Overall9.6/10Among the 5% easiest cities to reach
Good to know
Good to Know
- Cusco airport is compact and has high capacity constraints; a new larger airport in Chinchero (30+ km away) is under construction but not yet operational for 2026 travel.
- Bimodal (bus+train) service is standard Jan–Apr; most Cusco-city trains include a road segment to Ollantaytambo before the rail portion begins.
- Advance booking is essential for Machu Picchu trains, especially May–Sep; book entry tickets at tuboleto.cultura.pe first, then match trains.
- Uber and rideshare are available but far less common than street taxis; cell-phone taxi companies are a popular middle ground.
- Street taxi fares require negotiation; authorized airport counter or pre-booked transfers offer fixed, transparent pricing.
- Combis are extremely cheap (1 sol) but crowded and lack luggage space; best for light day travel within the city.
- Cusco sits at 3,310–3,400 m elevation; train descends to Aguas Calientes during Machu Picchu journey, reducing altitude-sickness risk on return.
- Luggage policy on trains is strict (typically 8 kg carry-on); store large bags at your hotel or designated station storage.
- To avoid altitude headache, acclimatize 1–2 days in Cusco before strenuous travel or Machu Picchu hikes.
Day Trip Access
Nearby Attractions
Machu Picchu
- Distance Km
- 130
- Primary Route
- Train from Cusco/Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; then CONSETTUR shuttle to citadel entrance
- Total Duration
- 4–6 hours one-way (Cusco-based all-day trip is standard)
- Note
- Peak season May–Sep requires advance ticket booking
Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Urubamba)
- Distance Km
- 50
- Primary Route
- Bus, minibus, or organized tour from Cusco
- Typical Duration Minutes
- 90
- Note
- Many nomads stay overnight in Sacred Valley towns before Machu Picchu trains
Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Site
- Distance Km
- 3.5
- Primary Route
- Taxi, combi, or organized city tour
- Typical Duration Minutes
- 20
- Note
- Walkable from historic center for fit travelers; altitude 3,700 m
Rainbow Mountain
- Distance Km
- 100
- Primary Route
- Organized tour with early morning pickup (5–6 am start)
- Typical Duration Hours
- 12
- Note
- High altitude (5,100 m); acclimatization recommended
Services
PeruRail
Types
Expedition
- Route
- Cusco → Ollantaytambo (by bus) → Aguas Calientes (by train)
- Amenities
- Comfortable seats, roof windows, Inca-inspired décor, tourist info, small snack
- Departure Location
- Wanchaq (bimodal bus+train majority of year)
- Train Segment Hours
- 1.75
- Duration Total Hours
- 4
- Description
- Standard, most affordable service
Vistadome
- Route
- Cusco → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
- Amenities
- Panoramic windows, glass-dome ceiling, comfortable seats, breakfast included
- Departure Location
- Wanchaq (bimodal)
- Train Segment Hours
- 1.75
- Duration Total Hours
- 4
- Description
- Panoramic experience with glass roof
Vistadome Observatory
- Route
- Cusco → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
- Amenities
- 360° views, balcony access, live show, premium service
- Departure Location
- Wanchaq (bimodal)
- Train Segment Hours
- 1.75
- Duration Total Hours
- 4
- Description
- Premium panoramic with 360° views
Hiram Bingham
- Route
- Cusco → Hotel Rio Sagrado → Aguas Calientes
- Amenities
- Gourmet dining, live music, Machu Picchu entry, guide, and bus included
- Departure Location
- Wanchaq (private bus to Hotel Rio Sagrado)
- Train Segment Hours
- 1.75
- Duration Total Hours
- 4
- Description
- Luxury all-inclusive service
Inca Rail
Types
Voyager
- Route
- Cusco (road) → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
- Amenities
- Comfortable seats, wide windows, stellar service
- Departure Location
- Av. El Sol 843 (bimodal pickup)
- Train Segment Hours
- 1.67
- Duration Total Hours
- 3.75
- Description
- Standard comfortable service
360°
- Route
- Cusco → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
- Amenities
- Panoramic windows, comfortable seats, snacks, organic drinks
- Departure Location
- Av. El Sol 843 (bimodal)
- Train Segment Hours
- 1.67
- Duration Total Hours
- 3.75
- Description
- Panoramic observation
Prime
- Route
- Cusco → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
- Amenities
- Spacious seats, tables, Peruvian library, gourmet food, 30-passenger capacity
- Departure Location
- Av. El Sol 843 (bimodal)
- Train Segment Hours
- 1.67
- Duration Total Hours
- 3.75
- Description
- Premium comfort
First Class
- Route
- Cusco → Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes
- Amenities
- Private carriage (8 people), personalized service, onboard dining, open bar, elegant décor
- Departure Location
- Av. El Sol 843
- Train Segment Hours
- 1.67
- Duration Total Hours
- 3.75
- Description
- Luxury most exclusive
Direct Train Stations
Poroy (Estación Poroy)
- Location
- Cusco outskirts, ~15 min from center
- Note
- Occasional direct rail departures when operations permit; most Jan–April see bimodal only
San Pedro
- Location
- Cusco
- Note
- Local train to Ollantaytambo only; reserved for Peruvian residents (special low fare); available May–Dec
Wanchaq
- Location
- Central Cusco, 5 min from Plaza de Armas
- Note
- Bimodal (bus+train) hub for PeruRail; most 2026 Cusco departures start here by road
Intermediate Stations
Ollantaytambo
- Location
- Sacred Valley, ~90 min by road from Cusco
- Note
- Main train station for both operators; ~1h 45min train to Aguas Calientes
Pachar
- Location
- Sacred Valley
- Note
- Used during local traffic constraints (e.g., heavy-vehicle restrictions into Ollantaytambo)
Urubamba
- Location
- Sacred Valley, 60 km from Cusco
- Duration To Machu Picchu Hours
- 2.5
- Note
- Less popular; fewer crowds; quieter experience; May–Dec only
Bus Long Distance
- Overview
- Long-distance buses connect Cusco to Lima, Sacred Valley towns, and regional destinations. Public bus terminals require separate tickets; Peru Hop offers hotel pickups and curated stops.
