How To get Tickets to Machu Picchu in Aguas Calientes

If you’re planning to visit Machu Picchu and every tour operator tells you there’s NO AVAILABILITY, here’s a solution: you can buy your tickets directly in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). It may be your only chance to avoid going home without visiting this Wonder of the World.

There are several key details you need to know, especially if you’re traveling during high seasons such as Easter Week, weekends, or other holidays.

In April of this year, and especially during Easter holidays, the in-person ticket system collapsed. Tourists from all over the world were forced to wait two to three nights in line, hoping to get a ticket. Why? Because of high demand and limited availability—only 1,000 tickets are sold each day at the Cultural Center of Machu Picchu, the only authorized sales point in the town.

Table of Contents

HOW TO GET TICKETS TO MACHU PICCHU IN AGUAS CALIENTES

Where and how to buy tickets?

Tickets are only sold in person at the Cultural Center of Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), located near Manco Cápac Square.

Service hours:

Every day (Monday to Sunday)

6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. → Get your attention ticket (number of tag)

3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. → Buy your entrance ticket (use number of tag)

Important:

Getting an attention ticket is essential. Without it, you won’t be able to purchase your entrance ticket in the afternoon (starting at 3:00 p.m.).

During high season, not only do you need an attention ticket, but there’s also a pre-attention ticket given to tourists who don’t manage to get one—meaning they have to wait in line for more than two nights just to get a chance to enter.

Do you want to know which dates are considered high season in Peru?

Stay tuned! We’ll be publishing more info on our blog very soon.

Steps to Follow

  1. Request an attention ticket:

Go to the Cultural Center one day before you plan to buy your ticket and request an attention ticket. Without it, you cannot buy your entry pass.

  1. In-person purchase:

Return with your attention ticket within the purchase hours. Sales are personal, and you must present a valid passport or national ID.

  1. Overnight stay required:

Since tickets are bought one day before your visit, you must spend at least one night in Aguas Calientes.

  1. Choosing a circuit:

The circuit, route, and entry time (Circuit 1, 2, or 3) are assigned based on the order of arrival and availability. No additional tickets are released once they sell out.

  1. Strict policies:

Once the ticket is purchased, no changes, refunds, or rescheduling are allowed.

Types of Tickets & Availability

Here’s the official breakdown of the 1,000 tickets sold each day at the Cultural Center:

🔹 CIRCUIT 1: Panoramic View (150 tickets)

Route 1-A: Machu Picchu Mountain — 50 tickets

Route 1-B: Upper Terraces — 100 tickets

🔹 CIRCUIT 2: Llaqta Machu Picchu (600 tickets)

Route 2-A: Designed Route — 300 tickets

Route 2-B: Lower Terraces — 300 tickets

🔹 CIRCUIT 3: Royalty Route (250 tickets)

Route 3-A: Huayna Picchu Mountain — 50 tickets

Route 3-B: Designed Route — 200 tickets

Final Tips

Arrive early: If traveling during high season, try to be in Aguas Calientes at leasthy6y66y 2 days in advance.
Check online availability: Even though these tickets are only sold in person, checking online can give you an idea of overall demand.
Be flexible: Having a few possible visit dates increases your chances of getting a ticket.
Bring cash and valid documents (Passport or ID).

With patience, good planning, and a little luck, visiting Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes is still possible—even without a ticket in advance. Just make sure you’re informed to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Have you experienced this process or are planning to try it? Let us know in the comments!

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