How to Buy Machu Picchu Tickets (2026–2027)

Machu Picchu entrance tickets are sold with a fixed daily limit, a specific circuit and a set entry time, and they are personal and non-transferable. This guide explains the three ways to get them, walks through the official TuBoleto website step by step, and lists the mistakes that most often cost travelers their tickets.

3 ways to buy Machu Picchu tickets

For most travelers, booking online in advance is the safest option. In high season (June to September) and on holidays, Circuit 2 and Huayna Picchu often sell out weeks or months ahead.

Before you buy: choose your circuit

Every ticket is tied to one circuit and route. You can’t switch circuits inside the site, so choose before you book:

• Circuit 2 (2A or 2B): the classic route through the citadel. Best for first-time visitors.
• Circuit 1 (1B): the upper terraces and the famous postcard view, but no access to the urban area.
• Circuit 3A (Huayna Picchu) or 1A (Machu Picchu Mountain): a hike plus the site. Limited spots.

See the full circuit comparison if you’re unsure.

Option 1: How to buy Machu Picchu tickets with us (3 steps)

1. Choose your circuit, date and entry time: Go to Machu Picchu Tickets, pick a circuit and click Check Availability. The calendar shows live availability.
2. Add travelers and extras: Select the number of adults, students and children. Optionally add the round-trip bus from Aguas Calientes, train tickets or a guide.
3. Enter passport details and pay: Fill in each traveler’s details exactly as they appear in their passport and pay by credit or debit card. You’ll receive confirmation by email, and your tickets once they’re issued.

No account or registration is required. If you get stuck, our Cusco team can help you on WhatsApp. Book Machu Picchu tickets →

Option 2: How to buy Machu Picchu tickets on TuBoleto (official website), step by step

TuBoleto.cultura.pe is the ticketing platform of Peru’s Ministry of Culture. It sells entrance tickets only. Here is the full process as of the 2026 reservation system

Below is the updated step-by-step process to book Machu Picchu tickets through TuBoleto, based on the current 2026 reservation system.

Step 1 — Go to the Official TuBoleto Website

Go to the official ticketing website of the Ministry of Culture of Peru: TuBoleto.cultura.pe. This is the official platform for purchasing tickets to Machu Picchu and other archaeological sites in Peru.

Click Schedule Your Visit / Agenda tu visita to start the booking process.

This opens the official reservation form where you must select all visit details before seeing ticket prices.

Step 2 — Select the Circuit You Want to Visit

Choose the Machu Picchu circuit that matches the experience you want.

Common options include:

• Circuit 1 — Panoramic views
• Circuit 2 — Classic Machu Picchu route
• Circuit 3 — Royal / lower sector experience

If you are unsure, Circuit 2 is usually the most popular for first-time visitors.

Step 3 — Select the Route (If Required)

Some circuits require choosing a specific internal route.

Example:

• Route 2A — Classic designed route
• Route 2B — Lower terrace route

Choose based on availability and preference.

Step 4 — Select Your Visit Date

Use the calendar to choose your travel date.

Important:

• Availability is limited per day
• High season dates sell out weeks or months in advance

Always select your exact travel date carefully — tickets are usually non-transferable.

Step 5 — Select Your Entry Time

Choose your entrance time based on available slots.

Example time slots:

• 6:00 AM
• 8:00 AM
• 10:00 AM
• 1:00 PM

Tip for travelers:
During the dry season (April–October), early morning entry times usually offer clearer weather, better lighting for photos, and fewer crowds. During the rainy season (November–March), mid-morning to early afternoon (around 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM) is often recommended, as early mornings can be foggy and weather may improve later in the day.

Step 6 — Select Your Nationality / Residency Category

Choose the correct visitor category:

• Foreign visitor
• Peruvian citizen
• Andean Community Countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador)
• Cusco local resident

Selecting the wrong category may cause problems at the entrance.

Step 7 — Select Ticket Quantity by Visitor Type

Choose how many tickets you need:

• Adult / General
• Student
• Child (3–17 years)

Important rules:

• Maximum 5 visitors per reservation
• Children under 3 enter free

Once selected, the system will calculate your total.

Step 8 — Add Tickets to Cart

Click Add to Cart.

Important:
Adding tickets to cart does NOT mean tickets are secured.

Tickets are only secured after payment is completed.

Step 9 — Login or Create a TuBoleto Account

Before checkout, you must:

• Login if you already have an account
  OR
• Create a new account

Registration includes:

• Identity validation
• Email verification code
• Password creation
• Accepting terms and conditions

This step is mandatory on the official platform.

Step 10 — Review Your Cart

In the cart you will see:

• Machu Picchu ticket details
• Route and circuit
• Visit date and time
• Ticket quantity
• Total price

Click Continue to proceed to checkout.

Step 11 — Enter Visitor Information

You must enter personal details for each visitor.

Required information usually includes:

• Country of origin
• Passport or ID number
• Full name
• Birth date
• Gender

Important:
Tickets are personal and non-transferable.
Information must match the passport used at entrance.

Step 12 — Accept Terms and Continue to Reservation

Review reservation summary.

You must:
Accept terms and conditions

Then click Continue.

Step 13 — Reservation Confirmation (Time Limit Applies)

The system will generate:

• Reservation code
• Payment expiration time

Important:
If you do not complete payment before expiration, the reservation is automatically cancelled.

Step 14 — Choose Payment Method

You can usually pay using:

• Credit or debit card
• Sometimes local payment options (like Yape)

You may see:

• National card fee
• International card fee

Select the correct option and continue.

Step 15 — Complete Payment (Most Important Step)

Enter payment details:

• Card number
• Expiration date
• CVV
• Cardholder name
• Email

Click Pay to finalize purchase.

Important:

• Tickets are only confirmed after successful payment.
• International cards must have online international payments enabled. The payment is processed in Peru and may be blocked by some banks.

Step 16 — Download Your Tickets

After successful payment:

• Status will show Paid
• You can download ticket PDF
• Tickets are usually sent by email

Bring:
Original Passport
Ticket (digital or printed)

Important Reminder

Adding tickets to cart does NOT mean you own the tickets.
Tickets are only guaranteed after payment is completed successfully.

Prefer an easier way to book?

At Machu-Picchu.org, you can book your Machu Picchu tickets in just 3 simple steps, with no registration required. You can also book everything in one place, including Machu Picchu entrance tickets, bus tickets, train tickets, and tour guides — all in a single reservation with fast and secure payment.

Option 3: How to buy Machu Picchu tickets in Aguas Calientes (in person)

• Daily limit: about 1,000 in-person tickets per day, shared across all circuits.
• Next day only: you can’t buy for the same day.
• In person with your passport: each ticket is personal and non-transferable.
• No guarantee: your preferred circuit or time may be gone, especially in high season. Arrive early and plan 1 night / 2 days in Aguas Calientes.

If online tickets are sold out for your dates, our Last-Minute Machu Picchu Tickets service handles the in-person process for you.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Passport details that don’t match: a different passport number or a misspelled name can mean being refused entry.
• Buying the wrong circuit: Circuit 1 doesn’t include the urban citadel, and you can’t switch circuits inside.
• Booking too late: Huayna Picchu and Circuit 2 sell out first in June–September.
• Forgetting the bus: the Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes also sells out. Add the round-trip bus.
• Losing the TuBoleto reservation: a declined card or the payment time limit running out cancels the reservation.

Frequently asked questions

Check availability & book your Machu Picchu tickets →