Cusco Tourist Ticket:what it is, prices, circuits, and what it includes
The Cusco Tourist Ticket, also known as the BTC, is the official pass that grants entry to 16 archaeological sites, museums, and cultural centers located in the city of Cusco, the South Valley, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
There are two main options: the Full Tourist Ticket, valid for 10 days, and three partial tickets organized by circuit. Choosing correctly depends on the places you want to see and the number of days you’ll spend in Cusco.
Important note: the Tourist Ticket does not include entry to Machu Picchu. Tickets for the Inca citadel are purchased through a separate system.
Cusco Tourist Ticket at a glance
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Cusco Tourist Ticket prices
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| Ticket type | Foreign adult | Foreign student | National or resident | National student | Validity | Attractions |
| Full Ticket | 35 USD (S/ 130) | 19 USD (S/ 70) | 19 USD (S/ 70) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 10 days | 16 |
| Partial Circuit I | 19 USD (S/ 70) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 5 USD (S/ 20) | 1 day | 4 |
| Partial Circuit II | 19 USD (S/ 70) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 5 USD (S/ 20) | 2 days | 8 |
| Partial Circuit III | 19 USD (S/ 70) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 5 USD (S/ 20) | 2 days | 4 |
| Children under 10 do not pay for the tourist ticket. The student rate requires a valid university ID and generally applies up to age 25. Dollar amounts are approximate and depend on the exchange rate; payment is made in Peruvian soles. Check current requirements and prices with COSITUC before your visit. | ||||||
Rates are charged in Peruvian soles. For that reason, it’s better to avoid fixed prices in dollars, since the exchange rate can shift. The rates and validity periods above correspond to the information published by COSITUC.
What is the Cusco Tourist Ticket?
The BTC is a personal ticket that combines entry to various historical and cultural attractions in Cusco into a single pass. It is managed by the Committee of Integrated Tourist and Cultural Services of Cusco, known as COSITUC.
This ticket makes trip planning easier because it removes the need to buy a separate entry for each archaeological park. It does not, however, include transportation, a tour guide, meals, or any other services along the route.
Which places does the Tourist Ticket include?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket is divided into three circuits: Circuit I, which covers the archaeological sites near the city; Circuit II, which brings together museums in Cusco and attractions in the South Valley; and Circuit III, which comprises the main archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley.
Circuit I: archaeological parks near Cusco
This circuit brings together four significant Inca sites located on the outskirts of the city.
| Circuit I: Around Cusco | |
|---|---|
| Attraction | Main feature |
| Sacsayhuamán | Archaeological complex known for its enormous stone walls |
| Q’enqo | Inca ceremonial center carved into rock formations |
| Puka Pukara | Inca structure known as the Red Fortress |
| Tambomachay | Ceremonial site associated with water and hydraulic engineering |
Validity: 1 day
Recommended for: travelers doing the Cusco City Tour.
Circuit II: city of Cusco and South Valley
Circuit II combines museums, cultural venues, monuments, and two archaeological parks in the South Valley.
| Circuit II: City of Cusco and South Valley | |
|---|---|
| Attraction | Area |
| Qorikancha Site Museum | Downtown Cusco |
| Regional Historical Museum | Downtown Cusco |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | Downtown Cusco |
| Museum of Popular Art | Downtown Cusco |
| Monument to Inca Pachacútec | City of Cusco |
| Qosqo Center of Native Art | City of Cusco |
| Tipón Archaeological Park | South Valley |
| Pikillaqta Archaeological Park | South Valley |
Validity: 2 days
Recommended for: travelers interested in local history, museums, and the South Valley tour.
Circuit III: Sacred Valley of the Incas
This circuit gives you entry to four of the most visited archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley.
| Circuit III: Sacred Valley of the Incas | |
|---|---|
| Attraction | Main feature |
| Pisac | Terraces, ceremonial enclosures, and Inca structures |
| Ollantaytambo | Archaeological, religious, and administrative complex |
| Chinchero | Agricultural terraces, archaeological heritage, and textile tradition |
| Moray | Set of circular terraces from the Inca period |
Validity: 2 days
Recommended for: Sacred Valley tours, Sacred Valley VIP, or itineraries that include Moray.
