Confused about Machu Picchu Entry Times? You're Not Alone

Entry times are pretty straight forward now. Our manager in Cusco says he uses the entry time printed on the official Machu Picchu entry ticket as the official time to be at the main gate. This is usually a 1-hour time window. It doesn't matter what you think you selected at the time you purchased your Machu Picchu entry tickets. If you believe a mistake has been made, you can take that up with the admins by sending an email. All visitors need to enter Machu Picchu according to the time printed on their tickets, That's the deal folks!

What's the difference between the entry time to Machu Picchu main gate and the entry time to your circuit?

None. They are one and the same. After entering the main gate at the time printed on your entry ticket, you will follow the color coded path to your circuit. There are no other checkpoints to pass except the occassional ranger who is there to assist you if you get confused about which direction you need to go.

But, if your bought a ticket with a circuit + one of the hikes, there are separate checkpoints for the hikes inside the park. And you need to be at the kiosk BEFORE the 1 hour entry window expires. There is no tolerance for lateness for entering the hikes. In the upper left corner, your ticket will show a 1-hour window for entry at the main gate, and in the center of your ticket, you will see one hour entry window for your hike, which is one hour later than your entry time at the main gate.

What if you're late for your entry to Machu Picchu?

Starting June 1, 2024, there is a tolerance of 45 minutes for late entry during the high season. And 30 minute tolerance during the low season. If you have an unexpected situation like train service suspended or flights to Lima unable to arrive which causes delay, save your tickets and receipts as evidence. The national park authorities usually make allowances for those kinds of events. Always contact your tour operator company or your tour guide to verify the process for late entry. If you have a personal situation that pops up last minute, it better be convincing.

There is no tolerance for being late to enter your hike. You have a window of one hour to enter. As an example, if your entry time to hike Huayna PIcchu is 9-10am, you can enter the kiosk anytime up to 10am. Not one minute after.

NOTE: Effective June 1, 2024, Machu Picchu National Park changed the circuits. This affects all visitors who bought tickets online in advance. For the latest info about NEW circuits at Machu Picchu. CLICK HERE

As of August, 2024, there is another new website for buying Machu Piccchu entry tickets. (This is the last one, they promise!) Everyone who buys a ticket of any kind on the Joinnus website must select an entry time for that ticket. It used to be that all the entry times to Machu Picchu main gate was exactly 1 hour prior to the entry time you selected forany of the 4 hikes inside the park. That's your entry time even if it's different from the one you think you selected.. They can't be changed. Even God can't change it. If you're doing a hike, the entry time for that will be in smaller print on the upper right side of your ticket. This applies only to the tickets for hikes. Machu Picchu Llaqta tickets only have one entry time which should the same time you see on the calendar. We haven't found glitche in entry times for those tickets. But honestly, I can't guarantee that won't happen!

How do you tell what time you need to be at the main gate to enter Machu Picchu?

After you buy your ticket, download and print. Look at the upper left corner where you see a QR code. Right above that code is the entry time to the main gate. You enter accoridng to the time stamp on your ticket on the upper left side. Right above the QR code. The entry time fo Machu Picchu Llaqta is the official entry time to enter the National Park. This applies to all entry tickets. All 4 hikes used to have 1 hour earlier entry time to Machu Picchu Llaqta (main gate.) The reason for this is to give you time to tour the circuit before you have to checkin for your the hike. If you have Huayna Picchu or the baby sister Huchuy Picchu tickets, the only time you have to tour the lower circuit of the city is on the way to the checkin for the hike. We have seen tickets with entry times to the main gate and the hike being the same. There's no explanation

Inca Bridge hike and Montana Machu Picchu Hike also have 1 hour earlier entry time at the Llaqta, but you can do the hike first, then go to the circuit for the tour. This is because the checkin for these hikes is from the upper terrace and people may need time to get up there. This explains why we are seeing these entry tickets sell out before Huayna Picchu tickets. People want to have access to the upper terraces for the classic view of Machu Picchu.

What happens if you're late for entry time printed on your ticket to Machu Picchu?

This happens when people book trains that arrive in Aguas Calientes without allowing for the extra time it may take to wait in line to board the bus to Machu Picchu, then wait in line again to use the one and only restroom at the main gate. Vistiors with entry tickets for Wayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu, are expected to tour circuit #3 on the way to the hike checkin kiosk. The park authorities know it will take you at least 20-30 minutes to get from the Machu Picchu main gate to the checkin for the hike. After the hike you cannot go back. All hikers are directed to follow the path to the main exit gate. This means that your only time to explore the circuit is BEFORE you begin the hike. By now you should realize where I'm trying to lead you with this detailed description. This is why you WANT to enter the Machu Picchu Llaqta (main gate) as early as possible if you plan to explore the city. This is your only opportunity to see the city (unless you have additional entry tickets).

The first thing I do when I get off the bus is run, jog, skuttle quickly, to get in line for the toilet. It moves pretty quickly. Have your 2 soles per person ready to pay. CLICK HERE to read more about Machu Picchu toilets.

If you're late entering Machu Picchu Llaqta after the early entry time printed on your entry ticket, this may cut into the amount of time you have to explore the circuit before your hike, if you bought a ticket for a hike. The official Machu Picchu government website has a map of each circuit. Here's a link to see those maps. CLICK HERE.

