u/DonDOOM — reddlx

My first tries to post this were auto removed because of the link to the article. I'll post it in the comments instead.

Basically the system now:

Day 1: get pre tickets the first chance you get in Augas Calientes (earlier the better, but at 2pm on May 6th we were still within the first 600. There was no line)

Day 2: buy actual tickets for your entrance the next day. The time that you can buy the tickets depends on your pre ticket number (timetable in picture☝️)

Day 3: entrance to Machu Picchu

All in all this should prevent people from having to stand in line ridiculously early.

(Clarification for day 2: The picture shows the timetable with timeslots/turns they showed us at the office. Your pre ticket number that you pick up on day 1 gives you your timeslot/turn for day 2 to buy your entrance ticket.)

Hope this can be helpful, as there is very little official information available.

May 6th 2pm - we just informed at the ticket office what the options are for the next few days.

We were told that you always need to go and ask what the situation is, because it can change per day, as is the case today.

We just got the pre tickets at 2pm today (number 560/561 etc) to get the tickets for the 8th of may, which we need to arrive at 6:30am for tomorrow to pick them up.

Due to the ticket situation of labour day (may 1st) they've changed the system for at least the upcoming days.

All in all a good thing as you don't have to stand in line at 3am anymore, as everyone will get their turn based on their pre tickets from 6:30am onwards.

It doesn't depend on who arrives early for the pickup, it just depends on your number.

Hopefully this can be helpful for people in Augas Calientes at the moment, or arriving in the next few days.