If you plan to visit Cusco and its surroundings, you may be wondering: What is the Cusco Tourist Ticket? This pass allows you to access the more than 16 tourist sites in the region in a practical and economical way. Here we explain what it is, the different types of tickets, prices and discounts, where you can buy them and recommendations for you to choose the best Cusco Tourist Ticket for your visit.
What is the Cusco Tourist Ticket?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket (or Cusco Tourist Ticket) is a special pass that allows admission to multiple archaeological sites, museums, monuments, cultural attractions and the ruins of the sacred valley in Cusco. This ticket is ideal for those who want to explore the region in depth and visit several tourist attractions without paying individual entrance fees for each site. It is an excellent option if you are planning a Sacred Valley Tour or a Cusco City Tour.
Types of Cusco Tourist Ticket
There are two main types of tourist tickets, each with different options to suit your needs and the time you have available:
1. General Ticket
The General Ticket includes access to 16 tourist sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It is the best option if you plan an extended stay in Cusco and want to explore as many sites as possible. This ticket is valid for 10 calendar days, so you will have enough time to enjoy all the attractions.
The sites included in this ticket are:
- Saqsayhuaman Archaeological Park.
- Qenqo Archaeological Park
- Puka Pukara Archaeological Park
- Tambomachay Archaeological Park
- Site Museum of Qoricancha
- Regional Historical Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- Monument to Pachacuteq
- Museum of popular art
- Qosqo Center of native art
- Tipon Archaeological Park
- Pikillacta Archaeological Park
- Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park
- Pisaq Archaeological Park
- Archaeological park of Chinchero
- Archaeological park of Moray
2. Partial Tickets
Partial Tickets are designed for those who have less time or wish to concentrate on a specific area of the region. These tickets are valid for 1 to 2 days and are divided into three circuits:
Circuit I
It is valid for one day and includes archaeological sites around Cusco, such as:
- Archaeological park Sacsayhuaman
- Archaeological park Q’enqo
- Archaeological park Puka Pukara
- Archaeological park Tambomachay.
Circuit II (City and southern valley)
It has two days and focuses on museums and attractions in the city of Cusco, such as:
- Qoricancha Site Museum
- Regional historical museum
- Museum of contemporary art
- Monument to Pachacuteq
- Museum of popular art
- Qosqo Center of native art
- Tipon Archaeological Park
- Archaeological park of Pikillacta
Circuit III (Sacred Valley)
It has two days of validity and this ticket allows the entrance to sites of the Sacred Valley, such as:
- Ollantaytambo archaeological park.
- Archaeological park of Pisac
- Archaeological park of Chinchero
- Archaeological park of Moray
Prices and Discounts for the Cusco Tourist Ticket
The prices of the Cusco Tourist Ticket may vary according to the type of ticket and if you are a national or foreign tourist. Below, we give you a price reference:
- General Ticket: Approximately $35 USD (130 soles) for foreign adults and $19 USD (70 soles) for foreign students with valid ID. For Peruvian national tourists, prices are lower.
- Partial Tickets: About $19 USD (70 soles) for foreign adults and $11 USD (40 soles) for foreign students.
Discounts
If you are a foreign student between 18 and 25 years old and have a valid ISIC card, you can get a discount on your ticket purchase just by showing your valid student card or ISIC card.
If you are a university student and have a student card issued by SUNEDU, you have access to the student discount, at the time of purchase you only have to show your card.
What is the fare for children under 10 years old?
Children under 10 years old do not pay, children from 10 years old to 17 years old acquire the student ticket showing their identity card.
This applies for foreign and national children, the same for teenagers. Now if you want to attend the Qosqo Native Art Center and your child is 6 years old or older, you must pay the entrance fee due to the use of a seat.
Do tourists residing in Peru have a discount?
No, but they have to purchase the Cusco tourist ticket for Peruvians, showing their valid foreigner’s card or permanent residence.
Do Peruvian school delegations have discounts?
Yes, they have discounts, to apply for this discount the guardian or designated person in charge must go to the administrative office located in Arequipa A-2 (behind Garcilazo school) to do the procedure with a minimum of 24 hours in advance (working days).
The guardian must bring the physical ID’s of the students and accompanying persons, together with the request issued by the guardian of the educational institution addressed to the general manager of COSITUC. If you want to know more click here
Where to buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket is not available to buy online, so you must purchase it at authorized points of sale:
- COSITUC Central Office: This office is located at Av. El Sol 103, office 101 in downtown Cusco. Here you can buy any of the tickets, either the General Ticket or the Partial Tickets. You can make your purchase from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm from Monday to Sunday.
- Points of Sale at the Tourist Sites: At most of the sites that are part of the ticket with the exception of the Qosqo Native Art Center, the Museum of Popular Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art. In all the others, partial tickets corresponding to their circuit are also sold.
