Overview
Perched at around 3,400m in the Peruvian Andes, Cuzco (Cusco) was the capital of the Inca empire and is the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Inca stonework, cobbled lanes and Spanish colonial churches ring the Plaza de Armas. There are no direct flights to Cuzco from the UK, so nearly every itinerary routes through Lima. Check the price charts on this page to see how live fares are moving before you book.
Best time to fly to Cuzco
Cuzco has two clear seasons. The dry season (roughly May to September) brings crisp, sunny days and cold nights — the most reliable window for trekking and the Inca Trail, but also the busiest and dearest. The wet season (November to March) is greener and quieter, with afternoon showers rather than all-day rain. April and October are pleasant shoulder months. June peaks with the Inti Raymi festival on the 24th, so book early. The When to book chart above shows how prices move across the year.
Airlines and routes
British Airways flies direct from London Heathrow to Lima in around 12 and a half hours. You can also connect through a European hub with Iberia or Air Europa (via Madrid), KLM (via Amsterdam) or Air France (via Paris), or route via the US with American Airlines or Delta. From Lima, the domestic hop to Cuzco takes about 1 hour 20 minutes with LATAM, Sky Airline or JetSMART. Allowing for the connection, expect a total journey of 18 to 24 hours depending on your layover.
Things to do in Cuzco
Give yourself a day or two in the city to acclimatise before heading higher.
- Plaza de Armas: the arcaded main square, framed by the cathedral and La Compañía church.
- Qorikancha: the Inca Temple of the Sun, with a colonial convent built onto its walls.
- Sacsayhuamán: a vast hilltop fortress of precisely fitted megalithic stones, just above town.
- San Blas: the steep artisan quarter of workshops, cafes and viewpoints.
- Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu: Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the train to Aguas Calientes for the citadel.
At Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
Cuzco's airport lies just 5 to 6km south-east of the historic centre — one of Peru's shortest transfers. An authorised taxi from the rank reaches the Plaza de Armas in 15 to 20 minutes; agree the fare first or have your hotel arrange a pickup. Shared vans pass along the nearby main road but have little luggage space. A long-planned replacement airport near Chinchero remains under construction, so all flights still use Velasco Astete.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cuzco
- Book roughly three to six months ahead for dry-season travel (June to August); the shoulder months are cheaper and quieter.
- Fly midweek where you can — Tuesday and Wednesday departures from the UK are often better value than weekends.
- Keep your dates flexible and use the price charts on this page to pinpoint the cheapest week.
- Compare a single through-ticket against booking London–Lima and Lima–Cuzco separately; splitting can save money, though a through-fare protects your connection.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders don't need a visa to visit Peru as tourists and are given up to 183 days on arrival, recorded electronically; carry a passport valid for at least six months. The local currency is the Peruvian sol (PEN) — cards work in most of Cuzco and ATMs are easy to find, but keep some cash for markets and taxis. No vaccinations are required for Cuzco or Machu Picchu, but as the city sits above 3,300m, take your first day slowly, drink plenty of water, and speak to your GP beforehand if you have a heart or lung condition.
