Why You Should Confirm Machu Picchu Tickets Before You Book Flights

Tickets to Machu Picchu are not that expensive compared to the other costs for a trip to Peru. But the consequence of not landing one of those tickets after you book your non-refundable flights could be disastrous. Here's where having access to a reliable source for travel planning can be a game changer. How do you choose a good tour company? This is your first test in how to prepare for a trip to Peru. If a company says they can get a Machu Picchu ticket you cannot see on the official Peru government website, TuBoleto, walk away. Tickets are issued in a traveler’s name and passport number. Nobody is allowed to buy blank tickets and store them. No one. I included a list of questions at the end to ask any tour operator.

Do not buy nonrefundable flights or hotels until the Machu Picchu entry, or the Inca Trail hiking permit, is confirmed.
You can plan an independent or guided trip for next year, but no one can buy those tickets until TuBoleto releases them, in batches over several days in January, for entry through December 31 of that year. A good operator tells you that, asks for a first and second choice, and makes the promise to be glued to their computer on the day the tickets are released. Tickets can't be guaranteed. But this judge would award a "10" to the operator for exceptional performance.

Can anyone buy next year’s Machu Picchu tickets early?

No. No one has access to Machu Picchu tickets until the official government website (TuBoleto) releases them every January for entry through December that year. If anyone tells you they can buy your entry tickets the year before your travel dates for the following year, that's a red flag.

If you begin planning your trip to Peru after the month of January, entry tickets to Machu Picchu should be on display through the end of the year. For the past 2 years, the dates for "high season" started in mid June and ended on Nov 1 or 2. Those dates may not be the same every year. It's important to know this if you want to hike to the Sungate, the Inca Bridge, Huchuy Picchu, or the Grand Cavern. (Remember that Huayna Picchu looks similar to Huchuy Picchu. But they are different hikes. Huayna (aka Wayna) Picchu is open year round.

What you need to know about buying your own Machu Picchu tickets and Inca Trail permits

• Citadel tickets can be found on TuBoleto by anyone with a device and access to internet.
• Inca Trail permits can only be reserved by a licensed operator who has access to the official private portal.
• “High season” at Machu Picchu usually runs from mid-June (ish) through November 1 or 2 (ish.) This is the only time of year that hikes to Sungate, the Inca Bridge, Huchuy Picchu and the Grand Cavern are open. The (ish) matters. Peruvians aren't always beholden to locked-in dates.
• Inca Trail is closed every February for maintenance, and for a well-deserved rest.   
• Circuit 1 doesn’t get you up close to the temples, fountains and features of the actual ancient Inca city.

What are the 2 worst ideas for organizing a trip to Machu Picchu? 

These have the highest risk for running into problems that prevent you from reaching your destination or result in disappointment when you realize you're not getting up close to the temples, fountains and features of the actual ancient Inca city. 

1. Setting up a 1-day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu. The travel time is estimated at 5 hours. Each way. You have no wiggle room for delays from suspended train service, flat tires or long lines. It's also a long day since you want to allow time to explore the thing you came to see, and maybe snag a bite to eat in the charming village of Aguas Calientes before you depart for the 4-5 hour return to Cusco.  What should you do instead? Plan a 2-day/1-night trip with an overnight in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
2. Booking your trip when the only ticket available is Circuit 1. The one to the upper terrace with the fantastic view. But no access to the actual ancient Inca city. We found out in 2026 that tickets to Circuits 2 and 3 sold out first. It may not be your fault that the right tickets aren't available. You may not be booking late. Tickets are selling out faster than expected. What should you do instead? Check available Machu Picchu tickets first, confirm your dates second if you like the tickets you see.

Can independent travelers organize their own trips to Machu Picchu?

Yes. There's no reason why people can't plan a fantastic trip to Peru including Machu Picchu. Everything you need to know is now available online. But here's the weakness in self-planned trips. It's the "what if" factor. What if your flight to Cusco is delayed? Did you allow extra time for all the transfers you need between your activities and tours? What if you need to change train tickets at the last minute? How do you do that? Online? In-person? Where? What if you're late for your entry to Machu Picchu? This is where no matter how meticulously you planned, your trip is at risk of breaking. Could having a local licensed tour guide in Cusco who has your back be as important as the cost of the travel insurance you bought to cover your expenses when you didn't make it to Machu Picchu for some reason beyond anyone's control? How often is train service on the main route from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu suspended? We looked it up. It's not as bad as you think. Jan 2024 / Sept 2025 - Nov 2025 - Dec 2025 / Aug 2026

Questions to ask your tour operator:

Did they explain when Machu Picchu tickets go on sale? Did they ask you for a first and second choice? Did they explain how the entry ticket you get affects the rest of the itinerary? 

“Fire away, amigos.”