The official composition of each circuit was confirmed in the COSITUC rate schedule.
Cusco Tourist Ticket types and prices
Full Tourist Ticket
The General Tourist Ticket, also known as the full ticket, is the single pass that gives you entry to 16 attractions spread across the city of Cusco, its surroundings, the South Valley, and the Sacred Valley. Instead of paying a fee at each site, you buy one ticket that groups museums, archaeological centers, and cultural performances into three circuits. It’s valid for ten days from first use, and each place can be visited once. It’s practically essential for any Cusco itinerary, since without it you can’t enter Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, or Chinchero, which are the central stops on the city tour and the Sacred Valley route. Worth clarifying: it does not include entry to Machu Picchu, the Qorikancha, or the Cusco Cathedral, which are paid separately.
| Places included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Place | Tourist area | Circuit |
| 1 | Sacsayhuamán | Around Cusco | Circuit I |
| 2 | Q’enqo | Around Cusco | Circuit I |
| 3 | Puka Pukara | Around Cusco | Circuit I |
| 4 | Tambomachay | Around Cusco | Circuit I |
| 5 | Qorikancha Site Museum | City of Cusco | Circuit II |
| 6 | Regional Historical Museum | City of Cusco | Circuit II |
| 7 | Museum of Contemporary Art | City of Cusco | Circuit II |
| 8 | Museum of Popular Art | City of Cusco | Circuit II |
| 9 | Monument to Inca Pachacútec | City of Cusco | Circuit II |
| 10 | Qosqo Center of Native Art | City of Cusco | Circuit II |
| 11 | Tipón | South Valley | Circuit II |
| 12 | Pikillaqta | South Valley | Circuit II |
| 13 | Pisac | Sacred Valley | Circuit III |
| 14 | Ollantaytambo | Sacred Valley | Circuit III |
| 15 | Chinchero | Sacred Valley | Circuit III |
| 16 | Moray | Sacred Valley | Circuit III |
Validity: 10 calendar days.
The full ticket grants entry to all 16 attractions across the three circuits. It’s the best choice for travelers staying several days in Cusco or wanting to combine the City Tour, the Sacred Valley, the South Valley, and the city’s museums.
Partial tourist tickets
Each partial ticket lets you visit only the attractions in the circuit you select.
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Cusco Partial Tourist Ticket prices
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| Partial ticket | Foreign | Foreign student | National or resident | National student | Validity |
| Circuit I: Sacsayhuamán | 19 USD (S/ 70) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 5 USD (S/ 20) | 1 day |
| Circuit II: City and South Valley | 19 USD (S/ 70) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 5 USD (S/ 20) | 2 days |
| Circuit III: Sacred Valley | 19 USD (S/ 70) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 11 USD (S/ 40) | 5 USD (S/ 20) | 2 days |
| Children under 10 do not pay for the tourist ticket. The student rate requires a valid university ID and generally applies up to age 25. Dollar amounts are approximate and depend on the exchange rate; payment is made in Peruvian soles. Check current requirements and prices with COSITUC before your visit. | |||||
Permanent residents of Peru can access the promotional rate by presenting valid documentation.
Which Tourist Ticket should you buy?
The following comparison helps you pick the right ticket for your itinerary:
| Which tourist ticket suits your travel plan? | |
|---|---|
| Travel plan | Recommended ticket |
| Cusco City Tour only | Partial Circuit I |
| Cusco museums and South Valley | Partial Circuit II |
| Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, or Moray | Partial Circuit III |
| City Tour and Sacred Valley | Full Ticket |
| Two or more circuits | Full Ticket |
| Machu Picchu only (it has its own separate ticket) | You don’t need the BTC |
For a foreign tourist, two partial tickets cost S/ 140, while the full ticket costs 35 USD (s/.130 ) . For a national or resident visitor, two partial tickets cost S/ 80 and the full ticket 19 USD (S/ 70).
So when your itinerary combines two circuits, the full ticket costs S/ 10 less and grants entry to all the other attractions during its 10 days of validity.
Where to buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket
Official sales are in person. The main purchase point is:
COSITUC Central Counter
Av. El Sol 103, Galerías Turísticas, Cusco
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
It can also be purchased at most of the attractions included in the BTC. It is not sold at the Regional Historical Museum, the Qosqo Center of Native Art, the Museum of Popular Art, or the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Can you buy it online?
