How to Get Machu Picchu Tickets in Aguas Calientes 2025 | 10 Key Points
Suppose you’re planning to visit Machu Picchu. In that case, it’s crucial to understand everything about purchasing your Machu Picchu tickets in Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to the Inca wonder and the only official in-person ticket office in all of Cusco. While buying in advance is ideal, many travelers decide to purchase last-minute. To help you avoid problems, Kantu Peru Tours presents 10 key aspects you should consider, along with essential information for a hassle-free experience.
Turistas en Machu Picchu con una foto selfie
1. Ticket Availability Is Limited
Contrary to what many believe, Machu Picchu tickets in Aguas Calientes are not always available, especially during peak season (May to September) and particularly in June, when Cusco celebrates its jubilee month.
Machu Picchu has a daily visitor limit (4,044 people in 2025), with only 1,000 tickets available for in-person purchases. If you arrive without a reservation, you might miss out. Many travelers arrive a day before their planned visit, but waiting times can extend up to three days.
📢 Recommendation: Purchase Machu Picchu Tickets 2–3 months in advance through the official Ministry of Culture website Tuboleto.cultura.pe.
Machu Picchu tickets website
2. There’s only one Official Ticket Office
The only authorized place to buy Machu Picchu tickets in person in all of Cusco is the Ministry of Culture Office, located at Av. Pachacútec s/n (just 5 minutes from Machu Picchu Pueblo’s main square). Beware of scammers selling fake tickets at inflated prices—always verify it’s the official office (look for the Peruvian government logo).
📢 Remember: If you buy your Machu Picchu tickets in Aguas Calientes, you should do so immediately and plan to stay 1-2 nights depending on availability and the peak season.
Mapa para para llegar al Ministerio de Cultura en Aguas Calientes
3. The price is the same as Online
Many travelers think buying Machu Picchu tickets in Aguas Calientes is cheaper, but the cost is identical to the official website. The only difference? Waiting until the last minute risks missing your preferred date or circuit.
→ 2025 Ticket Prices: Foreigners: S/152 (≈ $40 USD), Students: S/70 (≈ $18 USD) and Peruvians: S/40 (≈ $10 USD).
Machu Picchu Ticket Purchase 2025
4. You need your original Passport
Whether buying online or in person, you must present your original passport; therefore, remember that no photocopies or photos are accepted. The name on your ticket must exactly match your ID, which will be checked at the entrance to any of the 10 different Machu Picchu circuits.
📢 Tip: If you’re using a national ID (DNI), it must be the physical document.
Machu Picchu Entrace a photo form IA
5. Tickets are for a specific time Slot
When purchasing your Machu Picchu tickets in person in Aguas Calientes, choose your entry time carefully. Although there are 10 time slots for the main route Circuit 2 (Classic Route), it’s important to know when you’ll be visiting, as once issued, the tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Machu Picchu has two main time slots, which differ due to weather conditions and the number of visitors:
- Morning (6:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Best for avoiding rain and crowds.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM – 5:30 PM): Ideal for golden-hour photos.
📢 Warning: If you arrive late, you may be denied entry.
Machu Picchu Clasic Route
6. No last-minute tickets for Huayna Picchu Mountain
These two additional hikes (Huayna Picchu & Machu Picchu Mountain) have extremely limited slots (only 400 and 800 daily, respectively). If you want to climb either, it’s nearly impossible to get last-minute tickets in Aguas Calientes—they sell out months in advance.
- Huayna Picchu Mountain: Only 2 entry groups (7:00 AM & 10:00 AM).
- Machu Picchu Mountain: More space but equally in demand.
Huayna Picchu stone and Mountain
7. Cash-Only payments (Peruvian Soles)
While online purchases accept cards, the Aguas Calientes office only takes cash (Peruvian soles). Bring enough money for your ticket, and avoid USD to prevent bad exchange rates (services in this small town are pricier than in Cusco).
📢 Tip: There are ATMs, but lines can be long.
Machu Picchu Guided Tour
8. Lines can be extremely long (Even Multi-Day Waits)
The ticket office in Aguas Calientes operates from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM, but during peak season (June-August), lines can stretch for up to 3 days. Once you’re in line, leaving for food or drinks isn’t an option. If you want morning entry tickets, you’ll need to queue overnight or arrive before dawn. While exhausting, this is the reality of purchasing Machu Picchu tickets in Aguas Calientes.
Bus-to-Machu-Picchu
9. Beware of unauthorized Ticket Sellers
Some agencies in Cusco or Aguas Calientes offer “guaranteed tickets” at inflated prices – these could be scams or invalid. Always purchase through the official website or an authorized office.
Before trusting any agency, check their online reviews across all platforms, as the ones that have Kantu Peru Tours. Verify official website availability first, and if tickets show as sold out online but an agency promises “VIP tickets” without fixed entry times, it’s almost certainly a scam.
📢 Key Advice: The only legitimate way to get sold-out tickets is by waiting in the physical queue in Aguas Calientes.
Aguas-Calientes-Town
10. Alternative activities in Aguas Calientes
If you can’t secure Machu Picchu tickets for your desired date (and considering you’ll likely need to stay multiple nights due to train ticket requirements), nearby alternatives to do in Aguas Calientes are worth exploring like:
- Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum (S/22, displays Inca artifacts)
- Aguas Calientes Hot Springs (S/20, perfect for relaxation)
- Mandor Waterfalls or Butterfly Sanctuary
Caligo-Memnom-in-Machu-Picchu-Hike
Purchasing Machu Picchu tickets in Aguas Calientes should only be your last resort, while possible, you risk: no ticket availability, wasted travel days, and exhausting queues. The smartest approach is to plan and buy official online tickets.
Machu Picchu is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – don’t leave it to chance. Proper preparation ensures you enjoy this incredible wonder without stress.
Need help planning your Peru adventure? Contact Kantu Peru Tours. Machu Picchu awaits! If you found this guide helpful, please share it to help other travelers avoid complications.
