Entrance fees to Machu Picchu – Know what’s included and what’s not included

Tourist in Machu Picchu

The entrance to Machu Picchu can only be done with the respective tickets. The way to acquire them without much trouble or avoiding queues, is by making the reservation virtually. However, this does not mean that once you have purchased the ticket to Machu Picchu you can have all the necessary services to get to Machu Picchu. In this blog, we want to detail everything you can consider, acquired, with the reservation of the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu. And it will also be important to mention what you will need to have a successful trip. Without more to say, it is time to clarify some details about these tickets.

Tickets to Machu Picchu

Flames in the Inca citadel

Tickets to Machu Picchu are the only means or document to enter the llaqta of Machu Picchu. It is important to have an adequate planning so that the reservation of this ticket is made with the necessary anticipation. As in all availability there are some tickets that are sold out before others then learn more about these important details of the tickets to Machu Picchu.

• Entrance Llaqta Machu Picchu, is one of the tickets that are sold out almost immediately. It is important to make the reservation 3 months in advance.
• Entrance Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu, is another of the tickets that are sold out in a short time. If you want to make the ascent to this mountain we recommend making the reservation 3 to 4 months in advance.
• Entrance Machu Picchu + Mountain or vice versa, is the ticket that allows the ascent to the highest mountain of the place. Live a unique experience. It is recommended to make the reservation 2 months in advance.
• In the case of the entrance to Huchuy Picchu and Inca Bridge, they are the main option for when the previous tickets are sold out. They are usually available up to a month in advance.
• It is important to know that the high season is from May to July.
• The availability of admission tickets will depend on the season and the unpredictable travel intentions of the tourists.
• It is not advisable to be confident about the availability of admission tickets. This can change drastically in a matter of hours.

Where to make reservations to Machu Picchu?

Machu Picchu town – Manco Capac Square

Reservations to enter Machu Picchu with any of the 5 entrance tickets to Machu Picchu can be made from the comfort of home. The main way to make reservations is virtually. This does not mean that reservations can be made in person, but this brings some complications that can ruin any trip to Machu Picchu. Let’s take a look at the details.

Benefits of virtual booking

• The convenience of doing it at home and having an adequate travel planning.
• Opportunity to pay by credit or debit card. In other words, a virtual payment.
• You have the opportunity to review the schedules and choose the best option.
• The tickets will be sent to the e-mail address you used to make the reservation.
• You will be able to explore the circuit possibilities offered by each ticket.
• You will acquire a ticket that you really like. Information will be vital for this.

Benefits of booking in person

• There is the possibility of acquiring tickets at the last minute.
• It is advisable to buy it in Machu Picchu Pueblo.
• You will find the printed ticket at the time of payment.
• It is important that you pay with cash or a physical card.
• Unfortunately, in most cases, long queues are required.
• Likewise, you are likely to run out of admission tickets, despite standing in long lines.
• It is important to remember that ticket availability is limited on a daily basis.

All that is included in the entrance tickets to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu panoramic view

The entrance tickets to Machu Picchu, are for exclusive use to enter Machu Picchu. So it will not include any other service. In this sense it is important to know that Machu Picchu requires a trip of approximately 5 hours from Cusco to get there. Normally the trip is made by train, although there are other possibilities.

Now it remains to explain the Inca constructions that can be visited in Machu Picchu according to the entrance ticket purchased. To better understand this, let’s look at the following chart. It is important to note that we will only point out the constructions inside the archaeological site of Machu Picchu. That is to say, we will not mention the trekking routes that are added to some entrances in a specific way. Example: Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu.

Some information that we must take into account about the circuits. For example, the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge, includes the tour of Machu Picchu by the different points that we see in the picture. In addition, a short walk to the Inca Bridge which is about 30 minutes walk from Machu Picchu. The same can be applied to the rest of the tickets that include an additional tour, in addition to the Machu Picchu circuit.

• On the other hand, it is important to know that you can only enter the Intihuatana from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.
• The same applies for admission to the Templo del Cóndor. Admission to this place only applies from 10:00 to 13:00 hours of the day.
• The average travel time through the Inca citadel is 2 to 3 hours.
• It is not allowed to run in the opposite direction or against the established circuit.
• In the case of Inti Punku, it is possible to get there only with the Inca Trail trekking routes (4 or 2 days).
• As for the Temple of the Moon, it can be accessed with the entrance to Huayna Picchu. However, the route remains closed (to date).
• In case you take a short trekking route through some of the mountains, we recommend you to make the ascent to Machu Picchu with the ecological buses.
• If you will make the ascent through the mountains, remember that it is important to bring some drinks and snacks.

How to purchase other services?

Machu Picchu by train

The way to get to Machu Picchu is varied. The services needed to do so will depend on the experience you want to have. The main options are the trekking routes or the classic train trip. In both cases, you can access travel agency services or do it on your own.

In this opportunity we will explore the services for the classic trip, that is, making the trip by train. what services are needed?

• First of all, make sure you have reserved your entrance to Machu Picchu.
• The trip to Machu Picchu can be done in one day. This will depend on the time of the day when the reservation was made.
• It is recommended to make reservations between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
• The services required to travel to Machu Picchu are: the train ticket (preferably with the bimodal service) and the ecological bus ticket.
• Both services can be purchased virtually.
• Train schedules start as early as 4:00 am.
• The tickets on the ecological bus do not have a fixed schedule. They are based on the entrance time of the ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Remember to have the three essential services for the day trip. Entrance ticket, train ticket and bus ticket (the latter two are best purchased round trip).
• By hiring these services in advance you can have a tour of Machu Picchu without unforeseen events and as it should be.
• Finally, be sure to contact a reliable travel agency.

Questions and answers about tickets to Machu Picchu

• What days can Machu Picchu not be visited?

  Machu Picchu can be visited every day of the year. In case of any natural, political or social unforeseen event. The Ministry of Culture is the entity in charge of issuing the communiqués on the suspension of the visit.

• Which of the entries is the best?

  No comparison as such can be made. In the case of the five entrances, each of them offers a different tour and therefore a completely independent experience is generated with each of the tickets. However, the most requested or the ones that sell out the fastest are the Llaqta Machu Picchu or Machu Picchu Solo and the ticket that includes the tour of Huayna Picchu.

• Is it really necessary to take the tour with a guide?

  It is the most advisable. More and more people are choosing to access these services. The main reason is because it allows a detailed tour of the entire citadel of Machu Picchu. That is to say, you will learn historical data, motivations and even curious facts about the place. This service enriches the travel experience.

• Which entrance ticket is ideal for touring Machu Picchu with seniors?

  For seniors, we recommend the tours with the entrance to Llaqta Machu Picchu, but you can also access the Inca Bridge. Actually, you could do any tour as long as you have your doctor’s approval or recommendations. The longest walking tour can take 5 hours in total and even more.

• Do I really need to take the ecological buses to Machu Picchu?

  It is the most advisable, this way you can make a light tour and with full energy. The ascent on foot to Machu Picchu can take up to two hours and the stretch is completely uphill so you will ascend by stairs. If you are not very prepared it can be quite strenuous.