Updated November 9, 2026. Reference prices are taken from guides published in 2026 and from our transfer rates.
Quick answer
Cusco’s airport, Alejandro Velasco Astete, is about 5 km from the Plaza de Armas: 15 to 25 minutes by car, and up to 45 at rush hour.
You have five options: the official taxi, paid inside the airport (about S/ 40 to 50), a street taxi on the avenue (S/ 15 to 25, negotiated), an app like Uber or InDrive, the Correcaminos bus (S/ 1.20, no large bags) or a booked transfer, with someone waiting for you holding a sign with your name.
Five ways to get from Cusco airport to the city center
From the most comfortable to the cheapest. Prices are per car, except for the bus.
| Option | Price | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Booked transfer | Fixed price per vehicle | The driver waits at the exit with a sign with your name and takes your whole group with the luggage. It’s the best choice if you arrive at night, with kids or with several bags. |
| Official airport taxi | S/ 40 to 50 | You book and pay at the counters in the baggage claim hall, in soles, dollars or by card. Some guides mention up to S/ 70. |
| App (Uber, InDrive, DiDi) | Varies with demand | They work in Cusco, but the driver usually waits outside the arrivals area. Set the pickup point carefully and confirm the price in the app. |
| Street taxi | S/ 15 to 25 | You walk out to Avenida Velasco Astete and agree on the price before getting in. It’s the cheapest taxi, but no one checks the car or the driver. |
| Correcaminos bus | S/ 1.20 | It runs along Avenida Velasco Astete. You get off at the Almagro stop, one block from the center, after about 30 minutes. It doesn’t work if you have large bags. |
Step by step after you land
- Pick up your luggage. The official taxi counters are in the same hall. If you’ve already booked a transfer, head straight for the exit.
- Look for your name. Drivers for booked transfers wait outside with a sign. Before you get in the car, confirm the company name.
- If you’re taking an app ride or a street taxi, walk to Avenida Velasco Astete. That way you avoid the drivers who approach you at the door, and your driver can pull over without trouble.
- Carry soles in small bills. Street taxis take cash and rarely have change.
- Give the exact address of your hotel. Many streets in the center are narrow or pedestrian-only, and sometimes the car drops you off a block away.
How long it takes and which way you go
From the airport, the route follows Avenida Velasco Astete and then Avenida El Sol to the center. Without traffic, it takes 15 to 25 minutes. At rush hour, from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m., the ride can take 40 to 50 minutes.
Airport transfer with Tari Tours
We charge per vehicle and per leg, not per person, and we take groups of 1 to 15. The transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cusco is quoted on WhatsApp, based on your flight time and how many people are traveling. These are the destinations with published prices from the airport:
| Destination | Sedan (up to 3) | Minivan (up to 6) |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco train stations | US$ 10 | US$ 15 |
| Poroy station | US$ 18 | US$ 25 |
| Pisac | US$ 50 | US$ 60 |
| Urubamba | US$ 50 | US$ 60 |
| Ollantaytambo | US$ 50 | US$ 60 |
For larger groups, we have 10- and 15-seat Mercedes-Benz vans; all rates are on our taxi in Cusco page. If you arrive in the morning, going straight to the Sacred Valley is a good idea: it’s lower than Cusco, so you acclimatize better. See how that fits into the Cusco itinerary, day by day.
You land at 3,300 m (10,830 ft): take it easy on day one
The airport is at about 3,310 m (10,860 ft) and Cusco at about 3,400 m (11,160 ft). If you’re flying in from Lima, the change is abrupt. Rest for a few hours when you arrive, drink water, eat light and save the hikes for later. More tips in how to prevent altitude sickness in Cusco.
What about Chinchero airport? The new international airport is being built in Chinchero, on the way to the Sacred Valley. In January 2026, Peru’s Ministry of Transport reported that construction was about 40% complete and estimated that the airport would start operating in late 2027 or early 2028. Until then, all flights still land at Velasco Astete.
Want us to pick you up at the airport?
We’re a local agency in Cusco, registered with MINCETUR since 2003, with English-speaking guides. Send us your flight number and arrival time (Peru time, GMT-5): we’ll wait for you at the exit, at a fixed price per vehicle, and take you to your hotel, the train station or the Sacred Valley.
- Taxi and transfer rates in Cusco.
- Cusco Aventurero, 5 days, with airport pickup included.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Cusco airport to the city center?
The official taxi, paid at the airport counter, costs about S/ 40 to 50. A street taxi on Avenida Velasco Astete charges S/ 15 to 25, negotiated. On apps, the price changes with demand.
How far is Cusco airport from the Plaza de Armas?
About 5 km. Without traffic, it’s 15 to 25 minutes by car; at rush hour, from 7 to 9 a.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m., up to 45 or 50 minutes.
Is there Uber at Cusco airport?
Yes, Uber, InDrive and DiDi work in Cusco. The driver usually picks you up outside the arrivals area, on Avenida Velasco Astete, so set the pickup point carefully.
Is there a bus from Cusco airport to the city center?
There’s no official airport bus, but the Correcaminos bus runs along Avenida Velasco Astete and costs S/ 1.20. You get off at the Almagro stop, one block from the center. It’s not practical with large bags.
Is it safe to take a taxi at Cusco airport?
The official taxi and booked transfers are the safest options. If you take a street taxi, agree on the price before getting in, check the license plate and avoid doing it at night.
Can I go from the airport straight to the Sacred Valley?
Yes. With Tari Tours, the transfer from the airport to Pisac, Urubamba or Ollantaytambo costs US$ 50 by sedan (up to 3 people) and US$ 60 by minivan (up to 6), per leg.
What is the altitude of Cusco airport?
About 3,310 m (10,860 ft) above sea level. Cusco is at about 3,400 m (11,160 ft), so it’s worth resting on your first day.
When will Chinchero airport open?
Peru’s Ministry of Transport estimates it will start operating in late 2027 or early 2028. Until then, all flights land at Velasco Astete airport.
Sources
- Free Walking Tours Peru: from Cusco airport to the city center (updated September 2026)
- Uros Expeditions: taxi prices in Cusco in 2026
- Andean’GO: travel time and rush hours from the airport to the Plaza de Armas (January 2026)
- Bus Hop: taxi apps that work in Cusco (October 2026)
- La República: progress on construction of the Chinchero airport (January 18, 2026)
- Tari Tours: taxi and transfer rates in Cusco
Photos in this guide are from Wikimedia Commons under free licenses; the author and license appear below each image.