Cusco airport is remarkably close to the city center — just 5 km from Plaza de Armas. This makes it one of the cheapest airport-to-city transfers in South America. But pricing depends on how you get there and where exactly you are going.
Taxi fares from CUZ airport
There are two taxi options at Cusco airport with very different pricing:
Official airport taxi counter (inside terminal)
| Destination | Fare (PEN) | Fare (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza de Armas / city center | PEN 15–25 | EUR 3.50–6 |
| San Blas | PEN 15–25 | EUR 3.50–6 |
| San Pedro Market area | PEN 15–20 | EUR 3.50–5 |
| Sacsayhuaman | PEN 20–30 | EUR 5–7 |
| Poroy train station | PEN 30–50 | EUR 7–12 |
Street taxis (outside airport perimeter)
| Destination | Fare (PEN) | Fare (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza de Armas / city center | PEN 10–15 | EUR 2.50–3.50 |
| San Blas | PEN 10–15 | EUR 2.50–3.50 |
| Sacsayhuaman | PEN 15–25 | EUR 3.50–6 |
Street taxis are cheaper but require negotiation and offer less security. The official counter provides a fixed receipt.
Private transfer prices
| Destination | Sedan (EUR) | Minivan (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco city center | EUR 8–15 | EUR 12–20 |
| Sacred Valley (Urubamba/Pisac) | EUR 30–50 | EUR 40–65 |
| Ollantaytambo | EUR 40–65 | EUR 55–85 |
| Chinchero | EUR 20–35 | EUR 30–45 |
Private transfers include meet-and-greet service and are particularly valuable for longer rides to the Sacred Valley.
Longer distance transfers
Many visitors use Cusco airport as a gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. These longer transfers are where prices climb:
| Route | Distance | Time | Taxi (PEN) | Transfer (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CUZ to Ollantaytambo | 75 km | 1.5–2 hrs | PEN 120–180 | EUR 40–65 |
| CUZ to Urubamba | 60 km | 1–1.5 hrs | PEN 100–150 | EUR 30–50 |
| CUZ to Pisac | 33 km | 1–1.5 hrs | PEN 60–100 | EUR 18–30 |
| CUZ to Chinchero | 30 km | 45–60 min | PEN 50–80 | EUR 20–35 |
Currency notes
The Peruvian Sol (PEN) is the only practical currency for taxis. Drivers do not accept US dollars or euros. ATMs at the airport dispense Soles — withdraw before heading to the taxi stand. The exchange rate is roughly 1 EUR = 4.0–4.2 PEN.
What makes it more expensive
- Luggage: Generally no surcharge in Cusco, but if you have trekking equipment or oversized bags, a larger vehicle may be needed
- Multiple stops: Each additional stop adds PEN 5–10
- Festival days: During Inti Raymi (June) or major holidays, demand spikes and street taxi prices may increase
- Rain or poor weather: Prices do not officially change, but negotiating with street taxis becomes harder
Bottom line
Getting from Cusco airport to the city is remarkably cheap — EUR 3.50–6 by taxi. Even a private transfer to the center costs under EUR 15. The real expense comes if you are heading to the Sacred Valley, where a EUR 40–65 transfer to Ollantaytambo is still reasonable for the distance and service.