Cusco is fascinating because it is a destination where you will find history, nature, adventure, art, gastronomy and customs that are kept alive. Come to enjoy the warmth of a village the warmth of a town that enjoys the visitors, Cusco waits for you. You can not miss the opportunity to meet her!
Whether you arrive in Cusco for a previous visit to Machu Picchu or to explore the city that was the capital of the Inca Empire. Cusco is the birthplace and capital of the Inca Civilization, the largest empire in the Western Hemisphere and the most powerful city on the continent; It can be compared to cities like Rome, Athens and Cairo. The chronicles of the conquest describe Cusco as a city of lavish residences, extravagant palaces and huge Temples flooded with gold. In the sixteenth century the history of Cusco would change forever, after it was invaded and almost destroyed by the Spanish invaders.
At present, people from all over the world, from all cultures, religions and socioeconomic levels are mixed in the main square of Cusco. Cusco is one of the most cosmopolitan and interesting cities in South America and is considered a World Heritage Site. You must take into account some practical tips that will help you "get to the city of Cusco" and take the trip in the most complete and comfortable way, do not miss the opportunity to explore the imperial city of Cusco as it should and without haste. Distances and travel times are not that great in Peru; However, geography requires that drivers take things slowly, and without a doubt it is the best way to travel to a destination like Peru.
How to Get to Cusco Peru
The first step to get to Cusco is to get to Peru; International flights arriving in Peru arrive in the city of Lima, the capital of Peru.
How to Get to Peru from the United States and other countries in North America
From North America there are direct flights to Lima, from the airports of the cities of Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Atlanta, New Jersey, Mexico and Toronto.
How to Get to Peru from Europe
From Europe you can reach Peru directly from airports in the cities of Madrid in Spain, Paris in France or Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
How to Get to Peru from Latin America
The cities of Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, Quito, Mexico City, La Paz, Sao Paolo, Havana, Santiago, San José de Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Santo Domingo, Guayaquil, among others have nonstop flights to Lima - Peru.
How to Get to Peru from Asia or Oceania to Peru
People coming from countries in Asia or Oceania will have to make stops in the US. or Europe, because there is no direct flight to Peru from cities on these continents.
How to Get from Lima to Cusco
How to Get from Lima to Cusco by land:
The route can be made directly by bus. The distances from Lima to Cusco by bus is 570 km. and 21 hours by bus.
These buses depart and return from Lima daily. The companies that circulate on this route are: Cruz del Sur, Mobile Tours, Julio Cesar, Linea, Oltursa, Flores, CIVA, MOBILE BUS among many others.
How to Get from Lima to Cusco by Air:
If you choose your plane trip, there are daily and direct flights. It is possible to arrive by air using the Lima to Cusco route (travel time approximately 01 hour).
The airlines that make this route are: Viva air, Avianca, LC Peru, Latam, Star Peru and Peruvian Airlines, TACA, check flights at the travel agencies or the aforementioned companies. Search for flight deals, dates like June, July, October and November there are usually promotions or offers on cheap flights.
How to Get from Lima to Cusco through other routes?
Other Route leave Lima from Nasca to Puquio, then Abancay and reach Cusco, are 1,136 km, approximately 26 hours by car.
Another route leaves from Lima to Arequipa, then arriving in Cusco is approximately 1,650 km. 24 hours by car.
How to Get to Cusco Peru
From the airport of Lima to the city of Cusco there is a distance of 1,165 km. and it will only take an hour if you decide to travel by plane.
The bus trip from Lima to Cusco takes around 20 hours. Remember that the city of Cusco is a mandatory arrival point for people who wish to reach Machu Picchu.
How to Get to Cusco Peru by plane
A flight from the city of Lima to the city of Cusco will take about 1 hour (55 minutes to be exact), flights from Lima and any city in Peru arrive at the FAP Teniente Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco; There are regular daily flights to and from Lima.
From Cusco airport there are daily flights to Arequipa, Juliaca (Puno Lake Titicaca), and Puerto Maldonado (Tambopata), and to international destinations such as La Paz (Bolivia).
How to Get to Cusco Peru by Train
From Cusco you can travel by train the city of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the city of Arequipa and the Machu Picchu National Park, so it is also possible to arrive to Cusco via train if you are in one of the mentioned places.
The train route from Cusco to Puno was awarded as the second most beautiful in the world. During the train ride, you will slowly ascend to great heights. In the first half of the journey, you can enjoy the magnificent Andes mountain range, then you can enjoy the Andean plains, where you can see vicunas and alpacas.
How to Get to Cusco Peru by bus
You can arrive from Lima to Cusco by bus along the route of the South Pan-American Highway, some people pass through the city of Arequipa during this tour: although you can arrive directly to the city of Cusco if you wish.
Best tours in Cusco
Many are the top tours in Cusco, but none is like the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas.
- Sacred Valley Tour Full Day
- Humantay Lake Tour Full Day
- 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
- Inca Quarry Trek 4 Days
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 days
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Tickets 2025 in advance, so you will enjoy popular activities in Perú without any problem.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
The best season is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi Tour 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
How to Get from Cusco to Aguas Calientes
The train trip to Machu Picchu is an incredible experience, the route through the Sacred Valley of the Incas is considered one of the most amazing short train routes in the world.
An important step on How to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco is to book the train tickets. We recommend you book them immediately after knowing the day you will enter Machu Picchu, many of the services are usually sold out weeks before.
