Machu Picchu is open every day from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with timed entry slots (6:00, 7:00, 8:00… up to 3:00 PM) and a limited stay inside the site depending on the type of ticket. If you’re only focusing on the main citadel, the minimum recommended time is a morning or afternoon slot of about 2.5 hours; for many travelers, the ideal is to enter between 6:00 and 7:00 AM in the dry season (May to October), while those who prefer to avoid crowds without waking up too early usually choose entry times between 2:00 and 3:00 PM.
The best time to visit Machu Picchu depends mainly on three factors: whether you sleep in Aguas Calientes or in Cusco, the season (dry vs. rainy), and how well you tolerate crowds. Below we explain the recommended time slots according to your travel style and time of year.
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Entry times to Machu Picchu vary depending on the circuit you choose, but for the classic circuits, entry slots run from 6:00 AM up to 3:00 PM as the last possible entry. As a limit, visitors must leave the citadel by around 5:30 PM.
| Time range | Typical crowd level | Best for |
| 6:00-7:00 AM | Low (15%) | Photography with very few people and soft morning light. |
| 7:00-8:00 AM | Medium-low (25%) | A calmer experience, with pleasant weather. |
| 8:00-12:00 PM | Very high (80%) | Ideal for those traveling from Cusco and visiting in one day. |
| 1:00-2:00 PM | Medium (40%) | Fewer crowds, more relaxed vibe. |
| 2:00-3:00 PM | Low (20%) | Fewer people and a quieter visit. |
This time slot is perfect for travelers—especially photographers—who want to see the citadel with almost no people and in the first rays of sunlight. To use these early entries, you’ll need to stay overnight in Aguas Calientes. It’s only recommended in the dry season.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| • Machu Picchu is almost empty at 6:00 AM: fewer groups, shorter lines, and more space to move around and take photos calmly. • Morning light is ideal for photography: soft shadows, clear colors, and a very special atmosphere. • Buses from Aguas Calientes start running at around 5:30 AM, so you can ride up early and be among the first to enter. | • You need to sleep in Aguas Calientes the night before; coming from Cusco and entering at 6:00 AM is practically impossible. • Early morning temperatures are low: you’ll need warm layers, a hat, and possibly gloves. • You’ll have to get up very early (around 4:30–5:00 AM) to get ready, grab a quick breakfast, take the bus, and be on time at the entry checkpoint. |
Remember: In the rainy season (December to March), mornings are often covered in thick fog. You might enter at 6:00 AM but not see the ruins clearly until 9:00–10:00 AM, when the fog begins to lift.
This block of time is the most common for travelers who go from Cusco to Machu Picchu and back in a single day or have a very tight itinerary.
Many full-day tours leave Cusco very early (around 4:00–5:00 AM), combine bus and train to Aguas Calientes, and allow you to enter Machu Picchu between roughly 9:00 and 11:00 AM, depending on the train and entry slot you chose.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| • Allows you to visit Machu Picchu from Cusco and return the same day. • For most travelers it’s a “natural” time frame: you don’t have to wake up as early as for the 6:00 AM slot, and you don’t return as late as with some afternoon entries. • The weather is usually pleasant; by mid-morning, temperatures are around 61–64 °F (16–18 °C), comfortable for walking in light clothing. | • This is the time slot with the highest visitor concentration. This means: Longer lines for buses between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. • More difficult to take photos without people in the background. • The site feels more “crowded” and touristy, especially in high season (June–August and holidays). |
Afternoon entry times are ideal for travelers who prioritize a peaceful atmosphere rather than maximizing hours inside the site, for photographers looking for different light conditions, and for those who want to avoid the heavy midday crowds.
In the rainy season (December–March), the afternoon is often a better choice than the early morning, because the thick morning fog has usually lifted and the views of the citadel are clearer.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| • Between 2:00 and 3:00 PM there are usually far fewer visitors than in the morning: you’ll walk with more space and a stronger sense of calm. • Unlike the 6:00 AM entry, you don’t need to add an extra night in Aguas Calientes: you can leave Cusco on a mid-morning train, arrive in town around noon, have lunch, and then enter Machu Picchu in an afternoon slot. • In the rainy season, you’re more likely to find the citadel clear and visible than in the earliest time slots. | • If you enter at 2:00 PM, you’ll have until about 5:00–5:30 PM, which means roughly 3–3.5 effective hours inside. It’s enough to walk a classic circuit at a steady pace. • You cannot combine these afternoon slots with mountain hikes such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, which require earlier entries and have fixed schedules. • At certain times of the year, afternoon showers are common, so it’s a good idea to bring a rain jacket or poncho. |
There is no single “best time” that works for everyone; it depends on how you like to travel, your physical condition, and your overall plan in Cusco. Here are some typical scenarios:
You want Machu Picchu almost empty, dry weather, and ideal morning light. Book 2–3 months in advance.
Avoid in the rainy season: From December to March, morning fog often ruins this time slot. You might not see much until 9:00–10:00 AM.
You can leave Cusco on a morning train, have lunch in Aguas Calientes, enter Machu Picchu around 2:00 PM, and return that same night.
Ideal for the rainy season: By the afternoon, the morning fog has usually lifted, so you can see everything more clearly right from your entry time.
A few practical tips to avoid hiccups during your visit to Machu Picchu.
Booking early is very important, because Machu Picchu entry tickets sell out quickly.
Typical advance purchase times:
Sundays: Peruvian residents receive benefits and discounts, which increases visitor numbers by roughly 20%.
June 24–28: Inti Raymi festival. Thousands of additional tourists make Machu Picchu and Cusco much busier.
Peruvian holidays: Independence Day (July 28–29), New Year’s, and Holy Week. Demand for tickets, trains, and buses is usually at its peak.
| Combination | Result |
| 6:00 AM + May/September | Premium experience, fewer crowds and very favorable weather. |
| 2:00 PM + April/October | Good light, pleasant climate, and fewer crowds than in the heart of the Andean winter. |
| 2:00 PM + January–February | Very good option in the rainy season, because the morning fog has usually lifted. |
| AVOID: 8:00 AM + July | High season; one of the most crowded moments of the entire year. |
| AVOID: 6:00 AM + December–March | High chance of dense fog that can block panoramic views. |
No. In practice, the Ministry of Culture does not allow changes to your entry time or refunds once the ticket has been issued. That’s why it’s very important to choose your time slot carefully, taking into account possible delays in flights, trains or buses.
You have a 15-minute grace period. For example, an 8:00 AM ticket allows entry until 8:15 AM. After that time, the ticket becomes invalid and no refunds are given.
Keep in mind approximate transfer times:
Yes. The official entry window stays the same, from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. What changes is ticket availability depending on the season:
Happy passengers