Cusco, Peru · attraction
Machu Picchu
The 15th-century Inca citadel above the Urubamba Valley — sunrise from the Sun Gate, terraces cloaked in mountain mist.
Machu Picchu was built around 1450 as a royal Inca estate, abandoned during Spanish conquest, and forgotten until 1911 — now the most-visited site in South America and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tickets are strictly rationed (four fixed daily circuits × timed slots) and the standard visit takes 2-3 hours inside the site. Add-on Huayna Picchu or Mount Machu Picchu climbs are separate tickets that must be booked well in advance.
Opening hours
Daily 6:00am–5:30pm (last entry 3:00pm). Timed circuits enter every 30 minutes.
Ticket price
$45–$250
Basic timed entry ~S/152 (~$41 USD); with Huayna Picchu add-on ~S/200 (~$54); guided tours from Aguas Calientes ~S/450 (~$120); Inca Trail 4-day trek ~$800–1500.
Visit duration
3–6 hours
Best time
April-May or September-October — dry season without peak-season crowds. Avoid January-March (heavy rain, sometimes closes the Inca Trail). The 6am first slot gives you the sunrise mist over the terraces; the 2pm slot has softer afternoon light.
How to skip the line
The site has a hard daily cap — book direct at machupicchu.gob.pe 3-6 months ahead for peak season (June-August). For the Huayna Picchu climb (400 daily slots), book 4-6 months ahead. Reputable Cusco tour operators (Alpaca Expeditions, Llama Path) can secure last-minute slots at a modest markup.
Tours & tickets
Live inventory from Viator — every card bookable, prices refresh hourly.
Machu Picchu Private Tour
- Top-rated · 4.9★
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- Private tour
Machu Picchu Entrance Ticket
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Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco
- 4.5★ · 1696 reviews
- Bestseller
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Machu Picchu Full Day from Cusco
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Half Day Private Tour Machu Picchu Cusco Peru
- Top-rated · 5.0★
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- Private tour
Machu Picchu Tour Full Day by Train
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Free cancellation
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Bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu
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- Short pick · ≤2h
Entrance to Machu Picchu and Ascent to Huayna Picchu
- Skip the line
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- Half-day
Entrance to Machupicchu and Tourist Transport
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Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco – Full-Day Tour
- Top-rated · 4.8★
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Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco: Full-Day Guided Tour
- 4.6★ · 738 reviews
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Ticket To Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain
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- Half-day
Getting there
Fly to Cusco → 90 min taxi/train to Ollantaytambo → 90 min PeruRail or Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes → 30 min shuttle bus (or 90 min hike) to the site entrance. The full transfer takes 5-6 hours; most travelers overnight in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo.
Nearby food & coffee
Coffee at El Mapi Café in Aguas Calientes; alpaca skewers + Andean fusion at Indio Feliz (also in Aguas Calientes); Cusco's Chinchero, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo ruins for the Sacred Valley round trip.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Machu Picchu?
Basic timed-entry adult tickets are S/152 (~$41 USD). Adding Huayna Picchu is ~S/200 (~$54). A full-day guided tour from Aguas Calientes runs S/450+ (~$120). Inca Trail treks are $800-1500.
Do I need to book Machu Picchu tickets in advance?
Absolutely — daily visitor caps apply and tickets sell out 2-6 months ahead in high season (June-August). The Huayna Picchu add-on is the tightest bottleneck; book those 4-6 months ahead.
How do you get to Machu Picchu?
Fly to Cusco → train to Ollantaytambo → train to Aguas Calientes → shuttle bus to the site entrance. Total 5-6 hours. Most travelers overnight in Aguas Calientes to catch the sunrise entry.
What is the best month to visit Machu Picchu?
May or September — dry season weather with fewer crowds than June-August peak. Avoid January-March (heavy rain, Inca Trail sometimes closes).
Do I need to acclimatize to altitude before Machu Picchu?
Yes — Cusco sits at 3,400m and altitude sickness is real. Plan 1-2 days in Cusco or lower in the Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo, 2,800m) before hiking. Machu Picchu itself is only 2,430m — lower than Cusco.
Can you hike up to Machu Picchu?
Yes — the classic 4-day Inca Trail (limited to 500 people/day, permits book 6+ months ahead) or shorter alternatives (Salkantay, Lares treks). The bus from Aguas Calientes takes 30 minutes if you're not trekking.