Operators
- Peru Hop
- Local bus companies
- Correcaminos
- Liebre
- El Dorado
Key Routes
Cusco → Lima
- Typical Duration Hours
- 22
- Note
- Speed cap 90 km/h with GPS oversight per Peru transport regulation
Cusco → Sacred Valley (Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Urubamba, Calca, Chinchero)
- Departure Location
- Pavitos and Puputi Streets
- Typical Duration Hours
- 1–2.5
Taxis
- Availability
- Abundant, 24/7; over 10,000 taxis in city
- Typical Trip
- Historic Center to airport ~20 min
- Safety Notes
- Authorized taxis have company signs and side numbers. Unregulated operators exist; hotel staff can call reliable company. If taking taxi at night, note license plate before entering
Fares
- Currency Local
- PEN
- Max Amount Local
- 20
- Min Amount Local
- 5
- Note
- Distance and time-dependent; no meters; negotiate before entry
Car Rental
- Availability
- Hertz at airport; several local agencies
- Note
- Driving in Cusco city center not recommended due to steep winding streets and heavy pedestrian traffic; heavy traffic may clog narrow streets
Daily Rate Range
- Max Amount USD
- 90
- Min Amount USD
- 45
Airport Ground Transport
Taxi (street/unmetered)
- Typical Cost
- PEN 10
- Duration Minutes
- 20
- Notes
- No meter; negotiate fare before entering. Unregulated operators; ask hotel to book reliable company
Taxi (authorized airport counter)
- Typical Cost
- PEN 40
- Duration Minutes
- 20
- Notes
- Fixed posted fares by zone; pay at desk, receive receipt. Safer than street taxis
Private transfer (pre-booked)
- Typical Cost
- PEN 68
- Duration Minutes
- 20
- Notes
- Pickup at arrivals gate; driver holds name sign. Includes luggage
Shuttle (shared, multi-passenger)
- Typical Cost
- PEN 60
- Duration Minutes
- 20
- Notes
- Wait for van to fill (up to 12 passengers); pre-booked services available
Combi (public minibus)
- Typical Cost
- PEN 1.00
- Duration Minutes
- 40
- Notes
- Look for 'Cusco Centro' sign; very crowded; keep belongings secure
Uber/Rideshare
- Duration Minutes
- 20
- Notes
- Available 24/7; less widely used in Cusco than taxis; verify driver info before entering
Airport
- Name
- Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
- Operators
- PeruRail, Star Peru, Peruvian, LAN Airlines, Amaszonas Airlines
- Airport Code
- CUZ
- Distance From Center Km
- 3.7
Facilities
- ATMs
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Currency Exchange
- Yes
Lounge
- Price
- PEN 1,019
- Available
- Yes
- Note
- Membership free for Diners Club International and Lounge Club members
Two authorized operators run trains to Machu Picchu. Most services depart from Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) after bus transfer from Cusco; direct trains from Poroy/San Pedro occasional. Advance booking essential.
Operators
Operators
- PeruRail
- Inca Rail
Booking Notes
Machu Picchu day-visits require entry ticket first (Ministry of Culture caps daily entries; book at tuboleto.cultura.pe). Trains book out weeks ahead in peak dry season (May–Sep). Luggage limit typically 8 kg (carry-on); store large bags at hotels. Confirm bimodal transfer point 24h before departure; seasonal changes may shift Ollantaytambo ↔ Pachar routing
Final Station
- Name
- Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)
- Note
- All trains arrive here; shuttle bus (CONSETTUR) runs 25–30 min up mountain to Machu Picchu entrance. Book shuttles in advance or buy on arrival; build time buffer for morning queues
Ticket Prices Range
- Max Amount USD
- 1140
- Min Amount USD
- 134
- Note
- Varies by service, season, and booking lead time. Children 3–11 receive 50% discount on standard services only
- Description
- Round-trip tourist trains Cusco/Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu
Public Combis
- Coverage
- Outskirts and archaeological sites (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay)
- Typical Fare
- PEN 1.00
- Note
- No fixed schedule; crowded; best for budget travelers; not recommended if carrying large luggage
- Description
- Local minibus-style shared transport
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Cusco
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.