- Tourist Agencies: Some tourist agencies in Cusco may also sell the ticket or include it as part of a travel package, especially if you are planning a guided tour of the Sacred Valley or a City Tour Cusco.
Tips to Make the Most of your Cusco Tourist Ticket
- Plan your visits: If you are short on time, opt for a Partial Ticket according to your interests. For a more complete experience, the General Ticket is ideal.
- Check schedules: Check the schedules of each site, as some close early and you may not be able to visit all the sites in a single day.
- Bring ID: If you are a student, be sure to bring your valid ISIC card to take advantage of ticket discounts. Also, to enter the BTC sites it is necessary to show your ID along with the ticket.Check the period of validity: After buying it, check how many days of validity you have to visit the places according to your Cusco tourist ticket.
- You can only make one visit per tourist attraction: As an example, if you visited the archaeological center of Ollantaytambo, your ticket will allow you to enter the other places, but not the archaeological center of Ollantaytambo unless you purchase another ticket.
- It does not include the ticket to Machu Picchu: Remember that the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu is sold separately and can be purchased online due to the crowds of tourists.
- Bring cash to your visit: In most archaeological centers of BTC stores or sale of food and souvenirs are purchased in soles not pains or euros, there are few places in cusco where you can buy with credit card.
- Acclimatization: It is advisable to take one or two days to rest and acclimatize upon arrival in Cusco, as this city is at high altitude. If you visit the tourist sites right away, you may not fully enjoy them due to the symptoms and discomfort caused by altitude sickness, also known as soroche.
*Important: These tourist tickets do not include transportation or guide service, they only give you the right to temporary admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to visit all the tourist sites on my Cusco Tourist Ticket?
You can visit all these 16 places in three days in a quick way.
What is the entrance fee to the salt mines of Maras?
This tourist site is not included in the Cusco tourist ticket so at the entrance of the place you must pay 10 soles for foreign tourists and 10 soles for domestic tourists to enter. Remember that in Maras you will not be able to pay with credit card or with any other currency than the Peruvian sol.
Are there any discounts for teachers?
No, whether you are a teacher with International teacher identity card (ITIC) or International Youth travel card (IYTC) does not apply for a discount, this also happens with national teachers.
Is it possible to pay only the entrance fee to visit one specific place?
No, if you want to visit only one place you will have to buy a partial ticket according to the circuit. Only the Qosqo Center of Native Art and the Inca Pachacutec Monument have their own entrance ticket, which you can buy to enter only these places.
Do tourists who belong to the CAN have a discount?
No, there are only two types of prices: national tourists (Peruvians) and foreign tourists.
Do I have to buy the Machu Picchu ticket in advance?
No, it is not necessary to buy it in advance, you can even buy it in the same archaeological center you want to visit, just as a recommendation see the validity of the ticket.
Is it possible to use the ticket in the name of another person?
No, the ticket can only be used by the name of the person that appears on it, these tickets are not transferable, they cannot be given away or sold.
Do I have to bring my ID to enter the BTC sites?
Yes, at the time of admission your ID will be checked together with the ticket to verify that you are the same person. In the event that you have purchased your ticket as a Peruvian resident, you must also carry your foreigner’s card to avoid inconveniences.
Does Inka time include the Cusco tourist ticket in the tours that visit these tourist sites?
No, the price of the tours includes transportation, guided and other services that will depend on the tour you choose, but we can help you to acquire it, either by acquiring on your behalf once you make the reservation with us, just contact us through our social networks or directly to WhatsApp +51 908 757 454.
Is the purchase of the tourist ticket personal?
No, the agency you are working with can buy it with your ID.
Does the Cusco tourist ticket include the archaeological site of Coricancha?
No, this entrance ticket is sold separately and is purchased at the door of this archaeological site and has a cost of 15 soles (4 USD approx). The BTC does allow you to enter the site museum of Coricancha, which exhibits Inca pieces found in Coricancha, this museum is located very close to the archaeological site.
Does the BTC has a limit of sale per day?
No, you can buy it without being asked to return the next day. However, we recommend that you check the validity of your ticket so that you can plan your visits to all the included sites without inconveniences.
What happens if I don’t use my BTC on the day I buy it?
It depends on what type of BTC you bought, if you bought the partial ticket I and did not use it, you will have to buy another ticket to enter these places and if you bought the tickets that are valid for two days or more, you can choose which day to enter as long as that date is within the validity of the ticket, if the ticket is no longer in effect you will not be allowed to enter the archaeological sites.
Now that you know what the Cusco Tourist Ticket is, you can choose the option that best suits your time and budget. With this guide, you are ready to explore the best of Cusco and the Sacred Valley and get ready for a unique cultural experience!