COSITUC currently states that the official purchase of the Tourist Ticket must be made in person. There’s no need to reserve it several days ahead.
The recommended approach is buying it the same day you begin your visits, because its validity starts from the date of purchase.
Requirements for students and minors
Children up to age 9 can enter free of charge. The exception is the Qosqo Center of Native Art, which charges admission starting at age 6 because a seat is assigned.
Visitors between 10 and 17 can request the student rate by presenting an official ID document. Students between 18 and 25 must show a valid student ID or ISIC card, per the requirements established by COSITUC.
What the Tourist Ticket does not include
The Tourist Ticket covers only the 16 attractions listed in the official circuits. It does not include:
- Entry to Machu Picchu.
- Cusco Cathedral.
- Qorikancha Temple or the Convent of Santo Domingo.
- Maras Salt Mines.
- Andahuaylillas Church.
- Rainbow Mountain.
- Tour guide services.
- Transportation between attractions.
- Meals.
It’s important to distinguish the Qorikancha Site Museum, which is part of Circuit II, from the Qorikancha Temple and the Convent of Santo Domingo, whose admission is handled separately.
Recommended itinerary to make the most of the full ticket
Although COSITUC notes that all 16 places can be visited in a minimum of three days, an itinerary of four or five days lets you cover them at a more relaxed pace.
Day 1: Cusco City Tour
Visit Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. This route uses the Circuit I attractions.
Day 2: Classic Sacred Valley
Tour Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Depending on the program you choose, you can also visit Chinchero.
Day 3: Chinchero and Moray
Cover the remaining Circuit III attractions. Admission to the Maras Salt Mines must be paid separately.
Day 4: South Valley
Visit Tipón and Pikillaqta. Some itineraries also reach Andahuaylillas, whose admission is not part of the BTC.
Day 5: Cusco museums
Spend the day at the Regional Historical Museum, the Museum of Popular Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Qorikancha Site Museum, the Monument to Pachacútec, and the Qosqo Center of Native Art.
Tips for using your ticket correctly
- Buy the ticket when you’re ready to start your visits.
- Bring your passport, DNI, or foreigner ID card.
- Keep the ticket with you throughout the route.
- Check the hours of each attraction before planning your day.
- Confirm with your agency which admissions are included in the tour.
- Remember that the ticket doesn’t include a guide or transportation.
- Don’t confuse Moray with the Maras Salt Mines: Moray is included; the salt mines are not.
Is the Cusco Tourist Ticket worth buying?
Yes, especially when you plan to visit two or more circuits. The full ticket costs less than buying two partial tickets and gives you access to all 16 attractions over 10 days.
The partial ticket makes sense when you only have one day available or your itinerary focuses on a specific area.
You don’t need to buy it when your trip is limited exclusively to Machu Picchu and you won’t be visiting other Cusco attractions.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Tourist Ticket include Machu Picchu?
No. Machu Picchu has its own tickets, circuits, entry times, and independent sales system.
Does the ticket include transportation and a guide?
No. The BTC only grants the right of entry to the included attractions. Transportation and a guide must be arranged separately or as part of an organized tour.
Can I buy a ticket for just one site?
At most attractions there’s no individual admission. You have to buy the partial ticket for the corresponding circuit. COSITUC notes a few exceptions, such as the Qosqo Center of Native Art and the Monument to Inca Pachacútec.
When does validity begin?
Validity begins the day you buy the ticket. That’s why it’s not a good idea to purchase it several days before starting your visits.
Which circuit covers the Sacred Valley?
The Sacred Valley corresponds to Circuit III and includes Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray.
Which circuit does the City Tour use?
The City Tour mainly uses Circuit I: Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
Can the ticket be transferred to another person?
No. The ticket is personal and must be used together with the ID document registered at the time of purchase.
Plan your route with Machu Picchu Viajes Perú
Every traveler has a different itinerary. Before buying the Tourist Ticket, it’s worth reviewing how many days you’ll be in Cusco, which tours you’ll take, and which attractions are included in each program.
At Machu Picchu Viajes Perú we help you organize a personalized route through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the South Valley, and Machu Picchu, avoiding unnecessary purchases and making better use of every day of your trip.
