Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): The 2025 Guide

Updated Date: November 12, 2025

Author: The Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary: The Cusco Tourist Ticket is the simplest way to enter 16 major sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The full ticket costs S/130 and is valid 10 days; three partial circuits (S/70 each) cover specific areas if you are short on time. You must buy in person—online sales aren’t offered—and you’ll need ID. Below you’ll find which ticket fits which itinerary, where to buy it, how to move between sites efficiently, and what’s not included (like Machu Picchu and the Cathedral).

The Full Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTCI)

Includes entrance to 16 attractions within Cusco, surrounding areas and the Sacred Valley, the Full Cusco Tourist Ticket is the most popular ticket to buy. It is also the most expensive. Not all of the attractions listed on the ticket are must visit, but it does include the most popular attractions such as Saqsayhuman, Pisaq and Ollantaytambo. If you plan on visiting both Cusco and the Sacred Valley, this is the ticket to buy. This ticket is valid for 10 days, unlike the other tickets which are valid for just 1 – 2 days.

Validity: 10 Days
Price (2018): S/. 130 (US$ 47)
Included: Saqsayhuman, Qenko, Pucapucara, Tambomachay, Museo de Arte Popular, Museo Histórico Regional, Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo, Museo de Sitio de Korikancha, Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo, Monumento de Pachacutec, Tipon, Pikillacta, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero & Moray.

Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTCPI) / Circuit I – Saqsayhuman

This partial Cusco Tourist Ticket includes just 4 entrances. The attractions are the 4 main attractions located just outside of Cusco and not in the city itself. Take note that this ticket is valid for just 1 day!

Validity: 1 Day
Price (2018): S/. 70 (US$ 25)
Included: Saqsayhuman, Qenko, Pucapucara & Tambomachay.

Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTCPII) / Circuit II – City & South Sacred Valley

This partial Cusco Tourist Ticket includes 8 entrances. Generally speaking the attractions listed on this ticket are the least visited of all in the Cusco region. The Museo Histórico Regional (the original home of Garcilaso de la Vega) and the Inca archaeological site of Tipon are definitely worth visiting. Take note that this ticket is only valid for 2 days.

Validity: 2 Days
Price (2018): S/. 70 (US$ 25)
Included: Museo de Arte Popular, Museo Histórico Regional, Museo Municipal de Arte Contemporáneo, Museo de Sitio de Korikancha, Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo, Monumento de Pachacutec, Tipon & Pikillacta.

Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTCPIII) / Circuit III – Sacred Valley

This partial Cusco Tourist Ticket includes 4 entrances. It includes the most important attractions in the Sacred Valley, and is the ticket you need to buy if you are only visiting attractions in the Sacred Valley and not Cusco. Take note that this ticket is only valid for 2 days.

Validity: 2 Days
Price (2018): S/. 70 (US$ 25)
Included: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero & Moray.

Points of Sale

You can buy the partial or full Cusco Tourist Ticket at any of the attractions listed on the ticket. You can also buy the tickets at the central office or the official tourist information centre called DIRCETUR.

BTG Ticket Office
Address: Avenida. El Sol 103 Galerías Turísticas
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00 – 18:00 hrs.

Official Tourist Information Centre – DIRCETUR
Address: Calle Mantas (just off the main plaza)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00 – 12:00 hrs & 14:00 – 18:00 hrs.

Things to Know!

• To buy any of the Cusco Tourist Tickets you need to present your passport.
• You may be requested to show your passport along with the ticket to gain entrance to sites included on the ticket.
• Children under 9 don´t pay. You may need to show a passport as proof of age.
• Children aged 10 – 17 years old pay the reduced student rate, BTG Full S/. 70, BTC Partial S/.40 (passport needed as proof).
• The ticket cannot be bought with anticipation.
• Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

THE ONLY PERU GUIDE TRAVELING TIP: Peru Hop buses are the best and safest way to get to and from Cusco, home of Machu Picchu.

Which Ticket Should You Buy?

• Choose Full (BTCI, 10 days) if:
  • You’ll visit both city sites and the Sacred Valley (Pisac + Ollantaytambo + Moray + Chinchero).
  • You want flexibility across several days without worrying about individual fees.
• Choose Circuit I (1 day) if:
  • You’re doing the classic “four ruins” loop above Cusco (Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay) in half a day or a full day.
• Choose Circuit II (2 days) if:
  • You’re interested in museums and South Valley archaeology (Tipón + Pikillaqta) and prefer lower-key sites inside the city.
• Choose Circuit III (2 days) if:
  • You’re focused on Sacred Valley highlights and don’t need the city museums.
• Smart Routes: 1–3 Day Plans

• One efficient day (Circuit I): Start at Sacsayhuamán, continue to Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and finish at Tambomachay; walk or taxi back to town. See our short takes on Tambomachay.
• Two days (Circuit III): Day 1 Pisac (morning) + Chinchero (afternoon); Day 2 Ollantaytambo + Moray. If you’re combining with Machu Picchu trains, our practical piece on the Sacred Valley helps with sequencing.
• Three days (Full BTCI): City museums + “four ruins” on day 1; Pisac + Chinchero day 2; Ollantaytambo + Moray day 3. COSITUC notes the 16 places can be covered in as little as three days if you plan efficiently.

