Cusco to Lima (and Lima to Cusco): flight or bus, travel times and tips

Lima and Cusco are the two key points of almost any Peru trip: Lima for its international airport and Cusco for Machu Picchu. Between them lie about 1,100 km of mountain roads, but also one of the busiest air routes in the country. This guide compares flying and taking the bus, with times, approximate prices and altitude tips in both directions.

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Flight or bus: summary

• Flight: about 1 h 15 min to 1 h 30 min direct, with many daily departures from several airlines. The obvious choice if you're short on time.
• Bus: about 20–22 hours via Abancay and Nazca, longer via Arequipa. Cheaper and allows stops on the south coast, but a long ride with curves and high mountain passes.
• Combined: many travellers go down by bus in stages (Cusco–Nazca–Ica/Huacachina–Paracas–Lima) and fly one way.

By plane

• Airports: Alejandro Velasco Astete in Cusco and Jorge Chávez in Lima, which recently opened a new terminal. Check which terminal your flight uses.
• Price: highly variable by date and how far ahead you book; low season and early booking can be cheap, high season or last minute much more expensive. Compare the final price with luggage.
• Timing: early-morning Cusco flights are sometimes delayed by fog or bad weather. If you have an international connection in Lima, leave a generous buffer.

• Cusco airport to the city centre: taxi, ride apps, transfers and approximate prices
• Altitude sickness in Cusco: how to prevent it and what to do

By bus

• Usual route: Cusco–Abancay–Puquio–Nazca–Ica–Lima, with high plateau sections above 4,000 m.
• Duration: about 20–22 hours without long stops, though roadworks, weather or protests can add time.
• Cusco terminal: the bus terminal is in the Santiago district, 10–15 minutes by taxi from the centre. In Lima, each company usually has its own terminal.
• Service: big companies offer bus-cama (sleeper) seats, onboard meals and toilets. Choose established companies with a good safety record.
• Price: depends on service class and season; usually much cheaper than a last-minute flight.

Worthwhile stops on the way

With time, the bus lets you split the journey along the south coast:

• Nazca: famous for its desert lines, seen on an overflight or from viewing towers.
• Ica and Huacachina: a dune oasis, vineyards and pisco wineries.
• Paracas: a national reserve and boat trips to the Ballestas Islands.

There are also hop-on hop-off tourist buses covering this route with organised stops.

Lima → Cusco or Cusco → Lima: what changes

• Lima → Cusco by plane: abrupt altitude gain. Take day one easy, eat light and drink plenty of water.
• Lima → Cusco by bus: altitude is gained gradually, but the journey is exhausting.
• Cusco → Lima: going down doesn't cause altitude sickness; the climate change (grey and humid in Lima's winter) can surprise you.

• Altitude sickness in Cusco: how to prevent it and what to do

Other connections from Cusco

Cusco also has buses and flights to Arequipa, and buses and a tourist train to Puno (Lake Titicaca). The Lima–Arequipa–Puno–Cusco loop, or the reverse, is a classic.

• Cusco to Puno and Lake Titicaca: bus, tourist bus, train or plane
• Cusco to Arequipa: overnight bus, flights, via Puno or by luxury train

Practical tips

• Buy bus tickets on the company website or at its official terminal counter, not from street sellers.
• Carry your ID: you'll need it to board.
• For flights, check the hand-luggage limit: basic fares often include only a small backpack.
• Leave at least a day between your return from Cusco and an international flight, in case of delays or cancellations.

What about Chinchero airport?

You may read that Cusco is getting a new international airport at Chinchero, on the plateau above the Sacred Valley. That is true, but it is still under construction: after several delays, Peru's Ministry of Transport and Communications expects it to start operating around 2028. Until then, all commercial flights to Cusco keep using Alejandro Velasco Astete airport in the city itself. Be wary of any flight deals "to Chinchero".

If you have a day in Lima

Many travellers pass through Lima only to connect to an international flight. If you have a spare day, it is worth it:

• Historic Centre: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Plaza Mayor, the cathedral and the San Francisco convent and its catacombs.
• Miraflores: walk along the malecón above the Pacific cliffs and the Parque del Amor.
• Barranco: a bohemian district of mansions, murals and the Bridge of Sighs, a short distance from Miraflores.
• Museo Larco: one of the country's great collections of pre-Columbian art.
• Eat: Lima is one of the Americas' food capitals; have ceviche at lunchtime, as locals do.

From June to October Lima's sky is usually grey and damp, with a fine drizzle (garúa): bring a light jacket even if it is not cold.

Is there a train between Cusco and Lima?

No. There is no passenger train service between Cusco and Lima. Cusco's tourist trains go to Machu Picchu and Puno; to reach Lima your options are flying or the bus.

Before you go

eSIM for Peru

Land connected: install an Airalo data eSIM before you travel and switch it on when you land. Check first that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.

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Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).