Are You Planning Your Trip to Machu Picchu and Found All Tickets Sold Out Online?
Did someone warn you that there are no more tickets available online and now you’re starting to worry? Don’t panic.
In this complete guide, I’ll explain step by step how to get your Machu Picchu ticket in person, directly in the town of Aguas Calientes.
Not all is lost… if you know exactly what to do.
1. Where to Buy Machu Picchu Tickets Once They’re Sold Out Online?
When you visit the official site www.tuboleto.cultura.pe and see there’s no availability left, all hope is not lost.
You can still secure a Machu Picchu entry if you travel directly to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.
In-person tickets are sold exclusively at the Machupicchu Cultural Center, located on the town’s main avenue. Travelers commonly refer to it as the Aguas Calientes ticket office, and it’s the only physical location authorized by the Ministry of Culture to sell official tickets once the online quota is gone.
Each day, the center releases 1,000 walk-in tickets for travelers who arrived without pre-booked entry. This method is perfect for those who couldn’t book in advance or want to extend their stay with an extra visit to Machu Picchu.
- 📍 Exact Location: Av. Pachacútec, Aguas Calientes 08681
- 🔗 Open in Google Maps
This ticket office replaces the old “pre-reservation with number” system, which created lots of problems. Previously, tourists had to queue at 6 AM to get a turn from 1 to 1000, then return later to exchange it for a ticket.
That system is now gone.
Today, everything is handled directly at the counter—fast, orderly, and without middlemen.
2. Ticket Office Opening Hours
The Machupicchu Cultural Center in Aguas Calientes opens daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, or until the 1,000 available tickets for the next day are sold out.
This new system was implemented on August 1st, 2025, to improve visitor experience and eliminate unfair practices like ticket reselling.
📌 Key points about the new schedule:
- 5 ticket windows operate simultaneously, reducing wait times significantly.
- No more numbered quotas. No need to queue just for a turn.
- Once the 1,000 tickets are sold out, sales stop until the next day.
- Accepted payment methods: debit/credit cards, QR (Plin, Yape), and Peruvian cash.
- Digital displays show real-time ticket availability per route.
- Guides are present to help with clear, organized information.
The extended hours until 10 PM offer more flexibility for late arrivals, especially if you come via the Hydroelectric route or on late trains. However, to secure the most requested circuits, early morning is best.
3. How to Get to Aguas Calientes to Buy the Ticket
To buy your ticket in person, your first step is reaching Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.
There’s no direct road from Cusco, so you have two main options: take the train or travel via the alternative Hydroelectric route.
🚆 Option 1: By Train (Fast and Comfortable)
The most convenient way is with Peru Rail or Inca Rail, both offering a bimodal service: bus to Ollantaytambo + train to Aguas Calientes.
Ideal if you want to arrive early and secure your preferred ticket.
🕓 Recommended Morning Departures:
| Service | Departure (Cusco) | Stop (Ollantaytambo) | Arrival (Aguas Calientes) | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expedition 81 | 03:20 AM (Wanchaq) | 05:35 AM | 07:40 AM | Cheapest, arrives early |
| Expedition 83 | 05:10 AM (Wanchaq) | 07:10 AM | 09:15 AM | Comfortable and punctual |
📍 You must check in at the Wanchaq station in Cusco to board the bus to Ollantaytambo, then take the train to Aguas Calientes.
This combo ensures you arrive early at the ticket office and increases your chances of getting availability.
🚌 Option 2: By Car to Hydroelectric + Walk (More Affordable)
If you’re on a budget, take a tourist bus from Cusco to Hidroeléctrica. The ride takes about 6 hours and is offered by many travel agencies.
From there, you’ll walk about 10 km (around 3 hours) along the train tracks through a jungle-like landscape until you reach Aguas Calientes.
💰 Estimated cost: 60–80 Peruvian soles or 17–23 USD (one-way).
⚠️ This is the cheapest route, but also the riskiest if you plan to buy your ticket as soon as you arrive.
Since you’ll probably get to town around 5:00 PM, there’s a high chance the 1,000 tickets will already be sold out.
In that case, you’ll need to stay overnight and queue early the next morning.
4. Available Ticket Types
The Cultural Center in Aguas Calientes offers six official ticket types to visit Machu Picchu, distributed across three main routes.
Each one includes different views, levels of difficulty, and durations. All prices are set by Peru’s Ministry of Culture.
🎟️ Comparison Table:
| Route | Circuit Name | What It Includes | Price (PEN) | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-A | Machu Picchu Mountain | Classic views + strenuous hike to summit | S/ 200 | $55 |
| 1-B | Upper Terrace | Classic views + partial route | S/ 152 | $45 |
| 2-A | Classic Designed | Full route through citadel + classic view | S/ 152 | $45 |
| 2-B | Lower Terrace | Full citadel + 5% extended route | S/ 152 | $45 |
| 3-A | Huayna Picchu Mountain | Partial route + demanding hike (no classic view) | S/ 200 | $55 |
| 3-B | Royal Designed | Partial citadel (no classic view) | S/ 152 | $45 |
🎯 Key Tip:
For the iconic high-angle photos, go for Circuit 2-A (Classic Designed) or 2-B (Lower Terrace).
These are the most in-demand and tend to sell out quickly.
If they’re sold out and you still want the classic view, choose 1-A or 1-B.
🔍 Check real-time ticket availability for each circuit here:
👉 Check availability on the official website
5. How to Pay for Your Ticket
One of the best things about the new in-person ticketing system in Aguas Calientes is that it accepts various payment methods, making life easier for travelers.