Getting Between Sites: Local Tips that Save Time

Moving between ruins takes longer than it looks on the map. A few realities from the road:

• Public vs tourist buses on intercity legs: Public buses are licensed only for terminal-to-terminal travel and generally cannot pick up in hotel zones or stop at attractions; tourist-licensed buses can, which is why door-to-door services save time and hassle.
• On many public buses, the driver is sealed in the cabin and there’s no staff on board; if someone is ill, there’s no direct way to signal the driver—a stress you don’t need at altitude.
• Example of the above in practice: in Paracas, public buses must stop outside the center; expect a 15–20-minute hot walk with luggage—an easy reminder why door-to-door matters on long days.

Practical options from Cusco:

• For the “Route of the Sun” between Cusco and Puno (often combined with BTC plans), Inka Express runs a day bus with guided cultural stops and lunch; it’s a straightforward way to connect Lake Titicaca with your Cusco days.
• For long-haul travel linking Lima–Arequipa–Cusco, Peru Hop offers hotel pickups and licensed tourist access along key routes; if you’re crossing into Bolivia later, sister company Bolivia Hop connects easily onward. These can reduce time lost to terminals and early check-ins.
• Prefer private flexibility for a short window? A day tour or hired car is often more time-efficient than stringing together colectivos when you’re trying to squeeze two valleys into 48 hours. For Cusco-based treks and Machu Picchu add-ons, vetted outfits like Yapa Explorers or Rainbow Mountain Travels can bundle transport with guiding.

Short, Real-World Reviews

• “Do not make a special trip.” luv4phood, USA, Nov 2022.
• “Brilliant guide, excellent organisation, great tour!” Linda E, UK, Feb 2025.
• “Visiting this incredible site left me speechless.” Bea beauty, USA, Mar 2025.

How to Use the Ticket Well

• Carry your passport; discounts require ID and checks are common at site gates.
• Start early for Sacsayhuamán and Pisac to beat tour-bus crowding; leave museums to the warm mid‑afternoon slot.
• Not every included museum is a must—allocate time to the high-impact sites first (Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Tipón). For context on city highlights, see our Guide to Cusco.
• Planning Machu Picchu buses? Our step-by-step Machu Picchu shuttle guide details tickets and boarding.

Transparent Comparison: Full vs Partial

• Full BTCI (S/130, 10 days)
  • Pros: Best value if you will visit both valleys and city; maximum flexibility; one purchase.
  • Cons: Overkill for a 1–2 day stay focused on one area.
• Circuit I (S/70, 1 day)
  • Pros: Classic “four ruins” done efficiently; great if you’re acclimatizing and want half-days.
  • Cons: Doesn’t cover Pisac/Ollantaytambo/Moray.
• Circuit II (S/70, 2 days)
  • Pros: Best for museum lovers + South Valley archaeology.
  • Cons: Less “wow factor” than Sacred Valley for many travelers.
• Circuit III (S/70, 2 days)
  • Pros: Hits the Sacred Valley essentials; pairs well with Machu Picchu trains.
  • Cons: No access to Sacsayhuamán or city museums.

Need-to-Know Rules

• Each ticket is personal and non-transferable; expect to show ID with your ticket at checkpoints.
• The BTC covers admission only—no transport or guiding is included.
• Buying in advance isn’t necessary and validity starts the day you purchase.

Related Reading

• Sacred Valley Highlights
• Guide to Cusco
• Arequipa to Cusco by Bus
• Cusco to Puno by Bus

FAQ

Can I buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket online?
No. COSITUC confirms online sales are not offered; you must buy in person at the central counter (Av. El Sol 103) or most included sites. Hours are 07:30–18:00 daily.

Does the BTC include Machu Picchu or the Cusco Cathedral?
No. Machu Picchu is a separate national-ticket system; the Cathedral belongs to the Archdiocese’s religious circuit. See our Guide to Machu Picchu, and for the Cathedral and related churches, the Religious Circuit pass overview.

Which ticket should I choose for a two‑day stay focused on the Sacred Valley?
Circuit III (S/70, valid 2 days) is designed for Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Moray. If you later add city museums or Sacsayhuamán, you’ll need another ticket.

Are there discounts for students and children?
Yes. Ages 10–17 and university students 18–25 with ISIC pay S/70 for the full ticket (carry your ID/ISIC). Children under 9 do not pay. Note the Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo charges seats from age 6.

How long does it take to see everything?
COSITUC indicates the 16 sites can be covered in a minimum of three days with careful planning, but most travelers will want longer to avoid rushing.

Limitations

Official pages sometimes post updates as images or in Spanish first; hours and sale points can change. Work‑around: check COSITUC the week you travel and confirm at Av. El Sol 103 upon arrival. The region announced plans for an electronic ticket in 2022, but as of November 2025 COSITUC still states in‑person purchase only. Work‑around: plan 10–15 minutes to buy at the counter or at your first site.

Source: This article is a part of our series “2025 Travelers Choice”. We dig into real traveler feedback across TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot, then ride the buses and join tours ourselves to verify what’s true. Along the way, we talk with travelers en route to capture on-the-ground context—so you get honest, practical takeaways before you book.