Information Center

Information Center » Machu Picchu » Purchase the entrance tickets

Last update: July 17, 2025

Buying Tickets in Aguas Calientes: Be careful!

When all tickets available online are sold out – often weeks or even months in advance – some people believe there’s only one option left: trying their luck in Aguas Calientes. Indeed, 1000 tickets are made available for purchase each day for the following day, but this on-site sale remains a **last resort**, risky and uncertain.

An uncertain option, best avoided

Here are the main issues:

Exhausting queues: you need to arrive well before dawn (3am–5am), wait for hours to get a number, and then return in the afternoon.
Unpredictable chances: many leave empty-handed, even after spending the whole day waiting.
Financial losses: transportation costs, expensive accommodation in Aguas Calientes, mandatory cash payments… with no guarantee of getting a ticket.

Testimonies of difficult experiences

"If tickets are sold out online, you can try the ticket office… but you’ll need to spend two nights in Aguas Calientes" – Reddit

"These tickets can only be purchased in Aguas Calientes. You have to be there the day before and return in the afternoon" – Reddit

"Many fail to get their spot and leave with a waiting slip, then queue again… very frustrating" – Reddit

"They stopped counting at 1000 today, I was given number 773 at 9:45am – the system is unreliable" – Reddit

"You must be present both in the morning *and* in the afternoon with your passport, or you lose the tickets" – Reddit

"Even in March (off-season), you have to be there by noon to hope for a 2A or 2B ticket" – Reddit

"During Holy Week, even queuing before dawn, there are almost no tickets available" – Reddit

Associated risks

Financial losses: train, bus, accommodation costs, etc., are all committed without any guarantee.
Stress and discomfort: long waits at night, strict schedules, uncertainty.
Limited availability: only leftover tickets are offered, usually for the most basic circuits.

The recommended solution: book online

Our page lets you book your tickets in advance, offering:

Your choice of date, time slot, and circuit
Guaranteed entry, without stress or queues
Controlled budget, with no unexpected extra fees

Conclusion

Buying tickets in Aguas Calientes is never a serious alternative: exhausting queues, uncertainty, and wasted expenses make it a much less effective option than booking online through a trusted agency like ours.

Was this article helpful? 126 43