Cusco is a small city where it’s possible to walk, especially in the Historic Center, the area where most of the tourist attractions are located. Restaurants, cafés, bars, and nightclubs are also in this area. For the Sacred Valley of the Incas or Machu Picchu, travelers must take buses or one of the tourist trains. Discover how to get around the main destinations in Cusco.

• Walking through the streets of Cusco
• Taxi ride around the city
• Cusco on panoramic buses
• Cusco by bus
• Transportation to the Sacred Valley of the Incas
• The train to Machu Picchu
• How to rent a car in Cusco?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Walking through the traditional streets of Cusco

Tourist tours in Cusco
The best way to get around Cusco is by booking tourist packages that include transportation services. For example, the Cusco City Tour includes, in addition to professional guiding and entrance fees, minivan transportation to the cathedral, the Qoricancha temple, and the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay.

Walking through the streets of Cusco

• The Historic Center of Cusco is the most important urban area of the city. Mainly because of the legacy that resides in each of its streets, covering many tourist attractions.
• Most of the services are also in this area, such as restaurants, cafés, hotels, bars, and more.
• The ideal way is to walk around the Historic Center so you can discover the attractions of each street, square, and building.
• You can walk from the Plaza de Armas to some of the most amazing places in Cusco, such as: Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, the Twelve-Angle Stone, the Cathedral, the main museums, and more.

Taxi ride around the city

• There are over 10,000 taxis in Cusco. They cover the Historic Center and various districts of the city. Most of them have a visible “taxi” sign.
• Cusco also offers taxi services via mobile apps, mainly Uber and InDrive.
• Taxi services can also take you to the different archaeological sites outside the city, such as: Sacsayhuaman, Coricancha, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
• The city is small, so most taxi rides take less than 30 minutes. The transfer from the Historic Center to Cusco Airport takes about 20 minutes.
• The minimum fare for rides is 5 soles (2 dollars), and it can go up to 20 soles (6 dollars) depending on distance, time, and traffic.

Cusco on panoramic buses

• One of the best ways to tour the city of Cusco is by purchasing a ticket for the panoramic buses, which pass by the most popular places in the historic center.
• The experience is lived on the second level of the buses (open top). Additionally, a tour guide will accompany visitors during the ride, providing details of the main attractions along the route.
• The service costs approximately 20 soles (6 dollars) per person. The experience lasts about two hours.
• You can request the panoramic bus service at any of the tourist agencies located around the Plaza de Armas.
• The usual route includes the historic center, Qoricancha, San Cristobal, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, and the viewpoint of the White Christ.

Cusco by public transport bus

• Cusco has the best public transportation service in Peru. These buses cover the outskirts of the city as well as the area around the Historic Center.
• Each transport company follows a designated route, each with its own name. For example, there are buses called: ‘Batman’, ‘Chaska’, ‘Correcaminos’, ‘Inka Express’, etc.
• All buses are spacious and have a uniform fare of 1 sol (0.30 US dollars), although in some cases the fare may vary if you are traveling to or returning from the peripheral areas of the city.
• It is unlikely that you will need to use public transport if you are only visiting the Historic Center. However, if you must, note that most public transport companies have their stops on Ayacucho Street (very close to Plaza de Armas).
• Some public buses also cover routes to archaeological sites like Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.

Transportation to the Sacred Valley of the Incas

• The Sacred Valley is a large biodiverse region that houses many archaeological sites and villages of great cultural significance.
• Among the main towns you can visit are: Yucay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, Chinchero, and Calca.
• Their main stops are located on Pavitos and Puputi Streets. The service costs approximately 10 soles (3 dollars), depending on the destination.
• Each destination is worth exploring, so a complete tour of the Sacred Valley can take more than one day.
• There are also two classic tours of the Sacred Valley: the first one visits places like Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. The “VIP” option includes Moray and Maras. These are full-day experiences focused mainly on visiting the archaeological sites of each destination.

