The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Machu Picchu in 2020: Tickets, Rules + more!

There has been some big changes to how and when you can visit Machu Picchu; changes to Machu Picchu tickets, entry times, what is acceptable inside, what you can take into the site, how much time you have in there, and when you will need to buy that very popular sunrise Machu Picchu ticket. 

Here’s your ultimate guide to visiting Machu Picchu!

Machu Picchu in Peru features high on many traveller’s bucket lists and rightfully so. One of the new seven wonders of the world, Machu Picchu is hailed as an archaeologist’s dream. Believed to be built in the 15th century by Peru’s Inca civilisation (by hand!) this South American icon is hard to miss.

The gateway to this mesmerising abandoned city is in the south-eastern city of Cusco and there are many ways to get to Machu Picchu from there. So if you are looking for tips on when to buy Machu Picchu tickets, entrance fees, how to get to Machu Picchu and all the info on the new rules and regulations on visiting Machu Picchu then look no further. Planning a trip to Machu Picchu just got easier!

When to Buy your Machu Picchu Tickets

As a good rule of thumb, the busier the season and the shorter your time in Peru, the earlier you should buy your Machu Picchu ticket. High tourism season in Peru runs from May to October, with the greatest number of visitors seen in July and August. This is the driest, sunniest period coinciding with the busy school vacations. The rainy season peaks from January to March but the region can be rainy and misty any time.

The best times to visit are usually late April to mid-June, and September-October, just outside the rainy season but avoiding the summer rush. The subtropical climate at 2,400 m is generally comfortable though.

It’s worth noting that around 2,500 people visit Machu Picchu daily. 

There is a certain amount of luck regarding how long you wait in line to enter the site. During the day, it’s often very busy at 6 am when visitors rush to enter the site for sunrise, then quietens down an hour or two later. Lines usually peak again at 11 am to noon when the day trippers arrive from Cusco and quieten down by 2 pm.

Planning Your Visit to Machu Picchu

There’s no escaping the fact that those calm moments of wonder you seek at Machu Picchu become harder to attain due to the large number of visitors. Unless you are absolutely determined to see the sunrise, note that lines are often very long, long before dawn and again for the midday entrance when day trippers arrive from Cusco. As tourists leave the site in the late afternoon you start to feel like you have it to yourself. 

The least satisfying way of visiting Machu Picchu is a long, exhausting day trip from Cusco when you spend more time traveling and waiting than actually enjoying the site. It’s best to go down in altitude as soon as you arrive in Cusco (3,300 m) and visit the lower Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu over a few days; otherwise, you risk suffering from altitude sickness, particularly if you have arrived by plane. The best options are to spend the night in Ollantaytambo and take the early train or stay in the nearest town Aguas Calientes. It’s also preferable to stay in one of these towns after your visit, rather than rushing all the way back to Cusco. Another way to see Machu Picchu (without the long queues in the early morning) is by hiking the Inca Trail. See my post here.

New Machu Picchu Rules & Regulations

A new set of rules has been introduced, aimed at preventing the site from becoming a victim of its own success. Entrance tickets are now divided into morning (6 am – midday) and afternoon (midday – 5.30 pm). If you want to stay the entire day then you have to pay the entrance fee twice.

All visitors must now enter with a guide, which is a positive development because the right guide really brings the glory of the site to life with fascinating details. The guided tour takes over 2 hours along a set route, leaving plenty of time to explore the site after the tour. If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain after touring the ruins then you must book tickets in advance.

Machu Picchu Ticket Types

There are now four types of tickets available to those that would like to visit Machu Picchu and within each ticket you will be required to select a specific time slot.

MACHU PICCHU RUINS ONLY TICKETS

This allows entry to the full Machu Picchu ruins, but not Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain.

At the time of booking, you will be required to select an entry time, from which will have four hours in total to explore the site. It is important to note here that whilst in the past simply buying a ‘morning ticket’ entitled you to arrive at sunrise (the best time to take photos and experience a less crowded site), this possibility will only be open to the 300 or so people who purchase the 6 a.m. ticket.

So, if a sunrise entry is hugely important to you, I highly recommend buying your ticket as far as possible in advance as these will no doubt be snapped up very quickly.

Entry times

There are hourly slots available, beginning at 6 a.m., with the final entry at 2 p.m.

Cost | Adults S/. 152 ($70AUD) Children S/. 70 ($32AUD), Students S/. 77 ($35AUD)

MACHU PICCHU RUINS + HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN COMBO TICKETS

Nicknamed the ‘Mountain of Death’ for its incredibly steep climb and terrifying, never ending steps, Huayna Picchu is the mountain that sits behind the Machu Picchu ruins. It offers a phenomenal view over the site.

Only 400 tickets are available each day at three specific morning timeslots for the hike to Huayna Picchu, therefore it is recommended that you purchase this type of ticket as far in advance as possible (at least three months before during high season). The hike itself is a 2-3 hour round-trip, and you will still be required to leave the site within the four hours allocated to each visitor (i.e. if you arrive at 6 a.m., you still have to leave by 10 a.m.).

Entry times

1. Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
2. Entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
3. Entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 a.m., followed by entry to Huayna Picchu between the hours of 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.

Cost | Adults S/. 200 ($92AUD), Children S/. 125 ($60AUD), Students S/. 118 ($55AUD)

MACHU PICCHU RUINS + MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN COMBO TICKETS

The slightly less popular little brother to Huayna Picchu is Machu Picchu Mountain. A slightly easier (and less terrifying) climb, it will still provide spectacular views over the ruins and surrounding landscapes.

Only 800 tickets are available each day at three specific morning timeslots for the hike to Machu Picchu Mountain, therefore it is recommended that you purchase this type of ticket at least one week in advance or three weeks in advance during high season. This itself is around a 2 hour round-trip.

Entry Times

1. Entrance to Machu Picchu from 6 a.m., followed by entry to Machu Picchu Mountain between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
2. Entrance to Machu Picchu from 7 a.m., followed by entry to Machu Picchu Mountain between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.
3. Entrance to Machu Picchu from 8 a.m., followed by entry to Machu Picchu Mountain between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Cost | Adults S/. 200 ($92AUD), Children S/. 125 ($60AUD), Students S/. 118 ($55AUD)

Getting to Machu Picchu

The best way to get to Machu Picchu is to hike there on the Inca Trail. See my post here for more. This gives you the full ‘Indiana Jones’ experience of arriving as the early explorers did. The classic Inca Trail arrives directly at the Sun Gate, so there’s no need for a bus ride.  

If you don’t have time for the trek, you have 2 ways to reach the site’s entry point:

HIKE

Probably one to avoid if you’ve arrived in the Sacred Valley without allowing yourself to acclimatise. It’s a steep walk uphill!

Following the right hand side of the switchbacks that form the shuttle bus road, this moderately challenging trek is an alternative way to reach Machu Picchu. From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu the trek takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Trekking down is a more relaxing option!

SHUTTLE BUS

For most people, especially those wanting to arrive at Machu Picchu as early as possible, the shuttle bus is the preferred method of transport to the entrance.

These modern and relatively comfortable buses to Machu Picchu leave regularly throughout the day from the stop on Avenida Hermoas Ayer (close to the train station).

Tickets can be bought in Aguas Calientes at the bus stop the day before or on the day of your visit, and the bus takes 25 minutes around winding roads to reach the entrance. It is $24(USD) for a round-trip bus ticket.

And remember, with the new specific entry times and four-hour time limit, you really do not want to miss the bus and arrive late!

How to get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes: 

Aguas Calientes is essentially the gateway town to Machu Picchu.

There are two companies operating trains to the nearest town Aguas Calientes — Inca Rail and Peru Rail. It’s recommended to book in advance, especially in high season, and particularly if you’re traveling from Cusco. There are better seats and refreshments on the Peru Rail’s Vistadome train service, and true luxury on the very expensive Hiram Bingham service, but the standard Expedition service is of a good standard. Inca Rail offers first class or the standard executive class. 

Food & Lodging 

The town of Aguas Calientes offers overnight accommodation near the ruins. Some people choose to stay here overnight in order to be able to wake up early in the morning for a sunrise entry to Machu Picchu.

The best – and most expensive – hotel right next to the ruins is the opulent Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. In Aguas Calientes, the top hotel is Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel with a lush location in the cloud forest, but there are many other hotels catering for all budgets, including Gringo Bill’s, a good mid-range option. In Ollantaytambo, the best-known hotel and restaurant in town is the endearing American-run El Albergue.

For refreshments, there is a café just outside the entrance to the ruins. Dinner options are good in Aguas Calientes and recommended restaurants include the eco-friendly Tree House, which mixes Peruvian and Asian dishes, and Indio Feliz, which expertly blends French and local cuisine. 

(Pictured above: Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley and local communities)

Pro Tips:

• Water is not available in the site, so bring a large water bottle (or two) with you. Overpriced bottles of water are for sale just outside the site. Eat before entering because food is not allowed in the site.
• Go to the toilet before you enter Machu Picchu! There are absolutely no toilet facilities once you’re inside and exiting means you cannot re-enter without purchasing a new ticket.
• Weather is changeable so be prepared for both strong sun and rain. Bring sunscreen, hat, rain gear, walking shoes and mosquito repellent. A small umbrella may also come in handy. 
• Note that only small luggage is permitted on the train, so pack essentials and leave any big suitcases in your hotel in Ollantaytambo or Cusco.
• Some unscrupulous restaurants in the area add a 20% “special tax” to your bill at the end of a meal. This is usually not stated on menus so it’s best to ask if such a tax is added before ordering.   
• Fun fact: You can get a Machu Picchu stamp in your passport, so ask for this on your way out!

More on Peru…

• The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Inca Trail [2020]: Everything You Need to Know
• How to Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• 6 Things You Should Know to Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley