If Cusco is on your itinerary, chances are you’ll run into the Boleto Turístico Cusco (BTC) — the official tourist ticket that unlocks entry to many of the region’s top archaeological sites and museums. It’s not a single ticket to everything, though, and figuring out which version to buy can be confusing if you don’t know how it works. This guide breaks down what the ticket covers, what it costs, where to buy it, and how to plan your days around it.
A bit of context: why does Cusco use a combined ticket?
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and the sites covered by the BTC reflect that legacy — from ceremonial centers and agricultural terraces to colonial-era museums built over Inca foundations. Rather than charging separate admission at each of these locations, the regional government consolidated them into one ticketing system decades ago, both to simplify visitor logistics and to fund the conservation of the sites themselves. Revenue from the ticket goes toward the ongoing preservation of Cusco’s cultural heritage, so buying it isn’t just a formality — it’s part of how these places stay maintained.
The basics
The BTC is issued by COSITUC, the local body that manages Cusco’s cultural sites. It bundles admission to 16 attractions spread across three zones: the city itself, the outskirts of Cusco, and the Sacred Valley. Rather than paying separate entrance fees at each site, you buy one ticket that covers a group of them.
There are two main versions: a general ticket covering all 16 sites, and partial tickets that split the same sites into three smaller circuits.
General Ticket
This is the all-in-one option, valid for 10 days, letting you visit at your own pace across:
- In the city: Qorikancha Site Museum, the Regional Historical Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Popular Art Museum, the Pachacútec Monument, and the Native Art Center (Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo)
- Just outside Cusco: Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Tipón, and Pikillacta
- Sacred Valley: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray
It’s the better value if you have time to spread visits over more than a couple of days, and it’s the option most independent travelers choose if they’re spending four or more days in the region.
Partial Tickets (Circuits)
Partial Tickets (Circuits)If your schedule is tighter, the partial tickets focus on one area at a time:
Circuit 1 – Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Tambomachay, Puka Pukara (valid 1 day) — this overlaps closely with a typical Cusco city tour route.
Circuit 2 – The city museums and monuments plus Tipón and Pikillacta (valid 2 days) — a good option if you’re more interested in colonial and cultural history than ruins.
Circuit 3 – The Sacred Valley sites: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray (valid 2 days) — usually paired with an overnight stay in the Sacred Valley, which also cuts travel time before continuing on to Machu Picchu.
Current Prices (2026)
Ticket prices are set in Peruvian soles and vary by nationality, age, and ticket type:
General ticket (16 sites, 10 days):
- Foreign adults: S/130 (approx. $38 USD)
- Peruvian nationals / Andean Community citizens: S/70 (approx. $21 USD)
- Foreign or national students aged 18–25 with a valid ISIC card: S/70 (approx. $21 USD)
Partial ticket (single circuit):
- Foreign adults: S/70 (approx. $21 USD)
- Peruvian nationals: S/40 (approx. $12 USD)
Children and students:
- Children aged 0–9: free entry
- Youths aged 10–17: pay the student rate, generally with just an ID (no ISIC needed at that age)
Note that prices are reviewed periodically by COSITUC, so it’s worth double-checking the official rate shortly before your trip.
Where to buy it
The ticket is not sold online — it has to be purchased in person, either at the COSITUC office on Av. El Sol 103 in Cusco, or at the entrance of most included sites (with a couple of exceptions, like the Pachacútec Monument and the Contemporary Art Museum). Payment at the central office is usually accepted by card as well as cash, though many site entrances only take cash, so carry soles just in case.
What it doesn’t cover
Worth flagging clearly: the BTC does not include Machu Picchu, Cusco Cathedral, the Church of the Society of Jesus, Santo Domingo Church (built over the Qorikancha temple), the Maras salt pans, or Rainbow Mountain. Those all require separate tickets, and Machu Picchu in particular sells out its daily entry slots well in advance, so book that one separately and early.
Suggested itinerary using the full ticket
For travelers with about a week in Cusco, a common way to structure things looks like this:
- Day 1: City circuit — Our Cusco food and city tour combined with the Qorikancha temple visit
- Day 2: Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Tambomachay, and Puka Pukara in the morning, free afternoon in the city
- Day 3–4: Sacred Valley — Pisac in the morning, Ollantaytambo by afternoon, overnight in the Valley
- Day 5: Chinchero and Moray before heading toward Machu Picchu
- Day 6–7: Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
This pacing avoids the common mistake of trying to see everything in two rushed days, which tends to leave people exhausted rather than actually enjoying the sites.
Practical tips
- Bring ID — you’ll need it to purchase the ticket and sometimes to enter sites.
- Each site allows one entry only, so plan your day rather than trying to pop in and out.
- The ticket is personal and non-transferable, and it can’t be replaced if lost.
- Guides and transport aren’t included, so budget separately if you’re not on an organized tour.
- Altitude in Cusco (over 3,300 meters) catches a lot of visitors off guard — build in downtime rather than scheduling back-to-back circuits on day one.
Make the most of your time between sites
With the tourist ticket sorted, the other question worth thinking about is food — Cusco has one of Peru’s most underrated culinary scenes, blending Andean ingredients with centuries of tradition. A great way to fit this in without losing a full day is to pair your sightseeing with a guided Cusco food tour, which typically runs a few hours and can slot neatly into a morning or evening around your BTC site visits — giving you a proper taste of the city instead of just its monuments.
FAQ
Can I buy the tourist ticket at Machu Picchu? No — the BTC doesn’t cover Machu Picchu at all, and it’s only sold at COSITUC’s office or at the participating sites within Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
Is the ticket worth it if I’m only in Cusco for two days? Probably not the general ticket — a partial circuit ticket will likely cover what you can realistically fit in.
Does the ticket expire on a fixed date or from purchase? Validity counts from the date of first use or purchase, not a fixed calendar date, so there’s no benefit to buying it far in advance of your trip.
Can I use the general ticket to visit a site twice? No — each of the 16 sites allows only one entry per ticket, even if you’re within the 10-day validity window.
Do I need to book the ticket in advance? No, there’s no reservation system and no availability limit — you can buy it the same day you plan to visit, at the office or at most site entrances.
What if I lose my ticket? It can’t be replaced or refunded. Since it’s tied to your ID at purchase, treat it like a passport — keep it somewhere secure for the whole trip.
Can I split the general ticket and use it on non-consecutive days? Yes — within the 10-day window, you can visit sites on any days you like; they don’t need to be consecutive.
Is there a discount for large groups? COSITUC doesn’t offer a group discount for independent travelers; the reduced rates are specifically for nationals, Andean Community citizens, and students with valid ID. Tour operators sometimes bundle the ticket into a group tour price, which can work out cheaper overall.
Can I pay with a credit card? At the central COSITUC office, card payment is generally accepted. At individual site entrances, cash is often the only option, so it’s safest to carry soles.
