Airport transfers
Cusco Airport ⇄ Sacred Valley (Urubamba)
Private transfer from Cusco airport to your hotel in Urubamba and the Sacred Valley.
The Cusco airport to Sacred Valley transfer takes you from the airport exit to the door of your hotel in Urubamba, Yucay or Huaran, without spending your first night in the city. It covers about 56 km in roughly 1 hour 20 minutes via Chinchero and costs from US$57 (S/ 200) per vehicle. It is the go-to option for travelers who want to acclimatize by sleeping lower: Urubamba sits at about 2,870 m (9,400 ft), some 500 m below Cusco.
How the transfer works
Book on WhatsApp with your flight number, hotel name, number of travelers and bags, and we confirm a fixed price before you travel. Your driver waits for you at the airport exit, loads the luggage and heads straight for the valley. If your flight is delayed, we coordinate the new time with your driver.
Many valley hotels and country lodges sit on unsigned dirt lanes. Send us the exact location (a Google Maps pin is perfect) so your driver drops you at the door rather than on the main road.
The route via Chinchero
From the airport you leave the city toward Poroy and climb onto the Chinchero plateau, the highest point of the trip at about 3,750 m, with views of the snowy Urubamba range. The paved road then winds down in a series of bends to the valley floor and Urubamba. Yucay is about 3 km from town and Huaran a little further on, toward Calca.
If you like, your driver can pull over for a few minutes at a viewpoint on the way down, facing the valley and the peaks. The Maras salt pans and Moray are close to the route, but they add 2–3 hours: save them for another day, once you have rested.
Which vehicle to choose
A sedan is enough for a couple or a solo traveler (up to 3 passengers and two large suitcases). A family of 4 or 5 with luggage is more comfortable in an SUV, and 6 people with a suitcase each fit a minivan. Groups of up to 12 take the Sprinter; larger groups, a minibus or a bus with up to 30 seats, common for weddings and retreats in the valley. Bringing gear for the Inca Trail or Lares? Tell us so we can plan the space.
Tips for arriving in the valley
- You go down, but first you go up: the road crosses about 3,750 m at Chinchero. Drink water, eat light and rest on your arrival afternoon. More in our altitude sickness in Cusco guide.
- Carry cash: many mototaxis and shops in the valley only take soles; there are ATMs at the airport and in Urubamba.
- For your flight home, leave Urubamba about 3.5 hours before departure.
- Heading on to Machu Picchu? Ollantaytambo station is about 25–30 minutes from Urubamba.
Related trips
From your hotel, the Urubamba ⇄ Ollantaytambo transfer drops you at the train station. To explore the valley at your own pace, see the Maras and Moray tour or the private Sacred Valley tour. Where to stay and what to do is covered in our Urubamba guide. Sleeping in Ollantaytambo instead? Book the Cusco airport ⇄ Ollantaytambo transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer from Cusco airport to the Sacred Valley?
From US$57 (S/ 200) per vehicle in a sedan to Urubamba, Yucay or Huaran, at a fixed price confirmed before you travel. You pay for the vehicle, not per person.
How long is the drive from Cusco airport to Urubamba?
About 1 hour 20 minutes for roughly 56 km via Chinchero, without stops. With traffic leaving the city it can get close to 1 hour 30 minutes.
Is there direct public transport from the airport to the Sacred Valley?
There is no direct service. The alternative is a taxi to the colectivo stop in Cusco and then a colectivo, which leaves when full and has little room for suitcases.
Should I spend my first night in the Sacred Valley or in Cusco?
Many travelers choose the valley because Urubamba is about 500 m lower than Cusco, which usually makes the first nights easier. Cusco is then left for the end of the trip.
Can I book the transfer from the Sacred Valley to the airport?
Yes, the route can be booked in the opposite direction at the same price. We pick you up at your hotel; plan to leave about 3.5 hours before your flight.
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
-
Urubamba, Peru: things to do, how to get there and where to stay in the Sacred Valley
A practical guide to Urubamba, the town at the heart of the Sacred Valley: getting there from Cusco…
-
Cusco altitude sickness: how high is Cusco, symptoms and how to prevent it
How high Cusco really is, what altitude sickness (soroche) feels like, the warning signs that need a doctor,…
-
Cusco Airport (CUZ) guide: taxi to the city, arrivals and departures
Everything about Cusco airport (Alejandro Velasco Astete, CUZ): how far it is from the city, what a taxi…
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.