Key facts
- The nonstop Lima–Cusco flight takes about 1 h 20 min.
- The bus takes about 20 to 22 hours.
- Cusco’s airport is 20–30 minutes from downtown.
- To acclimatize, consider spending your first night in the Sacred Valley.
Cusco is about 1,100 km from Lima by road. Most travelers fly; the bus is cheaper, but the trip is very long.
By plane
- Flight time: about 1 h 20 min nonstop.
- Arrival airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), about 20 to 30 minutes from downtown Cusco.
- Frequency: many daily flights on several airlines, especially in the morning.
- Tip: choose an early flight; in the afternoon, high-altitude winds cause more delays.
By bus
- Travel time: about 20 to 22 hours via Nazca and Abancay.
- Pros: the price, and the chance to stop in Ica, Nazca or Arequipa.
- Cons: a winding mountain road and a sharp gain in altitude.
From the airport to your hotel
Take an official airport taxi or a transfer booked through your travel agency. Our packages include airport pickup.
When you arrive: the altitude
You’ll go from sea level to 3,399 m in just over an hour. Rest on your first day and drink plenty of water. A good strategy is to head straight down to the lower Sacred Valley and come back to Cusco afterward. Read up on altitude sickness before you travel.
