Machu Picchu is an Incan city surrounded by temples, terraces and water channels, built on a mountaintop. It was built with huge blocks of stone joined to each other without any mortar. Today it has been designated cultural heritage of humanity in recognition of its political, religious and administrative importance during the age of the Incas.
1. General Information
Machu Picchu means Old Mountain, taking its name from the location of the Incan citadel.
According to historians, the architectural complex was built in the 15th century, approximately, by the Inca Pachacutec.
Its exact location is in the Machu Picchu district, province of Urubamba, 70 miles northeast of the city of Cusco.
Machu Picchu was linked to the entire Inca Empire via the Qhapaq Ñan, the famous roads of the Incas.
Temperature range from a low of 43º F to a high of 70º F.
The citadel is divided into two areas: the agricultural area consisting of the terraces, and the urban section, which served administrative purposes.
The average altitude of the citadel is 8047 feet above sea level.
The mountains of Wayna Picchu and Machu Picchu are perfect for taking panoramic photos of the entire architectural complex.
2.Entrance Tickets
No entrance tickets for any of the hikes are sold at the access checkpoint. Visitors cannot enter the Huayna Picchu zone without the correct ticket. The maximum capacity of visitors is 400 per day, divided into two groups of 200 people according the times indicated.
| | Inca City of Machu Picchu | Inca City of Machu Picchu + Montaña Machu Picchu | Inca City of Machu Picchu + Wayna Picchu |
| Overseas adult | S/. 128.00 | S/. 142.00 | S/. 152.00 |
| National adult | S/. 64.00 | S/. 80.00 | S/. 90.00 |
| Overseas student* | S/. 65.00 | S/. 72.00 | S/. 77.00 |
| National student* | S/. 32.00 | S/.40.00 | S/.45.00 |
| Adult (evening hours) 1 | S/. 45.00 | - | - |
| Student (evening hours) 1 | S/. 22.00 | - | - |
Remember to buy your ticket on-line in advance of your visit at machupicchu.gob.pe with Visa, Mastercard or with a Banco de la Nación Multired card. If you are in Peru, you can pay for your ticket at any cashier window in a Banco de la Nación around the country.
Follow these steps to purchase the Machu Picchu e-ticket:
- Make your reservation through the website: www.machupicchu.gob.pe, providing the date of the visit, personal details, and the route to visit. (Remember that the reservation is valid for 3 hours).
- After making the reservation you can pay the amount due online using a VISA credit card that uses the Verified by Visa security system or in one of the authorized offices.
- Once payment is made you must return to the website www.machupicchu.gob.pe and go to the Check In tab, where you should enter the reservation code in order to be able to print the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu according to the method chosen.
3. Payment Methods
By credit card:
There is a surcharge for online payment of an additional percentage (4.28% for foreign credit cards and 2.66% for domestic credit cards). You can also make the payment at one of the authorized collection agents and at the offices of the Regional Directorate of Culture.
Authorized Agents in Cusco (Only tickets for Peruvian or foreign national adults)
| Office | Address | Hours | Telephone | Payment method |
| Cusco Association of Travel Agencies (AATC) | Calle Nueva Baja Nº 424-Cusco | Mon-Fri from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. | +51-84-227492 | Visa and MasterCard |
| Inca Rail* | Portal de Panes N° 105, Plaza de Armas de Cusco | Mon-Fri: 09:00 am – 21:00 pm. Saturdays: 09:00 am– 19:00 pm, Sundays and Holidays: 09:00 am – 14:00 pm | +51-84-233030 | Visa and MasterCard |
| Peru Rail* | *Portal de Carnes N° 214, Plaza de Armas de Cusco. | Mon-Sun 7:00 am to 10:00 pm | +51-84-581414 | Visa and MasterCard |
(*) For Peru Rail or Inca Rail, Machu Picchu entrance passes will only be sold to customers who have purchased train tickets with the company and subject to availability.
In cash:
At Banco de la Nación offices nationwide or one of the sales offices of the Cusco Regional Directorate of Culture.
| Office | Address | Hours | Telephone | Payment method |
| Regional Directorate of Culture. | Casa Garcilaso - Calle Garcilaso s/n | Mon-Sat: 7.00 am – 7.30 pm | +51-84-23-6061
+51-84 582030 | Cash, Visa and MasterCard |
| Machu Picchu Pueblo or Aguas Calientes | Av. Pachacutec cuadra 1 s/n | Mon-Sun from 5:20 am to 8:45 pm | +51-84-21-1196 | In cash and soles only |
Note:
- There is no need to print the reservation form to make payment as long as the reservation code is noted in order to pay at any of the authorized offices.
