Machu Picchu Tickets 2026: Circuits, Prices, and How to Buy Before They Sell Out

Buying a Machu Picchu ticket stopped being simple years ago, and in 2026 the system got even stricter: tickets are now personal, non-transferable, non-refundable, and tied to a fixed date and time. If you don’t understand the circuits and rules before buying, you can end up with a ticket that doesn’t let you see what you wanted — or worse, one you can’t use at all. This guide covers it all: circuits, real prices, and the updated purchase process.

Machu Picchu’s 3 circuits, explained simply

Since the Ministry of Culture’s reorganization, the citadel is toured through 3 circuits, each with its own internal routes:

Circuit	What it includes	Who it’s for
Circuit 1	Upper panoramic view of the citadel; route 1-A climbs Machu Picchu Mountain	You want the classic panoramic shot from above, with or without the mountain hike
Circuit 2	The “classic” route through the heart of the citadel (temples, plazas, terraces)	The most complete walk through the structures themselves
Circuit 3	Lower-level route; route 3-A climbs Huayna Picchu	You want to climb Huayna Picchu (the pointed mountain behind the citadel in the iconic photo)

One ticket gives you access to a single circuit, on a fixed date and time. You can’t buy one circuit and switch to another the same day.

2026 prices for foreign visitors

Official prices are set in Peruvian soles and vary depending on whether your circuit includes a mountain hike (Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain) or not. Approximate reference rate: S/ 3.25 per USD (the real exchange rate fluctuates — confirm the dollar amount with your bank or card at checkout).

Ticket type	Adult	Student (with ID)	Child (3-17)
Circuit 1B or 2 (no mountain)	S/ 152 (~$47)	S/ 77 (~$24)	S/ 70 (~$21)
Circuit 1A (+ Machu Picchu Mountain)	S/ 200 (~$62)	S/ 125 (~$38)	S/ 118 (~$36)
Circuit 3A (+ Huayna Picchu)	S/ 200 (~$62)	S/ 125 (~$38)	S/ 118 (~$36)

The new conservation fee (starting May 2026)

Since May 1, 2026, SERNANP charges an additional conservation fee for the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary: +S/ 11 per foreign visitor, added on top of the ticket price. That means a classic ticket that used to cost S/ 152 now totals S/ 163. Double-check that the final price shown on the official site includes this fee — some agencies still display the old price by mistake.

How to buy: official channels only

Sales are centralized on tuboleto.cultura.pe, the Ministry of Culture’s platform. The process:

1. Choose your circuit and route (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, etc.)
2. Choose an available entry date and time slot
3. Enter the exact full name and passport number of every visitor
4. Pay the full amount — no partial payment or hold-without-payment is allowed
5. Save your digital ticket and bring it with you (printed or on your phone) along with the original ID used at purchase

Since 2026, tickets are personal and non-transferable: only the exact person registered, with the exact document entered at purchase, can enter. If you make a mistake in a passport number, in most cases there is no refund or date change — the only recognized exception is a passport-number typo, which must be corrected before your visit date. Buy calmly and double-check every detail before paying.

How far in advance should I buy?

It depends on the circuit:

• Circuit 3A (Huayna Picchu) and Circuit 1A (Machu Picchu Mountain): very limited slots per time group. These sell out 3 to 6 months ahead, especially in high season (May–September). If your travel dates are confirmed, buy as soon as you can.
• Circuit 2 (classic): more availability, but still book at least 1 month ahead. July and August sell out too.

Total daily capacity is 5,600 visitors in high season (January 1, April 2-5, June 19 to November 2, December 30-31) and 4,600 in regular season.

On the day of your visit

• Arrive at the citadel entrance (not Aguas Calientes town) with enough time — buses from town to the entry gate have their own line too.
• Time inside the citadel is roughly 3 hours from entry (mountain routes have their own additional allowance for the hike).
• Bring your original ID document, the same one used to purchase.
• Tripods, drones, large backpacks (roughly over 40x35x20 cm), poles without rubber tips, and food beyond a small snack and water are not allowed inside.

Do I need to hire a guide?

The rules have changed several times in recent years and there’s conflicting information out there. The safe move: confirm at the time of purchase whether your specific circuit requires a registered guide — some do, some don’t. A guide helps you understand what you’re seeing, but doesn’t replace transportation: you still need to get from your hotel to the train station on your own.

You have your ticket — now you need to reach the station

Buying the entrance ticket is only one part of the trip. Before that, you need to get from the Cusco airport or your hotel to Ollantaytambo or Poroy to catch your train. We have specific guides for that part:

• Cusco Airport to Ollantaytambo Transfer
• Poroy vs. Ollantaytambo Station: Which One Should You Choose?

Already have your travel dates? Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll arrange your private transfer to the station, timed so you’re never rushing to catch your train.