In a nutshell
- Machu Picchu is the most visited attraction in Peru — and an absolute must on any Peru trip.
- A successful visit takes some advance planning: where to stay, how to get there, which ticket to buy, and how much time you’ll need.
- This article gives you all the essential Machu Picchu tips — from the best time to visit to what to pack and how much to budget.
- Ready? Let’s dive into everything you need to know for visiting Machu Picchu.
What is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is an Inca ruin in the Andes of Peru and the most famous Inca site in the world. It’s no coincidence that it stands alongside highlights like the Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro and Chichén Itzá in Mexico as one of the seven new wonders of the world and one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
Machu Picchu is a remarkably well-preserved Inca city made up of temples, terraces, staircases, building complexes, and walls. It was built by the Incas from precisely stacked stone blocks — entirely by hand.
In addition to the ruins that most tourists visit, Machu Picchu also includes Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu mountain.
Getting Your Bearings: Where Is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is in Peru in South America. It sits in the Andean mountains near the city of Cusco in southeastern Peru, at an elevation of 2,430 meters (7,970 feet). Cusco is the perfect starting point for getting to Machu Picchu.
From Lima, you can reach Cusco in just over an hour by plane or in about 24 hours by bus. It’s faster if you’re traveling from Arequipa or Puno.
From Cusco, it’s still about 100 kilometers to Machu Picchu. Right next to the ruins is the town of Aguas Calientes — a great stopover on the way from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
Also read all our travel tips for Peru
When Is the Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu has good weather most of the time — but unfortunately not always. Here’s a look at the best and worst months for your visit.
Good Months to Visit Machu Picchu
- May, June and September, October: Best time to visit.
- July, August: Best weather, but it’s peak season so it gets very crowded.
- November, April: The rainy season has technically begun, but the weather is usually still good.
Bad Months to Visit Machu Picchu
- December, January, February, March: Very rainy.
The dry season in the Andes and at Machu Picchu runs from May through October. It rarely rains during this period, so your chances of sunny, clear weather are highest.
Peak season is July and August. Machu Picchu gets seriously crowded then and tickets sell out early — snagging one last-minute is tough. That’s why we recommend the shoulder months of May, June, September, and October for visiting Machu Picchu. Our top pick? Machu Picchu as a destination in June!
Note: During the dry season, Machu Picchu gets very hot during the day and the sun beats down hard. At night, however, temperatures drop significantly.
The rainy season from November through April is less ideal, as it rains frequently. In November and April, the showers are still fairly manageable. From December through March, the rainfall is really heavy — we don’t recommend those months. February in particular tends to be the wettest.
Also read our tips on safety in Peru
How Much Time Do You Need for Machu Picchu?
How long you spend at Machu Picchu really depends on you. If you’re short on time for your Peru trip, your best bet is a day trip to Machu Picchu from Cusco.
If you’d prefer a more relaxed pace, plan for two days. On the first day, travel from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. On the second day, visit Machu Picchu and head back to Cusco.
If you have even more time, we really recommend doing a hike to Machu Picchu. These usually take five days, with Machu Picchu as the destination on the final day. The Machu Picchu treks are a true highlight of any Peru trip.
Read also our articles on the Machu Picchu Trails
Where to Stay Near Machu Picchu?
As mentioned above, the best base is Cusco. Pretty much every traveler visiting Machu Picchu stays there.
Cusco itself is absolutely worth seeing, and the surrounding area has many more highlights to explore — like the famous Rainbow Mountains. So plan on spending a few extra nights there.
Read our tips for the 10 best hotels in Cusco
Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu takes several hours depending on how you travel. If you’re visiting the Inca ruins as a day trip from Cusco, your day will be pretty packed.
That’s why we recommend spending one night in Aguas Calientes. The village is right next to Machu Picchu, so you can head up to the ruins at a leisurely pace in the morning.
Our Hotel Recommendations for Cusco
Our Hotel Recommendations for Aguas Calientes
Tickets for Machu Picchu
There are a few things to keep in mind when buying tickets for Machu Picchu. You can purchase your ticket online in advance or on-site in Cusco. You’ll also need to choose a time slot and plan your arrival accordingly.
To make things even more interesting, there are also several ways to experience Machu Picchu. There’s the classic tour through the ruins, plus the option to climb Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu Mountain.
Since covering all of this here would be too much, we explain everything about Machu Picchu tickets in a dedicated article.
