Travel Guide: Cusco To La Paz, Peru To Bolivia

There are several ways to get from Cusco, Peru to La Paz, Bolivia. The most popular options are flying, taking a bus, or driving. The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, which takes around 4 hours and costs between $130 and $420. Alternatively, you can take a bus, which is the cheapest option, costing between $10 and $80, but it will take around 16 hours. There are several bus companies that operate this route, including Trans Salvador, Trans Titicaca, and Peru Hop. The distance between Cusco and La Paz is approximately 335 miles, and the road distance is around 400 miles.

There are 5 ways to travel: plane, bus, train, car, or a combination of bus and train

There are 5 ways to travel from Cusco, Peru to La Paz, Bolivia: by plane, bus, train, car, or a combination of bus and train. Here is some more information on each of these options:

By Plane

Flying is the fastest way to travel between the two cities, with a flight time of around 4 hours. Prices for flights range from $130 to $380. Avianca - Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A. offers flights between the two cities four times a week.

By Bus

Taking the bus is the cheapest option, with tickets costing as little as $11 for a one-way trip. The journey takes approximately 14 hours, with up to 16 bus departures per day, including 7 overnight buses. The buses are operated by various companies, including Trans Salvador, Nuevo Continente Internacional, and Bolivia Hop.

By Train

To travel by train from Cusco to La Paz, you would need to take a combination of trains and buses. First, take the train from Cusco - Wanchaq to Puno. Then, take a bus from Terminal Terrestre Puno to Terminal de Buses Desaguadero. Finally, take the train from Guaqui to El Alto. The train operators for these routes include Empresa Ferroviaria Andina S.A. and Ferroviaria-andina.com.bo.

By Car

Driving is another option for this journey, as the route is paved. The driving distance between Cusco and La Paz is approximately 400 miles, and the drive takes around 9 hours and 30 minutes.

By a Combination of Bus and Train

This option involves taking a bus from Cusco to Puno and then a train from Puno to La Paz. This journey will take longer than the direct bus option but can be a good choice if you want to break up the journey or prefer to take the train for part of the trip.

The cheapest way to get from Cusco to La Paz is by bus

The cheapest way to get from Cusco, