A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Machu Picchu, Peru

There are a few useful things to know before visiting Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. In this blog post we’ve collected them together, including where to buy your tickets, visitor number restrictions, ticket prices, circuit options and what you can and cannot bring with you.

There are also multiple ways you can reach Machu Picchu from Cusco which we’ve detailed in this blog post. The list includes hiking, trekking and also non-hiking options, so make sure to give it a read before your visit.

If you’d like to see our adventures, then check out the Machu Picchu video on our YouTube Channel. For more Peru videos check out our Peru Playlist.

Introducing Machu Picchu

Tucked away to the northwest of Cusco, Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to historians, Machu Picchu was built by the Inca. The site consists of more than 150 buildings including houses, temples, sanctuaries and baths.

Whilst it was built in the 15th century nobody really knew about the site until Hiram Bingham found it in 1911. Although, based on some evidence, he probably wasn’t the first one to have been to the site since it was abandoned. However, he was more vocal about his discovery and wrote a book called ‘The Lost City of the Incas’ that gained a lot of attention and started bringing in visitors.

Many believe that Machu Picchu was a royal estate and a sacred site for the Inca nobles. Based on the stunning landscape surrounding the site, we can totally see why Inca leaders would pick this spot for their estate.

Today, hundreds of thousands of people visit Machu Picchu every year, making it the most visited place in the whole of Peru.

How to Get to Machu Picchu from Abroad

If you’re arriving from a foreign country, you’ll need to get to Lima, the capital city of Peru and then to Cusco.

1. How to Get to Lima

There are two main ways to reach Lima: by plane or by bus, depending on how far you’re coming from.

By plane – Obviously the easiest and least time consuming way to reach Lima is by flying to Jorge Chavez International Airport. Depending on where you’re coming from, there are many direct flights between Lima and other major cities in North, South and Central America. From Europe you can fly direct to Lima from Amsterdam, Paris or Madrid.

By bus – If you’re coming from neighbouring countries, then you can opt to take an international bus to Lima too. There are a lot of different companies that provide these services such as Peru Hop, Transzela and Grupo Ormeño.

Bus travel between countries in South America is a popular and affordable way to get from A to B for locals and backpackers alike. Travelling by bus will also give you the chance to stop at other places of interest along the way. Our main online sources that helped us to find bus routes and companies operating to and from our next destinations were Busbud.com and Rome2Rio.

2. How to Get from Lima to Cusco

Cusco is basically the tourist capital of Peru and the closest big city to Machu Picchu. There are a few ways to get there from Lima.

If you’re short on time, you can consider flying to Cusco. However, if you have more time, we recommend getting to Cusco over the course of a week or more, so that you can stop at some unmissable locations along the coastal regions of Peru, Arequipa and Lake Titicaca.

By Plane

Cusco has an airport called Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport that offers both domestic and a few international flights. You can fly direct to Cusco from Lima and other cities such as Arequipa, Trujillo, Juliaca, Ayacucho, and Puerto Maldonado. The only international destination where you can fly directly to Cusco is from Santiago, Chile. Airlines that operate at this airport are: Avianca, LATAM Peru, Sky Airline Peru, and JetSmart Peru.

By Private Bus (Peru Hop)

If you’re on a south of Peru tour, then booking a Peru Hop bus pass might be a great option for you. It’s a safe and favoured bus company by many and has lots of perks which you can read about in our bus guide to Peru. Peru Hop buses normally travel from Lima to Paracas, then to Huacachina in one day. The bus leaves Huacachina the next day to Nazca, where you can get an overnight bus to Arequipa to visit the Colca Canyon. From Arequipa, you can even travel to Puno and visit Lake Titicaca before boarding an overnight bus to Cusco.

By Public Bus

If you’re not travelling with Peru Hop, then you can take a public bus to Cusco too. Bus companies such as Cruz del Sur, Civa or Oltursa provide services from Lima and other cities such as Arequipa or Puno. The tickets cost anywhere from £15 to £40 ($US 18-50) depending on the time of day and bus company you pick.

Note. It takes nearly a day to reach Cusco from Lima by bus. However, you can opt to break up your journey and see other places. For example, bus journeys from Arequipa are only around 10 hours long and from Puno they are around 7 hours. You can buy your ticket online or at the bus station. Note that your bus might leave from a different terminal depending on the bus company.

You can find bus routes and companies operating to and from your next destination on these websites: Busbud.com and Rome2Rio.

3. How to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco

So, you’ve made it to Cusco by one way or another. Now, we recommend doing some sightseeing in the city for a day or two to adjust to the high altitude. After acclimatising, you’ll need to get to a small town called Aguas Calientes. It’s located quite literally at the foot of Machu Picchu.

At this point you’ll most likely already know how you’re going to be visiting Machu Picchu but let’s quickly run through your options. There are a few ways to reach Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu from Cusco:

• Day-trip without hiking (normally as part of an organised tour or independently).
• Multi-day trip without hiking (normally organised independently via train travel).
• Multi-day trip with hiking from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes (usually organised independently, but can opt for a group tour too).
• Trekking to Machu Picchu (normally done with a group tour, but some can also be completed independently).

We discuss all these options in greater detail in this blog post.

4. How to Get to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes is located at the foot of the Inca citadel. There are two main ways to reach Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes: by bus or on foot.

You can hop on a bus departing from here. The first bus leaves at 5:30 AM and drops you off in front of the entrance gate after zigzagging up the side of the mountain for about 20-25 minutes. You can expect long queues especially from mid-morning and in the high season. A one way ticket is $12 USD per person and you can also buy a return ticket for $24 USD.

Note that most tours will include your bus ticket to the site, but they don’t always include a return one back to Aguas Calientes. Always double check whether an outbound bus ticket is included to avoid a surprise hike up to Machu Picchu at the crack of dawn. You can always buy an extra ticket at the entry gate for your return journey or hike back down to Aguas Calientes.

If you’re looking for the most affordable option, then you can just hike up to Machu Picchu and then back down to Aguas Calientes. You’ll need to follow the yellow route on this map.

It is a 3.3 km / 2 mi (one way) route and is very easy to follow. However, almost the entire way consists of steps, so be prepared for that. Aguas Calientes is located at 2,040 m (6692 ft) above sea level and Machu Picchu is at 2,430 m (7972 ft). This means that you’ll gain around 400m of elevation if you choose to hike up to the Inca citadel.

Important Things to Know Before Visiting Machu Picchu

A few years ago a lot of new visitor rules were introduced to help preserve the site. These also aim to ease over-tourism impacts on Machu Picchu and perhaps make it a more sustainable place to visit.

Limited Daily Visitor Numbers

In 2021 – potentially due to COVID-19 related health concerns – the number of daily visitors allowed to enter Machu Picchu was reduced. These limitations are still shown on the website, so it hasn’t just been a temporary action.

This is great because it’ll definitely help ease the impacts of over-tourism. However, as a visitor, you’ll just need to plan ahead and book your tickets in advance of your visit. As of writing this post (July 2023), the Ticket Machu Picchu website states the following visitor numbers:

• Machu Picchu Only: 3,000 people per day.
• Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu: 200 people per day.
• Machu Picchu + Mountain: 400 people per day.
• Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu: 200 people per day.
• Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge: 400 people per day.

Entry Fee to Machu Picchu

There are different types of admissions to Machu Picchu. The below prices only apply if you’re a foreign visitor. Note that there are different discounts available, so check out the official website to see if you’re eligible.

• Machu Picchu Only (Llaqta Machupicchu Circuit 1, 2, 3 or 4): S/. 152 / $42 USD per person.
• Machu Picchu Circuit 4 + Huayna Picchu: S/. 200 / $55 USD per person.
• Machu Picchu Circuit 3 + Machu Picchu Mountain: S/. 200 / $55 USD per person.
• Machu Picchu Circuit 4 + Huchuy Picchu: S/. 152 / $42 USD per person.
• Machu Picchu Circuit 1 or 2 + Inca Bridge: S/. 152 / $42 USD per person.

We explain the difference between the 4 circuits in this section.

Normally the tours and treks will include your entry fee to Machu Picchu, but it’s always worth double checking before booking. Please also note that entry to Machu Picchu is not included in the Boleto Turistico.

If you’re visiting independently, it’s likely that you’ll have to hire one of the guides at the entrance. Our online research came up with mixed answers regarding whether or not you can enter the site without a guide. Since we visited as part of the Salkantay Trek, we automatically had a guide with us. If you’ve visited Machu Picchu independently recently, please let us know in the comments below about your experience.

Where to Buy A Ticket to Machu Picchu

Unfortunately you cannot buy a ticket to enter the site at the main entry gate. This means that you’ll have to buy your desired ticket in advance. Luckily, there are quite a few places and ways you can get hold of a ticket to Machu Picchu:

Cusco. You can buy your ticket in person at the Ministerio de Cultura located at Casa Garcilaso on Calle Garcilaso. The office is open from Monday to Saturday between 7 AM and 8 PM. Make sure to have your passport, your payment card and any proof of a potential discount such as a student card.

Aguas Calientes. You can find the ticket office at the Machu Picchu Cultural Centre on Av. Pachacutec. It’s open from Monday to Sunday between 5 AM and 10 PM. Again, have your passport, and a valid student card if applicable. Apparently you can only pay by cash here, so withdraw the amount you’ll need before you leave Cusco or just buy your ticket in Cusco.

Online. If you already know the dates when you’re planning on visiting Machu Picchu, you can just buy your ticket online. This can be done via the Ministry of Culture’s website. You’ll have to have some patience with the site because whilst the main page has Spanish and English options, the ticketing page will only be in Spanish. We recommend using Google Translate on the website. You can also buy the tickets from third party sites but expect them to be slightly more expensive.

Tour. If you book an organised day tour or multi-day trek, your ticket will be included in the price. Be aware though that if you want to hike up to any of the additional mountains you’ll need to let the company know in advance and they’ll probably charge you the extra fee.

Visiting Hours of Machu Picchu

There are also some new entry schedules you should bear in mind when booking your Machu Picchu ticket. There are currently 9 different time slots you can pick from to enter the Inca site:

• Early Morning: 6 AM, 7 AM, 8 AM.
• Mid-Morning: 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM.
• Early Afternoon: 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM.

Depending on which circuit you picked, you can only spend around 4 hours at the site. It’s also worth noting that once you’ve exited the site, you cannot re-enter without buying a new ticket.

Machu Picchu Circuits

As part of the new rules you’ll have to stick to a certain route or circuit around the site. There are 4 different circuits you can choose from:

Circuit 1. You can visit the upper and lower parts of the Inca site. You’ll go through the viewing platform with the iconic Machu Picchu view. However, you won’t walk past features like the Sacred Square, the Intihuatana or the Sacred Rock. You can combine this circuit with the Inka Bridge.

Circuit 2. This one allows you to visit the upper and lower parts of the archaeological site, see the iconic views and it also includes all the important features such as the Intihuatana. It is probably the best one to pick if you don’t want to hike up any of the mountains. You can combine this circuit with the Inka Bridge.

Circuit 3. With this one you can only visit the lower part of the site. It includes most main features such as the Inka House, the Temple of the Sun, the Water Mirrors and the agricultural area. This ticket can be combined with Machu Picchu Mountain and also allows you to re-enter the site once. However, you won’t be able to access the upper platform.

Circuit 4. It is a very similar route to Circuit 3 around the Inca Citadel. This ticket is normally combined with a hike to Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu.

You can check out the exact routes for each circuit on this website.

Other Important Things to Know

Bring your original passport. They’ll need to see your original passport in order for you to enter Machu Picchu. You’ll need it to buy your entry ticket and even your bus ticket. Make sure the name matches the name on your ticket too. If you’re doing any of the treks make sure to have it in a waterproof case the entire time to avoid ruining it.

You’re not allowed food. You can bring a reusable water bottle, which we highly encourage so you can stay hydrated. However, you cannot bring any food with you. So, make sure to have a filling breakfast before your visit.

You’re not allowed certain tech. Tripods, drones, selfie sticks and big backpacks aren’t allowed either. Leave them at your accommodation because you’ll get caught by an eagle eyed guide.

Toilets. There are toilets for S/.2 just before you enter the site. We highly recommend using them because there won’t be any once you’re inside. Plus, with the new rule, you can’t re-enter Machu Picchu, so you’ll be forced to hold it. For reference, we waited for 2 hours just for the fog to clear and then we still had a nearly 2-hour tour around the site.

Use insect repellent. There are definitely some bugs at Machu Picchu just waiting for their free buffet style snacks to arrive on site. We generally recommend covering most of your skin, or wear bug repellent.

Be respectful. It goes without saying that you should respect the site and other visitors. After all, these new rules were implemented for a good reason. People’s behavior can be questionable sometimes so don’t be the one doing something against the rules.

Make sure to check the prohibited list of items when purchasing your ticket.

Best Months for Visiting Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu has two seasons, a dry and a wet season. The dry season is from April to October, and the wet season is from November to March.

The peak season for visiting Machu Picchu is June, July, and August. During this time the weather conditions will normally be dry and sunny. However, this is also the busiest time of the year, which means that tickets and tours can sell out quickly. Therefore, make sure to book your Machu Picchu ticket and/ or trek in advance.

Of course there are way less tourists visiting the country in the wet season. Things like tours and accommodations will have cheaper price tags and availability will be better at this time. However, the weather conditions can be quite wet, so be prepared for that.

For reference, we visited in April, which is just when the rainy season ends. It’s a great month to visit because there are generally less tourists about and the weather conditions are improving, giving a higher probability for a sunny visit. September and October can also be considered good months to visit for the same reason.

Note. The Inca Trail is closed during February for maintenance work. Other treks might close too or certain parts won’t be accessible due to weather conditions during this time, so bear that in mind before visiting Machu Picchu. The site itself will be open but you might not be able to see much due to thick fog or heavy rain.

Best Time of the Day to Visit Machu Picchu

As discussed above, Machu Picchu has hourly entry slots between 6 AM and 2 PM. So, which slot is best to book your ticket for?

Well, firstly, if you’re visiting as part of an organised tour or trek, then you don’t have too much say in the matter. You’ll normally get an early morning or mid morning slot so you can catch your train back to Cusco later in the day.

If you’re visiting Machu Picchu independently, your entry ticket will be dependent on how you’ve arrived to the site in the first place. For example, if you did a hike from Hidroelectrica to Aguas Calientes, you’d need to start your hike back around 10:30AM to catch your transport around 2 PM. In this instance, you would need to book the earliest entry slot possible.

If you’re taking a train back to Cusco from Aguas Calientes then you can book a slightly later slot depending on your departure time.

It’s worth noting that the early slots are normally less busy but quite a lot of the trekkers will arrive during this time. The Inca site gets even busier from 10-11 AM when day trippers normally arrive. It’s also worth noting that Machu Picchu can be covered in thick fog in the morning. Due to the limited time you’re allowed to stay for and the one-way system, you can’t get back to the iconic viewpoint once you’ve left it. We were waiting for two solid hours for the fog to lift and reveal Machu Picchu to us!

Where to Stay When You Visit Machu Picchu

You might stay at different locations depending on whether you’re doing a day trip or multi-day trip to Machu Picchu. Normally, organised day trips will leave from and return to Cusco, so you won’t need to book any accommodation.

If you want to get to Machu Picchu on your own, we suggest staying a night either in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes. Aguas Calientes is the closest place you can stay to Machu Picchu. Normally, multi-day treks will finish in this town too.

There are lots of accommodation options in all three places with plenty of amenities such as shops, bars and restaurants.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Machu Picchu for the First Time

So you might be asking if Machu Picchu is actually worth visiting at all? There’s no denying that the site gets a large number of visitors, and with the new rules there really is no way to avoid the crowds. If you go in the shoulder season it’ll definitely be better, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll ever have the site all to yourself.

If you visit Machu Picchu with the mindset that there will be a lot of people, the whole experience will be much better. Focus on the site instead of others and you’ll have a much better time there.

That first glance of the site will definitely take your breath away. It’s really beautiful and even though you’d probably have already seen countless photos of it, it’s just nothing like seeing it with your own eyes. The surroundings are just as breath-taking as Machu Picchu itself and the site definitely has an energy that you’ll be able to feel despite the thousands of other visitors you’re sharing it with.

Have you ever been to Machu Picchu before? If so, did you read about all this information before your visit? If not, do you think you’re more prepared after reading this blog post? Let us know in the comments below.