Getting to Lake Titicaca: Top Travel Routes and Tips

Trying to choose the best transport option for your trip to Peru will entirely depend on the places you’d like to visit, and if Lake Titicaca is on your bucket list, then you’ve found the right blog for you. 

For those who may not know, this intensive water body is located in southern Peru right at the border with Bolivia, so it would be wise to know that it is quite apart from the capital but near to some of the most important cities of Peru, like Cusco and Arequipa.

Luckily for you, we have prepared this guide to show all the alternatives to get to this natural wonder known for being the cradle of some of Peru’s oldest cultures. Whether you’d like to do the most in a short or long time, we have gathered some recommendations so you can put together the perfect itinerary.

Short in time? Take a flight!

Peru’s great extension makes it difficult to travel by land on a tight schedule, however, a flight might be the most suitable option for those planning to save time while also visiting this unique travel destination. Nonetheless, the nearest airport to Lake Titicaca is located in Juliaca, a town in the Andean highlands located 1 hour away from Puno, the city that guards the lake on the Peruvian side.

You can book a flight coming from Lima, Cusco, or Arequipa, and then you’ll have to arrange a taxi that can take you to Puno’s pier upon arrival. We want you to see both sides of each transport option and when it comes to flights, they are definitely the fastest way to get there and also a budget-friendly option.

However, you would be missing out on the amazing Andean scenery along the road. So, to make everything clear, we would recommend taking a plane if you are short on time and can’t do it another way. Otherwise, below we have some other great options for you!

Traveling in-style? Check this train to Lake Titicaca

Although train travel isn’t a common transport option in Peru, the railway company PeruRail has one of the most luxurious trains and wagons in the world. The Belmond Andean Explorer is described as the most beautiful train ride in South America and ranks among the top 10 in the world. These classic vintage-style carriages allow passengers to feel part of the impressive natural scenery of the Andes, where each window is perfectly designed to encapsulate and frame the awe-inspiring landscape.

This luxurious train ride is also complemented by a fine dining experience with dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients, as well as the most delicious cocktails, sweet piano melodies, and a spa car. Each element in the Andean Explorer will invite you to relax and enjoy an unforgettable ride through the mystical Andes mountains. You can take the Belmond Andean Explorer from Cusco to Puno and even Arequipa, or the way around.

It is worth mentioning that train travel isn’t fast in Peru compared to the ones in Europe, but this transport option is thoughtfully designed for those who wish to have a more intimate yet luxurious experience in the Peruvian highlands. The Andean Explorer is the most expensive option to get to Lake Titicaca but one of the perfect ways to fully appreciate the natural setting of the region. Besides, this transport alternative takes the most time to get from point A to B, in this case, Cusco to Puno or Arequipa to Puno.

Stopping at several places? Bus trips might be the best for you!

If your trip itinerary takes you to different places in Peru, then you might want to consider taking bus rides to get to each destination. Peru has a great extension and there are many attractions to visit between Lima and Cusco, with Lake Titicaca among them. 

So, just in case you have the time to do it, here is a blog so you can learn how to discover southern Peru. On the other hand, Lake Titicaca is easily accessible from Arequipa and Cusco and here we’ve gathered some itinerary options for you so you can make the most of your experience:

Arequipa to Lake Titicaca: If Arequipa is on your bucket list, you would like to know that you can reach the city of Puno by bus while also getting to know the beautiful landscapes of the Colca Canyon and its surroundings. For those who are not on a tight schedule, you can easily take a two-day tour to the Colca Canyon, learn about the culture in Chivay town, and continue to Puno and Lake Titicaca.

You can find out more about this experience here. However, if your goal is saving time between these two destinations then you can easily take a direct bus from Arequipa to Puno. The bus ride will take about 8 hours, allowing you to explore the lake depending on your arrival time.

Cusco to Lake Titicaca: For those on a tight schedule, this would be the wise thing to do since you can easily fly from Lima to Cusco, visit the sights of the region, and continue all the way to Lake Titicaca with the Ruta del Sol tour.

That way, you won’t only be able to visit the largest water body of the world, but also some of the most interesting colonial, Inca, and pre-Inca structures along the way, without even forgetting about the outstanding mountainous scenery of the region.

A direct overnight bus from Cusco to Puno would take about 7 hours, and if you’re taking the Sun Route, it would take you about 10 hours to get there but you will have a unique and complete experience at an affordable price.

So regardless of the transport option you choose, there are tons of things to do in between that not many travel agencies talk about. Therefore, we have prepared a special guide just in case you’re looking to travel off the beaten track in Peru.

Overview

• If you are on a tight schedule, the most reasonable way to get to Lake Titicaca would be by flight. That way you’ll have more time to enjoy and learn more about this natural wonder and cultural hub.

• If traveling in style is your main goal, the luxurious Belmond Andean Explorer is the way to go! With this train ride, you’ll be totally immersed in the peaceful setting of the Andes and you can visit two destinations if you’d like.

• If your itinerary takes you to several places, bus travel might be the best option. This transport alternative will allow you to save money and visit much more of Peru without missing any landscape in between.

So yes, Puno is easily accessible and Lake Titicaca is totally worth a visit! If you’d like to have an idea of how to put up the right trip itinerary for you, check our Peru travel packages and contact us to start living your dreams in Peru.

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