The train to Machu Picchu

• Traveling by train is the most comfortable and fastest way to reach Machu Picchu.
• The journey is incredible, passing through a great variety of landscapes in the Sacred Valley and small archaeological sites.
• The main train station is located in Ollantaytambo (1 hour 45 minutes by car from Cusco). The usual train ride to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town) takes almost 2 hours.
• PeruRail and Inca Rail are the two authorized companies operating on this route. You can choose from various options and service qualities, some of which may include: gourmet lunch, snacks, drinks, a bar car, observation car, among others.
• Train tickets can be purchased through the Ticketmachupicchu website. It is recommended to do so 2 to 3 weeks in advance.

Train to Machu Picchu

How to rent a car in Cusco?

• If you’re someone who feels more secure driving your own vehicle, you can rent a car during your trip to Cusco. There are many companies offering different types of vehicles to tourists, from motorcycles to vans.
• Some of these companies also offer chauffeur services. Most of the companies that rent vehicles to tourists are located on El Sol Avenue. Prices range from 30 dollars per day and up (depending on the type of vehicle you choose). Some of the available companies are: ‘WildLord Rent a Car’, ‘Auto Rent Cusco’, and ‘Cusco Rent a Car’.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1) Can I walk around the center of Cusco?

  Yes, walking is one of the best ways to get to know the Historic Center of Cusco. The main squares, museums, churches, and traditional streets are within walking distance of each other. From Plaza de Armas, it’s easy to get to places like Qoricancha, the Twelve-Angle Stone, or the San Blas neighborhood.

• 2) Is it safe to walk around the Historic Center of Cusco?

  The Historic Center of Cusco is a safe area, heavily trafficked by people. During the day, it is common to see tourists walking the streets, visiting museums, restaurants, or shops. Although, as in any tourist destination, we recommend taking basic precautions, keeping an eye on your belongings, and avoiding poorly lit streets at night.

• 3) How long does it take to visit the main attractions of Cusco’s center?

  Most attractions are less than 15 minutes on foot from Plaza de Armas. A leisurely tour of the Historic Center can take between half a day and a full day, depending on how much time you want to spend in museums, churches, and viewpoints.

• 4) How can I take a taxi in Cusco?

  Taxis constantly circulate throughout the city and can be easily hailed on the street. Most of them have a visible sign. We also recommend using mobile apps like Uber or InDrive, which allow you to request a ride quickly and safely.

• 5) How much does a taxi cost in Cusco?

  Fares are relatively cheap compared to other tourist cities. A short ride within the center costs around 5 soles, while longer trips within the city can reach around 20 soles. We suggest agreeing on the price with the driver before starting the trip.

• 6) How long does a taxi ride take within Cusco?

  Cusco is a relatively compact and small city, so most taxi trips take less than 30 minutes. For example, the trip from the Historic Center to the airport usually takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

• 7) How much does public transportation cost in Cusco?

  The fare is quite affordable, with most routes costing around 1 sol. For trips to more distant areas, the fare may vary slightly.

• 8) Can I use public transport to visit nearby archaeological sites?

  Some public transport routes go to areas near archaeological sites like Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, or Tambomachay. However, many visitors prefer to use taxis or organized tours for greater comfort.

• 9) How can I travel from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas?

  There are transport services that depart from Pavitos and Puputi Streets to towns in the Sacred Valley like Pisac, Urubamba, Calca, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero. You can also book organized tours that include transportation and a guide throughout the journey.

• 10) How do I get to Machu Picchu from Cusco?

  The most comfortable way is to take the train to Aguas Calientes town. Typically, you first take a car ride to Ollantaytambo, from where the trains depart to the Sacred Valley, leading to the base town of Machu Picchu.

Advice from people who have been there

Cusco

By: Theo W.

“Trip to the Sacred Valley“

“To visit the Sacred Valley, I decided to take an organized tour, and it was a great decision. We were able to visit several towns and archaeological sites in one day without worrying about transportation.“

By Ticket Machu Picchu – Last updated, March 10, 2026