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Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is surely on many people’s bucket list.
But as one of the most iconic landmarks in South America, it comes with a long list of rules, timed entry slots, and visitor caps.
We had to buy an entire set of tickets just to be able to enter Machu Picchu to take pictures. Don’t ruin your Machu Picchu trip by making some of the same mistakes we did.
Not sure what to know before going to Machu Picchu?
Don’t worry, here are 13 important things to know before visiting Machu Picchu based on personal experience!
What to Know Before Visiting Machu Picchu
1. Bring Your Passport to Machu Picchu!
You will need your passport to enter Machu Picchu! Not a photo of it, not a photocopy. The actual physical passport, and the number has to match your ticket. They turn people away at the gate over this, so make sure you have it with you on the date of the visit! Don’t leave it in your hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)!
2. Buy Your Ticket in Advance and Aim For The Earliest Entry
Machu Picchu runs on timed entry slots now, and the popular ones sell out weeks ahead in high season. Book on the official Ministry of Culture site, tuboleto.cultura.pe. You will need to create a Joinnus account first, and heads up: tickets are personal, non-refundable, and non-transferable, and you have to complete payment within 15 minutes of reserving or you lose your slot.
As for timing, aim for the 6 AM entry. The later it gets, the more crowded Machu Picchu gets. Don’t let the crowd ruin your experience at Machu Picchu!
Buy your Machu Picchu ticket here on the official website.
3. The Last Entry to Machu Picchu is at 3 PM
If you were planning on getting your picture-perfect shot at sunset in Machu Picchu, well bad news, you can’t. The last entry is at 3 PM and everyone must be out by 5:30 PM.
Each ticket is locked to an hourly window with a strict 30-minute grace period. Show up at 9:35 with a 9:00 ticket and they can turn you away with no refund.
If you have no option but to visit in the afternoon, just make sure you make it there before 3 PM!
4. Most of Machu Picchu is One-Way!
This is where we messed up big time!
We entered Machu Picchu early in the morning at 7 AM with a tour guide. The tour guide showed us the famous guardhouse where everyone takes the most iconic picture of Machu Picchu. However, it was really foggy that day and we wanted to wait for the fog to clear up.
So we said no problem, we will come back when we are done with the tour.
We finished the tour at the bottom of the ruins and tried to go back the same way we came from.
“No puede pasar, una via” the guard yelled. That means you can’t pass, it’s only one way.
We tried arguing and telling the guard we didn’t know and the tour guide never said anything.
It didn’t work.
We had to leave and re-enter and buy another ticket for 152 soles. Luckily they weren’t sold out that day.
These days it’s even stricter: every ticket is single entry on a fixed one-way circuit, and rangers along the route make sure you stay on it. There is no re-entry at all. So plan your photo stops on the first pass, because there is no going back.
5. You Can Hike Up From Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
If you are looking to save money or want the satisfaction of hiking to a Seven Wonders of the World, you can actually do that from Aguas Calientes otherwise known as Machu Picchu Town! The trail is free and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours uphill, and the bus costs around $24 USD round trip for foreign visitors, so hiking at least one direction is the obvious budget move. (Bus fares have been creeping up, so double-check the current price on consettur.com before you go.)
Where is the route? Download the app maps.me and it will show you the trail from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
If you are interested in doing a longer trek to Machu Picchu, check out my Salkantay trek guide! It is one of many ways to get to Machu Picchu!
6. Buy Your Bus Ticket Early to Make sure You Can Get There For Your Entry Time
Not only do the tickets to Machu Picchu sell out, so do the bus seats up the mountain from Aguas Calientes.
Two companies currently run the shuttle buses, Consettur and San Antonio de Torontoy, after Consettur’s long-held concession expired in 2025. Buy your ticket online at consettur.com (cards accepted) or in person at the bus station in Aguas Calientes (cash only, dollars or soles). Either way, bring your original passport, they require it to sell you a ticket. Buying the day before is the safe move. Tickets are valid for 3 days and can’t be refunded.
Also, make sure you get to the bus station early in the morning. Buses start running at 5:30 AM and leave when full, roughly every 10 minutes at peak times. If your entry slot is at 6 or 7 AM, be in line at least 45 minutes beforehand. Yes, that means getting there at 4:30 AM.
7. There Are no Bathrooms inside Machu Picchu
There are absolutely no bathrooms inside Machu Picchu. The only ones are at the entrance, they cost 2 soles, and they are cash only. And since there is no re-entry, make sure you take care of business before you enter! I wished I was warned about this before entering!
