Airport transfers
Cusco Airport ⇄ Ollantaytambo
Private transfer from Cusco airport to Ollantaytambo, ideal to catch the train to Machu Picchu.
The Cusco airport to Ollantaytambo transfer is a private drive of about 75 km and roughly 1 hour 50 minutes, from the airport exit to your hotel in Ollantaytambo or the train station for Machu Picchu. It costs from US$51 (S/ 180) per vehicle, not per person. It suits you if you want to start your trip in this living Inca town, sleep at about 2,800 m (9,200 ft) or connect your flight with the train on the same day.
How the transfer works
Send us your flight number on WhatsApp, your destination (hotel or station) and, if you are catching a train, its departure time and operator. Your driver waits for you at the airport exit and helps with your luggage. If your flight is delayed, we coordinate the new pick-up time with you and the driver.
Ollantaytambo keeps its narrow Inca streets, and the access road to the station jams around train times. Your driver drops you as close as traffic allows and helps with your bags. The station is a 10–15 minute walk from the main square, downhill toward the river.
The route: Chinchero, Urubamba and the Vilcanota River
You leave the city via Poroy and cross the Chinchero plateau at about 3,750 m, with the snowy Urubamba range ahead. The road then drops into the valley, passes through Urubamba and follows the Vilcanota River for the last 20 km to Ollantaytambo. If you have no train that day, ask for a stop at a viewpoint or for lunch in Urubamba. There is also a longer route via Pisac, which only makes sense without a fixed departure time.
Flight and train on the same day
- Leave a buffer: we recommend a train leaving at least about 4 hours after your flight’s scheduled arrival. Delays happen, especially with cloud in the rainy season.
- Be early: rail operators ask you to be at the station at least 30 minutes before departure.
- Luggage: only small hand luggage is allowed on the train (around 5 kg per person; confirm with PeruRail or Inca Rail). Leave big suitcases at the hotel where you will sleep next.
- Documents: keep at hand the passport you used to buy your train ticket and your Machu Picchu entry.
- Check the station: if your ticket says Poroy or San Pedro, this is not your transfer. See our Cusco train stations guide.
Which vehicle to choose
A sedan carries up to 3 passengers with two large suitcases. With 4 or 5 people, or big trekking backpacks, an SUV is the better fit; a family of 6 travels well in a minivan. Groups of up to 12 take the Sprinter, and agencies or large groups connecting with the train can book a minibus or a bus with up to 30 seats.
Related trips
Coming back from Machu Picchu, we wait for you at the station with the Ollantaytambo ⇄ Cusco transfer, or the Ollantaytambo ⇄ Urubamba transfer if you are staying in the valley. To plan the whole connection, read how to get to Machu Picchu and our Cusco to Ollantaytambo guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer from Cusco airport to Ollantaytambo?
From US$51 (S/ 180) per vehicle in a sedan, to your hotel or the train station, at a fixed price confirmed before you travel. You pay for the vehicle, not per person.
How long does it take from Cusco airport to Ollantaytambo?
About 1 hour 50 minutes for roughly 75 km via Chinchero and Urubamba, without stops. At rush hour, getting out of Cusco can add 15 to 30 minutes.
Can I go from the airport straight to the Machu Picchu train?
Yes, we drop you at Ollantaytambo station. To travel without stress, pick a train leaving at least about 4 hours after your flight’s scheduled arrival and confirm the timetable with the rail operator.
What if my flight is delayed and I might miss my train?
Message us on WhatsApp as soon as you know and we coordinate the pick-up with your driver. If the margin is not enough, any train change is handled with the rail operator, which is why we insist on a buffer of several hours.
Do you also drive from Ollantaytambo to Cusco airport?
Yes, the route can be booked in the opposite direction at the same price. For a domestic flight, plan to leave Ollantaytambo about 4 hours before departure.
What’s included
- Private vehicle just for your group
- Professional local driver
- Door-to-door pick-up
- Help with luggage
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- 24/7 assistance on WhatsApp
Book this transfer
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Travel guides
Useful guides for this trip
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How does a private transfer work?
Your driver waits for you at the agreed place (airport, train station or your hotel lobby), helps with your luggage and takes you straight to your destination. The vehicle is just for your group, with no stops to pick up other passengers.
Is the price per person or per vehicle?
Per vehicle. The price of each route is for the whole car, no matter how many people travel within its capacity. Choose the vehicle according to your group size and luggage.
How much is a taxi from Cusco airport to the city center?
A private transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete airport to your hotel in central Cusco starts at US$10 (S/ 35) per vehicle in a sedan, for up to 3 passengers. For larger groups we have SUVs, minivans and vehicles of up to 30 seats.
What happens if my flight or train is delayed?
Share your flight number or train schedule when you book. If there is a delay, we coordinate with your driver on WhatsApp so they wait for you when you arrive.
Can we make stops on the way?
Yes. On transfers you can ask for short stops for photos, an ATM or a pharmacy. On private tours you decide how long to stay at each place.
Can I change or cancel my booking?
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp or email as soon as possible. Date or time changes are free subject to availability; cancellation conditions are confirmed when you book.
How do I pay?
You send your request without paying anything. We confirm availability and the final price by WhatsApp or email, and let you know the payment methods available for your booking.
Are the drivers trustworthy?
Yes. We are a Cusco company with professional drivers who have clean records and years of experience on Andean roads. All our vehicles have valid SOAT insurance and satellite tracking.