Machu Picchu ticket availability: how to check and book
Machu Picchu is the one part of a Peru trip you cannot improvise. Entry is capped by route and time slot, tickets cannot be refunded, and the most popular routes sell out weeks or even months ahead. The good news: availability is public, and with a little planning it is easy to secure the right ticket.
How the system works
Since June 2024, every ticket is tied to a circuit, a route and an entry time. Each route has its own daily quota, so one route can be sold out while another still has places on the same day. Before checking availability, decide which route you want: our tickets and circuits guide explains all of them.
How far in advance to book
| Ticket | Dry season and holidays | Rainy season |
|---|---|---|
| 3-A Huayna Picchu | Weeks to months ahead | A few weeks ahead |
| 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain | Several weeks ahead | One to a few weeks ahead |
| 2-A Classic | Several weeks ahead | Days to a couple of weeks ahead |
| Other routes | One to a few weeks ahead | Often a few days ahead |
| Inca Trail permits | A separate system — often months ahead | |
For the Inca Trail, see Inca Trail permits and booking.
We check availability for you
Send us your dates: we confirm the routes available and book train, bus, entrance and guide in one go.
Where to check availability
Places are shown on the official sales website of the Ministry of Culture, by date, route and time slot. Licensed operators see the same information. If you book with us, just send us your dates and preferred route: we check availability, confirm the options and book the ticket with your passport details.
Rules to know before you buy
- Non-refundable: once issued, a ticket cannot be refunded.
- No changes: the date, route and entry time cannot be changed.
- Personal: the name and passport number must match the traveller exactly; you will need your original passport on the day.
- Timed entry: arrive at your time slot; routes are one-way.
What to do if your route is sold out
- Choose another route on the same day — for example 2-B instead of 2-A, or 1-B for the postcard view.
- Change the order of your trip and visit Machu Picchu a day earlier or later.
- Look at a package that includes the ticket, such as our Machu Picchu day tour or the 2-day tour.
- Do not count on last-minute sales. In some seasons a limited number of tickets has been sold in person in Aguas Calientes, but queues are long and nothing is guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
As soon as your dates are fixed. In the dry season, Huayna Picchu and the Classic route can sell out weeks or months ahead.
On the official website of the Ministry of Culture, by date, route and time, or through a licensed operator.
No. Tickets cannot be refunded or changed, so check the date, route and passport details carefully before buying.
Try another route on the same day, move your visit by a day, or book a package that already includes the ticket.
No, tickets are not sold at the citadel. Limited in-person sales in Aguas Calientes have existed in some seasons, but they are not guaranteed.