Everything you need to know about Cusco Airport transportation: from booking private transfers to taking the bus, this guide will help you arrange your arrival at Cusco Airport.
Getting to your hotel from Cusco Airport can be done in many ways: private taxi transfer (easiest), taking a public bus, a shared shuttle, or a rental car.
If you are not going to stay in Cusco, this airport also serves destinations like Ollantaytambo or anywhere in the Sacred Valley.
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🛬 What airport do you fly into for Cusco?
To get to Cusco, Peru, you would fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). It’s located about 3.7 kilometers from the city center of Cusco.
Cusco Airport is the main gateway for tourists traveling to see Machu Picchu and other attractions in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Note that most international travelers typically fly into Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru (LIM) first and then catch a domestic flight to Cusco.
🚘 Private Cusco Airport Transportation
The easiest and most convenient Cusco Airport transportation is through a private car. The driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals gate holding a sign with your name on it.
This is a safe transportation and will take you directly to your hotel. It is also not that expensive (below $30 USD for a group) and you’ll have a comfortable journey from the airport to the city.
This is a great option for groups or families traveling with kids.
There is a shuttle at Cusco Airport. Like the private transfer, the driver will wait for you at the arrivals gate.
The only difference with this is you have to wait for other passengers to fill the van (12 pax).
The shuttle operates 24/7 so you’ll always have a ride no matter what time of the day you arrive at Cusco Airport.
The cost of a shuttle transfer from Cusco Airport to the city center starts at around $11 USD. Note that the shared shuttle will drop off all the passengers to their respective hotels so this can take longer, depending on where you are staying in Cusco.
🚏 Bus from Cusco Airport
There is no direct bus from Cusco Airport to the city center. However, there are minibus-style buses that drive past the airport and go to the city.
These buses are called combis and they are the most popular way for locals to get around Cusco.
Combis don’t have a fixed schedule, but they run quite frequently. To catch a combi, simply walk outside of the airport and look for a bus with a sign that says “Cusco Centro.”
The fare is around 1 sol (less than $0.50 USD).
The journey time to the city center by combi is around 40 minutes. Be aware that combis can be crowded, so it’s best to keep an eye on your belongings.
🚙 Rental car at Cusco Airport
Many adventurous travelers choose to rent a car. However, this is honestly the most inconvenient Cusco Airport Transportation, especially if you don’t know the terrain of Peru.
While self-drive will give you more flexibility of stopping anywhere you want, the terrains of Cusco have multi-climates and the road changes frequently.
Sure, you might see beautiful views but if you think about it, transportation in Cusco is cheap and you don’t want to stress yourself by driving.
If you still want to choose to rent a car at Cusco Airport, the daily rates start at $18 USD (without gas and security deposit). The car type is usually a Sedan but there are many options like vans.
🛣️ Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu
It is not possible to go directly from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu. There is no road that connects the two locations.
Instead, you will need to take a combination of transportation methods to get from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu.
The most common way to get from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu is to:
- Take a taxi or private transfer from the airport to the Ollantaytambo train station. This journey takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. The train journey takes around 2 hours.
- Take a bus from Aguas Calientes up to Machu Picchu. The bus journey takes around 30 minutes.
The total journey time from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu is around 4 hours.
If you are short on time, you can take a direct flight from Cusco Airport to the town of Juliaca. From Juliaca, you can take a bus to Aguas Calientes.
The total journey time from Cusco Airport to Machu Picchu is around 2 hours and 30 minutes.
👉🏽 See also: How to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu in 6 ways
✈️ About Cusco Airport
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), located approximately 3.7 kilometers from the heart of Cusco, Peru, is a gateway to the historic wonders of the city and the nearby Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
There is wifi inside the airport and there are also Facilities are available for luggage storage and handling.
The airport houses a modest selection of restaurants and cafes where travelers can enjoy a meal or grab a quick snack or coffee.
Currency exchange counters are available for travelers, ensuring convenience in currency transactions. You will also find stores offering essential items, souvenirs, and travel accessories.
⁉️ FAQ: Cusco Airport Transportation
Trisha Velarmino is the Global Editor-in-Chief of the Insider Media Group operating in Europe, Asia, and North America. She lived in Peru for 1.5 years and has helped thousands of expats, digital nomads, and solo travelers easily visit Peru. Trisha has traveled Peru extensively from North to South.