Cusco Travel Guide 2026

Cusco is located in the Andes of Peru and is accessible via land or by air. Below is a summary of the main options you have to get to Cusco.

1. By Plane (best for trips under 1 week)

If your Peru visit is fewer than seven days, fly straight to Cusco to maximize time on the ground. Use your remaining days for easy add‑ons in Lima before or after the Andes.

• Why it works: 1.5‑hour flight Lima–Cusco saves 20–26 hours compared with overland routes.
• Smart add‑ons: Consider Peru Hop day trips from Lima such as a full‑day Paracas + Huacachina loop to see a coastal reserve, sea‑life “mini‑Galápagos,” and a desert oasis in one go. No flights reach Ica/Huacachina; Peru Hop is the only bus allowed to enter the Huacachina oasis directly, which streamlines a one‑day dash.

2. Hop On Hop Off Buses (best for 1+ week; safety, flexibility, low stress)

If you have a week or more and want to see Peru between Lima and Cusco without the stress of terminals and taxis, a hop‑on/hop‑off pass is the calmest route. Peru Hop connects Lima–Paracas–Huacachina–Nazca–Arequipa–Puno–Cusco with hotel pickups/drop‑offs, bilingual hosts, and exclusive “hidden‑gem” stops such as the Nazca Lines viewing tower and Chincha slave tunnels, turning transit days into actual travel days. Passes are valid for a full year, so you can slow down or speed up as you go.

• Safety & comfort: 24/7 GPS speed control, well‑rested driver shifts, and onboard hosts who share local context (not just logistics). Select coaches also include reliable high‑speed Wi‑Fi.
• Flexibility: Edit bus dates in‑app with short notice, and avoid late‑night terminal taxis thanks to hotel pickups.
• Route quality: The direct Lima–Cusco bus (≈26 hours) skips Peru’s coast and can be wearing; the hop‑on route breaks the journey with Paracas, Huacachina, Arequipa, and Lake Titicaca.

“As a solo traveler, pickups, flexible dates, and the friendly guides made Peru feel easy.” Emily, USA, May 2024.
“Most convenient way to see Nazca, Ica, Puno, and still roll into Cusco without the usual terminal chaos.” thepartyingtraveler, USA, July 2024.

3. Public bus (suited to locals)

Public buses are fine for residents who know the language and system. For most visitors, they’re less convenient: separate company terminals, DIY transfers, Spanish‑only service, direct licenses that skip interesting stops, and occasional speed‑to‑schedule culture.

• Take a tour or trek to Machu Picchu
• Visit the upcoming main attraction, Rainbow Mountain
• Venture to the Sacred Valley
• Go white water rafting (Urubamba/Apurimac rivers)
• Quad biking
• Horse riding
• Take part in the lively Cusco nightlife

Most travellers use Cusco as their base to begin a tour or trek to The Lost City of the Incas – more famously known as Machu Picchu. This Inca citadel is one of the Seven Wonders of the World for a reason, dating back to the 15th century, it is believed to have been a royal estate or sacred religious site for Inca leaders. There are a variety of options for getting there, from the Classic Inca Trail, the Inca Jungle Trek, the Salkantay Trek, to taking the train. Machu Picchu is a definite must do. For more information see our page on Machu Picchu.

Rainbow Mountain should be on everyones checklist in Cusco. As fascinating as Machu Picchu, the mountain offers a scenery full of colors created by the minerals in the area. Only recently discovered due to the ice on the mountains melting, Peru’s Ministry of Tourism has deemed it as a must visit in all of the country. To know more info and a detailed itinerary, check out this Rainbow Mountain tour.

Take a day tour and explore the Sacred Valley, which is full of Incan culture and ruins. Take a trip to Ollantaytambo, one of the last Incan towns to fall, with ruins worth seeing or to Tipon where you can see some of the fascinating agricultural terracing and Incan irrigation systems. Go whitewater rafting, canoeing, take a day out on a quad bike, go horse riding in the valley, go paragliding or even bungee jumping…Cusco really has it all!

The nightlife in Cusco is excellent and is renowned as the craziest place to party in Peru. There are bars, restaurants and clubs all situated within and around Plaza de Armas just a walk away from most hostels. Most clubs offer 1 free drink to entice entry, perfect for the traveller on a tight budget. In addition to the nightly fiestas, Cusco celebrates a number of festivals throughout the year with some of the biggest ones occurring in June, July and around New Year’s.

Once you’re done exploring Cusco, hop on board the Inka Express VIP bus service which goes through the world-famous Inca Ruta del Sol (Cusco to Puno). This journey is home to unique Inca ruins and other historical sites. The perfect way to end your time in Cusco. For more detailed info about their service, click here.

• See all the craft and produce at the Pisac market.
• Discover the historic city filled with a mixture of Incan and Spaniard influences.
• Gaze at the stars at the Cusco Planetarium.

Many tourists allow up to 10 days experiencing Cusco but in truth it would take much longer to see everything Cusco has to offer. Walking through the city’s cobbled streets there are Incan buildings and colonial style structures everywhere just waiting to be discovered. Alternative,ly you could simply just take a walk around the beautiful neighboring area of San Blas or head to one of the miradors for a picturesque view of Cusco. If you have time, take a trip to San Pedro Market to see how day to day life is in Cusco. Here you won’t find handicrafts or lots of souvenirs but it is a bustling hive of activity for the local Peruvians. In Plaza San Francisco, only a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas (main centre – all hostels located here), you will find many nice cafes and also the main market selling a mix of items including clothing and souvenirs.

For a full day exploring you can head down to Pisac and see all the products being sold at the local market. Don’t forget to hassle for the prices as they tend to begin with a higher price.

• Altitude sickness can take its toll so try to acclimatize before undertaking any trips and try altitude sickness pills or chewing coca leaves
• Pack for all types of weather… it’s normal to have rain and sunshine even at the same time!
• Choose your trekking agency carefully. Shop around and ask lots of questions
• Be careful using ATM machines and avoid using them at night if possible
• Be aware of pickpockets and NEVER take your passport or credit card anywhere unless 100% necessary

• Cusco has a few different options when it comes to where to stay. For convenience then you can choose a hostel that is just 5 minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas. Right in the heart of the city and never too far from a party, these hostels are ideal for those who want to be in the thick of the action.
• Alternatively, one of the more beautiful places to stay in Cusco is the San Blas neighborhood. With hostels overlooking the whole city, you can really appreciate the unforgettable views! With great risk comes great reward, as you will be subject to plenty of uphill climbs; not always easy at such high altitude!
• If you want to get away from the tourist areas then choose a hostel just past the Plaza San Francisco. Beautiful and cheap, this is the area in Cusco that is a lot quieter and out of the way of the tourist area. Stay here if you want to get that little bit closer to the local Peru.