Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport serves Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and main gateway to Machu Picchu, at approximately 3,400 meters altitude.
Located just 4 km from the historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the departure point for the Sacred Valley and the famous Inca Trail trek.
How to get to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to CUZ
Parking near Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
In front of the terminal is a small parking area available for passengers.
Parking cost is aligned with area standards.
How to get to Cusco from CUZ
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION FROM CUSCO AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL OR RETURN
Cusco: One-Way Airport Transfer to Hotel
Private transfer from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (ONE WAY or ROUND TRIP)
VIP Airport-Hotel Transfer in Cusco (One Way)
Car rental at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Some car rental companies operate with a dedicated desk in the arrivals area.
Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card; an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally also required. Carefully consider high-altitude driving if not accustomed to it.
Hotels near Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Historic centre
10-20 minutes by taxi from the airport for 5-6 km; authorised taxis have a desk in the arrivals area with fixed fares by zone.
Best for: Those who want the Plaza de Armas, San Blas and the Qoricancha within walking distance, with a short transfer from the airport in any case.
- Museums, markets and almost all of Cusco's restaurants within walking distance
- No hotel in the city is truly far: even the most outlying addresses remain 10-15 minutes from the Plaza
- The altitude (over 3,400 m) is felt most in the first hours after arrival, regardless of the area chosen
- Cobbled streets and traffic in the centre make taxis slower than the distance would suggest
Recommended hotels
- JW Marriott El Convento Cusco Former sixteenth-century Augustinian convent restored over three years of excavation, on Plaza Nazarenas next to the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art; in-room oxygen enrichment system for altitude sickness, spa and indoor pool. View availability
- Novotel Cusco 16th-century colonial mansion on Calle San Agustín, three blocks from the Plaza de Armas: 16 suites in the colonial wing around the historic courtyard, 83 rooms in the modern wing. View availability
- Hotel Cusco La Paccha, Affiliated by Meliá Meliá's first hotel in Cusco, on Avenida El Sol next to the ornamental fountain that gives it its name; the Qoricancha is 5 minutes and the Plaza de Armas about 10 on foot. View availability
- Hampton by Hilton Cusco The group's first Hampton in Cusco, on Avenida Tullumayo 500 metres from the Qoricancha and about a kilometre from the Plaza de Armas; a simple, recently opened chain option instead of the historic centre's higher rates. View availability
- Wyndham Costa del Sol Cusco On Calle Santa Teresa, a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral; runs its own shuttle around the clock despite the already central location. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, though compact, handles intense tourist traffic related to Machu Picchu.
Don't take chances: 2.5–3 hours buffer before flights is the safest choice.
Map of Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Cuzco at high altitude?
Yes, at about 3,400 metres: move around slowly right after landing, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and heavy meals in the first 24-48 hours to reduce the risk of altitude sickness (soroche).
Q. How much does a taxi from the airport to downtown Cuzco cost?
Authorised taxis at the indoor desk charge roughly 25-35 soles; outside the terminal you'll find lower fares (15-30 soles), always to be agreed before getting in.
Q. Is Cuzco the gateway to Machu Picchu?
Yes, it's the main starting point for the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, reachable by train or via the Inca Trail trek.
Q. Is there medical assistance at the airport for altitude sickness?
Yes, a medical service is available at the airport in case of altitude-related illness.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
