Machu Picchu is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. It is advisable to organize your visit to the Wonder of the World in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises. However, it is also possible to visit the Inca Citadel at the last minute. The first thing to do is to buy the entrance tickets online and in advance. Learn about some recommendations for traveling to Cusco and Machu Picchu at the last minute.

• Buy the ticket to Machu Picchu
• Book train ticket
• Arrange hotel and other services
• What to bring?
• Recommendations

Sunrise at Machu Picchu

Ticket sales to Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes town
The vast majority of tickets to Machu Picchu are sold online and are available to everyone. In addition, by rules of the Ministry of Culture of Peru, there are up to a thousand tickets available for sale in person in the town of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village). These tickets are available for tourists who do not have a ticket and want to visit Machu Picchu at the last minute. However, due to the high demand for these tickets, the purchase must be made the day before. That is to say, the tourist must register at the point of sale at the municipal office for a ticket with a visit date the following day. It is therefore necessary to spend a night before in the town of Aguas Calientes, where there are many tourist hotels of 2, 3, 4 and 5 stars.

Buy the ticket to Machu Picchu

The first big step to organize a trip to Machu Picchu either at the last minute or well in advance is to book the Machu Picchu Ticket. There are up to 10 types of tickets. All allow entrance to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu through one of the three available circuits. This is the availability:

• Ticket Machu Picchu Classic Photo: Approximately one thousand people per day.
• Ticket Machu Picchu Classic: Thousand people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu Classic lower terrace: Thousand people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu Temples of the lower part: 500 people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu: 400 people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Mountain: 800 people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Huchuy Picchu: 200 people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Inca Bridge: 400 people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Intipunku: 400 people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Temple of the Moon: 200 people per day approximately.
• Ticket Machu Picchu + Museum: unlimited availability.

When booking at the last minute, a few days before, there is little chance of finding tickets available at Machu Picchu. This is especially true during the high tourist season, from June 1 to October 15.

The easiest and fastest way to get the ticket to Machu Picchu is to do it online. Although it is also possible to buy it in the city of Cusco, this is not the most advisable. Especially in high season, where it is unlikely to get tickets at the last minute.

In the town of Aguas Calientes, also called Machu Picchu village because of its proximity to the archaeological site, one thousand tickets are allocated per day. These tickets also sell out quickly so they must be purchased one day before the visit (it is necessary to stay one night in the village).

In the desperation of not having a ticket once in Peru, beware of scams. The safest thing to do is to reserve your tickets in advance, even if it is only a few days before your trip to the Inca Citadel.

Llamas in Machu Picchu

Book train ticket

Once the Machu Picchu ticket is purchased, you must also book the train ticket to Aguas Calientes district or Machu Picchu Town.

Train tickets are as much in demand as the entrance to the Inca Citadel. That is why it is advisable to purchase them at the same time as the entrance to the Wonder of the World according to the date of admission.

During the high tourist season (June 1 to October 15), train tickets must be reserved in advance through the website or purchased immediately upon arrival in Cusco.

In case there is no availability for a train ticket, but there is a ticket to Machu Picchu, you have to enter through the alternative route of Santa Maria. This is longer, cheaper and full of adventures.

It starts with a 5 hour bus ride from Cusco to the town of Santa Maria. Then another vehicle will take you to the Hydroelectric station in about 30 minutes. Finally you will take a 2 hour walk to the town of Aguas Calientes (here it is necessary to stay one night before).

Train to Machu Picchu

Arrange hotel and other services

Like the Machu Picchu ticket and train tickets, you must arrange tourist services such as hotels and itineraries. Of course this can also be done once in the city in Cusco, however, this is more difficult in high season tourist. At the last minute, it is still possible to get availability of the hotel or itinerary of the visitor’s preference.

During the high tourist season, finding hotels once in Cusco can cause hotel prices to increase. This is also true for the travel itinerary. There are hotels of all quality and prices. Another option is to find a hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the most beautiful places in the region.

Imperial city of Cusco

What to bring?

When traveling to Machu Picchu at the last minute it is common to forget the most important items. Here is the list of the necessary things to bring to the Inca Citadel.

• Passport or identity card.
• Ticket to Machu Picchu, train, plane, etc.
• Credit card, debit card or enough money.
• Camera.
• Warm clothing.
• Hat or cap.
• Sun block.
• Personal hygiene items.

Recommendations

• In general, last minute trips to Machu Picchu are of few days. The minimum number of days necessary to visit the Wonder of the World is 2. However, it is better to enjoy 4 or 5 days to get to know better what Cusco offers to the visitor.
• Usually, last minute trips to Machu Picchu are made by adventurous people who do not like to plan. It is possible to do so. However, in high season, it is advisable to take the necessary precautions and reservations.
• The rainy season (October to March) coincides with the low tourist season. It is advisable to make last minute trips to Machu Picchu at that time of the year. Services have greater availability and prices are also reduced. The high tourist season is from June 1 to October 15 of each year.

Advice from people who have been there

Machu Picchu

By: Mair G.

“I don't know if there are words for this experience“

“Despite not having any plan or tour paid or anticipated and going totally in hippie mode to know Machu Picchu, it was the best thing I have ever experienced. In itself not only for Machu Picchu, Cusco in general is a fairy tale. I have never been in such an impressive place, never in my life. I would surely come back, even though I don't like to repeat destinations already visited.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, August 15, 2024