Machu Picchu Ticket Sales 2026: Official Release Dates & How to Buy
- Steph Anie
- Dec 2
- 3 min read
The moment all travelers have been waiting for is here. Peru’s Ministry of Culture has officially approved the sale of Machu Picchu entry tickets for the entire year of 2026. Sales were set to begin on 17 November 2025.
The ONLY Way to Book Online
All official purchases must be made exclusively through the Ministry of Culture's website.
Official Website: tuboleto.cultura.pe
Note: Be wary of third-party sites. This is the only official source.
Machu Picchu 2026 Ticket Release Schedule
To plan your booking date, check the exact calendar below. Months become available for booking progressively, so mark your calendar!
Visit Dates (2026) | Reservation Start Date |
01 - 05 January | 17–18 November 2025 |
06 - 31 January | From 03 January 2026 |
February | From 12 January 2026 |
March | From 13 January 2026 |
April | From 14 January 2026 |
May | From 15 January 2026 |
June | From 16 January 2026 |
July | From 17 January 2026 |
August - December | From 19 January 2026 |
Crucial Booking Tips
January is Critical: The first dates (01–05 Jan) were released on November 17–18 and are now sold out. If you missed them, you can purchase tickets in person in Aguas Calientes or book the next available dates as soon as sales open.
Peak Season Rush: Travelers planning trips during June, July, or August (dry/peak season) must book the moment their month's sales open.
High-Demand Dates: Secure your tickets early for April, June–August, and the Christmas/New Year holidays.
Sequential Booking: Immediately after securing your Machu Picchu entry ticket, proceed to book your required companion tickets:
Train Tickets: From Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes).
Bus Tickets: The short transport from Machu Picchu Pueblo up to the Citadel entrance.
Daily Capacity and High-Demand Dates
The total number of visitors allowed inside Machu Picchu varies based on the day.
Standard Days: 4,500 visitors per day.
High-Season Special Dates: Capacity increases up to 5,600 visitors per day on the following special circuits/dates:
1 January
17 - 20 April (Easter/Holy Week)
19 June - 2 November (Includes Inti Raymi, national holidays)
30 - 31 December
Cannot get tickets online? Purchase tickets in person
The Ministry of Culture reserves 1,000 additional tickets daily for next-day entry, available only through an in-person purchase in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu pueblo).
Location: Mincul Cultural Centre, Machu Picchu pueblo (Aguas Calientes)
Hours: 15:00 to 22:00 (Be prepared to queue early).
Requirement: Go in person with your original passport/ID.
Important: These tickets are non-transferable and must be used at the exact time printed.
Entry time tolerance
Always aim to arrive on time! Your ticket includes a specific entry time, but you have a slight grace period:
Low Season: 30-minute grace period.
High Season: 45-minute grace period.
⚠️ Warning: Arriving after your tolerance window will result in entry denial unless you can provide formal proof of force majeure (e.g., documented transportation delay, medical emergency).
Entry Schedules
Tickets are often sold for specific time blocks or circuits. The main schedule divisions are:
Morning: 06:00 - 12:00
Afternoon: 12:00 - 18:00
Full Day: 06:00 - 18:00
Ready to Plan Your Adventure?
Machu Picchu planning can be complicated, especially securing all the correct tickets, trains, and entry times.
Contact us today! We can help you navigate the 2026 booking process, answer any questions about the circuits, or assist you in planning your entire Peru itinerary.