How to Get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
You will need to board a vehicle from Pavitos Street in Cusco to reach Ollantaytambo; If you stay a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas you can walk.
The price varies from 15 (US $ 5) to 30 soles (US $ 10) depending on how fast you want to Get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, taxis are more expensive but obviously faster.
How to Get from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes by train
To board the train at Ollantaytambo station you must have previously booked train tickets.
As we said this short train route is considered among the best in the world and it goes without saying that each landscape is a gift for the eyes. From time to time you will see humble villages, Andean communities and their planting fields.
We recommend that you do not miss the opportunity to tour Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca town known as the "living Inca town".
Its inhabitants have customs that come from the time of the Incas and its streets retain their original name also from that time, but you will also see Inca water channels used today.
How to Get from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
Once in Aguas Calientes look for a hotel. Unless you are traveling in high season (June, July, August) it will not be difficult to find one; prices vary from 60 soles (US $ 20) per night (the cheapest), up to USD 800 a night in 5 star hotels.
After securing your hotel, get the bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, it is the simplest and fastest way to get there. You will find the ticket office next to the train station, before the ruins bridge and just in front of the station where you can board them.
You can also walk up and down, although we believe you should get on the bus to have all your energy in the Inca city, especially if your Machu Picchu tickets include the mountains.
Now that you know How to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco you can evaluate what kind of trip you want to do, if you have the time and how much money you will spend.
How to Get from Cusco to Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a necessary place of passage before reaching Machu Picchu. Many visitors choose to tour it before knowing the Wonder of the World.
How to Get from Cusco to Sacred Valley in a Guided Tour
If you plan to know only the valley, the most common tours are 1 day and tour the main tourist attractions of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. The most important places to know are: Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray and the salt mines of Maras. Almost all include archeological sites, adventure sports and much more.
An organized tour will save you the time you spend making transport connections; In addition, you will travel safer.
How to Get from Cusco to Sacred Valley without tour
Yes, it is possible to enjoy the Sacred Valley on your own. The costs depend on the means of transport to use and the places to visit. There are public transport services, as well as private taxis that accompany the tourist during their visit.
How to Get from Cusco to Sacred Valley by bus
Buses leave every day from Cusco to all the cities of the Sacred Valley; You will find buses that leave every 15 minutes towards Ollantaytambo. Bus tickets cost around USD 5.
Getting to Pisac by bus will take 45 minutes to an hour and costs approximately USD 9. After arriving in Pisac, you can walk 5 minutes to the market or visit the ruins of Pisac, at the top of the city. From Pisac, you can go to Urubamba in 30 minutes, or to Ollantaytambo in an hour; Prices vary between USD 2 and USD 3.
You can also arrive directly from Cusco to Urubamba. The trip takes about an hour and a half and costs USD 3. From Urubamba you can visit the villages of Maras, Moray and Yucay, all are just minutes away from this city; Then you can continue to Ollantaytambo (30 minutes).
How to Get from Cusco to Sacred Valley in taxis
Collective taxis are a popular and profitable way to reach the Sacred Valley.
Small cars or minivans leave Cusco once fulles; This service can cost between USD 5 and USD 6 per person. You can find the buses at various points in the city of Cusco, on Pavitos Street, in the main square of Ollantaytambo (return), and on the road from Cusco to Pisac.
Private taxis are the fastest and most convenient way to reach the Sacred Valley; They cost between USD 20 and USD 490 depending on where you want to go.
How to Get from Cusco to Lake Titicaca
How to Get from Cusco to Lake Titicaca? With such a large extension, it is clear that the lake has many cities on its coasts. The main nearby city you should go to is Puno.
How to Get from Cusco to Lake Titicaca by bus
It is the most economical alternative without a doubt. You can get tickets between 10 and 17 dollars in different companies (Cruz del Sur is the best known) located in the bus terminal of Cusco. The trip lasts 6 hours and 30 minutes.
It is advisable to arrive at the terminal one hour in advance because of the large number of people there are usually.
How to Get from Cusco to Lake Titicaca by Touristic bus
This is the famous Ruta del Sol. It is a tour offered by different companies with intermediate stops (such as Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, Pukaráo and Juliaca). They have a guide and lunch stop and its duration is around ten hours.
Prices vary by company, but go between 45 and 60 dollars. Trips leave first thing in the morning.
How to Get from Cusco to Lake Titicaca by Train
Those who have time and money will surely not want to miss the opportunity to travel in a train of luxury and comfort.
Traveling like this is an ideal option to enjoy the beautiful landscapes offered by the route through very high routes.
The service operates Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and leaves at 7:50. The train arrives in Puno at 18:08, after passing through stops of historical or geographical importance.
The ticket costs about $ 346 for two people. There are other options to spend the night with all the comforts up to Arequipa (it lasts three days and two nights).
How to Get from Cusco to Lake Titicaca by Car
Those who have a car or have rented it, can go through the 3S routine. Almost six hours of driving, or more, are estimated to link Cusco and Lake Titicaca.
How to Get from Cusco to Lake Titicaca by air
Keep in mind that if you prefer a faster alternative, taking a flight is the best option.
The trip takes just 50 minutes, although you should consider that the airport is in Juliaca, 45 kilometers from Puno. Latam is the only airline that flies from Cusco to Juliaca and does it on a daily basis. The round trip ticket is around 130 dollars.
