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Machu Picchu, Cusco

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Peru

Travel to Cusco

Flying to Cusco

There are no direct flights to Cusco from the UK. However, indirect flights to Cusco via Lima are offered by a number of airlines such as Lan Airlines, Tam, British Airways and American Airlines. Cusco’s peak summer season runs between December-March. If you’re seeking cheap flights to Cusco, fly during off-peak periods.

Travel by road

Summary:

Few Peruvians stick to the country’s speed limits, which are 100kph (62mph) on motorways and between 80kph (50mph) or 45kph (28mph) on smaller roads.The minimum age for driving is 18 years. To enter Peru in a private vehicle, the driver needs an International Driving Permit, proof of customs payment (libreta de pago por la aduana) and a registration document in the name of the driver. Proof of insurance (best arranged in the visitor's home country) is also needed. A non-extendable 90-day transit permit (Formulario 015) is available at land borders and allows travellers to bring a vehicle into Peru. There is no charge. International driving permits are technically only valid for 30 days in Peru, after which a permit from the Touring The Touring and Automobile Club of Peru is required. In practice a UK or US photo licence is generally accepted without question.

Contact the Touring and Automobile Club of Peru (Touring y Automóvil Club del Peru) (tel: (01) 44 0345), for more info.

Coaches:

Cusco has a long distance bus terminal, Terminal Terrestre, at Avenida Vallegos Santoni, 2km (1.25 miles) southeast from Cusco. Buses from and to most major cities leave and arrive from this station, although smaller towns in the Cusco region are still serviced from other stops, so check carefully in advance.

Cruz del Sur (tel: (84) 221 909; www.cruzdelsur.com.pe) is by far the most reliable coach operator and it is worth paying the extra money for. Ormeño (tel: 84 227 501; www.grupo-ormeno.com.pe), Expreso Molina (tel: 84 249 512) and Palomino (tel: 84 222 694) also ply the route from Lima to Cusco. Companies with bus services to Juliaca and Puno include Ormeño, although there are plenty to choose from. Buses to La Paz and Copacabana in Bolivia, and Tacna on the Chilean border also leave from Terminal Terrestre.

Travel by rail

Services:

Cusco has two train stations. Estación San Pedro (tel: (84) 221 992), near the central market, is the most regularly used station in Peru, with several daily services arriving from and departing to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, via Poroy and Ollantaytambo. Estación Huanchac (tel: (84) 238 722), near the southern end of Avenida Sol, serves Urcos, Juliaca and Puno. For the most up-to-date timetables, check www.perurail.com

Journey times:

From Machu Picchu – 3 hours; Puno – 10 hours.

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