How and where to buy Machu Picchu tickets in 2024
- Joe Watson
- Aug 22, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 23, 2024
Booking tickets to Machu Picchu can be confusing, with trains, buses and multiple different routes round the ruins. In this guide we'll break down how we booked two entrances to Machu Picchu in one day and where to book your transport to ensure a smooth trip to one of the best wonders of the world like we did in August 2024.
Changes in Machu Picchu Ticket Purchase Process
As of August 4th, 2024, the process for purchasing tickets to Machu Picchu has changed with the launch of a new official website. Previously, our tickets were purchased through Joinnus, but the Peruvian government has since transitioned all ticket sales to the new platform. We had to transfer our tickets to the new format to gain entry to Machu Picchu. In this guide we'll show you how to either change your tickets to ones you would get through the new website or simply help you book your tickets and transport to Machu Picchu.
Where to Buy Tickets
If you haven’t already purchased tickets through Joinnus, you can now buy them through the new official website. This website allows you to choose your circuits and explore detailed maps and videos of the new circuits. Tu Boleto dot Cultura is the name of the new website so make sure that you're not on a counterfeit website. The price per ticket came to about £33 as the price is 152 soles.
If you book an all inclusive tour with the rail companies it will include your entrance tickets but they will add a booking fee to your package. Make sure that your tour includes the bus up to the top because not all companies include the transfers.
What if I Already Bought Tickets on Joinnus?
If you previously purchased your tickets on Joinnus like us, you don’t need to buy new ones. You should receive an email from Joinnus/the Peruvian government with information on how to get your tickets transferred to the new site. If you go on the Joinnus website now your tickets will have disappeared but don't panic, send an email too tuboleto@cultura.gob.pe. It's important to follow up with any information provided in the email sent to you by Joinnus. If you’ve already printed your tickets, you should still email tuboleto@cultura.gob.pe and get your new tickets as the barcodes may have changed. We did this and our tickets worked fine.
Didn't Print Your Tickets Yet?
If you didn’t print your tickets from Joinnus, you can still do so in Aguas Calientes at the main office without waiting in the line for people to buy them on the day of their visit. Simply bring your passport and reservation code to print them off. However leave a lot of time as the bus queues are large and you will need a lot of time to board your bus.
You also have a better option if you have access to a printer, email tuboleto@cultura.gob.pe with your reservation code, passport numbers, and names. They'll send you your new tickets so you can print them out before your visit. However, ensure you do this well in advance. While we had a reply within ten minutes, others have reported waiting up to two days.
Choosing the Best Circuit for Your Visit
Machu Picchu offers several circuits and hikes, but only some lead to the iconic viewing points. Here are the two circuits we did and can highly recommend. Booking by yourself allows you the freedom to do multiple circuits in one day whereas booking through a travel company can restrict you to one a day.
We did circuit 3 Huchuy Picchu first and circuit 2-A which gave us a good amount of time within the ruins. We started circuit 3 at 10AM and it took us through the lower part of the ruins before a small hike up Huchuy Picchu giving you a view of Machu Picchu from a unique angle. We had two and a half hours inside the site as circuit 3 Huchuy Picchu gives you a total of three hours.
If you're looking for the traditional shot of Machu Picchu the circuit 2-A is perfect. It takes you round the higher portions of the ruins before returning directly through the centre. If you only have time for one circuit I would recommend this one. But it also sells out very quickly so you have to book far in advance, we booked three months in advance and almost all the timeslots up untill 1PM were sold out. If you want the iconic sunrise picture you'll have to book at least 6 months in advance as these are very popular. If you're looking to book between August and September then you should be booking even further in advance as these are the most popular months due to the weather. The sky is often empty of clouds making it perfect for viewing Machu Picchu.
The entrances of the circuits are all close together, we were a bit worried because we had seen conflicting information on where circuit 3 starts but it's no more than 10 metres from circuit 1&2
Click on the images to have a closer look at the routes available
Circuit 2-A
Circuit 3 & Huchuy Picchu
Do I need a guide?
It is currently mandatory to have a guide but we found it wasn't enforced yet. So we did circuit 3 without a guide and circuit 2 with one.
When we were there we were able to get a guide at the entrance to Machu Picchu. But that may be changed in the future and you might have to get one from Aguas Calientes like you can now waiting in the bus queue.
We didn't feel like we needed a guide for circuit 3 as it was primarily a hike but circuit 2 was heading through the centre of the ruins and we wanted to learn more about the history of Machu Picchu.
How much does a guide around Machu Picchu cost?
We were in a group with two other people and we paid 70 soles per person for a two and a half hour guide.
Train tickets
Make sure that you print out your tickets as we noticed them struggling to scan it off some phones. Allow at least half an hour before your train is due to depart to check in.
We used the Inca Rail 360 train on the way up to Aguas Calientes from Ollantaytambo. With onboard performances and music and a complimentary hot drink and snack this is a great way to get to Machu Picchu in the morning. It also offers sweeping views of the mountains and valley on your way to Aguas Calientes. We left from Ollantaytambo at 7:22AM and arrived at 8:52AM on the 360 train and came back on the Voyager with the return tickets coming to £99. We got the train back to Ollantaytambo leaving Aguas Calientes at 7PM. We did get this with a 20% discount so keep looking at the train companies websites for offers, you can also book through Peru Rail.
We were staying in Ollantaytambo for a few days prior to our trip to Machu Picchu so we were able to get the train from the station there. However if you're pressed for time you may prefer to get a train from Cusco but that will be more expensive.
What bus company should you use?
We simply booked our bus tickets online with Consettur. It's a simple new website and their station is just over the bridge after you get off the train but you'll have to navigate through various small stalls directly after the train station. At the time we went the tickets cost $24 for a return trip. But some companies will try to charge you more hence why we booked directly through Consettur as that's the official site.
You are able to buy tickets in Aguas Calientes but you have to leave more time for that as there is another large queue. So I would recommend getting tickets beforehand online.
The bus queues are very long so make sure you get there early and wait in the queue with your bus time at the start, if you can't find your bus time have a look further up the road because the queues are surprisingly long.
The bus takes approximately half an hour to get up to Machu Picchu so I can't stress how important it is to get in the queue early.
We arrived at the Aguas Calientes train station 8.52AM with our with our first entry starting to Machu Picchu at 10AM. We boarded the bus at 9:30AM and our bus got us to Machu Picchu at 9.55AM. We thought we left plenty of time but we were still rushing around when we got to the entrance.
Bag storage and facilities
If you don't want to take a backpack round the ruins there is a bag storage next to the entrance for circuit 3. Storage costs 5 soles and can be very useful as some bags will be too large to be allowed into the ruins.
There are toilets at the entrance to Machu Picchu costing 2 soles per person. These are the only toilets at the site so make sure you use them before you go in as there's no breaks around the historical site.
Two restaurants are available at the entrance to Machu Picchu, a buffet costing $40 per person or a small restaurant with burgers sandwiches and some very nice cakes. We got a burger, a large salmon bagel, two drinks and a cake costing 94 soles ($25)
Beware of Third-Party Sellers
Be cautious of other websites and organizations offering Machu Picchu tickets. These third-party sites may take a cut of the ticket price as they are not affiliated with the official Peruvian government.
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This information should guide you through the updated process of purchasing tickets for Machu Picchu and ensure a smooth experience during your visit.
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