Want to find out How to buy Machu Picchu Tickets? As the site of ancient Inca civilization, the engineering and architecture of Machu Picchu make it a center of tourist attractions.
If you want to visit, getting a ticket is essential, and there are different ways to do so.
Purchase of Machu Picchu tickets online
Purchasing your entry tickets to Machu Picchu is best done online and ahead of your trip. Although you can also buy entry tickets at the location you wish to visit, you can be unlucky as they may have been sold out. Booking ahead is especially advised if you will be visiting anytime between June and September.
Since we have established that the best option is to buy online, here is how you do it.
Steps on How to buy Machu Picchu Tickets
- Visit the website of the Ministry of Culture (http://www.machupicchu.gob.pe/)
This is the first step in any online purchase. This site is a government-run site, so its default language is in Spanish. Not to worry, you can easily change this to English by clicking on the British flag.
There is a kind of warning which appears as “Comunicado“ to inform you that you need a passport to enter any site.
Although you can change the language, buying tickets are still in Spanish. What we have done to help is to give you the English translations of what you will see on the site.
- Select which sites you want to visit
There are different locations you can choose to go to. You can decide to visit only Machu Picchu or go to the Machu Picchu museum afterward.
The first thing is to select the place to visit by clicking the “Lugar a Visitar.” The next step is to select a route to take (“Seleccione la Ruta”). The routes available include going to the Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna (Wayna) Picchu, or you can choose to go to both. You should know the time during which you can visit any of the mountains and the number of entry allowed. The prices of entry tickets vary for both mountains. The Huayna Picchu offers more sights for anyone interested at a little extra cost.
- Select a date
The next thing to do is to select a date when you will be visiting. This is quite easy as there is a calendar from which you can select the date of your choice.
- How many tickets do you need?
This process differs based on your location. For anyone who will be from Asia, North America, Australia, Europe, and other locations, you should select “Extranjeros” option which means “others.” You can then pick the number of tickets by clicking on the arrows under “Cantidad” which implies “quantity.” The next thing is to click on step 2(“Paso 2”) which will appear at the bottom of the page. On this page, you find out the number of available tickets for any date you have chosen. The available tickets is indicated by “Disponibilidad.”
While the steps are the same, the only difference is that instead of the others option, visitors coming from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, or Bolivia, Ecuador fall under the Nationals and Andean community members option which is “Nacionales y Comunidad Andina.”
Don’t be in a hurry just yet. There are also child tickets which can be purchased by clicking on the “Tickes para Estudiantes.” For a child 7 or below, tickets are free while for 8 and above, the “Estudiantes” or student rate applies.
- Enter your information
So you are left with filling your personal information. Please ensure that this information is as it is on your passport. The information required is;
- Your first name (“Nombres”)
- Your last name (“Apellidos“)
- Your country (“Pais”)
Note that since the information is in Spanish, you need to input your country in Spanish. You can use Google Translate to get this part.
After carefully completing this part, the Step 3 or “Paso 3” is the next part you click.
- Finalize your order
This may as well be the last page. Here you see the terms and conditions, “Leer Términos y Conciciones,” which will be in Spanish but you can find a way to translate. You also check that the information you have supplied is correct under the “La informacíon proporcionada es correcta.” You should also fill the “Correo” field which is simply your e-mail address. Once you have completed these, get your reservation by clicking on the “Generar Reserva.”
You will then get a Reservation form “Formato de Reserva” (please do not close it until you complete payment for the tickets) as a pop-up. Copy the reservation number indicated as “Reserva.”
Now you can go to the payment page, “Pagos,” to complete the process.
- Proceed to payment
On the payment page, you will need to input your reservation code. A simple copy and paste will suffice. You are then transferred to a payment screen for your credit card details.
When done, click on “Enviar” to send the details.
- Save & print your tickets
After completing your payment, please remember to save to your computer in a PDF format. You can then go on to print these. It would be a good idea to travel along with both a softcopy and a hardcopy of the receipts and tickets.
If you want to make your purchase while you are already in the country, you can also do this in person. Here are some ways to do so.
Getting your Machu Picchu tickets in Aguas Calientes
The Machu Picchu Cultural Centre (Direccion Regional de CulturaAguasCalientes Office) is the place to buy your tickets in Aguas Calientes. Working hours are around 5 a.m to 10 p.m from Mon-Sun. To make a purchase, only cash is accepted so remember to make a withdrawal and preferable before getting to Aguas Calientes.
Buying Machu Picchu tickets in Cusco
If you are in Cusco and you wish to pay a visit to Machu Picchu, you can go to the Ministerio de Cultura to make your purchase. Working hours are between 7 a.m to 8 p.m from Mon-Sat. It is located before the Plaza Regocijo at Casa Garcilaso on Calle Garcilaso. Remember to take along your passport and your means of payment.
How to buy Machu Picchu tickets in Lima and other cities in Peru
If you are good at communicating in Spanish, then you can make a reservation online and then visit any Banco de la Nacíon in Peru to make your payment. Remember to print your reservation and take it along when going.
Enjoy one of the most amazing trips on earth, hope our guide on How to buy Machu Picchu Tickets online could help you plan your trip.