Overview
Machu Picchu runs on timed entry. Since June 2024 the citadel is visited on 3 circuits split into 10 routes, and you book one route and an entry time on the Ministry of Culture’s site. For 2026, Ministerial Resolution 285-2025-MC sets a maximum of 5,600 visitors a day on the high-demand dates (January 1, April 2–5, June 19 to November 2 and December 30–31).
Missed the window? Book a guided visit with entry included
Licensed operators hold their own allocation of tickets. A guided visit is the realistic way in when the official release is gone — and you skip the queue.
Exact tour we link to:Last-Minute Machu Picchu 2 or 3-Day Trip
This tour runs with at least 2 participants. Check the conditions on the booking page before you pay.
See guided visits & pricesBooking partner: Civitatis. Free cancellation on most tours.
Tickets are sold by Peru’s Ministry of Culture on tuboleto.cultura.pe. Most travelers pair an entrance ticket with a bus from Aguas Calientes, and some pick a route that includes Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Prices depend on the route and on your nationality; the site shows them during the purchase, so check there.
At a glance
| Do you need a permit or reservation? | Entrance + bus ticket |
|---|---|
| Cost | Check the price on the official site |
| How to get it | Choose one of the 3 circuits (Panoramic, Classic, Royalty) and then one of its routes; each route has its own entry times. |
| When it opens | Hard to get · 3 circuits · 10 routes |
| All-inclusive alternative | Last-Minute Machu Picchu 2 or 3-Day Trip |
| Official rules | tuboleto.cultura.pe Resolución Ministerial 285-2025-MC: 2026 capacity (Ministry of Culture) |
How the permit works
- 1Choose one of the 3 circuits (Panoramic, Classic, Royalty) and then one of its routes; each route has its own entry times.
- 2Pick an entry time from the ones the site offers for that route and date.
- 3Buy on the official Ministry of Culture site, or through an authorized agency for group bookings.
- 4Add the round-trip bus from Aguas Calientes unless you plan to walk up.
- 5Carry the same passport you booked with — it’s checked at the gate.
Required documents
- Passport (the number on your ticket must match)
- Printed or mobile ticket QR
- Student/child ID for discounted rates, if applicable
Insider tips
- June 19 to November 2 counts as high-demand season in the 2026 resolution; if your trip falls there, book as soon as your dates are fixed.
- The 7:00–8:00 AM slots have the cleanest light and thinnest crowds.
- If your date is full on the official site, check other routes and times for the same day before changing plans.
Sold-out alternatives
If your dates are gone, these get you a comparable experience.
Frequently asked questions
How far ahead do Machu Picchu tickets sell out?
There is no official figure for that. What the Ministry of Culture does publish is the daily cap: for 2026, 5,600 visitors on the high-demand dates, June 19 to November 2 among them. Book as soon as your dates are firm and check availability on tuboleto.cultura.pe.
Do I need a guide?
Check the rule for your route on the official site before you buy: we could not confirm the current guide requirement on the Ministry’s pages.
Can I re-enter?
Plan it as a single visit: your ticket is for one route and one entry time. Confirm the re-entry rule for your route on the official site.