Here's a list of the hikes inside Machu Picchu: (does not include the Inca Trail)

1. Lower Circuit #3 + Montana WaynaPicchu (Wayna and Huayna are the same word.just spelled differently)
2. Montana Machu Picchu + Upper Circuit #1
3. Lower Circuit #3 + Montana HuchuyPicchu
4. Upper Circuit #1 + Inca Puente
5. Upper Circuit #1 + Intipunku (Sungate)
6. Lower Circuit #2 + Gran Caverna (NEW in 2024)

Machu Picchu Circuit 2A and 2B are the tickets most likely to sell out.. It used to be that tickets for Huayna Picchu hike were the most popular. But not anymore. There are several reasons for this, which I discussed in my other blog posts. Circuit 2 includes a stop at one of the upper platforms for the classic view, followed by entry into the full route to explore the ancient Inca city. It doesn't matter if you get 2A or 2B. They're pretty much the same. The entry time printed on the top left of the ticket is the actual time you enter the Machu Picchu main gate.

What you need to know about each "type" of Machu Picchu entry ticket. Effective June 1, all Machu Picchu circuits are changing. This could affect the "type" of tickets. Be aware that some older information on the internet (and our blog) may be outdated

Machu Picchu Routes: (no hikes included)

you can choose one from any circuit in the park. There are now 3 routes. Circuit #1, Circuit #2, Circuit #3
includes access to the upper terrace for the classic view of Machu Picchu (if you don't mind hiking up steep incline and stone steps about 20-30 minutes if you choose any ticket for circuit #1 or circuit #2
you can buy as many entry tickets as you like on the same day or different days.
you cannot buy two of the exact same type of ticket for entry on the same day.
each circuit is one way (you can't go back) This applies to all entry tickets
none of the hikes are included with circuit #2 tickets
hikes cannot be "added" to any ticket after the transaction if completed.
tickets cannot be changed
tickets cannot be transferred to someone else (there is actually a way to transfer a ticket if you are in Cusco. I recommend working with an agent who knows what they're doing. Which is above my pay grade!)
Machu Picchu visitors cannot exit to use the restroom and reenter using the same ticket. (this is the standard policy for every Machu Picchu ticket). Here's more info about toilets at Machu Picchu. CLICK HERE.

Machu Picchu Tickets with Hikes and Circuits:
Inca Trail hikes and tickets are not included here. They have their own regulations which I will list separately

All hikes in Machu Picchu:

Includes access to the hike you choose and a specific circuit inside the Machu Picchu citadel
you can buy as many tickets as you like on the same day or different days. Why do I think 2 days/1night is the ideal amount of time to spend in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu? CLICK HERE to read more
you don't have to do the hike. You can skip the hike and just do the circuit that comes with the hike. Or you can start the hike and turn around any time.
you will find tickets for all the hikes displayed on the Machu Picchu website. Buy your tickets first then book trains and hotels. The times displayed on the website should be according to the entry time of the main gate, with the entry to the hike one hour later. Both entry times are printed on your tickets.
you must check in for your hike anytime during the 1-hour entry time window printed in the center portion of your ticket next to the name of your hike.
you enter the Machu Picchu main gate according the time printed above your QR code on the uppler left side of your tickets.
all hikes are paired with a circuit and now all circuits include access to a spot on the upper terrace for the classic view of Machu Picchu.
tickets cannot be changed
you cannot combine the hike of your choice with the circuit of your choice (which I think is a great idea, if I do say so myself!)
tickets cannot be transferred to someone else (there is actually a way to transfer a ticket if you are in Cusco. I recommend working with an agent who knows what they're doing. That won't be me! But I do know a few people. To be honest, it's not worth the cost of just buying a new ticket)
after the hike to Huayna Picchu or Huchuy Picchu, hikers are directed towards the park exit. It's fine to take your time and enjoy the remainder of the circuit as you make your way out.

Machu Picchu Entry Tickets that come with Inca Trail Permits

permits for the short 2-Day Inca Trail hike usually don't sell out as quickly as Machu Picchu entry tickets.
when Machu Picchu tickets are completely sold out we can usually get permits for the short Inca Trail hike. (with at least 7 days or more advance notice)
the 2-day Inca Trail hike includes 1 night in a hotel in the village of Aguas Calientes. (there is no camping on the short 2-day Inca Trail hike trip)
for people who don't hike, we can substitute a van tour of the Sacred Valley archaeological sites instead of the hike. But you will not have access to the upper terrace.
each permit comes with 1 Machu Picchu entry ticket to the lower circuit #3
hikers have access to the guard shack on the upper terrace on the day they hike in to Machu Picchu.

What else do you need to know about Machu Picchu?

Are tour guides required for tours of Machu Picchu? Not at this time. Could it change? CLICK HERE to read more.
Tour guides are required for people who choose to hike the short (or long) Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Don't make these mistakes when buying tickets to Machu Picchu. CLICK HERE to read more.

Disclaimer: the information I provide is subject to change. Although I track changes to Machu Picchu ticketing practices and policies, and I would even say that organizing trips to Machu Picchu is my "superpower." I am not responsible for ticketing information or decisionis and choices you make.