Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Also known as: Cusco Airport, Cuzco Airport, CUZ Airport, Velasco Astete Airport.
Private transfer from CUZSee pricesSee pricesAbout Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) is the airport for Cusco in southern Peru, the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. It sits inside the city, between the Wánchaq and San Sebastián districts, about 3.7 km from the historic center, at an elevation of about 3,310 m (10,860 ft).
Most flights are domestic. LATAM, Sky Airline and JetSMART fly many daily flights to Lima and also link Cusco with Arequipa, and LATAM and Sky fly to Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon. International routes are few: Avianca and Boliviana de Aviación fly to La Paz, and LATAM flies to Santiago de Chile. The airport handled about 3.2 million passengers from January to August 2025.
There is one terminal, with jet bridges. Because the runway lies close to the city, the airport works at limited capacity, and a new airport is under construction at Chinchero, in the Sacred Valley, to replace it.
From the airport, most travelers go to hotels around the Plaza de Armas and San Blas, or straight to the Sacred Valley towns of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, where trains leave for Machu Picchu. Others continue by train or bus to Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
CORPAC
- Passengers
About 3.2 million from January to August 2025
- Elevation
About 3,310 m (10,860 ft)
- Runway
One, 10/28, about 3,400 m
- Operating hours
04:00 to 02:00 daily, since December 2025
Arrival tips for Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
Most travelers reach Cusco on a domestic flight from Lima, so you clear Peruvian immigration and customs in Lima and simply collect your bags in Cusco. If you fly in directly from La Paz or Santiago, you go through immigration and customs here.
Cusco has one terminal, and baggage claim is quick. Take it slowly as you walk out: you are at about 3,310 m (10,860 ft), and many visitors feel the altitude within minutes of landing, so carry your water and avoid rushing with heavy bags.
In the arrivals area, use the authorized taxi counters rather than accepting offers from drivers in the hall or outside. Car rental offices are across from the main entrance, and a PeruRail sales office is inside the terminal if you still need train tickets to Machu Picchu or Puno. Pre-booked drivers usually wait outside the arrivals exit with a name sign.
Peru is on UTC−5 all year, with no daylight saving time, and uses the Peruvian sol.
Ground transportation
Most travelers take an authorized taxi or a pre-booked car; there is no train or metro to the airport.
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Book a transfer from CUZTaxi from Cusco airport
Use the authorized taxi counters in the arrivals area; fares depend on the number of passengers and bags. It is the quickest way to hotels in the historic center.
Airport shuttles
Aeroexpreso and other airport shuttle services run into Cusco, some door to door; they can wait to fill up.
Car rental
Sixt, Thrifty, Dollar and Hertz rent cars from offices across from the main entrance, though driving and parking in the narrow streets of the historic center are hard.
Train stations
No train serves the airport. Take a taxi or shuttle to Wanchaq station for Puno, or to Poroy or Ollantaytambo for trains to Machu Picchu.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you outside arrivals and goes straight to your hotel in Cusco or on to the Sacred Valley, useful with luggage at altitude.
Terminals
Main Terminal
The single terminal for domestic and international flights, with jet bridges, taxi counters in arrivals and a PeruRail sales office.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Avianca, Boliviana de Aviación, JetSMART, LATAM Airlines, Sky Airline
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
Authorized taxi counters
In the arrivals area, for official taxis into the city.
PeruRail sales office
Inside the terminal, for train tickets to Machu Picchu and Puno.
Car rental
Sixt, Thrifty, Dollar and Hertz have offices across from the main entrance.
Shops and cafés
A commercial area with shops and food outlets in the terminal.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Request wheelchair or boarding assistance from your airline when you book, and confirm it before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Cusco airport from the city center?
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is inside Cusco, between the Wánchaq and San Sebastián districts, about 3.7 km from the historic center and the Plaza de Armas area. Authorized taxis and pre-booked cars wait at the terminal, and the ride into the center is short outside rush hour.
Is Cuzco airport the same as Cusco airport?
Yes. Cusco and Cuzco are two spellings of the same city, and both refer to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, code CUZ. Cusco is the spelling used in Peru today, while Cuzco still appears on some airline sites, maps and older guidebooks.
How high is Cusco airport?
The airport sits at about 3,310 m (10,860 ft), and the city of Cusco is at about 3,400 m. Many visitors feel short of breath or get headaches on arrival, so walk slowly, drink water, rest on the first day and go easy on alcohol. Some travelers head down to the Sacred Valley first.
Is there a train from Cusco airport to Machu Picchu?
No. No train serves the airport, and Machu Picchu cannot be reached by road. Trains to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) leave from Poroy station, near Cusco, and from Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, so take a taxi or pre-booked car to the station. PeruRail has a sales office in the terminal.
How do I get from Cusco airport to the Sacred Valley?
By road. The Sacred Valley towns of Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Pisac are northwest of Cusco, reached by taxi, pre-booked car or tour bus from the airport. Many travelers go straight there on arrival, because the valley is lower than Cusco and Ollantaytambo is a starting point for Machu Picchu trains.
How do I get a taxi at Cusco airport?
Use the authorized taxi counters in the arrivals area, where you agree the ride before you leave the terminal; fares depend on the number of passengers and bags. Turn down offers from drivers who approach you in the hall or outside, and check the company before getting in.
Which airlines fly to Cusco?
LATAM, Sky Airline and JetSMART fly many daily flights between Lima and Cusco, and also link Cusco with Arequipa; LATAM and Sky fly to Puerto Maldonado. International flights are few: Avianca and Boliviana de Aviación fly to La Paz, and LATAM flies to Santiago de Chile.
Do I go through immigration at Cusco airport?
Only if you fly in directly from abroad, for example from La Paz or Santiago. Most international travelers connect through Lima, where they clear Peruvian immigration and customs, and then arrive in Cusco on a domestic flight, so they simply collect their bags and walk out.
What are the opening hours of Cusco airport?
Since 1 December 2025, Cusco airport operates from 04:00 to 02:00 the next day, 22 hours daily, according to CORPAC, which runs it. Before that it opened from 05:00 to 01:00. The terminal is closed to flights in the remaining overnight hours, so check your flight time.
Is Cusco getting a new airport at Chinchero?
Yes. A new international airport is under construction at Chinchero, in the Sacred Valley northwest of Cusco, to replace Alejandro Velasco Astete. Until it opens, every commercial flight to Cusco uses the current airport in the city, so a ticket to CUZ lands at Velasco Astete.
What currency and time zone does Cusco use?
Peru uses the Peruvian sol (PEN). Carry some soles in small notes for taxis, tips and markets, although cards are accepted in many hotels and restaurants. Cusco is on Peru time, UTC−5 all year, with no daylight saving time, the same as Lima.