Machu Picchu

This section covers everything you need to plan your visit to Machu Picchu: how the ticket system works, which circuit and route to choose, the optional mountains and every way to reach Aguas Calientes and the citadel. It’s written for independent travelers who want to put the trip together themselves.

Where to start

• Machu Picchu tickets: how the official sale works, how far ahead to buy and what to do if your date sells out.
• Machu Picchu circuits: the 3 circuits and 10 routes explained, so you can pick the right one.
• Machu Picchu ticket types: rates for foreigners, students, kids, Peruvians and Andean Community citizens, and the document each one requires.
• How to get to Machu Picchu: train, trek or Hidroeléctrica, compared side by side.
• Train to Machu Picchu: PeruRail and Inca Rail, classes, stations and how to time your train with your entry slot.
• Huayna Picchu vs. Machu Picchu Mountain: which summit suits your fitness, your nerves and your schedule.
• What not to bring to Machu Picchu: the official rules on backpacks, food, poles, tripods and drones.

Routes, mountains and getting there

Every ticket assigns you a fixed route inside the citadel. Some also add a hike: the steep Machu Picchu Mountain (route 1-A), Huayna Picchu, the gentler Huchuy Picchu, the Great Cavern, the walk up to the Sun Gate (Intipunku) or the short trail to the Inca Bridge. Each guide covers the difficulty, the time you need and how to get that ticket.

Most travelers take the train to Aguas Calientes and then the bus up to the citadel. On a tight budget, the Hidroeléctrica route combines a long drive with a walk along the tracks. If you’d rather arrive on foot, the Inca Trail requires a permit booked through a licensed operator, while Salkantay and Inca Jungle are the main alternatives.

Traveling as a family? Machu Picchu with kids covers the best age to go, the easiest routes and the altitude.

Before you go

• Buy your entry ticket first, then your train, then your hotel: the ticket is the piece that sells out. Our ticket guide explains the right order.
• Bring the original passport or ID you used to buy your ticket, because it’s checked at the entrance. Ticket types lists the document for each rate.
• Leave a comfortable margin between your train’s arrival and your entry time. The train guide has worked examples.
• Pack light: oversized backpacks, trekking poles, umbrellas, tripods and drones aren’t allowed. Check what not to bring.
• Spend at least a day or two in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before any mountain hike. Our altitude sickness guide explains why.