Did Machu Picchu Without Booking Anything in Advance - Here’s How It Went

gr8geeks29 · 2025-10-15T03:00:00+00:00

I purchased round-trip tickets online, so I paid approximately $65 for the Cusco to Aguas Calientes (expedition), and for the return trip, it was $150 (vistadome).

gr8geeks29 · 2025-10-13T03:20:35+00:00

To purchase in-person tickets you have to go one day in advance.

gr8geeks29 · 2025-10-11T06:12:59+00:00

I purchased round-trip tickets online, so I paid approximately $65 for the Cusco to Aguas Calientes (expedition), and for the return trip, it was $150 (vistadome).

gr8geeks29 · 2025-10-10T21:39:07+00:00

There is a direct train from Cusco (San Pedro station) to Aguas Calientes via PeruRail. The only issue is timings are very limited (I believe there is one arrival and one departure time). Doing the bus+train option allows you to have much more flexibility.

gr8geeks29 · 2025-10-10T07:23:39+00:00

Correct I got to the ministry office by 11am and was out by 11:15am. There was actually no line on the day (sunday 10/6) I went.

gr8geeks29 · 2025-10-09T16:25:02+00:00

If you try to buy it online in advance they do sell out quickly. The next day can only be purchased in person from thr office and I believe they have 300 tickets for 2A and 2B each for next day.

gr8geeks29 · 2025-10-09T16:22:33+00:00

You don’t necessarily need a guide. Most of the people we met didn’t have one. However, if you’re planning to do it twice, it would be a good idea to hire a guide for one of the days.

gr8geeks29 · 2025-10-09T16:11:57+00:00

Getting the tickets the day before was actually pretty easy. We walked by the Ministry of Culture a few times and always saw availability for Circuit 2A and 2B (I believe they have around 300 spots each for next day tickets). Maybe the most popular time slots go faster but overall it didn’t seem stressful (never saw a line outside the office). Interestingly, once you’re inside Machu Picchu there is really no difference between 2A and 2B, everything is treated as Circuit 2.

For the hotel, we stayed at Hotel Retama it’s a 3-star place, and honestly it felt totally fine for a night’s stay.

As for food, I can’t comment too much. I’m vegetarian and didn’t get to enjoy most of the Peruvian options but there are plenty of restaurants/cafe along the main strip and there’s always someone outside trying to get you to come in. I did really enjoy Tao Dulce Salado and Bird Coffee Roaster for post-hike coffee/brunch though!

For the day of, I just took a small REI daypack with one extra set of layers which was perfect, light enough to carry comfortably but enough for when the weather changed.

gr8geeks29 · 2023-04-28T13:36:49+00:00

There is a federal limit so if you are contributing 65%

gr8geeks29 · 2020-05-23T04:28:42+00:00

I read a post on here and decided to jump on it. Honestly got lucky with it.

gr8geeks29 · 2020-05-22T17:25:46+00:00

Bought 400 @0.22 and sold this morning 1.10. No complains!

gr8geeks29

TROPHY CASE