Lima is called “The City of Kings” and after spending some time there, you’ll realize why. Lima is your main gate to our country, it offers attractions, cultural locations, wonderful food, and more. We highly recommend you spend some time here, we assure you you’ll have a great time.
After your trip to Lima, it’ll be time for you to arrive in Cusco. However, what options do you have to get to the ancient Inca capital? What are its pros and cons? Stay with us to find the answer.
Travelling from Lima to Cusco
You’ll find three ways to get to Lima: Flying from Lima to Cusco, by bus, or by private car. Coming to Cusco by plane is definitely the most practical and quickest option, as you’ll take around 1 hour covering more than 584 km. On the other hand, if you take a bus, you can take around one day to finally get to Cusco:
Although it’s cheaper, the scenery is beautiful, varied, and recommended, it’ll take you way a whole day. If you are eager for adventure and have enough time this is the option for you, or taking a private car. Let’s explore each option and see the alternatives you have for each one:
By Plane
To get to Cusco by plane, you must first pass via Lima. Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima is Peru’s primary flight hub, connecting international planes. The trip from Lima to Cusco takes around an hour and arrives at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. Cusco Airport is Peru’s busiest due to regional tourism, despite its tiny size, it operates daily flights to various destinations nationwide.
The fastest and most effective way to go from Lima to Cusco is, without a doubt, by flight. Every day, several airlines fly from Lima to Cusco, which takes a little over an hour. The Jorge Chávez Airport is located about ten kilometers to the northwest of Lima’s downtown.
Flight Prices
The cost varies significantly based on the schedule and the season. Recently, the costs might not differ significantly from the bus trips if you buy your tickets beforehand. But, generally speaking, round-trip costs should range from $80 to more, keep in mind that round-trip tickets typically cost no more than $150. Also, you can get some discounts for round-trip tickets up to $50 if you take advantage of some online promotions.
Flight Schedules
The most popular airlines in Peru are LATAM, Sky Peru and Jet Smart are other airlines commonly used for these trips. Flights normally depart from 5 am to almost 9 pm. You can make your itinerary keeping in mind this detail. When you arrive in Cusco, the airport is around 4 kilometers south of Cusco’s downtown on the tourist map.
From the airport, you can go to your chosen accommodation via bus or taxi, but we recommend using taxi apps like Uber, InDriver, or Cabify. As Lima is Peru’s getaway, most of them would prefer to get from Lima to Machu Picchu. Unfortunately, this option is not possible as you first must get to Cusco, then take a train to Machu Picchu.
If you’ll spend just a couple of days in our country, we recommend you take a connecting flight to Cusco. However, before boarding your flight to Cusco, you’ll first go through customs.
By Bus
The cheapest option is to take the bus from Lima to Cusco; tickets cost approximately $35. It can take up to a day to complete the trip, so make sure you have a comfortable seat and enough food and drink. The first step is to purchase your bus tickets, which you can do online or at the bus station. Numerous bus companies, including Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Palomino, Hop on Hop off bus, and Peru Hop operate from Lima, every business has a separate terminal.
The difference in journey time is definitely substantial, due to its length, this trip could become very taxing. Furthermore, it would be ineffective to take a day bus tour if you only had a brief window of time to see Cusco. Taking a bus is less expensive than flying, however, there is still no comparison when it comes to the cost-benefit between taking a bus and flying. If you still want to take this option, we’ll show you some
Bus Routes
Lima, Nazca,Arequipa Route
Your first stop in this 24-hour trip is Ica, three hours from Lima. Ica is renowned for its wineries producing the famous Pisco, making it worthwhile to spend an afternoon tasting this iconic drink. Additionally, visit the Huacachina oasis in the Ica desert, where you can swim, sandboard, take dune buggies, and sunbathe.
Continuing your journey, You’ll head to Nazca village, famous for the mysterious Nazca Lines created by the ancient Nazca civilization. The best way to view these lines is by taking a flight over the area, through an observation tower on the outskirts of the city. From Nazca, you’ll travel about 10 hours to Arequipa, known as the “White City” for its buildings made of white volcanic stone.
Arequipa, the second-largest city in Peru, boasts a mix of old and new architectural styles. After all these recommended stops, the final leg of the journey from Arequipa to Cusco is beautiful and varied, passing through the Andes mountains, charming towns, rivers, and ancient Inca sites. You’ll reach Cusco by late afternoon, giving you time to experiment with the nightlife, start a city tour, or go to the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu the following day.
Lima, Nazca, Abancay Route
An eighteen-hour bus ride takes you from Lima to Cusco via Nazca and Abancay. This route is served by several bus companies; cheaper alternatives require you to carry your own food, while luxury buses offer meals and movies. The journey consists of three parts: Lima to Nazca, Nazca to Abancay, and Abancay to Cusco.
This is the most “boring” route as besides Nazca, Abancay doesn’t offer attractions for visitors like you. As the route is twisting, especially in the Abancay area, as it includes steep ascents and runs, take motion sickness medication if needed. When you first get to Cusco, try to relax and take it slow to get used to the high altitude.
Private Car
This is the most expensive, slowest, but the most exclusive, although buses and planes are the main ways to get from Lima to Cusco, traveling by private car along the Central Highlands route offers a unique adventure. This less popular option is ideal for those who have sparing time in Peru or are looking for the best landscapes in South America.
The trip can be divided into four sections:
1. Lima to Huancayo (6-8 hours): Huancayo has charming squares and shopping malls. Every season offers a variety of exciting outdoor activities and attractions in the area around Huancayo, from horseback riding through the stunning Andes to jungle trekking. Due to the breathtaking views from the peak, hikers will realize that visiting a high point and getting to know the lovely Cerrito de la Libertad is a must.
2. Huancayo to Ayacucho (6-8 hours): The “city of churches” is known for its churches, handmade crafts, natural attractions, and history linked to Peruvian Independence.
3. Ayacucho to Andahuaylas (5 hours): There’s not much fun in Andahuaylas, we recommend you have some lunch here and rest.
4. Andahuaylas to Cusco (7-9 hours): You’ll be passing through “South Valley” destinations, such as Raqchi, Tipon, and Pikillacta.
Whether you take a flight from Lima to Cusco, by bus, or by private car, we hope you can enjoy your trip to Peru and the ancient capital city, Cusco. Viagens Machu Picchu offers packages to Lima, Cusco, and all of Peru, travel with us to ensure a pleasant and wonderful stay in our country.
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