The Cusco Airport Guide
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on July 12, 2024 by James Bustamante
The Cusco airport is one of the most important gateways for travel in all of Peru. It is called the Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, and it is located in the province and region of Cusco. If you want to get to the city of Cusco, the Machu Picchu hike, the rainbow mountain, or the Sacred Valley, you will first need to reach this airport. Let’s go over one of the most visited airports in all of Peru.
Where is The Cusco Airport?
The Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco Airport is located in the province of Cusco within the Wanchaq District in San Sebastian. This is approximately 2.29 miles (3.7 km) from the main square in the city of Cusco. A drive from the airport to the center of the city can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco Airport Description
The airport in Cusco was established in December 1964 in order to connect it to Lima as well as other major destinations in Peru. Today the Cusco airport receives people flying in from many different parts of Peru. It is mainly a domestic airport; however, it does receive some international flights coming in from some countries in the region, such as Bolivia.
The Velasco Astete Cusco Airport is quite small if you think of the number of travelers that arrive in the region today. It is a well-equipped airport overall, though, and at one point, it was one of the most modern airports in the country (remember it was established in 1964). This airport was the first one in the country to have boarding bridges available; this was not adopted by the Lima Jorge Chavez international airport until much later.
As I mentioned, the airport is quite small by today’s standards however, the runway is a good size. Measuring 11,154.86 feet or 3,400 meters in length, the airport is well equipped for receiving planes as well as having departing flights that need to fly over the Andes mountains.
The airport only has 5 gates which are too few today for the thousands of travelers that arrive in Cusco every year. There are plans to revamp the airport since the idea of creating a new airport in “Chinchero” has been canceled.
Why Is It Called The Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport?
The airport in Cusco is named after the Peruvian pilot Alejandro Velasco Astete who had the honor of being the first person to ever fly across the Andes mountains back in 1925.
An interesting footnote regarding the pilot Alejandro Velasco Astete is that the same year he cleared the Andes mountains was also the year he perished. During a demonstration where he was flying over the city of Puno (another highland city in Peru), the pilot lost control of the airplane.
The story states that in order to avoid hitting a crowd of spectators that had attended the demonstration, his plane lost altitude and crashed. This, of course, resulted in the pilot’s death in 1925.
Transportation From Cusco Airport to Cusco City Center
When you arrive at the airport in Cusco, you’ll find that the process of getting your luggage and leaving the complex is very quick. Since the airport is small, the staff is focused on making sure you are out of the building as soon and as comfortably as possible. Once you are out, you will need to head to the Cusco city center, where all hotels and hostels are located.
As you are leaving, you can book one of the official airport cabs that are waiting for clients. The average price for the taxi ride will range from $10 – $15 US (30 – 45 Peruvian Soles).
If you would like to pay a little less, you can walk outside of the main entrance and find unofficial airport cab drivers waiting to pick up clients. The price can range from $5 – $10 US (15 – 30 Peruvian Soles). It is slightly cheaper, but the cars might not be at the same quality level as the official airport taxis.
Lastly, you can take a bus to the city center. There are no buses that come into the airport complex to pick up passengers, so you’ll have to walk outside to the “Pecsa Petrol Station” with your luggage to find one. The good news is that buses pass by very frequently, so finding one won’t ever be an issue. The price will range from $0.25 – $1 US (0.60 Peruvian centimos to 3 Peruvian Soles).
Cusco Airport General Information
Operating Schedule: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm
Airport IATA Code: CUZ
Airport ICAO code: SPZO
Contact Information
Email Address: [email protected]
Website: https://www.corpac.gob.pe
Telephone Numbers: +51 (0)84 22-2611 | +51 (0)84 22-2601
Routes To and From The Cusco Airport
The Cusco airport is one of the most important when it comes to tourism in Peru. It has incoming and outgoing flights with the following locations.
Domestic Flights
- Lima
- Juliaca (Puno)
- Iquitos
- Puerto Maldonado (Amazon Rainforest)
- Arequipa
- Trujillo
International Flights
- Bolivia – To and from La Paz
- Colombia – To and from Bogota
Facilities in the Cusco Airport
The airport in Cusco is equipped with restaurants, stores, and currency exchange booths. Below is a list of everything you’ll find around the airport.
Restaurants and Bars
Suppose you get hungry while in the airport, there are a few options for you to choose from. The largest one is “Cafeteria Aeropuerto,” where you can get anything from sandwiches, salads to Peruvian dishes like Lomo Saltado. Prices are what you would expect in an airport for the most part.
You can also find several snack bars scattered throughout the first and second floors of the airport. So if you are just looking for a snack, soda, or plain coffee, you should have absolutely no problem finding a place.
Money Exchange Booths
If you need to exchange currency, you will find a booth on the first floor of the airport. The exchange rates here will not be great. if you are arriving, you might want to wait until you reach the Cusco city center to exchange currency.
Souvenir Stores
On the second floor, you will find small shops that sell souvenirs which include Pisco, chocolates, puzzles, Machu Picchu keychains, and plenty of other items. This is definitely not the right place to purchase souvenirs if you are just arriving in Cusco, though. If you are departing and forgot to get something for friends and family back home, then you are in luck.
The Club Lounge
The club lounge on the first floor is a comfortable place to wait for your next flight. It offers WiFi, monitors to check on flights, drinks, and even a small assortment of snacks to choose from. The cost of $30/person is accessible to most travelers, so you aren’t really breaking the bank by using it. It includes drinks and food as well as comfortable seats.
If you are a Diners Club International member, then the lounge is free to use. It also offers wheelchair access to anyone who needs it. The members’ lounge operates on a 6:00 am to 4:00 pm schedule, so if you want to use it, plan accordingly.
ATMs at The Airport
On the first floor, you can find ATM machines that accept Visa, Amex, MasterCard, and most other major credit or debit cards. All of Peru’s major banks will have at least one ATM at the airport. This includes BBVA, Banco de Credito, Interbank (Globalnet), and Scotiabank.
Airport Tourist Desk
On the first floor, you will also run into a tourist booth that is operated by the Peruvian Tourism Board (PromPeru). The booth can ask for information regarding Cusco as well as any other destination in Peru. If you’ve had issues with your hotel, tour operator, or even the airline, this is the place to have your voice heard and make a report. Operating hours at the information desk run from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Book Store
If you are looking for something to read, then visit the bookstore located on the second floor. You can find some books in English and a lot of information on Machu Picchu. You won’t find a list of NYT’s best sellers, but you might find some interesting reads.
Department Stores
Once you get past the check-in section and move on to the boarding section, you will find a few other stores. If you are looking for Alpaca products, you can head to KUNA. If you want a last chance to buy Peruvian jewelry made in Silver, visit the Ilaria store before boarding your plane. There is also a very nice store that sells tapestries in this section. All three can be considered high-end stores that offer very good products.
Conclusion
The airport in Cusco is small but has a quick process to get passengers out and explore the city as soon as possible. If you are departing Cusco, the airport offers the basic facilities necessary to make the wait as comfortable as possible. If you are traveling with us, one of our drivers will be at the entrance, ready to get your luggage and take you to your hotel. For more information on Airports in Peru Machu Picchu, travel packages, or anything related to Peru, contact our travel advisers today.
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