Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) to Cusco
The airport is close to the historic centre, and a taxi takes about 15–25 minutes. Many hotels offer pick-ups, and cheaper taxis and buses can be found on the main road outside the airport.
Cusco is at about 3,400 m; take it slowly on arrival. A new airport at Chinchero is under construction and is not yet open.
Best for most people: Taxi. It is short, inexpensive and saves walking with luggage at high altitude.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| taxi Authorised taxi desks inside the arrivals hall, or taxis outside the airport gate on Avenida Velasco Astete | about 15–25 min | about S/30–50 from the desks inside, about S/15–25 outside the gate | flight times | Agree the price before you get in; taxis are not metered. | |
| private transfer Hotel or tour operator pick-up meeting you in Arrivals | about 15–25 min | often included or a few dollars more than a taxi | any flight time | Useful as many hotels are in narrow streets where taxis cannot reach the door. | |
| bus Local buses and colectivos on Avenida Velasco Astete / Avenida de la Cultura towards the centre | about 25–40 min | frequent during the day | about S/1 | daytime | Crowded and difficult with luggage. |
| ride-hailing Apps such as Uber operate in Cusco, with pick-up outside the airport area | about 15–25 min | often cheaper than the desks | flight times | Pick-up at the terminal may be restricted, so you may need to walk out to the road. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Tips
- Altitude can hit quickly; walk slowly and drink water on your first day.
- Many streets in San Blas and around the centre are steep, narrow or pedestrian-only, so ask your hotel where the taxi can stop.
- Have small soles notes ready, as drivers may not have change.
- Flights are mostly in the morning and early afternoon; the airport closes at night.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Cusco Airport to the centre?
Authorised taxis from the desks inside the arrivals hall usually charge about S/30–50 to the Plaza de Armas. Taxis waiting outside the airport gate are cheaper, roughly S/15–25. Taxis are not metered, so agree the price before you get in. The ride takes about 15–25 minutes.
Is Cusco Airport far from the city?
No. The airport is about 5 km from the Plaza de Armas, one of the closest airport-to-centre distances in South America. Depending on traffic, the drive takes about 15–25 minutes. Some hotels include the pick-up, so ask before you book a taxi. Ask the driver to confirm the fare for the whole group and luggage.
Is there a bus from Cusco Airport?
There is no dedicated airport bus, but local buses and colectivos run along the main avenue outside the airport towards the centre for about S/1. They are crowded and impractical with luggage, so most visitors take a taxi or a hotel transfer.
Can I pay by card for a taxi in Cusco?
Most taxis take cash only, in Peruvian soles, so carry small notes. The airport taxi desks may accept cards. Ride-hailing apps charge your card through the app, and many hotel transfers can be paid with your room bill. Plan to arrive in daylight.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.