Getting There and Away

Written by Sandra Frank, Jose Quispe
04/08/2025
Aerial view of historic Plaza de Armas in Cusco, Peru with scenic mountains.
Dulce Panebra, Pexels

Cusco is primarily served by Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) for air travel and has various bus terminals, including Terminal Terrestre Cusco, for ground transportation.

Flights:

Flying is the fastest way to reach Cusco. Direct flights from Lima (Jorge Chávez International Airport, LIM) to Cusco (CUZ) take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes. Popular airlines for this route include LATAM, Sky, and JetSmart. One-way tickets from Lima can range from $41 to $120, and round-trip tickets from $80 to $90, depending on the season and booking time. Flights also connect Cusco with other Peruvian cities like Arequipa and Puerto Maldonado, as well as international destinations such as Bogotá, La Paz, and Santiago.

Buses:

Traveling by bus from Lima to Cusco is a budget-friendly option, though it is a much longer journey. The trip typically takes around 22 to 24 hours, or sometimes up to 25+ hours, often involving overnight travel. Bus ticket prices from Lima to Cusco generally range from $35 to $100. Common routes pass through Abancay or Arequipa. Major bus companies operating this route include Palomino, Paredes Estrella VIP, and Expreso Los Chankas. Lima does not have a central bus terminal, with each company operating from its own station.

Trains:

There are no direct train services from Lima to Cusco. However, trains are a primary mode of transport for journeys to and from Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca. Trains to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) typically depart from Ollantaytambo, which is about a 1 hour 40 minute taxi ride from Cusco, or directly from Cusco's Poroy or San Pedro stations. PeruRail and Inca Rail are the main operators, with services like Expedition and Voyager (budget-friendly, starting around $60-$80 one-way) and more luxurious options like Vistadome and Hiram Bingham (starting from $80-$450+ one-way). A scenic train service, the PeruRail Titicaca Train, connects Cusco to Puno (Lake Titicaca) in about 10 hours, with tickets ranging from $80 to $250.

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