How to go from lima to cuzco/machu p.?

Question

im going to peru and im flying into and out of lima, i was wondering if you guys could give me advice how to go from lima to cuzco... i know i can fly there but the prices are ridiculous, ive been to mexico before and buses out there are a good choice is that the same in Peru?

Answer 1

There are two ways to get from Lima to Cusco:

By plane, which I recommend the most because it only takes one hour. And,

By bus. I do not recommend this kind of transportation because the journey is very long, 24 hours approx. And you have to take into consideration that you will have to cross the Andes. Big and more comfortable buses (like Royal Class) are not allowed to go through the Andes because of the kind of road. All buses going to Cusco are smaller (like Economy class) and do not have the same commodities as for the Royal Class. It is not really advisable going to Cusco by bus. It could only be dangerous because you can get robbed on the way and lose your money, camera and everything.

I suggest to take a plane to Cusco, so that you can enjoy more days and visit more places.

You can visit this site: www.go2peru.com. There is information on flight schedules and tourist places. Enjoy your trip!

Answer 2

The flight is 70 minutes and if you see the prices here in US or by internet (Lan Peru, Aerocondor) maybe you can have expensive fares, but if you have friends in Peru, they can book and buy the tickets for you, they only need your complete names and passports numbers. There you can find flights sometimes for USD 118 per person inc. taxes.

The bus could be ok but if you go in a very good bus like Ormeno or Cruz del Sur, it takes like 24 hours and it costs like USD 80 per person, both prices are round trip.

When you go to Cuzco the first morning rest and drink coca tea for the "soroche".

Answer 3

Flying is 75 min.. a bus is a full day..

I think the buses are "ok"

Answer 4

A long way (but not the longest) is to take a colectivo (car with 4 or 5 passengers) from Lima to Arequipa, is faster than the bus. Then from Arequipa take de train to Cuzco via Juliaca.

The advantage is that you will see diverse parts of the country and climbing by train to the Andes will prepare you for the high lands and -maybe- permit you to avoid the "soroche" experience.

Of course it depends on the time you have to visit the country and in your interest for the nature, the coast is almost a continuos desert interrupted by green valleys of an average of 15 km wide. then from Nazca to Arequipa the landscape changes from coastal to huighlands, the variety of views during the trip by trein is also very interesting.

But already the visit of Cuzco needs the maximum of time you can give to it as you will never have enough time to visit everything existing there.

Then it depends on your interest and duration of your vacation  

Already visiting Cuzco is the best choice you can do.

Enjoy

Answer 5

The airfares are around US$ 150 and the trip take you 1 hour. You can try buses, which is cheaper, but is a very long way: no less than 12 hours if you take the Ayacucho route or at leat 24 hours if you take the Arequipa-Puno route.

I recommend you to take an airplane and use your time enjoying Cusco.

Answer 6

It is an 18-hour bus journey and a one hour flight. You will be giving up 2 days of your vacation if you take the bus. Fly early in the morning -- it is well worth it. You can spend more time in Cuzco which is a wonderful town, with cheap hotels and restaurants. (Try Los Ninos Hotel)

Answer 7

As everybody else said, the bus ride to Cuzco does take 18 hours. However, it goes through some breathtaking scenery as you climb up from the coast towards Ayacucho to then head for Cuzco. It's just a matter of how much time you have.

I'm actually driving to Cuzco in late June to do the Choquequirao Trek.

There is a third option which is travelling to Arequipa (by bus, or plane) and taking the train to Cuzco. You'd have to take the train from Arequipa to Juliaca and from there to Cuzco.