- Student tickets are only available in the Cusco or Machu Picchu Pueblo offices of the Regional Directorate for Culture upon presentation of valid university ID or an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), showing the expiry date. Only valid for undergraduate students.
- For the terms and conditions of the Machu Picchu e-ticket please visit the following link: www.machupicchu.gob.pe
- Entrance to Machu Picchu is only permitted on the date shown on the ticket. Entrance will not be permitted at any other time.
Remember to buy your ticket on-line in advance of your visit at www.machupicchu.gob.pe with Visa or with a Banco de la Nación Multired card. If you are in Peru, you can pay for your ticket at any cashier window in a Banco de la Nación around the country.
4. Train Tickets
Peru Rail
You can buy train tickets at the various Peru Rail sale points, and also on the website www.perurail.com. The sale of tickets is subject to availability.
| Office | Address | Hours | Telephone |
| Wanchaq station - Cusco | Av. Pachacutec S/N | Monday to Friday 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 am to Noon | |
| Cusco Plaza de Armas Office | Portal de Carnes N° 214 - Plaza de Armas | Monday to Sunday 7:00 am to 10:00 pm | |
| Cusco Plaza Regocijo Office | Plazoleta Regocijo N° 202 – Historical Centre | Monday to Sunday 7:00 am to 10:00 pm | |
| Ollantaytambo Station | Av. Ferrocarril s/n | Monday to Sunday 4:00 am to 9:00 pm | (51 84) 20-4110 |
| Machu Picchu Pueblo station | | Monday to Sunday 6:00 am to 9:30 pm | (51 84) 21-1208 |
Inca Rail
You can buy tickets at different customer service spots or through the website www.incarail.com
| Office | Address | Hours | Telephone |
| Cusco Plaza de Armas Office | Portal de Panes 105- Plaza de Armas | Monday to Friday: 9.00 am – 9.00 pm. Saturdays: 9.00 am – 7.00 pm. Sundays and public holidays: 9.00 am – 2.00 pm | (84) 23-3030 |
| Ollantaytambo Station | Av. Ferrocarril s/n | Monday through Sunday 6 a.m.–8 a.m. / 9:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. / 2:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | (51 84) 20-4211 |
| Machu Picchu Pueblo station | | Monday through Sunday 7 a.m. – 9:30 a.m./ 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. /3:45 p.m.– 7:15 p.m. | |
5. Peru Rail Local Train Tickets
Passengers who are Peruvian citizens or residents, subject to presentation of a valid national identity document or valid foreign identity card can buy local roundtrip train tickets (Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu Pueblo - Ollantaytambo) up to 05 days in advance at any of the Peru Rail sales offices in Cusco:
- San Pedro Station: Mon-Sun, 7:00 am to 11:00 am
- Wanchaq station: Mon-Fri from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sat and Sun 7:00 am to Noon
However, at remote stations such as Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, one-way tickets can be purchased (going or returning) according to availability:
- Be at Ollantaytambo Station (only going or returning and according to availability) at least 1 hour prior to the train's departure time (Mon-Sun 4:00 am to 9:00 pm)
- At Machu Picchu (only going or returning and according to availability), buy return tickets as far in advance as possible (Machu Picchu Pueblo Mon-Sun, 4:30 am to 7:30 pm)
6. Tickets for bus
There are buses that travel to the Sanctuary from Machu Picchu town, leaving every 15 minutes from 05:30 am onwards. This interval is offered until 3:30 p.m. and return buses leave between 6:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
| Details | Fare |
| Round trip | One way |
| Foreign Adult | $ 24.00 | $ 12.00 |
| Foreign Child | $ 12.00 | $ 7.00 |
| Peruvian Adult | $ 15.00 | $ 8.00 |
| Peruvian Student | $ 10.00 | $ 6.00 |
| Peruvian Child | $ 8.00 | $ 5.00 |
| Resident of Cusco | S/.19.00 | S/. 9.50 |
| Machu Picchu Resident | S/. 8.00 | |
| Guide | S/.12.00 | |
Buy bus tickets in advance to avoid having to stand in line twice at Aguas Calientes or Machu Picchu Pueblo (one for buying and one for boarding the buses) tickets can be purchased at the CONSETTUR offices located in Cusco:
- Av. Infancia Nº 433: Mon-Sat from 8:00 am to 12:45 pm and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Sunday and holidays from 08:00 am to 12:45 pm.
- Interbank Office, Av. Sol N° 380, Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Machu Picchu Pueblo Office, Av. Hermanos Ayar S/N Monday through Sunday including holidays 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
7. Opening times Entrance
First group: from 06:00 to 12:00 hrs.
Second group: from 12:00 to 17:30 hrs.
Maximum capacity of visitors per day: 2,500