How to get from Lima to Cusco
Are you wondering how to get from Lima to Cusco in Peru?
One of the most picturesque cities you can visit in Peru (and a good contender for all of South America), Cusco is bustling with life and local culture.
Here we can try Andean dishes in local markets, head on day trips to beautiful glacial lakes as well as visit the iconic site of Machu Picchu.
Lima to Cusco
In this guide we’ll explore some of the most popular ways of getting from Lima to Cusco. We’ll also take a look at where to stay as well as some other tips based on our time spent here.
Cusco Quick Summary:
- 📍 Where is it: Southern Peru
- 🗺 Difficulty Getting There: Easy
- ⏱ Time needed: 5-8+ days
- ☀️ Best Time to Visit: June-September
Where is Cusco?
The city of Cusco is located high up within the Andean mountains in the south of Peru.
As you can imagine the temperatures are much cooler here compared to the rest of the country (especially with destinations such as Lima and Iquitos).
This is also due to the altitude, which at 3399m can be quite a different experience from the lower-lying destinations.
There is a dry and wet season here, and we have personally found that the dry season (June-September) is the best time to visit. Not only will everything be open as usual, however the weather will be more reliable too.
Is Cusco worth visiting from Lima?
As well as being the case with Huacachina and Arequipa, we think that Cusco is a must-visit on any itinerary around Peru.
You may choose to go directly from Lima where you’ll have various methods of making the trip (which we’ll explore later), or after completing the Southern Peru backpacking circuit.
Within Cusco we can find impressive colonial architecture and plazas, as well as many local markets and restaurants to try typical cuisine from the area.
There are also plenty of worthy day trips to head on from the city, such as to the lakes of Ausangate and Humantay, as well as to the ancient ruins of Moray, Pisac and Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail is another really incredible experience you can tackle here, which I (George) completed recently in 2024. Here you’ll hike through the Sacred Valley for 4/5 days before reaching Machu Picchu, seeing incredible ruins and scenery along the way.
You can check-out this awesome organized tour if hiking the Inca Trail is in your plans.
How far is Cusco from Lima?
Cusco is located roughly 117 km east of Lima, although the distance can change if taking different routes. Usually the driving time is between 20-22 hours, meaning you’ll have to sacrifice a day to get here (unless going by plane).
For this reason we do recommend visiting other destinations along the way to break up the travel times including Huacachina, Arequipa, Nazca and Lake Titicaca.
Given it’s so far away, it’s a good idea to plan quite a bit of time in Cusco. This will also help you gradually adjust to the higher altitudes, as well as allow you to experience many of the incredible wonders here and within the Sacred Valley.
Where to stay in Cusco?
Cusco is actually quite a big city, and especially so with its variety of neighborhoods (and also nearby towns you can stay in such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo).
We personally recommend basing yourself close to the Historic Centre and San Blas areas, which have tonnes to see and do, as well as a wide range of accommodation options.
Those who are on a tight budget will want to stay at Viajero Kokopelli. Here you’ll be staying in a dorm room with a really sociable vibe in the hostel, which has an on-site restaurant and bar. You’ll also be just a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Armas.
If you’re after a more comfortable and private experience, then we suggest booking a few nights at the Plaza Nazarenas. Here you’ll be staying in a private room in the San Blas district, just a block east of the Plaza de Armas. There is also a coffee shop on-site as well as breakfast served daily.
Perhaps you want a much more memorable and luxurious experience. If this is the case for you, then you’ll definitely want to stay at the Hotel Plaza de Armas. Here you’ll be right within the main square, with great views of the cathedral as well as being close to many restaurants and tour agencies. You can also enjoy top service within their on-site restaurant and bar.
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Getting from Lima to Cusco
Although a very popular route to make, it’s important to know that the distances between these two destinations are pretty huge. Through our experience we’ve found 3 main ways of making the trip (at this time of writing).
Bus from Lima to Cusco
The most daunting option of all, you may have already heard about this infamous bus ride. Whilst taking a lengthy 20-22 hours to complete, it’s the cheapest option for travelers with a one-way costing around $25.
You can easily book your ticket online using RedBus, or by heading to the two different terminals in Lima (each company usually has a terminal in La Victoria as well as in the Terminal Norte). Popular companies to ride with include Palomino, CIVA and Paredes Estrella VIP.
Having done this exact route twice myself, I (George) actually think it’s a memorable experience despite the lengthy hours. Along the way you’ll get to see pretty much every biome present in Peru, including the wild coast, hot desert, giant Andean peaks and high jungle mountains.
Plane from Lima to Cusco
Flying between these two destinations is a much more popular option, where Sky and LATAM airlines have various departures throughout the day.
This will cut your journey time down to just two hours, where you’ll also get to enjoy the same scenic views from above. The cost of a one-way flight from Lima to Cusco is around $35 (not including baggage fees).
As you can see flying is also really cheap, and to be honest is worth considering even on a tight budget as you’ll save close to 20 hours of traveling time. Sometimes it’s a good idea to treat yourself and rest up well, and this would be a good time to do so!
Small Group Tour from Lima to Cusco (6 Days)
Those who have the budget and want an unforgettable experience can also head on this multi-day group tour from Lima to Cusco.
Here you’ll have your own private tour guide show you around both cities, where you’ll also get to visit numerous must-visit destinations within the Sacred Valley (such as Chinchero, Sacsayhuaman and Moray).
As well as including all of your accommodation and certain meals on all days of the tour, you’ll also have your entrance to Machu Picchu (as well as the scenic train ride to the ancient citadel).
How to get from Lima to Cusco
And that’s all for this guide on how to get from Lima to Cusco.
Nestled within the Andean peaks of Peru, Cusco is a formidable city with tonnes of cultural sites and colonial buildings to enjoy. You’ll find that you’ll need a good week or so to really explore the outer Sacred Valley region too.
In this guide we’ve explored how to get from Lima to Cusco, as well as where to stay and what to do.
Be sure to read our 7 Day Cusco Itinerary to see how you can best use your time when heading to this memorable Peruvian city.
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