Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): What It Covers, Prices and Which to Buy
Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): What It Covers, Prices and Which to Buy
At Danfer Tours Cusco we get the same question almost daily: "Do I need the Tourist Ticket, and which one is right for me?" The short answer is yes, you will almost certainly need it; the long answer is this guide, with real prices, the sites each version covers, and the mistakes we watch travelers make every week.
What is the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC)?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket, or BTC (Boleto Turístico del Cusco), is a single combined ticket covering entry to 16 attractions across Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It is managed by COSITUC and has existed for decades precisely to organize access to archaeological sites, museums and cultural centers you would otherwise pay for one by one.
The idea is simple: instead of buying separate tickets at each park, you carry one physical pass that gets punched at each entrance. It is not optional at most major sites — without it, you are not getting into places like Sacsayhuamán or Pisac.
What it includes — and what it does NOT
Here lies confusion number one. Many travelers believe the BTC "opens every door" in Cusco. It does not. It covers the COSITUC-run sites, but the most famous icons are paid separately.
Included (among the 16 sites):
- Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay (the ruins above the city)
- Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero (Sacred Valley)
- Moray (the circular terraces)
- Tipón and Pikillacta (South Valley)
- Museums: Contemporary Art Museum, Regional History Museum, Popular Art Museum, Qoricancha Site Museum, and the Pachacuteq Monument
- Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo (evening folk-dance show)
NOT included (paid separately):
- Machu Picchu (independent ticket via the Ministry of Culture's official website)
- Cusco Cathedral and the religious circuit
- Qoricancha (the temple itself; the BTC only covers its small site museum, which is a different thing)
- Maras Salt Mines (run by the local community)
- La Compañía church, San Blas and other temples
If your plan is Machu Picchu + Cathedral + Qoricancha + Maras, none of those are on the Tourist Ticket. It is the most expensive misunderstanding we see.
Versions and prices
The BTC comes in two main formats: the Full ticket (Integral), covering all 16 sites, and the Partial ticket, split into three cheaper but limited circuits. Prices in force for 2026:
| Version | Adult price | Validity | Sites covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full (Integral) | S/130 | 10 days | All 16 attractions |
| Partial Circuit I | S/70 | 1 day | Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay |
| Partial Circuit II | S/70 | 2 days | City museums, Centro Qosqo, Tipón, Pikillacta |
| Partial Circuit III | S/70 | 2 days | Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray |
Which one should you get?
Our honest recommendation depends on how many days you have:
- Staying 4+ days and doing the city tour + Sacred Valley? Buy the Full ticket (S/130). It is cheaper than two or three partials combined and its 10-day validity lets you spread out visits without rushing.
- Only interested in the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray)? The Partial Circuit III (S/70) is ideal and saves money.
- Only doing the city-ruins tour? The Partial Circuit I (S/70) covers exactly that.
Watch the validity: Circuit I lasts one single day, so do not buy it "in advance" planning to use it on the weekend. The clock starts at first entry.
Discounts: students, Peruvians and CAN citizens
Not everyone pays S/130. Reduced rates worth knowing:
- Students with a valid ISIC card: pay roughly half. Regular university IDs are not always accepted; the one that works without argument is the international ISIC. Carry the physical card.
- Students under 18: also qualify for the reduced rate with ID.
- Peruvians and Andean Community citizens (CAN — Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador): pay the national rate, lower than the foreigner rate, with their national ID.
- Children under 10: generally free or discounted, depending on the site.
A guide's tip: always carry your original document. Gatekeepers can ask for it alongside the ticket, and without it you pay full price.
Where to buy the Tourist Ticket
Two reliable channels:
- The COSITUC office in central Cusco (Av. El Sol 103, Galerías Turísticas). The official outlet — pay cash or card and get the physical ticket on the spot. We recommend going on your first day to save time later.
- At the entrance of the sites themselves. You can buy it at your first attraction (e.g., Sacsayhuamán or Pisac). It works, though high-season lines can be long.
Avoid street resellers: the genuine ticket is nominative and comes with punch boxes. If you travel with us, we handle the logistics so you do not lose a morning on paperwork.
How the BTC fits your itinerary
If you are still building your route, the Tourist Ticket sets the logical order of visits. To get full value from the Integral, combine a city-tour day with one or two Sacred Valley days. Guides we use with our own clients:
- For the must-see stops, read what to do in the Sacred Valley.
- With a full week, this 7-day Cusco itinerary spreads the ticket's sites without stress.
- Deep-dive each town and terrace on our Sacred Valley destination page.
- And if you would rather have everything arranged (tickets, transport and guide), browse our Cusco tours.
Final recommendations from Danfer Tours
What truly matters: the BTC is mandatory for the main sites, but it does not cover Machu Picchu, the Cathedral, Qoricancha or the Maras salt mines — budget those separately. Get the Full ticket (S/130) if you will explore the city and the Valley, or a Partial (S/70) for a shorter plan. Carry your original ID for discounts, and buy it at COSITUC on day one.
Want an itinerary where the Tourist Ticket earns its keep and you never pay for entries you will not use? Write to hola@danfertourscusco.com or check our Cusco tours: we will help you pick the right version and plan every visit so you enjoy Cusco hassle-free.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Cusco Tourist Ticket cost?
The full ticket (Integral) costs S/130, covers all 16 sites and is valid for 10 days. Partial tickets cost S/70 and cover a single circuit (city tour ruins, museums or Sacred Valley) for 1 or 2 days.
Does the Tourist Ticket include Machu Picchu?
No. Machu Picchu is purchased separately on the Ministry of Culture website. It also excludes the Cathedral, the Qoricancha temple and the Maras salt mines.
Where do I buy it?
At the COSITUC office (Av. El Sol 103, Cusco) or at the ticket booth of the first site you visit, such as Sacsayhuamán or Pisac. Avoid street resellers.
Are there student discounts?
Yes: with a valid ISIC card you pay roughly half price. Peruvians and Andean Community citizens (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador) get the national rate by showing their ID.
