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. There is no longer a 1-hour window. It's an exact time of entry with a late tolerance of 45 minutes in the high season and 30 minutes in the low season. 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. Starting in 2025, rangers can make random stops to check passports and entry tickets. 
But, if you 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 the exact time for entry at Machu Picchu 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 Cusco are 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. 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!)   That's your entry time even if it's different from the one you think you selected. Entry times 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 in the center of your ticket under the name of the hike you booked. This applies only to the tickets for hikes. Circuit 1B, 2A, 2B and 3B do not have hikes. You will only see one entry time.

How do you know 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 center of the ticket for a bar code. If you don't see one you might not have the correct document for entry. You enter accordng to the time stamp on your ticket on the upper left side. 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 inside the park show a 1-hour window for beginning the hike 1 hour after you enter the Machu Picchu main gate. The reason for this is to give you time to tour the circuit before you have to checkin for your 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 hikes. 
The entry times you select for Inca Bridge hike and Montana Machu Picchu Hikes is for the entry at the Machu Picchu main gate. From there you hike up to the upper terraces where you access the checkpoints for the hikes. After the hikes, you can explore the upper terraces on your way to the exit. Otherwise be aware that none of the circuit 1 routes have entry to the actual ancient Inca city.

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

Being late for entry to Machu Picchu can happen 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. Visitors with entry tickets for Wayna Picchu and Huchuy Picchu, are expected to tour circuit #3 on the way to checkin for the hike at the 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 according to the 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 #3A + Montana WaynaPicchu  (Wayna and Huayna are the same word, just spelled differently)
2. Upper Circuit #1A + Montana Machu Picchu
3. Lower Circuit #3D + Montana HuchuyPicchu 
4. Upper Circuit  #1D+ Inca Puente (Bridge)
5. Upper Circuit #1C + Intipunku (Sungate)
6. Lower Circuit #3C + Gran Caverna (Newest kid on the block)

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. But not to worry guys. Circuit 3 is no slouch when it comes to offering access to temples and royal residences. It's a solid choice to get up close to Inca structures.

What you need to know about each "type" of Machu Picchu entry ticket. Starting June 1, 2024, all Machu Picchu circuits changed. The new routes come with new rules and limitations that could affect travelers who aren't familiar with the choices. Be aware that some older information on the internet (and our blog) may be outdated

Machu Picchu Routes: (info about the hikes is farther down)

• There are 3 routes.
  Circuits #1 upper - this is the only route that DOES not provide access to the ancient Inca city. There are 4 circuits to choose from
  Circuits #2 upper - middle and lower - this is the most popular route and usually sells out first. There are 2 circuits which are essentially the same
  Circuits #3 lower - does not include access to the classic view of the city, but offers excellent up close access to temples and royal residences. There are 4 circuits to choose from.
• you can buy as many entry tickets as you like on the same day or different days as long as the tickets are for different circuits.
• 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 (but does not apply to hikes!)
• 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.
• there is no wait list for buying tickets
• If all tickets on the official government website are sold out, that means there are no tickets anywhere. Operators cannot buy tickets in advance and store them to sell later. Beware of companies offering tickets when you
• Due to high demand for Machu Picchu entry tickets, which have been selling like hot cakes, tickets to circuit #3 from hikers who cancel the 4-day Inca Trail, are displayed on the official government website, 48 hours after the date the hike was scheduled to begin. These tickets are great for last minute travelers who are in Cusco.
• Machu Picchu is not more crowded. Capacity is determined by the number of entry tickets available. No Ticket! No Entry! I've been tracking capacity for several years. The number of tickets per day is on average close to the same every year (except 2023 when capacity limits swelled to over 10,000 per day!) Why are you seeing stories claiming overtourism is affecting Machu Picchu? Sometimes it's click bait folks. Other times it's temporary mismanagement of trains, waiting lines for buses or situations with bus service. And not to mention, but here I am talking about it, those darn 1000 in-person tickets for sale in the village of Aguas Calientes. IMO, it's a little fireball that gets fanned from time to time, and is one of the most controversial practices affecting the reputation of Peru and it's ability to manage their "world wonder." (To read up, CLICK HERE)

Note: Inca Trail hikes and tickets have their own regulations which I will list separately

What you need to know about tickets for all hikes in Machu Picchu:

• Every hike you choose comes with a specific circuit inside the Machu Picchu national park. (you cannot mix and match hikes and circuits inside the park. But! It's a great idea!)
• 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. Trails are not one way.
• you will find tickets for all the hikes and circuits displayed on the Machu Picchu website. Buy your tickets first then book trains and hotels. The times displayed on the website show the entry time at 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 based on the time printed on your tickets. Entry is on the hour or after the stated entry time. You cannot enter early.
• 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. That won't be me! But I do know a few people. To be honest, it may not be worth the effort. Just buy 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. 

What you need to know about 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 online.
• when Machu Picchu tickets are completely sold outonline we may be able to get permits for the short Inca Trail hike and use the entry ticket for circuit 3, even if you don't do the 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 circuit 1 and the upper terrace. 
• each Inca Trail hiking permit comes with 1 Machu Picchu entry ticket to upper circuit #1 at the end of the hike and lower circuit #3 on the following day
• hikers have access to the guard shack on the upper terrace (circuit #1) 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 2-day (or long 4-day) 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 decisions and choices you make.