8. Machu Picchu Can Be Foggy in The Morning
Machu Picchu can be very foggy in the morning around 6 AM and 7 AM. This makes it hard for people who wake up early to avoid the crowd but also want to get a good picture as well.
Of course, you have the option of getting there early and waiting until the fog disperses.
What do you choose? More tourists but a better view? Or fewer tourists but a foggy view?
Personally, we think that the first entrance at 6 AM is the best time of the day to visit Machu Picchu, simply because you get to enjoy it with fewer crowds!
9. You Don’t Need a Printed Ticket Anymore (But Bring One Anyway)
The official digital ticket from TuBoleto with the QR code is accepted at the gate now, so a printout is no longer mandatory.
That said, bring one anyway. Cell signal at the gate is unreliable and the staff move a lot faster with paper in hand. Luckily for you, many accommodations in Aguas Calientes will print out your online ticket for you!
10. You Can Get a Passport Stamp Outside Machu Picchu
As one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, visitors have the opportunity to get a FREE passport stamp! Out of every little thing that they charge, you would think a stamp would cost money but it is totally free!
You can find the stamping station right outside the exit of Machu Picchu, close to the bathrooms. Don’t leave Machu Picchu without having a stamp from Peru’s most famous landmark!
One small caveat: some countries’ border agents don’t love novelty stamps in passports, so it’s your call.
11. Reserve Your Huayna Picchu And Machu Picchu Mountain Tickets Way in Advance
The old ticket system is gone. Machu Picchu now runs on Circuits 1, 2, and 3, split into 10 fixed one-way routes. A standard ticket costs 152 soles; adding Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain bumps it to 200 soles. Since May 2026, foreign visitors also pay an 11-sol conservation fee on top of the ticket price.
Here is what matters: Huayna Picchu, the steep peak towering behind the ruins in all the classic photos, sells out 3 to 4 months ahead. Machu Picchu Mountain, the taller one on the opposite side, is slightly easier to get but still goes fast in high season.
If you want either one, book the moment your dates are firm on tuboleto.cultura.pe. First-timers who want the classic experience should grab Circuit 2. If the postcard view is the priority, that’s Circuit 1.
12. It is “Required” to Have a Tour Guide to Enter Machu Picchu
On the government website, it says that a tour guide is required to enter Machu Picchu. But from our experience, no one checks.
The amount of people that are entering at the same time makes this a difficult law to enforce. Officially, groups of 10 or more must have a licensed guide. Independent travelers are frequently waved through without one.
It is definitely good to have a tour guide to explain to you all the history of Machu Picchu but it also restricts you from walking around freely.
If you are looking for a guide, you can easily get one in Aguas Calientes at any of the tour agencies.
13. Machu Picchu Is at an Altitude of 2430 Meters. Altitude Sickness Should Not Be a Concern
Many people heard of horror stories concerning the altitude in Peru, especially in Cusco. Many have said they weren’t able to follow their Peru itinerary because altitude sickness had debilitated them for days.
Luckily, Machu Picchu sits only at 2430m, a lot lower than Cusco’s 3400m. If you don’t feel well in Cusco and want to cancel visiting Machu Picchu, you might be better off going to Aguas Calientes (2040m). Within a day or two, you will feel a lot better and Machu Picchu will only be a few steps away!
Where to Stay in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town)
Best Hostel in Aguas Calientes – Nativus Hostel Machu Picchu
Nativus Hostel Machu Picchu, the former Ecopackers in the same building under a new name, is a very basic accommodation but has all the necessities you need. Featuring clean and spacious rooms as well as a bar and a pool table on the terrace, Nativus is a great place to meet other travelers. A very standard breakfast is also included.
Best Boutique Hotel in Aguas Calientes – Susanna Boutique Hotel
If you are looking for a cozy accommodation with amazing views of the surrounding landscapes, then Susanna Boutique Hotel is perfect for you.
This family-owned accommodation in Machu Picchu Town is 3 minutes away from the bus station and train station, giving guests easy access to these transport hubs. Town Center is only a short 5-minute walk away.
This Aguas Calientes hotel features comfortable rooms with big windows looking out over the roaring Urubamba that surrounds the town. Guests can watch its marvel every morning as they eat their delicious free breakfast!
Best Luxury Hotel in Aguas Calientes – Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
Tierra Viva Machu Picchu is one of the best and most modern hotels in Aguas Calientes. Located a short 5-minute walk away from the busy town center, you are surrounded by lush views but never too far from the action. Their delicious breakfast is the perfect way to start your morning to Machu Picchu!
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I hope this guide helped you get the best experience you could possibly have at Machu Picchu. Have you been to Machu Picchu? We would love to hear your opinion in the comments down below!