According to the official announcement by the Ministry of Culture, you can pay for your Machu Picchu ticket at the Cultural Center with:
- 💳 Credit or debit cards:
– Visa
– Mastercard
– Other international cards - 📱 QR payment apps:
– Yape
– Plin
(Only if you have a Peruvian bank account) - 💵 Cash:
– Peruvian soles only
– Dollars or foreign currencies are not accepted at the window
📌 Important: Checks, online payments, or bank transfers are not accepted.
Everything is handled in person, without agents or intermediaries.
You must go yourself, wait in line, and pay at the counter.
Also note: tickets are personal and non-transferable. You must show your ID or passport to purchase.
6. Can I Buy for the Same Day? What If the 1,000 Tickets Are Sold Out?
Here’s one of the most important rules you need to know:
❌ You cannot buy tickets for the same day.
The 1,000 tickets sold daily in Aguas Calientes are for the following day only.
📅 For example: If you buy a ticket today, your visit will be tomorrow.
This means you must stay at least one night in Aguas Calientes if you plan to buy your ticket in person.
What if you arrive late and tickets are sold out?
If you arrive in the afternoon (especially via the Hydroelectric route or late train) and there are no tickets left, you have two choices:
- Stay overnight and line up early the next morning to get a ticket for the day after.
- Find affordable lodging for a second night (there are options from $15–$20 USD) and rearrange your travel plan.
This means your trip becomes a 3-day, 2-night experience instead of 2 days and 1 night, adding extra cost for food and accommodation.
✅ Practical tip:
If you’re going the in-person route, the smartest strategy is to arrive in the morning, check into your hotel, and head directly to the ticket office.
This increases your chances of getting a ticket for the next day—just remember that trains are more expensive than traveling by car to Hydroelectric.
7. I Got My Machu Picchu Ticket — Now What?
Once you’ve secured your ticket, the next step is to plan how you’ll return to Cusco after your visit — especially if you’re on a tight schedule.
🚆 Option 1: Return by Train (Fast, But Expensive)
The easiest option is taking a Peru Rail or Inca Rail train back.
But if you wait to buy your train ticket until after securing your Machu Picchu entry, you’ll likely find only expensive panoramic trains or late departures.
🚨 Tip: Choose this only if you must return the same day and don’t mind paying more.
🚶 Option 2: Walk Back to Hydroelectric (Cheaper)
If you’re not in a rush and want to save money, you can walk back to Hydroelectric.
It takes about 3 hours through a scenic jungle route along the railway.
From Hydroelectric, shared vans depart between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. The ride back to Cusco lasts 6 hours and costs 60–80 soles in cash.
🧭 Note:
This only works if your Machu Picchu ticket doesn’t include mountains and your entry is early (6:00 to 9:00 AM), like Circuits 2-A, 2-B, or 1-B.
8. How to Get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Next, you need to decide how to go from Aguas Calientes to the Machu Picchu entrance. You have two options:
🚌 Take the Bus with Consettur
This is the most comfortable and fastest way. Buses start running at 5:30 AM every 5 minutes.
🎟️ Tickets available:
- Online at: https://comprar.consettur.com
- In person: office opens at 5:00 AM
📍 Location: Avenida Hermanos Ayar, Aguas Calientes
💰 Bus Ticket Prices:
| Category | One-Way | Round-Trip |
|---|---|---|
| National – Adult | $8.00 | $15.00 |
| National – Student | $6.00 | $10.00 |
| National – Child | $5.00 | $8.00 |
| Guide (S/) | S/ 6.00 | S/ 12.00 |
| Foreigner – Adult | $12.00 | $24.00 |
| Foreigner – Child | $7.00 | $12.00 |
| Resident (Cusco) | S/ 9.50 | S/ 19.00 |
| Resident (Machu Picchu) | S/ 4.00 | S/ 8.00 |
🚶 Walk Up to Machu Picchu
This option is free and takes between 1.5 to 2 hours depending on your fitness.
Just follow the bus route to the Ruins Bridge and then take the marked trail. It’s tough, but unforgettable.
9. After Visiting Machu Picchu — What Next?
Once your visit is over, it’s time to return to Cusco. Your route depends on how you plan to leave Machu Picchu.
🚌 If You Took the Consettur Bus Down:
- Just wait at the Machu Picchu exit. Buses depart every 5–10 minutes.
- Arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure.
🚶 If You Walked Down:
Follow the same trail back to Aguas Calientes (1 to 1.5 hours downhill), or use the bus road for a gentler descent.
Then continue walking to Hydroelectric (3 hours). Be sure to arrive before 3:00 PM to catch a van to Cusco.
🕘 Estimated arrival time in Cusco: Around 9:30 PM.
Most vans drop you off at Plaza San Francisco or Plazoleta de Regocijo.
Need Help Organizing Your Trip to Machu Picchu?
Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start? Don’t worry — I can help you organize your entire trip, stress-free:
- ✅ I’ll help you secure your tickets
- ✅ I’ll organize your train, transportation, and Consettur bus
- ✅ I’ll reserve your hotel
- ✅ I’ll coordinate a certified guide
- ✅ I’ll support you throughout your journey
👉 Click here to contact me on WhatsApp
Conclusion
Missing out on online Machu Picchu tickets is no longer a reason to stress.
Thanks to the new in-person system by the Ministry of Culture, you can now get your entry ticket directly in Aguas Calientes — safely, easily, and without middlemen.
Just remember:
- ✔️ In-person tickets are for the following day only
- ✔️ You must spend at least one night in Aguas Calientes
- ✔️ There are multiple options to go up and down Machu Picchu
- ✔️ With good planning, you can even do it on a tight budget
Machu Picchu is not just a world wonder — it’s a spiritual and cultural journey worth experiencing calmly, respectfully, and well prepared.