Machu Picchu has become one of the most popular destinations in South America in the last few years. Thousands upon thousands of people visit the site every year. Here we will give you the reasons why it important to book Machu Picchu in advance verses booking when you arrive.
Machu Picchu Ticket Availability.
First you will need to decide at what time of the year you will visit Machu Picchu. The availability depends greatly on the season. As a rule the tickets sell out faster in the dry season, the wet season take a little longer.
Total Tickets for General Admission 4000
Daily Inca trail tickets
- Classic 4 – or 5- day Inca Trail: 500 tickets (200 hikers)
- Short 1 – and 2- day Inca trail: 250 tickets (200-230 hikers)
***PLEASE NOTE: For the classic Inca Trail staff including porters, cooks, and guides take up about 60% 300 out of the 500 tickets. On the short Inca Trail there are only guides which take up around 10% 50 of the tickets 250 tickets.
Aguas Calientes Tickets (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
- The Peruvian Government allows the sale of 1000 tickets to Machu Picchu to the first 1000 that arrive. These tickets are for the next day.
Booking in Advance
To get the entrance ticket that you want you will need to plan and book your tickets in advance, this is the only way to guarantee the right entry tickets to Machu Picchu. All will depend on the time of year that you wish to visit, in the high season tickets can sell out as soon as they become available. Tickets generally go on sales in December every year for the following year.
Dry Season
The dry season in the Cusco region and Machu Picchu is in the Peruvian winter, it starts in May and goes until October. During this time, the region has the best weather with almost no rain and the clearest views of Machu Picchu. Be guaranteed a perfect picture of Machu Picchu. Everyone wants to visit during this time making it a very busy and crowded time.
It is important to note that during the dry season that nearly all the attractions you visit will have lines and many hotels will be fully booked and Machu Picchu will most likely be sold out. If you are planning to visit Peru during the dry season booking 4 to 6 months in advance is essential.
***PLEASE NOTE: The busiest time of the year is in June, July, and August you will not be able to buy tickets last minute during these months! Purchase your tickets at least 4 – 6 months in advance
Rainy Season
An interesting time of year, the rainy season in the Andes means rain, and rain every day. Having said this it doesnt rain all day. Considered the highland summer this season ranges from November to April. The months of January, February and March being the wettest. The rainy season can cause problems with some closures on some of the treks. This is the least popular time to visit the Cusco region meaning less tourists.
If you dont mind a bit of rain then this is a great time to visit. The lines are short and you can get great deals on tours and accomodation. Tickets to Machu Picchu during the rainy season it is recommended that you book around 2 to 4 days in advance to get the best tickets available.
***PLEASE NOTE: The Inca Trail is closed for maintenance the entire month of February
Booking With a Tour Operator
Booking with a tour operator will make for a stress-free holiday. Tour companies have access to all the ticket calendars and have extensive knowledge about the entire process. If want to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu you will need to book with a registered tour company that has a Cusco business address, this is the government regulation.
Tour Operator Pros
- Logistics: The tour operator will buy all the tickets for you and explain all the processes saving you a headache
- Transportation: All the transportation from Cusco to Machu Picchu will be pre planned.
- Expert Bilingual Guides: Knowledgeable guides who speak English Spanish and Quechua
- Rented Gear: Gear like tents, cooking equipment, sleeping bags, and mattresses will be provided for the multiday treks such as The Inca Trail
If you’re interested in taking a guided tour have a look at our Best rated tour operators.
Buying Last Minute
It is the truth that buying last minute means the lower the chance you will have to get a good ticket. This will depend on the time of year, sometimes it is impossible to arrive in Cusco and buy a ticket, but you could be lucky and get a good ticket.
During the dry season tickets can sell out in minutes. For example, there can be a dozen tickets left online, maybe you’re not sure exactly what day to chose and take 30 minutes to decide. By the time you go back to purchase to your ticket, to your dismay, all the tickets have sold out! Scenarios like this happen all to often which is why purchasing in advance is highly recommended.
Aguas Calientes Tickets (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
Sometimes there is no availability for Machu Picchu when trying to buy last minute. There is an alternative to buy in Aguas Calientes. Everyday there are 1000 tickets on sale that are valid for the following day. These tickets are on sale every afternoon from 3 to 10pm. You must be aware that you must arrive on time to enter Machu Picchu with these tickets, if you are late you will not be allowed to enter.
Trying to get a ticket once you arrived to Aguas Calientes is very risky. If you are one of the first people in line you have a good to great chance of getting a ticket. However, even if you do get a ticket, you will still need to hire a tour guide in order to enter Machu Picchu. It can be hard to find a knowledgeable guide for a reasonable price. It’s much safer, and highly recommended, to go through a reputable registered tour operator who will take care of everything for you allowing you to relax and plan the next part of your trip.
