Cuzco sits at 3,400 meters above sea level, where cobblestone streets wind past Inca walls and colonial churches. Getting around this city — and the Sacred Valley beyond — is surprisingly affordable, but the altitude means you'll be moving slower than usual for the first day or two. Here's everything you need to know about transport in and around Cuzco.

Getting Into the City from the Airport

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) is just 10 minutes from Plaza de Armas by car. Despite the short distance, your options matter:

Official airport taxi: S/15–20 ($4–6 USD) for the fixed-rate ride. Buy tickets from the official counter inside arrivals — don't accept offers from drivers who approach you.
Rideshare apps (InDriver/Cabify): Available and slightly cheaper at S/12–18, but require a local SIM or reliable data connection.
Colectivo: Not available directly from the airport. Walk 5 minutes to Avenida de la Cultura and flag one for S/1–2, but this is rough with luggage and altitude sickness risk.

Tip: Arrange your airport pickup through your hotel if arriving at night. The extra S/5 is worth it after a long flight.

Getting Around Cuzco City

On Foot

The historic center (Centro Histórico) is very walkable — Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, San Blas, and most markets are within a 15-minute walk of each other. The caveat: the hills. Walking from the main plaza up to San Blas neighborhood gains about 80 meters of elevation. Take it slow, especially on day one.

Taxis

Taxis in Cuzco are white and abundant. There are no meters — always negotiate before getting in.

Route	Expected Price (Soles)	USD Equivalent
Airport → Centro	S/15–20	$4–5
Centro → San Blas	S/5–8	$1.50–2
Centro → Sacsayhuamán	S/10–15	$3–4
Centro → Bus Terminal	S/15–20	$4–5
Centro → Train Station (Poroy)	S/35–45	$9–12

Pro tip: Use InDriver (an Uber competitor) to get a fixed price before your trip. It's available throughout Cuzco and eliminates negotiation friction.

Colectivos (Shared Vans)

Colectivos are the backbone of local transport. For S/1–2, shared minivans run fixed routes throughout the city. They're crowded, fast, and confusing if you don't speak Spanish — but totally manageable for a couple of routes:

Route to Pisac/Sacred Valley: Colectivos leave from Calle Puputi (near the Garcilaso market) from 6am to 6pm. S/5–7 to Pisac.
Route to Chinchero: Leave from Calle Arcopata for S/5–6.
City colectivos: Wave one down anywhere on a main avenue. Just shout your destination as you board.

Getting to Machu Picchu

This is the big one. There's no road to Machu Picchu — you get there by train or by hiking. Here's the full breakdown:

By Train

Two companies run trains from the Cuzco region to Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu):

Company	Departure Point	Price (Economy)	Travel Time
PeruRail	Poroy Station (35 min taxi from Cuzco)	~$65–90 one-way	3.5 hours
Inca Rail	Ollantaytambo (1.5 hrs from Cuzco)	~$55–75 one-way	1.75 hours

The smarter route: Take a colectivo or bus to Ollantaytambo (S/10–15, 1.5 hours), then catch a cheaper Inca Rail train to Aguas Calientes. This saves both money and time compared to departing from Poroy.

Book trains at least 2–3 weeks ahead, especially May through September. Use perurail.com or incarail.com directly.

By Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

From Aguas Calientes, take the official Consettur bus up the switchback road to the ruins. It's a 25-minute ride costing $24 roundtrip (cash or card). Buses run 5:30am–6pm. Alternatively, hike up in 1–1.5 hours via a steep footpath — free, but brutal.

Inca Trail & Alternative Treks

The classic 4-day Inca Trail requires booking months in advance through a licensed operator. Permits sell out for peak season by March. Alternatives:

Salkantay Trek (5 days): No permit required, more flexibility, spectacular mountain scenery
Lares Trek (4 days): Passes through traditional Andean communities
1-day Inca Trail hike: Access from KM 104, permits still required but easier to get

Getting to Sacred Valley Destinations

The Sacred Valley — including Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Maras — is best explored by:

Organized day tours (S/30–60, ~$8–16): Leave from Plaza de Armas in the morning, cover 3–4 sites, include lunch. Efficient for first-timers.
Renting a car or hiring a private driver: S/150–250/day for a driver + vehicle. Gives full flexibility to stop at salt flats, lesser-visited ruins, and local markets.
Colectivos independently: S/5–15 to major villages. Works well if you speak basic Spanish and enjoy figuring things out en route.

Getting to Other Destinations from Cuzco

To Lima

By air: 1.5 hours, flights from $50–120 one-way on LATAM, Sky, or JetSmart. Cuzco airport handles domestic flights only.
By bus: 20–22 hours overnight on Cruz del Sur or CIVA. From S/80–120 ($22–33). Comfort buses recline almost flat.

To Puno (Lake Titicaca)

By bus: 6–7 hours, S/30–60 ($8–16) depending on company. Inka Express runs a sightseeing bus with stops at Andean churches and Raqchi ruins for $40.
By train: PeruRail's Titicaca Train runs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays — a beautiful 10-hour journey with dining car and live music. From $140.

To Arequipa

By bus: 9–10 hours overnight, S/60–100 ($16–27). Cruz del Sur and Oltursa are the most reliable.
By air: 1 hour, from $40–70 on domestic carriers.

Local Tips for Getting Around

Altitude and pacing. Cuzco is one of the highest cities you'll visit. Walk slowly for the first 24 hours, skip heavy meals, and drink coca tea (available everywhere, free at most hotels). Don't plan intensive activities on arrival day.

Taxi safety. Avoid unmarked taxis at night. Stick to radio taxis booked through your hotel, or use InDriver for transparency. Never share a taxi with strangers.

Time your train booking. Machu Picchu train tickets sell out weeks in advance in high season. If you arrive in Cuzco without tickets, check Inca Rail first (more flexible) or ask your hostel about last-minute options in Ollantaytambo.

Bus terminal. The main long-distance bus terminal is Terminal Terrestre, located south of the city center. Take a taxi (S/15–20 from Plaza de Armas). Most major companies — Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Tepsa — operate from here.

Walking the neighborhood of San Blas. This artisan neighborhood above the Plaza is best explored on foot, but the streets are steep and narrow. Wear grippy shoes and go in the morning before tour groups arrive.

Budget Summary for Transport

Type	Daily Estimate
City taxis (2–3 rides)	S/20–40 ($5–11)
Colectivos around the valley	S/10–30 ($3–8)
Train to Machu Picchu (round trip)	$120–180
Private driver for Sacred Valley day	S/150–250 ($40–67)

For a well-rounded 5-day Cuzco trip, budget approximately S/400–600 ($110–165) for all local and regional transport, excluding the Machu Picchu train.

Transport logistics are just one piece of the puzzle. Planning the optimal order of your Sacred Valley visits, timing crowds at Machu Picchu, and coordinating altitude acclimatization days takes real thought. Faroway builds personalized day-by-day itineraries for Cuzco that factor in your travel pace, budget, and which ruins you actually care about. Try it free — it takes about 2 minutes to build a complete trip plan.

Getting Around Cuzco: Complete Transportation Guide