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Visiting Machu Picchu takes three separate things: an entrance ticket, a train and a bus. They sell out in high season and each has its own rules. Here's the whole picture, simply — and how we handle it for you.
The three things you need
- Entrance ticket — a timed ticket for a specific circuit inside the citadel
- Train — from Ollantaytambo (in the Sacred Valley) to Aguas Calientes
- Bus — the 25-minute shuttle up the mountain from town to the gate
On all our Machu Picchu tours these three are arranged for you — you just show up with your passport.
Entrance tickets & circuits
Machu Picchu now works by timed circuits: your ticket sets when you enter and which route you walk inside. You can add a mountain — Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or Huchuy Picchu — but only with the matching circuit, and those sell out first.
Getting there: the train
Trains leave mainly from Ollantaytambo, about a 2-hour drive from Cusco through the Sacred Valley. Two companies run the route in several classes, from panoramic windows to luxury. Seats are limited, so morning trains in peak months book up early.
How far ahead to book
| Season | When to book |
|---|---|
| Peak (May–Sept, holidays) | 2–4 months ahead |
| Shoulder (Apr, Oct) | 4–6 weeks ahead |
| Low (Nov–Mar) | 2–3 weeks ahead |
The name on every ticket must match your passport exactly, and the same passport is checked at the gate. Bring the original — a photo isn't enough.
Plan this trip with a local specialist
Tell us your dates and what you have in mind — a specialist from our Cusco team builds a trip to match your plans and budget, and answers every question. No obligation.