Located in the Peruvian Andes, the elevation of Cusco is about 11,150 feet, Knowing that the Altitude sickness starts affecting people even at much lower heights, you might think that’s it would be better to stay away from Cusco on your Peru adventure. But, if you decide to do so, you’ll miss out a lot. Cusco is a city that’s definitely worth paying a visit.

  • Why should you visit Cusco?
    • The main reason to visit is Cusco's history. There are impressive archaeological remains to be found at almost every corner.
    • This shouldn’t be surprising, knowing that Cusco used to be the capital of the Inca Empire.
  • What kind of architecture can be found in Cusco?
    • Apart from the Incan architecture, this city has plenty of buildings from the glory days of the Spanish Empire.
    • The best examples of Spanish colonial architecture are found in the old city, the so-called Centro Histórico.
  • How can you get to Cusco from abroad?
    • The easiest way is to make Peru’s capital, Lima, your starting point.
  • What is the fastest way to travel from Lima to Cusco?
    • By far the fastest way to get from Lima to Cusco is by plane.
    • The flights usually take just over one hour, with most flights lasting around 1h 10m.
  • How much does it cost to fly from Lima to Cusco?
    • A one-way ticket costs only about 55 dollars.
  • How many flights are available from Lima to Cusco?
    • There are usually between 40 and 43 flights connecting Lima to Cusco daily.
    • This means that there is a flight almost every half an hour.
  • Which airlines operate between Lima and Cusco?
    • Many airlines operate between these two cities, including Peruvian Airlines, Viva Air Peru, Avianca, LATAM, Star Peru, and LC Perú.
  • Where do flights depart and arrive?
    • Flights depart from Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, located about 7 miles from the city center.
    • Your plane will land at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, which is just a few miles from the city center.
  • How can you travel from Lima to Cusco by bus?
    • Traveling by bus is a very cheap way to get from Lima to Cusco, but the trip can take up to 22 hours.
    • Depending on the bus company, the journey can become uncomfortable, as some buses don’t have toilets and make stops only every couple of hours.
  • Which bus companies offer better service?
    • Companies such as Tepsa and Eclusiva take better care of their customers but charge a bit more.
    • A one-way ticket on these companies costs between 30 and 35 US dollars.
  • Is driving from Lima to Cusco a good option?
    • Driving might be faster than taking a bus, but the route is considered dangerous as it goes through the Andes, covering nearly 700 miles.
  • How much does it cost to rent a car for a trip to Cusco?
    • You can rent a car at reasonable rates, with some deals as low as 9 dollars a day.
  • What is the safest driving route from Lima to Cusco?
    • The safest and shortest route follows the Pacific coast via Carretera Panamericana (Peru Highway 1).
    • At Nazca, take Route 30A, followed by Route 3S until reaching Cusco.
  • Are there interesting stops along the drive to Cusco?
    • Yes! Notable stops include:
      • Nazca Lines
      • Pampa Galeras – Barbara D’Achille National Park
      • Ampay National Sanctuary
  • How long does it take to drive from Lima to Cusco?
    • Driving will save about 3 to 6 hours compared to taking the bus.
  • How much does fuel cost for the drive to Cusco?
    • Fuel in Peru is slightly cheaper than in the United States.
    • A gallon of gas costs about 11 Peruvian soles (around 3.40 US dollars).
    • A full tank for the journey will cost about 80 dollars.

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