All flights to Cusco arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport
The Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is located about 10 to 20 minutes from downtown Cusco. It is the second busiest airport in the country, and although it is considered “international,” it only receives a few international connections and is mainly geared toward domestic destinations.
Flights from Bogotá to Cusco may be direct or include a layover. It is recommended to buy your tickets in advance, since flights often sell out during the high season (May to August). Some of the airlines you can choose are the following:
Avianca
Frequency: depends on the season.
Travel time: approx. 3 h 25 min.
Type: direct / nonstop.
Prices: prices vary depending on the season and demand.
Latam
Travel time: approx. 6 h 10 min.
Type: with layovers.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
JetSMART
Travel time: approx. 21 h 25 min.
Type: with layovers.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
La Paz - Cusco flights (Bolivia)
Flights from La Paz to Cusco may be direct or include layovers. If you plan to travel during the high season (May to August), it is advisable to buy your ticket in advance. Some of the airlines you can choose are the following:
BoA (Boliviana de Aviación)
Frequency: three times a week.
Travel time: approx. 1 h 24 min.
Type: direct / nonstop.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Avianca
Frequency: four times a week.
Travel time: approx. 1 h 15 min.
Type: direct / nonstop.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Latam
Travel time: approx. 5 h 30 min.
Type: with layovers.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Santiago de Chile - Cusco flights
For flights from Santiago de Chile to Cusco, there are direct options and options with layovers. It is recommended to buy your ticket in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the high season (May to August). Some of the airlines you can choose are the following: Latam
Travel time: approx. 3 h 30 min.
Type: direct.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Sky
Travel time: approx. 13 h 20 min.
Type: with layovers.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Panama - Cusco flights
Flights from Panama to Cusco include a layover. Remember to buy your tickets in advance, since they usually sell out during the high season (May to August). Some of the airlines you can choose are the following: Avianca
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 7 h 40 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Latam
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 6 h 55 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: prices vary depending on the season and demand.
Copa Airlines
Travel time: approx. 10 h 5 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: prices vary depending on the season and demand.
Buenos Aires - Cusco flights (Argentina)
Flights from Buenos Aires to Cusco usually include a layover; therefore, it is advisable to buy your ticket in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the high season (May to August). Some of the airlines you can choose are the following:
Latam
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 6 h 55 min.
Type: with layovers.
Prices: prices vary depending on the season and demand.
JetSMART
Travel time: approx. 7 h 55 min.
Type: with layovers.
Prices: prices vary depending on the season and demand.
Domestic flights to Cusco
Lima - Cusco flights
Flights from Lima to Cusco are direct and operate with high frequency; therefore, it is advisable to buy your ticket in advance, especially if you plan to travel during the high season (May to August). Some of the airlines you can choose are the following:
Latam
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 1 h 20 min.
Type: direct.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Sky
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 1 h 25 min.
Type: direct.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
JetSmart
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 1 h 23 min.
Type: direct.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Arequipa - Cusco flights
This route between Arequipa and Cusco offers a quick connection between two of the most important tourist destinations in southern Peru. The flight may be direct, with an approximate duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes; on the other hand, a flight with layovers averages 5 hours and 30 minutes. Some of the airlines you can choose are the following:
JetSmart
Travel time: approx. 5 h 34 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Latam
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 1 h 15 min.
Type: direct.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Juliaca - Cusco flights
Flights from Juliaca to Cusco usually require a layover in Lima, so total travel time may exceed 4 or 5 hours. Some of the airlines you can choose are the following:
Latam
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 4 h 50 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
JetSMART
Travel time: approx. 5 h 30 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Puerto Maldonado - Cusco flights
Flights from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco take approximately 1 hour. However, it is very difficult to find daily direct flights, since they are only offered during the high season and on certain days of the week. The approximate layover time is 6 hours. Some of the airlines you can choose are the following:
Latam
Travel time: approx. 5 h 15 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Sky
Travel time: approx. 45 min.
Type: nonstop.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Ayacucho - Cusco flights
On flights from Ayacucho to Cusco, most itineraries include a layover and may take from 3 hours and 35 minutes to more than 8 hours, depending on the connection. It is recommended to buy your tickets in advance during the high season. Some of the airlines you can choose are the following:
Latam
Frequency: daily.
Travel time: approx. 3 h 50 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Sky
Travel time: approx. 3 h 45 min.
Type: with layover.
Prices: vary depending on the season and demand.
Airlines that fly to Cusco
Most connections to Cusco are concentrated via Lima, while only some international routes operate nonstop. Airlines usually launch promotions depending on the season and demand. In addition, they allow online check-in through their websites and offer different schedule options depending on the route and the season. The airlines that fly to Cusco are the following:
LATAM Airlines.
Sky Airline.
JetSmart.
Avianca.
Copa Airlines.
BoA (Boliviana de Aviación).
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
How to get to downtown Cusco from the airport
Taking a taxi is the best option, since the ride takes around 10 to 20 minutes, helping you avoid transportation complications and get to your hotel on time, especially if it is your first time in the city or if you are traveling with luggage.
Services available at Cusco airport
Cusco airport has basic services such as airline counters, boarding areas, ATMs, currency exchange, restrooms, and authorized taxis.
In addition, it has a single terminal where both arrivals and departures are concentrated.
Requirements to fly to Cusco
Identity documents and passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of travel.
If your passport is about to expire, it is advisable to renew it before your trip.
Citizens of Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay do not need a passport; they only need to present their physical national ID card or identity document.
Visa for foreigners visiting Cusco
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru, visa requirements to enter the country depend on the traveler’s nationality and the type of passport.
Citizens of Canada, the United States, and Mexico DO NOT need a visa to enter Peru.
Citizens of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and El Salvador DO need a visa to enter Peru.
If you are from South America, you do not need a visa; however, Venezuelan citizens do need a tourist visa to visit Peru.
In the case of citizens of the European Union, they do not need a visa to visit Peru.
If you are a citizen of a Pacific Alliance country (Chile, Colombia, and Mexico), the visa requirement is waived.
To check the requirements in greater detail, we recommend visiting the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
You can also contact the Peruvian embassy in your country for more information.
Best time of year to fly to Cusco
The best time to visit Cusco is usually during the dry season, which runs from May to October, when the weather is more stable and there is very little rain. This way, you can enjoy outdoor activities, visit archaeological sites, or take part in adventure tourism in Cusco. However, since it is the high season, we recommend buying your tickets in advance.
What to do when arriving in Cusco: altitude sickness and acclimatization
If this is your first time traveling to high altitudes or if you are particularly sensitive, a diet based on fruits, vegetables, and Andean grains helps the body stay balanced. We recommend avoiding very spicy foods or foods high in fat, since digestion at high altitudes is different.
Stay hydrated by drinking water (2 to 3 liters per day per person) to successfully get through the acclimatization stage.
The coca leaf was considered sacred by the Inca Empire, and this not only formed part of their beliefs, but was also linked to its natural properties. Studies carried out on the coca leaf show that it contains more than 15 different alkaloids, many of which are natural regulators of the body. This makes coca leaf a useful alternative for easing the body affected by altitude sickness.
