How to travel from Cusco to Arequipa, Peru

The distance between Cusco and Arequipa is around 327km (203 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 1h 20m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Cusco to Arequipa by plane, bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out ArequipaCusco if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Cuzco (CUZ) to Arequipa (AQP).

  • Duration1h 20m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    $80($80)
Operated by

LATAM Chile

+ 1 others
💰 Cheapest
2
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Arequipa.

  • Duration10hrs
  • Departsevery 20 mins
  • Typical cost
    $16($16)
Operated by

Cromotex

+ 8 others
3
train
+

Train

Take the train to Arequipa.

  • Duration2 days 4h
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    $3,415($3,415)
Operated by

PeruRail

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Arequipa.

  • Duration8h 35m
  • Distance498km (310 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Cusco and Arequipa

There are several options for getting from Cusco to Arequipa by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around $16 and will take around 10hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 1h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately $80.

The distance between Cusco and Arequipa is around 327km (203 miles).

It takes around 1h 20m to get from Cusco and Arequipa by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 8h 35m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Cusco to Arequipa is to fly which takes around 1h 20m and will set you back approx $80.

The cheapest way to travel between Cusco and Arequipa, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around $16 for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Cusco and Arequipa. It typically takes around 2 days 4h and departs once a week.

Yes there is a direct train service that runs between Cusco and Arequipa with no changeovers required. The train runs once a week and takes 2 days 4h.

PeruRail run train services between Cusco and Arequipa. Trains depart once a week and will take around 2 days 4h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Cusco and Arequipa. It typically takes around 10hrs and departs twice daily.

Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Cusco and Arequipa with no changeovers required. The bus runs twice daily and takes 10hrs.

Cromotex, Transportes Reyna, Turismo Puma, Romeliza, Flores Hermanos, Movil Tours, Transzela and Oltursa run regular bus services between Cusco and Arequipa. Buses run twice daily and take around 10hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Cusco and Arequipa. Flights depart from Cuzco (CUZ) and arrive at Arequipa (AQP). The flight takes around 1hr.

Yes there is a direct flight between Cusco and Arequipa with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 1hr.

LATAM Chile and Sky Airline fly between Cusco and Arequipa. Flights depart from Cuzco (CUZ) and and arrive into Arequipa (AQP). These flights usually take around 1hr.

The flight from Cusco to Arequipa typically takes around 1hr. Flights depart from Cuzco (CUZ) and and arrive into Arequipa (AQP).

The closest major airport to Arequipa is Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP) (AQP) which is approximately 7km (4 miles) from Arequipa. Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) (LIM) and Huanuco Airport (HUU) (HUU) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Cusco and Arequipa. The distance is around 498km (310 miles) by road and it will take around 8h 35m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Cusco to Arequipa is to fly which takes, on average, 1h 20m and will usually cost around $80.

How do I get from Cusco to Arequipa

Compare travel optionsbetween Cusco and Arequipa

Transport options from Cusco to Arequipa
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
1h 20m
$80($80)
on demand327km (203 miles)
Bus
10hrs
$16($16)
every 20 mins500km (311 miles)
Train
2 days 4h
$3,415($3,415)
once a week645km (401 miles)
Drive
8h 35m
$46($46)
on demand498km (310 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Cusco and Arequipa

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Arequipa

The following major airports near Arequipa offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Peru and internationally.

AQP
Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP)
International Airport
Distance
7km (4 miles) from Arequipa
LIM
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM)
International Airport
Distance
773km (480 miles) from Arequipa
HUU
Huanuco Airport (HUU)
Domestic Airport
Distance
885km (550 miles) from Arequipa