Picchu needs prior planning and most of the facilities need prior bookings. Thus if you guarantee foreseen Flights, Trains, Buses and entrance tickets to avoid last moment rush you can plan a peaceful and enjoyable trip to one of the most historic destination in the world. Regardless of whether you chose the opt for the Inca Trail or conform to the conventional mode of reaching the destination, a visit to Machu Picchu is one of the kind. Happy travels! Do fiil the contact us form for any query.

machu picchu visitors page
machu picchu visitors page

Machu Picchu, Peru

Visit the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu with the avove comprehensive guide on planning your visit to this incredible site.

Guide

Machu Picchu is 70 mi northeast of the city of Cusco

Tips

Flexible hours available