Uber in Cusco: Uber, inDrive, street taxi or private transfer?

Short answer: ride apps do work in Cusco: inDrive is one of the most used, and Uber availability varies by time and area. They are fine for short trips around the city. For the airport, train stations and long routes (Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Hydroelectric), a booked private transfer at a fixed price is the better choice: Cusco airport to your hotel from US$10 (S/ 35) per vehicle.

Does Uber work in Cusco? What to expect

Cusco is not Lima. The capital has several apps and thousands of drivers; in Cusco the supply is smaller and changes a lot with the time, the day and the neighborhood. This is what travelers usually find:

• Uber: patchy availability. You may find cars near the center at some hours and none at others, especially before dawn or on the outskirts.
• inDrive: widely used by locals. It works on an offer system: you suggest a fare and drivers accept or counter-offer. Expect some haggling and, often, cash payment.
• Street taxis: plentiful in the center and along the main avenues. There are no meters; you agree the fare before getting in.
• Radio taxis: local companies your hotel or restaurant can call for you. Usually a sensible choice for city trips at night.
• Booked private transfer: a vehicle and driver just for your group, at a fixed price agreed in advance. The standard choice for the airport, trains and day trips.

One thing few guides mention: much of the historic center is pedestrian-only, narrow or one-way. The pick-up pin an app drops is sometimes unreachable by car, and driver and passenger waste minutes calling each other. Within the center, many distances are quicker on foot.

Ride app vs street taxi vs private transfer

When a ride app makes sense, and when it doesn’t

Good idea

• Short hops around the city: from the center to a restaurant in another district, a shopping mall or your hotel in Wanchaq.
• Getting up to hillside neighborhoods like San Blas or San Cristóbal when the altitude makes the climb hard work.
• When you have mobile data, know exactly where you are and aren’t carrying luggage.

Bad idea

• Arriving at the airport: you have just landed, maybe without signal, with bags and the altitude kicking in. App pick-ups are unreliable and spotting your car in the crowd is hard. See our Cusco airport guide.
• Early-morning trains: trains to Machu Picchu leave early from Ollantaytambo and, seasonally, from Poroy. At that hour few app drivers are online, and missing the train is expensive. Check your station in Cusco train stations.
• Long routes: the Sacred Valley, Maras, Moray or the Hydroelectric station mean hours on mountain roads. Many app drivers won’t accept them, ask to be paid for the empty return or cancel.
• Trips with stops: an app won’t wait while you explore Pisac or Moray. That is what a Sacred Valley tour or a private car with stops is for.
• Groups of 4+ with suitcases: the typical app car simply doesn’t fit everyone.

How to take a street taxi in Cusco safely

Most Cusco taxi drivers are honest, but a few simple rules help, especially at night:

1. Pick a marked taxi: company name or logo, visible number and a clear license plate. Avoid cars with no identification at all.
2. Agree the fare before you get in: there are no meters. Say where you’re going and ask the price; if it sounds high, let that one go.
3. Confirm the currency: make sure the price is in soles and for the whole car, not per person.
4. Carry small notes: many drivers can’t break large bills.
5. Snap a photo of the plate and share your location with someone in your group or your hotel.
6. Sit in the back and keep valuables with you, not in the trunk.
7. At night, have a taxi called for you from your hotel or restaurant instead of flagging one down.

More advice on our safe taxi in Cusco page.

Step by step: booking a fixed-price private transfer

1. Message us on WhatsApp at +51 914 391 285 with your route, date, time, number of passengers and bags.
2. We confirm the right vehicle and the fixed price per vehicle before you travel.
3. For the airport, send your flight number; for the train, your station and departure time.
4. On the day, your driver picks you up at the agreed time and helps with your luggage.
5. Before and during the ride you can reach us 24/7 on WhatsApp.

Prices are per vehicle, not per person, so the cost per traveler drops in a group. Heading to the Hydroelectric station? Read our Hydroelectric route guide first.

Night, altitude and high season

At night

Central Cusco stays lively until late, but some streets empty early, especially those climbing to San Blas or San Cristóbal. To get back after dinner, have a taxi called or request an app ride from a well-lit spot with car access, such as an avenue or the corner of a square. If you leave before dawn for the airport or a station, book the day before; our 24-hour taxi is set up for exactly that.

Altitude changes your plans

Cusco sits at 3,399 m (11,150 ft). A ten-minute walk at home feels twice as hard here, particularly uphill and during your first days. A short taxi ride up to your guesthouse or the San Cristóbal viewpoint is money well spent. For Sacsayhuamán, see how to get to Sacsayhuamán.

High season and festivals

From May to September, and above all around Inti Raymi (June 24), demand for transport soars. Apps take longer to find a driver and street taxis raise their fares. On those dates, book the key transfers ahead: airport, trains and day trips. In the rainy season (November to March), finding a taxi in an afternoon downpour is harder too.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming Uber works like it does at home: always have a plan B (a taxi called by your hotel or a booked transfer).
• Requesting a ride on a pedestrian street: drop the pin on a street cars can reach.
• Leaving transport to the train or flight until that morning: at 4 or 5 a.m. very few drivers are online.
• Taking a long route without agreeing the details: if an app or street driver agrees to go to the Sacred Valley, confirm whether the price covers stops, waiting time and the return trip.
• Mixing up soles and dollars: always confirm the currency before getting in.
• Traveling without data or a saved address: keep your hotel address on your phone and on paper.

If you’d rather see the city without thinking about transport at all, our Cusco city tour covers the main sights.

Why trust this guide

This guide is written by the local drivers of Viajes D’MARC, who have been driving around Cusco, the airport, the train stations and the Sacred Valley every day since 2010. We run private vehicles with SOAT insurance and satellite tracking, and you can read our real reviews on TripAdvisor. Updated November 2026.

Frequently asked questions