Our Tips for Buying Machu Picchu Tickets
You can find the most important Machu Picchu tickets here:
Machu Picchu Standard Ticket
Full-Day Tour to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Getting to Machu Picchu
You have several options for getting to Machu Picchu. There’s no direct road to the Inca ruins, so the journey is a bit more involved. Here are your options from Cusco:
- Option 1: Guided tour from Cusco — transportation and tickets included
- Option 2: Travel by train (fastest option)
- Option 3: Travel by bus (most affordable option)
- Option 4: A multi-day hike to Machu Picchu
Each option has its pros and cons, varies in cost, and takes a different amount of time. To help you figure out the right way to get there, we’ve written a dedicated article on the topic.
Read our article about getting to Machu Picchu
Preparing for Your Machu Picchu Visit
Before you visit Machu Picchu, there are a few things you should know about the site.
What Elevation Is Machu Picchu At?
Machu Picchu sits at 2,430 meters (7,970 feet). Cusco is at 3,400 meters (11,150 feet) — considerably higher. At these altitudes, you may experience altitude sickness.
That’s why you should take it easy during your first few days in the highlands — don’t overdo it with hiking right away, and give yourself enough time to acclimatize. If you’re planning to do a lot of hiking at Machu Picchu, it’s a good idea to spend a few days sightseeing in Cusco first.
What Do You Need to Pack for Your Machu Picchu Visit?
You don’t need to pack much for Machu Picchu. But there are a few things you definitely shouldn’t forget:
- Sunscreen (there’s very little shade)
- Bug spray (there are a lot of mosquitoes)
- Water bottle (it’s usually very hot and dry)
- Snacks (in case you get hungry)
- Rain gear if needed (if rain is in the forecast)
What to Expect During Your Machu Picchu Visit
No matter how you get there, make sure you arrive at the entrance on time for your time slot. There you can store your luggage for free and use the restrooms.
The Guides
If you haven’t booked a guide in advance, you can find one on-site. Since 2023, you’re officially not allowed to enter Machu Picchu without a guide (though this rule is constantly evolving). Plenty of guides will be waiting for you at the entrance.
There are plenty of English-speaking guides available. Generally speaking, the cheaper the guide, the larger the group and the less detail you’ll get. It’s worth paying a bit more for a smaller group.
Our tip: Always negotiate the price a little with the guides.
The Tour
Together with your guide, you’ll spend about two to three hours walking through Machu Picchu. You’ll have plenty of time to take photos — the guides know the best photo spots and are particularly enthusiastic about photographing you from every angle.
In between, they’ll also tell you a great deal about the Incas and the various sites within Machu Picchu.
If you’ve booked the option to hike up Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu, that will of course be on the agenda as well.
How Much Does a Machu Picchu Visit Cost?
How much you spend at Machu Picchu depends entirely on how you do it. If you book a day tour that includes transportation and tickets, the visit will be significantly more expensive than if you make your way there independently by bus.
To give you a rough idea of pricing, here’s a budget option and a splurge option for visiting Machu Picchu.
Budget Option for Visiting Machu Picchu
- Round-trip bus to Hidroelectrica: 100 Soles
- One night in Aguas Calientes: 40 Soles
- Standard Machu Picchu ticket: 152 Soles
- Guide (booked on-site): 50 Soles
Total cost (excluding food, etc.): 342 Soles
Splurge Option for Visiting Machu Picchu
- Guided tour from Cusco (entrance and train transportation included): 1,200 Soles
Total cost: 1,200 Soles
Frequently Asked Questions About Machu Picchu
How do you spell Machu Picchu correctly — and what does the name mean?
We’ve seen all kinds of spellings out there: Matschu Pitschu, Matschupitschu, Machu Pichu — just to name a few.
The correct spelling is Machu (with one c) Picchu (with two c’s). It’s pronounced “Mah-choo Peek-choo.”
The name comes from the indigenous Quechua language and translates to “Old Mountain.”
Is Machu Picchu safe to visit?
Yes, absolutely. Since you’re away from urban areas and almost exclusively surrounded by other tourists, you don’t need to worry about your safety at the site itself.
That said, always keep a close eye on your belongings — pickpockets exist everywhere, and Machu Picchu is no exception.
Where do you take the best photo of Machu Picchu?
Everyone wants that perfect shot — no tourists in frame, the mountain at its most dramatic angle. The good news: there are several great photo spots along the walking routes through the ruins.
Your guide will know the site inside and out and will point you to the best vantage points. There’s no single “perfect” spot, so follow your guide’s lead and you won’t be disappointed.
