The land of the Incas is the most famous city in Peru. At the moment you arrive in Peru, you’ll land first in Lima, Peru’s capital. From there, you’ll have two options to arrive in Cusco. According to your time and budget, you can choose the best option that fits you.
To reach Cusco by plane, you must first pass through Lima. Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima is Peru's main flight hub that connects international flights. The direct flight from Lima to Cusco takes approximately 1 hour and arrives at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. You can get more information on how to get to Machu Picchu Peru from the US.
Cusco Airport is Peru's busiest one due to tourism in the region. Despite its small size, it offers daily flights to various destinations within the country. These destinations include Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado, and especially Lima.
If you purchase your air ticket only to Lima, you'll need to buy a second ticket between Lima and Cusco. After arriving in Lima, you'll need to disembark in the international area of Lima Airport. Then, recheck your luggage in the domestic area to catch the flight to Cusco.
Remember that you will need to pass through customs in Lima. Allow approximately three hours between flights when scheduling connecting flights from your home country to Lima and Cusco.
Here are some tips that can be helpful for you:
- If you are staying in a hotel in Lima and must arrive at the airport, it takes around 1.5 hours to get there from Miraflores or Lima’s downtown during rush hours.
- You don't want to lose your flight because you got stuck in line during the lengthy check-in process, so check online in advance.
- We recommend arriving at the airport two hours before the takeoff.
- Usually, many flights are available each day. During the high season, they might fill up quickly, and costs will soar.
- Some airlines you may consider to get to Cusco are LATAM, Jet Smart, and Sky Airlines or, you can choose the land route, which we'll discuss next.
The trip from Lima to Cusco by bus is the least expensive choice, with tickets going for about $35. It's crucial to make sure you have a cozy seat and an ample supply of food and drink because the journey takes around 20 hours to a whole day.
Purchasing your bus tickets is the first step, which you may do at the bus station or in advance. From Lima, there are several bus companies, such as Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and Palomino. Each company has its own terminal.
There is undoubtedly a significant difference in journey time. Because of its duration, this journey might get quite exhausting. On top of that, a day bus trip would be unproductive if you just had a short window of time to see Cusco.
Flying is more expensive than taking a bus. Yet, using a bus continues to provide a far superior cost-benefit ratio to taking an airplane. As a result, flying is a better choice since it will be more comfortable and save you time, so you can use it to explore the city.
The price may vary on depending the time of the year, the airline, and how long before. The best you can do is compare different airlines’ prices or travel agencies. The price may range between 85 to 100 $
Unfortunately, there is no train service from Lima to Cusco. If you want to take a train, you have to take the train to Machu Picchu from Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
While is workable, we don’t recommend this option due to the long distance and the huge difference in the roads. The Andes mountain range has complicated and challenging paths that can be difficult to pass.
Less than 6km separate the airport from La Plaza de Armas, the most famous spot in Cusco’s historic center. If you're traveling with us, we’ll take care of your transfer from the airport to your hotel. If you choose a taxi, make sure to agree on the fare in advance, as there is no meter and you can bargain the cost. It may have an approximate cost of S/. 25.
if you arrive by land, the bus will arrive at the Cusco Terrestrial Terminal, 3.5 km from the Historic Center of the city.
Viagens Machu Picchu provides everything you need for a genuine journey across our country. Check the options in our Peru travel packages and start planning your visit to the Inca homeland.
With the assistance of our experts, planning your trip to Cusco can be quite simple. Get in touch with us right now to start planning your dream vacation to the Inca's hidden city.
