Cusco by Bus
Cruz del Sur, Luxury Bus
Cusco Bus Terminal
The main Cusco bus terminal is located 5 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from historical Cusco and is called ‘Terminal Terrestre’. There are daily arrivals and departures to all major cities in Peru, plus busses to La Paz in Bolivia.
The bus terminal is bustling and often confusing for first time visitors. It is always best to purchase your tickets a few days before you travel, as often popular bus routes can be fully booked. At the bus station you will find many bus companies offering similar routes at similar fares, ask around to compare prices and busses. Bus tickets are generally not negotiable but be aware that often some companies will overcharge you as a foreigner.
Taxi’s from Plaza de Armas will charge around 4-5 soles, and taxi’s can be found on the main road outside the terminal.
Be warned! That Cusco by bus is an experience, if you don’t choose your bus company well. Mountain roads are windy and narrow, and often busses race along the roads without much thought for on-coming traffic, or passenger comfort. Accidents are rare, but they do happen. We think that Cruz del Sur whom operate a mainly new fleet of busses, offer the best service and regularly breath test drivers. If you have the option, we recommend that you fly!
Departure Tax
Before you board your bus you must pay the bus terminal departure tax or ‘tasa de embarque’. The tax is approimately 1.20 Soles, and can be purchased at one of the small booths in the center of the bus terminal. You will recieve a sticker, that you attach to your bus ticket. (You will not be allowed to get on the bus without it!!)
Peru Bus Companies
There are many bus companies to choose from in Peru and surprising some offer excellent modern double-decker busses with above average service. For a full breakdown of bus companies operating in Peru , please refer to our Bus Travel in Peru Section.
Cusco Bus Routes
Cusco – Nazca – Arequipa – Lima – Tacna – Puno – Juliaca – La Paz (Bolivia)
Tourist Busses
In additional to the regular bus companies that operate standard routes, there are also two companies in Cusco that operate a dedicated tourist service from Cusco to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
The journey time from Puno to Cusco by bus is approximately 8 hours, with tourist stops at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya and Pukara. There is also the option to include a buffet lunch en-route, depending on the type of ticket that you purchase. Both bus companies offer modern single and double-decker busses, with bilingual guides.
Inka Express Busses
Website: www.inkaexpress.com
Email Reservations: reservas@inkaexpress.com.pe
Cusco Office Telephone: ++51 84 247887
Address (Cusco): Urb. El Ovalo Av. La Paz C-23, Cusco
Address (Puno): Jiron Tacna 346, Puno
Ticket Sales: Calle Plateros 320, Cusco
Prices from US$30 per person.
First Class Busses
Website: www.firstclass.com.pe
Email Reservations: reservascusco@firstclass.com.pe
Cusco Office Telephone: ++51 84 255 648
Address (Cusco): Av. 28 de Julio N R-2, Cusco
Address (Puno central office): Av. Tacna N 300, Puno
Address (Puno bus station): Av. Ricardo Palma 315, Puno
Prices from US$30 per person.
Over the years we have put many people on these tourist services, and it has to be said that the feed-back we get from our clients is generally not that good. The main complaint is that the on-board guides are usually not that good, and that the service generally is quite poor. Many readers may prefer just to take a regular luxury bus direct. We suggest the Cruz del Sur service is probably one of the better ones.
