10 Things to Think About Before Traveling to Peru — Part 2: Which Tickets to Book in Advance (and Which Not To)

When planning a trip to Peru, most people start with the international flight. It’s the obvious first step, but it’s not the only one that matters. Once you arrive, a few key tickets can make or break your itinerary—especially if you're traveling during popular months or visiting high-demand destinations like Machu Picchu.

Some bookings are best made well in advance. Others benefit from a bit of flexibility. Knowing which is which helps you avoid stress, protect your schedule, and make room for the unexpected moments that make a trip special.

Let’s break it down.

Tickets Worth Booking in Advance

Domestic Flights

Routes like Lima–Cusco, Lima–Arequipa, and Cusco–Lima are popular and frequent—but they’re not always available at the last minute. Fares tend to rise sharply closer to departure, and during holidays or high season, flights can sell out completely.

If you know your travel dates, booking domestic flights early is almost always the better (and calmer) choice.

Train Tickets to Machu Picchu

This is one of the most important pieces to get right.

There are only a handful of trains per day from Cusco or the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Space is limited, and availability drops quickly—especially in peak months.

We often hear from travelers after the fact:
“We didn’t realize the train was the bottleneck.”
“We had to change our entire plan because there were no tickets left.”

If Machu Picchu is part of your trip, train tickets should be booked early—ideally before you finalize your route.

Entry Tickets to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu limits the number of visitors per day, and entry is timed by hour and route. Popular time slots and specific circuits sell out weeks in advance.

This isn’t something to leave to chance. Planning ahead means you can choose the best experience—not just the one that’s left.

Tickets You Can (and Should) Keep Flexible

Buses for Short Distances

Peru’s intercity bus network is extensive, especially for shorter routes. Tickets are easy to buy a day or two in advance, and schedules are frequent.

Unless you're traveling during a major holiday, there's no need to commit to every leg of your trip too early.

Local Excursions and Day Tours

Many day trips—especially in the Sacred Valley, Arequipa, or Puno—can be arranged on the spot or with short notice. In fact, booking everything too early can actually backfire, locking you into a pace that’s too rigid or forcing you to skip spontaneous opportunities.

A Common Mistake: Overbooking Without Buffers

One thing we see often: travelers tightly stack every ticket, transfer, and tour with no space in between. It looks efficient on paper, but in practice, it leads to exhaustion—or worse, missed connections.

For example, landing late at night in Lima and booking a 6 a.m. flight the next morning to Cusco might seem smart. In reality, it often means little sleep and a rough start to your time at altitude.

Small buffers matter in Peru. Weather, traffic, and local timing all play a role.

Good Planning = Balance, Not Rigidity

Planning tickets properly doesn’t mean over-scheduling. It means knowing which parts of the trip need to be locked in—and where to leave space for flexibility, rest, and discovery.

At Peruvisit, we build custom itineraries starting with the fixed points: your international flights, Machu Picchu entry, and any key train or flight segments. Then we help you shape the days around them—keeping your experience smooth, relaxed, and responsive to the real world.