Cusco to Machu Picchu

You may be surprised to know that there isn't a road connecting Cusco to Machu Picchu. The road stops at a place known as Kilometer 82 which is about 10 kilometers after Ollantaytambo and just over 30 kilometers short of Aguas Calientes the nearest town to Machu Picchu. However there is a railway connecting Cusco and Aguas Calientes. There is then a very winding road connecting Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu with a regular bus service. There used to be a helicopter service between Cusco and Aguas Calientes but this is no longer running (July 2002).

By Train (independent)

Trains depart from San Pedro station in Cusco (open 08:00 - 11:00, 15:00 - 16:00). There are numerous departures each day. The trains stop at the new station at Aguas Calientes which is the nearest town to the Machu Picchu Ruins. There is a road between the town and the ruins. Regular buses run between the two (US$6 per person each way).  For an up-to-date timetable and information about services and prices visit the Peru Rail web site www.perurail.com 

By Train (as part of a tour)

Almost all the travel agents in Cusco can arrange a package tour to Machu Picchu. The package usually involves transfers from your hotel to and from the station, return train tickets, return bus trip up to the ruins, entrance fees to the ruins and a guided tour around the ruins. This can easily be done in one day but you could stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes if you wanted longer at the ruins.

Inca Trail Trek

 If you are feeling energetic you can always decide to trek to Machu Picchu following the Inca Trail. You trek a total distance of about 43km over 3½ days returning from Machu Picchu by train. There is an alternative shorter route that can be done in 2 days. For more details see Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Cusco to Arequipa

Arequipa is 521km from Cusco. You can travel by bus, train or plane. If travelling overland remember to take plenty of warm clothes with you especially if travelling at night since it can get very cold.

By Plane

There are several daily flights for Arequipa. Departures are in the morning when the weather is usually better (Pilots need good visibility to take off in Cusco). The flight time is about 45 minutes. The main airline operating this route is Lan Peru www.lanperu.com

By Bus

There are many daily buses leaving for Arequipa. The journey takes about 12 hours (longer in the wet season). Some companies depart in the morning and arrive in Arequipa early in the evening while others depart in the evening and arrive in Arequipa early in the morning. Buses depart from the main bus station known as the 'Terminal Terreste' which is a 10 minute taxi ride from the main plaza. Don't try to walk. Our best advice is to take a taxi down to the bus station the day before you want to travel and book your ticket. This will also give you the opportunity to check out the buses and the various services on offer.

By Train

The train no longer runs between Cusco and Arequipa (2005) except for freight and some special charter services.

Cusco to Lima

Flying between Cusco and Lima takes about one hour and is by far the easiest way to travel. Basically the high mountainous Andes lie directly between these two cities so you either fly over them or take a long winding detour around them. The bus route is usually southwards towards Lake Titicaca then westwards towards Arequipa. You then follow the Pan-American highway northwards via Nasca and Pisco to Lima. This is a good option if you have plenty of days to break up the journey by possibly visiting the Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, Nasca and the Ballestas Islands on the way to Lima. If you don't have long in Peru and you don't want to spend a day and two nights on a bus then take a flight. There is a more recent road connecting these two cities that goes westwards from Cusco to Abancay and Nasca and then north to Lima. This route is particularly scenic and mountainous and remains in the category of 'adventure travel'.  

By Plane

There are many daily flights between Cusco and Lima. All flights depart in the mornings because the weather is usually better and the pilot needs to see where he is going as he navigates a few tricky mountains after taking off from Cusco. The views out of the right hand windows are particularly good of snow-capped Salkantay about 10 minutes after take-off but you can't always decide which seat you get allocated. The flight time is about 50 minutes. If you really can't afford to miss you flight then we suggest taking one of the early flights before 09:30 since later flights often become delayed or cancelled particularly during the wet season in the highlands (January to March). Airline companies operating this route are Lan Peru www.lanperu.com & TACA www.taca.com

By Bus

Bus companies in Cusco sell tickets Cusco to Lima but you will find that most buses go to Arequipa first where you will have to take a connecting bus on to Lima. There may be very long periods between these connecting buses and you will probably have to change bus. Quite often you will find that the bus from Cusco to Arequipa travels overnight (to avoid the high temperatures during the day) arriving early in the morning. The onwards bus to Lima may also depart in the evening and arrive early in the morning in Lima, allowing you to spend all day visiting Arequipa. You can store your bags at the bus station but always take your valuables with you. Cruz del Sur operate this route but are by no means the only company or the best. Buses depart Cusco from the main bus station known as the 'Terminal Terreste' which is a 10 minute taxi ride from the main plaza. Don't try to walk. Our best advice is to take a taxi down to the bus station the day before you want to travel and book your ticket. This will also give you the opportunity to check out the buses and the various services on offer.

The more direct route from Cusco to Lima via Abancay and Nasca takes about 24 hours. It is a stunning ride with magnificent scenery but the road has many sharp and dangerous curves making it hard to recommend to all but the adventure traveller. Ten years ago this route used to be full of bandits and terrorists and tourists who made this trip usually wrote books about it afterwards! but luckily everything is quite safe now apart from the dangerous bends. 

Cusco to Puno

Puno is 388km from Cusco. You can travel by bus, train or plane. If travelling overland remember to take plenty of warm clothes with you especially if travelling at night since it can get very cold.

By Plane

There are several daily flights for Puno. Departures are in the morning when the weather is usually better (Pilots need good visibility to take off in Cusco). The flight time is about 45 minutes but you may find some services go via Arequipa making the flight time about 2 hours. Airline companies operating this route are Lan Peru www.lanperu.com

By Bus (local bus)

There are many daily buses leaving for Puno. The journey takes about 8 hours (longer in the wet season). Price are about US$8-10 depending on the service. Some companies depart in the morning and arrive in Puno late in the afternoon while others depart in the evening and arrive in Puno early in the morning. If you find yourself in Puno as early at 04:00 or 05:00 you can ask the driver to stay on the bus and get some rest until a more reasonable hour (07:00). Buses depart from the main bus station known as the 'Terminal Terreste' which is a 10 minute taxi ride from the main plaza. Don't try to walk. Our best advice is to take a taxi down to the bus station the day before you want to travel and book your ticket. This will also give you the opportunity to check out the buses and the various services on offer.

By Bus (special tourist bus)

As well as the regular local buses between Cusco and Puno there are also a couple of companies that offer a better quality package service. One of the most popular of these is a company called First Class (offices at Calle Garcilaso 210, ground floor office 106). Their service includes a guide on the bus and the bus stops at several places of interest on the way. The price is about US$30 per person and includes a good buffet lunch. Tickets can be bought through most travel agents in Cusco one or two days in advance. Other companies that have daily services during the day include Inka Express (US$30) which stop at places of interest en-route and Imexo (US$15) which is really just a local bus that tends to be full of tourists. 

By Train

Trains for Arequipa depart from Wanchac station at the end of Avenida Sol (open Mon-Fri 07:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 17:00, Sat 07:00 - 12:00, Sun 08:00 - 10:00). Reservations should be made 1 day in advance. For up-to-date timetables and prices visit the PeruRail web site www.perurail.com 

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This web page was last updated in March 2006