From Lima to Cusco you go by plane or by bus: there is no train between the two cities. The direct flight takes 1 h 20 to 1 h 30; the bus, 21 to 24 hours along a mountain road of about 1,100 kilometres. Most travellers fly, and the key decision is not so much how to get there as how to plan the first days: you go from sea level to 3,399 metres. Here are the comparison, the facts on each option and how to plan your arrival.
Plane or bus: the comparison
| Plane | Bus | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 h 20 – 1 h 30 direct flight | 21 h 30 – 23 h 45 with Cruz del Sur |
| Departures | Several a day: LATAM, SKY and JetSMART | In the afternoon, to travel overnight |
| Arrival in Cusco | Velasco Astete airport, about 4 km from the centre | Cusco bus terminal |
| Price | Varies a lot with date and how early you book | From S/ 185 on the Cruz del Sur service |
| Best for | Almost every traveller: you do not lose a day | Tight budgets or if you want to see the highlands |
By plane
LATAM, SKY and JetSMART fly direct between Lima and Cusco every day. They land at Alejandro Velasco Astete airport, which handled about three million passengers in 2023. It is about 4 kilometres from the historic centre. The new Chinchero airport is still under construction and has no firm opening date yet, so for now all flights land at Velasco Astete.
- Book early in high season: from June to August, flights fill up sooner.
- Compare on the airline websites: the price depends on the date, the time and the luggage included.
- If you connect from an international flight, leave a margin in Lima between the two flights, in case the first one is delayed.
By bus
The direct bus leaves Lima in the afternoon and reaches Cusco the next day. Cruz del Sur, one of the companies on the route, has seven daily departures between 12:45 and 16:45 from its Javier Prado terminal, with a journey of 21 h 30 to 23 h 45 and three technical stops. Its service with seats that recline 160° costs from S/ 185 one way.
The road climbs from the coast through Ica and Nazca and crosses the highlands via Abancay to Cusco, with many bends. If you get carsick, bring motion-sickness tablets. The bus makes sense on a tight budget or with time to spare; on a one- or two-week trip, the day you save by flying is usually worth more than the price difference.
Altitude: what matters on arrival
Lima is almost at sea level and Cusco at 3,399 metres: arriving by plane, your body climbs more than 3,000 metres in a short time. Symptoms do not appear as you step off the plane but six to twenty-four hours later, and almost always disappear within one to three days. By bus the climb is more gradual, but the journey is long and you sleep badly, so it does not replace the acclimatisation days either. The altitude of each place is in the Cusco altitude guide.
Two ways to plan your arrival:
- Stay in Cusco: on day one, rest or an afternoon City Tour, mostly by vehicle. We explain it in the acclimatisation guide.
- Head straight down to the Sacred Valley: it is about 500 metres lower than Cusco, so sleeping there the first nights helps you acclimatise. Where to stay, in where to stay in the Sacred Valley.
In stages, if you have time
If you want to see more of southern Peru, you can also travel up to Cusco by bus in stages, via Arequipa and Puno. The last leg, from Puno to Cusco or the other way round, can be done in a day with stops on the Route of the Sun; we cover it in the Route of the Sun guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Lima to Cusco?
Between 1 h 20 and 1 h 30 direct. LATAM, SKY and JetSMART operate the route, with several departures a day.
How long is the bus from Lima to Cusco?
Between 21 and 24 hours. With Cruz del Sur, 21 h 30 to 23 h 45, leaving in the afternoon and arriving the next day.
How far is Lima from Cusco?
About 1,100 kilometres by road; Cruz del Sur gives 1,102 km on the route via Nazca and Abancay.
Is there a train from Lima to Cusco?
No. Between Lima and Cusco there is only plane or bus. The tourist train in Cusco is the one to Machu Picchu; we explain it in the train guide.
Is it better to go from Lima to Cusco by plane or by bus?
For most travellers, by plane: in an hour and a half you are in Cusco and you do not lose a day of your trip. The bus only pays off on a tight budget or if you want to see the highlands by road.
Will I feel the altitude less if I take the bus?
The climb is more gradual, but after almost a day of travel you arrive tired and short of sleep. Either way, take your first day in Cusco slowly.
Message us on WhatsApp with your flight time and we will plan your first days around your arrival.
