Machu Picchu Tickets 2026: Prices, Circuits and How to Buy Officially
Machu Picchu tickets for 2026 are sold officially by Peru's Ministry of Culture on tuboleto.cultura.pe, plus a limited batch sold in person in Aguas Calientes for the next day. A non-resident foreign adult pays S/163 for a standard route (S/152 Ministry of Culture ticket + S/11 SERNANP sanctuary fee, charged since May 1, 2026) and S/211 for a route that includes a mountain climb or the Great Cavern. Every ticket is for one specific circuit and route, one date and one entry hour, so the key decision is which route you want. This guide covers prices, ticket types, how to buy step by step, availability and the mistakes that cost travelers their visit.
How Machu Picchu tickets work
Since June 2024, visits to the Inca city (the llaqta) have been organized into 3 circuits containing 10 routes. Each ticket is tied to:
- One circuit and route, which you follow one way through the site.
- One date and one hourly entry slot, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- One named visitor, whose passport or ID number is checked against the ticket at the gate.
Tickets are non-transferable and can't be moved to another date. The site regulations only allow a correction of the passport or ID number of the same holder, and refunds are limited to documented force majeure. Re-entry isn't allowed.
Ticket types: 3 circuits, 10 routes
| Circuit | Route | Highlights | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 – Panoramic | 1-A Machu Picchu Mountain | Upper viewpoints plus the mountain climb | Year-round |
| 1 – Panoramic | 1-B Upper Terrace | The classic postcard view from the upper terraces | Year-round |
| 1 – Panoramic | 1-C Inti Punku (Sun Gate) | Upper terraces plus the hike to the Sun Gate | High season only |
| 1 – Panoramic | 1-D Inca Bridge | Upper terraces plus the trail to the Inca Bridge | High season only |
| 2 – Classic | 2-A Designed Route | Terraces plus the main urban and ceremonial sector | Year-round |
| 2 – Classic | 2-B Lower Terrace | Similar to 2-A, starting from the lower terrace | Year-round |
| 3 – Royalty | 3-A Huayna Picchu | Lower royal sector plus the Huayna Picchu climb | Year-round |
| 3 – Royalty | 3-B Designed Route | Temple of the Sun area and royal residences | Year-round |
| 3 – Royalty | 3-C Great Cavern | Lower sector plus the trail to the Temple of the Moon | High season only |
| 3 – Royalty | 3-D Huchuy Picchu | Lower sector plus the short Huchuy Picchu climb | High season only |
For a first visit, Circuit 2 is the most complete tour of the temples and plazas. If the famous elevated postcard photo is your priority, Circuit 1 is the safest choice. If you want to climb Huayna Picchu, you need Route 3-A specifically. Compare them in our guide to Machu Picchu circuits.
Machu Picchu ticket prices 2026
Prices are set in Peruvian soles (PEN) by the Ministry of Culture. The table below shows the Ministry of Culture ticket plus the SERNANP sanctuary fee that applies to visits from May 1, 2026.
Visitor (foreign, non-resident)
| Standard route: ticket | Standard route: total with SERNANP | Mountain route: ticket | Mountain route: total with SERNANP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | S/152 | S/163 | S/200 | S/211 |
| University or technical student | S/77 | S/88 | S/125 | S/136 |
| Child (3–17) | S/70 | S/70 + minor fee | S/118 | S/118 + minor fee |
| Under 3 | Free (ticket and ID still needed) | Free | Free | Free |
Standard routes are 1-B, 1-C, 1-D, 2-A, 2-B, 3-B and 3-D. Mountain routes are 1-A (Machu Picchu Mountain), 3-A (Huayna Picchu) and 3-C (Great Cavern).
A few notes:
- Students need a valid university or technical-school student card, and the original must be shown at the gate.
- Peruvians, residents and Andean Community citizens (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador) pay reduced rates: S/64 for an adult on a standard route and S/112 on a mountain route, plus S/5 SERNANP for Peruvian adults.
- SERNANP fee for minors: SERNANP charges a lower fee for children, but we couldn't confirm the exact amount for foreign minors in an official source, so check it at checkout.
- Special 50% rates: the Ministry of Culture fee schedule lists a 50% discount "according to law" for people aged 60+, teachers, people in voluntary military service and people with disabilities. These discounts come from Peruvian laws and generally apply to eligible Peruvian nationals; don't assume they apply to foreign visitors.
In US dollars, S/163 is roughly US$45–50 and S/211 roughly US$58–63, depending on the exchange rate and card fees.
What is the SERNANP fee?
Machu Picchu is also a protected natural area, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, managed by SERNANP (Peru's national parks service). Under Directorial Resolution 000006-2026-SERNANP/DUSRN, a sanctuary entry fee has applied since May 1, 2026: S/11 for foreign visitors and S/5 for Peruvian adults. It doesn't apply to visitors who enter through the Inca Trail network, which has its own rules. The Ministry of Culture and SERNANP agreed to collect it through the same TuBoleto platform, so you should see it as part of your purchase.
How to buy Machu Picchu tickets online, step by step
On September 22, 2026, the Ministry of Culture started a 30-day trial of a new direct-sale system on TuBoleto. The old three-hour "reserve now, pay later" hold is gone: once you select a slot, you have up to 15 minutes to pay, and if payment isn't confirmed the slot is released to other buyers. The ministry said the 15-minute window may be extended or shortened after the trial, which runs until about late October 2026.
- Go to tuboleto.cultura.pe by typing the address yourself (don't click ads).
- Choose "Llaqta de Machupicchu," then the circuit, route, date and entry hour.
- Enter each visitor's details exactly as on the passport, and select the correct category (adult, student, child).
