Machu Picchu tickets and circuits: the complete 2026 guide
Machu Picchu entry is no longer a single ticket — it is a system of timed slots and fixed walking circuits, and choosing the wrong one can mean missing the view you came for. This guide explains exactly how tickets and circuits work in 2026 so you book the right one with confidence.
Part of our complete guideThe complete Machu Picchu guide →How entry works now
Every visitor enters with a timed ticket tied to a specific circuit — a one-way route through the site. You cannot freely wander or backtrack, so the circuit you choose determines what you actually see. Tickets are capped daily and the best slots sell out, especially in high season.
Your name and passport number are printed on the ticket and checked at the gate. The passport must match the one used at booking, so travel with the same document.
The three circuits explained
Machu Picchu is organised into three circuit groups. In simple terms:
| Circuit | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit 1 (Panoramic) | Upper routes and the classic postcard viewpoint | The iconic photo; combines with Inca Bridge or Machu Picchu Mountain |
| Circuit 2 (Classic) | The most complete walk, upper terraces plus the urban sector | First-time visitors who want the full experience |
| Circuit 3 (Lower / Royalty) | Lower routes through the urban core | Shorter visits; combines with Huayna Picchu |
If you only visit once and want the famous high view and the temples, the Classic (Circuit 2) is usually the best choice. We confirm the exact sub-circuit available for your date when booking.
The mountain add-ons: Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain
Two optional peaks can be added to certain circuits, each with its own timed ticket:
- Huayna Picchu — the steep, iconic peak behind the citadel in the classic photo. Limited spots, books out earliest, not for those uneasy with heights.
- Machu Picchu Mountain — higher but less vertiginous, with sweeping views; a longer, steadier climb.
Both add a climb of one to three hours and must be booked together with your entrance, well in advance.
Check Machu Picchu and Inca Trail dates
See live availability and let us secure the right ticket and circuit for you.
Prices, rules and how to book
Adult foreign-visitor entrance generally falls in the region of US $45–75 depending on circuit and add-ons, with discounts for students and Andean Community nationals (ID required). A few practical rules worth knowing:
- You must enter within your time slot; late arrivals can be refused.
- Large backpacks, tripods, drones and food are not allowed inside.
- You can re-enter only where the circuit allows; most circuits are one-way.
- Guides are recommended and required for some circuits.
Rather than navigating the official platform and its daily caps yourself, we book the entrance, circuit, train and guide together so it all lines up. See the Machu Picchu day tour, and read how to get to Machu Picchu and the best time to visit.
Frequently asked questions
For a first visit, Circuit 2 (the Classic) is usually best — it includes the famous upper viewpoint and the temples and urban sector. Circuit 1 favours the panoramic photo, Circuit 3 the lower urban core.
Yes. Entry is timed and capped daily, and popular dates and the Huayna Picchu add-on sell out weeks ahead, so book early. We can secure the ticket and circuit for you.
Huayna Picchu is the steep, iconic peak in the classic photo with limited spots; Machu Picchu Mountain is higher but a steadier climb with wide views. Both need a separate timed ticket booked with your entrance.
Yes. Your passport number is on the ticket and checked at the entrance, and it must match the document used to book.
No. Circuits are one-way routes, so you cannot freely backtrack or switch. Choose the right circuit when booking.