Cusco Airport

IATA: CUZ 

ICAO: SPZO 

Passengers: ~1,500,000

Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is an airport serving the city of Cusco, in southeastern Peru. 

Cusco, or Cuzco, is the historical capital of Peru and one of the most important tourist areas. The city used to be the capital of the Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. In 1983, UNESCO declared the “City of Cuzco” a  World Heritage Site. 

Due to its unique location, the airport operates at a limited capacity. Despite this, the airport has been Peru’s second busiest airport for years, only behind Jorge Chávez International Airport.

For this reason, the airport is planned to be replaced in 2025 by a new, modern airport in the suburban Cusco area of Chinchero.

The airport in Cusco was named in honour of the Peruvian pilot Alejandro Velasco Astete. He was the first person who succeeded in flying over the Andes. He flew from Lima to Cusco in 1925.

Getting from Cusco Airport airport to Cusco

Velasco Astete airport is located only 6 kilometres from the historic centre of Cusco.

The journey from the airport to the centre will take around 20 to 30 minutes if the traffic is normal.

Cusco is also your starting point for exploration of the Sacred Valley of Incas, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. 

Below you will find all the important information about the transportation options from Cusco Airport to Cusco city, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of Incas.

Bus

If you wish to use public bus transportation you will have to walk outside of the airport. The closest bus station to the airport is Pecsa Petrol Station. Buses in Cusco don’t have a fixed schedule, however, they are quite frequent so you should see one if you wait a bit.

The bus fares in Cusco range from 0.60 Peruvian centimos to 3 Peruvian Soles, which translates to 0.25-1 US dollar.

Combis

There is no organized shuttle bus service from and to the Velasco Astete airport. However, most locals use privately owned minibuses, called “combis”. Combis stop near the exit from the airport’s terminal and have predetermined routes, so be careful not to sit in the wrong combi.  They don’t have a fixed schedule, but they run quite frequently. Combi bus fare is around 1 PEN, which makes them a pretty affordable option of transportation around Cusco.

Be aware of potential pick-pockets and take care of your belongings!

Taxi

Taxis are the most common and convenient way of transportation for getting around the cities of Peru. Cusco is no exception.

Official Cusco airport taxis can be found at two desks near the baggage claim. They offer safe and comfortable airport transfers. If you choose to use their services, you can expect to pay from 10$ to 15$ for a ride to the city centre.

For a cheaper taxi option, you will have to walk outside of the terminal and find the regular Cusco cab drivers offering their services. Their cars are of lower quality, however, their prices reflect that. Since there are no taxi meters, you will have to agree on a price with your drive. How much you pay largely depends on your bargaining skills! If you are good you can get a ride to the historic centre for as low as 3.5$. Those who are less skilled in the art of negotiation can expect to pay up to 10$.

Uber is also available at Tancredo Neves Airport. The cost of your Uber drive will depend on your destination, the type of ride you requested and other factors. 

Transfer

Another option for travelling from the Velasco Astete Airport is with a private, door-to-door transfer directly to your destination. You can pre-book a transfer for a hassle-free experience, a professional driver will wait for you at the airport and take you to your destination.

This is a great transportation option if you are going from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of Incas, Machu Picchu or any other historical sightseeing destination.

The most popular privately owned shuttle service in Cusco is called Cusco Airport Shuttle. 

Car hire

For those who prefer to explore Cusco and Peru on their own, the best option would be a car hire at the airport. At CUZ Airport, you will find several major car rental agencies such as Hertz and Sixt. However, you can rent a car online to avoid the potentially long queues at the airport. 

Rent a bus

Larger groups should consider renting a bus as their means of transportation. However, we recommend you book it online, so the bus rental companies have enough time to advise you about all the important information.

Cusco Airport Airlines

Where does Cusco Airport fly to?

From CUZ you can fly to 5 destinations with 3 different airlines. Most departures and arrivals are flights on the route from Lima to Cusco and vice versa. Other regular routes are domestic flights to Arequipa, Juliaca and Puerto Maldonado. The only exception is an international route from Cusco to Chile’s capital city Santiago.

What airlines fly out of Cusco Peru?

The largest airline at CUZ by the number of departures is LATAM Airlines. LATAM has significantly more flights than the other two airlines, Sky Airline and Viva Air Peru.

Below is the list of the airlines offering departures and arrivals from CUZ:

• LATAM Airlines
• Sky Airline
• Viva Air Peru

Cusco Airport Facilities

Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport was built in 1964, which means it is a relatively old airport. For this reason, the passenger terminal is equipped with only the basic amenities.
Due to visibility restrictions for flying at night, the airport operates only during daylight from 5 am until 10 pm, For this reason, sleeping at the airport is not allowed.

Velasco Astete Airport is located at an altitude of above 3300 meters, which creates a spectacular experience during landings and take-offs. However, this often causes flight delays because of poor weather conditions for flying. 

During the day, the passenger terminal can get quite crowded because it is operating at its maximum capacity. Consequently, there might not be a lot of sitting space around the terminal.

The airport offers several amenities to the passengers who are waiting for the flight.

Here is a list of services offered at Cusco Airport:

• Restaurants & cafes
• Currency exchange
• ATMs
• Lounge
• Tourist info
• Shops
• Internet cafe
• Massage service
• Medical centre
• Book store
• Mobile charging

Cusco Airport accommodation

There are several hotels and accommodation options near the airport where you can stay if having an early flight.

Cusco Airport FAQs