Peru Travel From Cuzco to Puno
Travel to Peru’s Top Tourist Spots by Plane, Bus or Train
The trip from Cuzco to Puno, a distance of 388 kilometres can be made by plane, bus or train; or to get the most out of the journey take the special tourist bus.
Before or after visiting the stunning Machu Picchu in Peru, visitors will often go to Puno, the gateway to Lake Titicaca. The trip from Cuzco to Puno, a distance of 388 kilometres can be made by plane, bus or train. Travelling by plane is obviously the fastest if you are short on time but you would miss out on the overland journey over the high sierra with views of the splendid Andean mountains.
By Plane
The Manco Capac Airport in Juliaca is the closest to the city of Puno. Flying time between Cusco and Juliaca is approximately 50 minutes. Juliaca is located forty-four kilometers north of Puno. From the airport, you can reach Puno by taxi with an average cost of US$20 or by minibus with an average cost of US$5 per person.
By Bus
The bus journey from Cuzco to Puno takes about seven hours. Buses depart from Terminal, Terreste, the main bus station in Cuzco, located a ten minute taxi ride from the main plaza. There is a day and overnight bus service travelling between Puno and Cuzco with a stop in Juliaca.
The schedule is as follows:
Depart Cuzco at 9 am – Arrive in Puno at 4 pm
Depart Cuzco at 9:30 pm – Arrive in Puno at 4:30am
Depart Puno at 9 am – Arrive in Cuzco at 4pm
Depart Puno at 9:30 pm – Arrive in Cuzco at 4:30am
Buses run daily and prices are between US$8-$12 depending on service.
By Special Tourist Bus (recommended)
The Special Tourist Bus takes longer than the local bus (roughly ten hours) but it includes three tourist stops and a buffet lunch. This trip also includes an English speaking guide and is a great way to see more of the Peruvian highlands.
The first stop on this tourist route is the church of San Pedro in Andahuaylillas, otherwise known as the Sistine Chapel of the Andes. Built on the site of an Inca temple, this humble looking church houses an assortment of Baroque art and frescoes encased in gaudy gold.From the church, the bus passes the occasional rundown house along the barren mountainside to Raqchi. A mark of Inca construction, the Wiracocha temple in Raqchi has trapezoid doorways and a foundation made of polished quadrangle shaped stones. The tour stops for photo opportunities at La Raya, where a view of the glacier capped Andes beckons to be photographed. At 4,335 metres above sea level, La Raya is the highest point between Cuzco and Puno. The last destination before you reach Puno is the Pucara stone museum. This museum is in Pucara’s main square and houses a small collection of original and replicated pieces from the pre-Inca Pucara culture.
The bus tour runs daily from Cuzco to Puno departing Cuzco at 7:30 am and arriving in Puno at 5:00 pm
By Train
The train travelling between Cuzco and Puno is slow but comfortable with lunch and afternoon tea included in the ticket price. The first class section of the train has a dining compartment, an elegant bar and a glass dome observation carriage. The journey includes one scenic stop at La Raya.
Train Schedule
Depart Cuzco 8:00am – Arrive in Puno 6:00pm
Depart Puno 8:00am – Arrive in Cuzco 6:00pm
From November to March: train runs Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
From April to October: train runs on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
