Short answer: Shoulder months win for most families—April–May and September–October balance clearer weather with lighter crowds. Book timed-entry tickets first, then plan trains, buses, and naps around your entry slot.
Quick family summary by age
Toddlers (0–4): October–November or March–April. Warm, greener, more flexible last-minute availability. Expect misty mornings and showers.
School-age (5–11): April–May and late August–September. Best balance of weather and crowds. Choose 6:00–8:00 or 14:00–15:00 entries.
Teens (12–17): May–June and September. Drier trails and big-view photos. Reserve early.
My take after repeat trips in both low and high season: in the rainy/low season you often find last-minute tickets, but it rains most days and many mornings start cloudy. Hourly entries run all year; you select a slot and stick to it.
Month-by-month: weather, crowds, and trade-offs
| Month | Weather | Crowd level | Family upside | Pro Tip | Best Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Warm, wet | Low–Medium | More space, stable prices | Keep an indoor Plan B in Aguas Calientes | 6:00–8:00 or 14:00–15:00 |
| February | Peak rains | Low | Quiet paths | Inca Trail usually closed all month; citadel open | 6:00–8:00 |
| March | Rains taper | Medium–Low | Balanced days | Wait 15–30 min for fog to lift | 6:00–8:00 or 14:00–15:00 |
| April | Transition to dry | Medium | Family sweet spot | Lock preferred slot early | 6:00–8:00 |
| May | Drier, stable | Rising | Teens and photo days | Reserve trains and tickets early | 6:00 |
| June | Dry, chilly mornings | High | Clear views | Avoid 10:00–14:00 with toddlers | 6:00 |
| July | Dry, festive | High | Works for school holidays | Arrive early for buses and bathrooms | 6:00 |
| August | Dry, some haze | High | Typical vacation window | Catch first buses for 6:00 slot | 6:00 |
| September | Still dry | Medium–Low | All ages | Often the clearest viewpoints | 6:00–8:00 |
| October | Rains return | Low | Flexible planning, better prices | Last-minute tickets more feasible | 6:00–8:00 or 14:00–15:00 |
| November | Regular showers | Low | Great for ages 0–7 | Easy ticket/train availability | 14:00–15:00 or 6:00–8:00 |
| December | Warm, humid | Low–Medium | Less on-site saturation | Start early or go late afternoon | 6:00–8:00 or 14:00–15:00 |
Least-crowded time of day with kids
- 6:00–8:00: Cool temps, calmer paths, best for short attention spans.
- 14:00–15:00: Many day-trippers exit. Softer light, easier pacing after naps.
- Avoid 10:00–14:00 if you have toddlers.
Operating window: Timed entries in hourly slots, with visits wrapping up around 5:30 pm under current rules. This hour-specific model has been in place since Peru tightened oversight to combat overcrowding.
Tickets, entry slots, and circuits (parent essentials)
- Where to buy official tickets: Peru’s government platform TuBoleto (linked from the official Machu Picchu site). Avoid resellers for availability checks.
- Circuits since June 1, 2024: 3 main circuits grouping 10 routes. These regulate flow and simplify choices. Pick the one with the fewest repeated stairs for younger kids.
- How to choose with children: Prefer a panoramic + core ruins loop with frequent viewpoints. If one adult wants a mountain add-on, book that timed slot separately and regroup later.
- Time on site: Expect ~1.5–4 hours depending on route and pace. Plan micro-breaks every 20–30 minutes.
- Bus timing reality: To comfortably make a 6:00 entry, be near the first buses up from Aguas Calientes; services typically begin around 5:30 am.
Packing, altitude, and on-site logistics
- Altitude strategy: Sleep in the Sacred Valley first when possible. Hydrate, keep a gentle pace, and schedule your big stair moments early or late.
- Kid-friendly packing: quick-dry layers, light rain jackets, grippy shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, compact poncho, small trash bag, and one fast calorie snack per child.
- Food and bathrooms: Feed kids before your slot. Keep snacks handy to avoid mid-circuit scrambles.
- Fog playbook: If the postcard view is covered, wait 15–30 minutes. Short “windows” often open.
Sample itineraries
3-day family plan
Day 1: Arrive Sacred Valley. Short walk. Early night.
Day 2: Train to Aguas Calientes. Pick up tickets. Rest and early dinner.
Day 3: 6:00 or 14:00 entry based on your kids’ rhythm. Slow circuit with snack stops.
5-day with school-age kids or teens
Days 1–2: Base in Sacred Valley.
Day 3: Machu Picchu 6:00–8:00.
Day 4: Optional Huchuy or Huayna Picchu (check age and slot rules).
Day 5: Museums or Pisac/Chinchero depending on energy.
Frequent mistakes that raise stress or cost
- Picking the cheapest ticket instead of the right hour for your kids.
- Entering 10:00–12:00 with toddlers. It is the peak.
- No rain contingency in Nov–Mar.
- Attempting Cusco + Machu Picchu the same day with young kids.
- Not booking trains and tickets early for May–September.
FAQs
What’s the best month with kids?
April–May and September–October. You dodge the worst crowds of the dry peak while keeping better odds of clear views than deep rainy season.
Are there hourly entry slots and a daily cutoff?
Yes. Tickets are hour-specific, and visits end around 5:30 pm. Book the exact hour that fits naps and meals.
Is the Inca Trail open in February?
No. The Inca Trail typically closes for the entire month of February for maintenance. The citadel remains open, but it’s rainy.
Where do I buy official tickets online?
Through the Peruvian government platform TuBoleto, linked from the official Machu Picchu website
What time do buses start from Aguas Calientes?
Typically around 5:30 am, which is what you need for a 6:00 entry.
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