- Pay within the time limit with a Visa or Mastercard card.
- Download and save your ticket. Keep it on your phone and print a backup copy.
You can buy from anywhere in the world. With only 15 minutes per purchase, have every traveler's passport number, date of birth and nationality ready before you start, especially for groups.
Availability and daily limits in 2026
Under Ministerial Resolution 000285-2025-MC, the 2026 daily limit is:
| Dates in 2026 | Maximum visitors per day |
|---|---|
| January 1, April 2–5, June 19–November 2, December 30–31 (high season) | 5,600 |
| All other days | 4,500 |
That total is split among routes and hourly slots, and part of it is reserved for in-person sales. The mountain routes, Huayna Picchu (3-A) and Machu Picchu Mountain (1-A), have far fewer places, so they usually sell out first. Routes 1-C, 1-D, 3-C and 3-D only open during the high-season dates above.
You can check remaining places at tuboleto.cultura.pe/disponibilidad/llaqta_machupicchu.
When to book
- June to early November, Easter and year-end holidays: book as early as possible. Circuit 2, Huayna Picchu and early-morning slots go first.
- Rest of the year: a few weeks ahead is often enough, but sold-out days still happen, especially for the mountain routes.
- Buy the entry ticket first, then book your train and hotel around your entry hour. Train seats are easier to find than Huayna Picchu tickets.
Buying tickets in person in Aguas Calientes
The Ministry of Culture sells up to 1,000 tickets per day at its ticket office in Machupicchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). These tickets are for entry the following day, must be bought personally with your ID, and can sell out quickly in high season, so treat this as a backup plan rather than your strategy. Opening hours are published locally and can change; confirm on arrival. More details in our guide to buying tickets in person.
Licensed travel agencies and some train packages can also include your entry ticket. That's legitimate but costs more than the official price. Make sure the ticket is issued in your name for the route you actually want.
Tips and common mistakes
- Fake or look-alike websites. Many sites use "Machu Picchu" or "boleto" in their domain names. The official sales site is tuboleto.cultura.pe and the official information site is machupicchu.gob.pe.
- Wrong route. A Circuit 1 or 2 ticket does not include Huayna Picchu. Circuit 3 routes skip the classic upper viewpoint.
- Name or passport mismatch. Staff check your ID against the ticket. Bring the same passport you used to book.
- Arriving late. The regulations give a 30-minute grace period in low season and 45 minutes in high season after your entry hour. After that you can be refused entry.
- Forgetting the bus. The Consettur bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance is a separate purchase (or a steep walk of about 1.5 hours).
- Guide rules. The site regulations say visitors must be accompanied by an official guide. Enforcement for independent travelers has varied, so check the current rule before you go; a licensed guide also makes the visit far more meaningful.
- Restrooms. There are none inside, and re-entry isn't allowed, so go before entering.
FAQ
- What is the official website to buy Machu Picchu tickets?
- tuboleto.cultura.pe, run by Peru's Ministry of Culture. The only other official channel is the limited in-person sale in Aguas Calientes.
- How much is a Machu Picchu ticket for a foreigner in 2026?
- S/163 for a standard route and S/211 for a route with Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or the Great Cavern, including the S/11 SERNANP fee charged since May 1, 2026.
- How far in advance should I buy?
- For June to early November and holidays, as soon as your dates are set, and months ahead for Huayna Picchu. In low season, a few weeks is usually enough.
- Can I change the date or name on my ticket?
- No. Only the passport or ID number of the same holder can be corrected. Refunds are limited to documented force majeure.
- Which ticket includes Huayna Picchu?
- Route 3-A of Circuit 3 (Royalty). It costs S/211 for a foreign adult including the SERNANP fee.
- Do I need to print my ticket?
- A digital ticket is normally accepted, but a printed copy is a cheap backup. Always bring the original passport or ID you used to book.
Final tips
Pick your circuit and route first, buy on tuboleto.cultura.pe as early as your dates allow, and plan your train and bus around your entry hour. Prices and platform rules changed several times in 2026, so double-check the final amount at checkout before you pay.
Sources
- Ministry of Culture, Machu Picchu circuits and routes: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/circuits-and-routes/?lang=en
- Ministry of Culture, in-person ticket sales: https://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/compra-boletos-presencial/
- Ministry of Culture, direct-sale trial on Tu Boleto (September 22, 2026): https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/noticias/1447550-ministerio-de-cultura-inicio-hoy-marcha-blanca-del-mecanismo-de-venta-directa-de-boletos-para-machupicchu-y-la-red-de-caminos-inka
- Ministerial Resolution 000317-2025-MC (fee schedule, Circuit 3 routes) and Ministerial Resolution 000285-2025-MC (2026 daily capacity), Ministry of Culture
- Ministerial Resolution 000159-2024-MC (Machu Picchu visit regulations): https://transparencia.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/transparencia/2024/04/resoluciones-ministeriales/rm000159-2024-mc-reglamento.pdf
- SERNANP fee from May 1, 2026 (RD 000006-2026-SERNANP/DUSRN), reported by Infobae: https://www.infobae.com/peru/2026/02/09/suben-tarifas-de-ingreso-a-machu-picchu-desde-cuando-rige-y-cuanto-costara-entrar-en-2026/
- MINAM and Ministry of Culture agreement on the unified ticketing system: https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minam/noticias/1422799-minam-y-cultura-modernizan-el-sistema-de-ingreso-de-machupicchu-con-convenio-que-impulsara-la-conservacion-y-el-turismo-sostenible
- El Peruano, direct-sale trial: https://elperuano.pe/noticia/305257-empieza-marcha-blanca-de-venta-directa-de-boletos-para-machu-picchu-y-la-red-de-caminos-inka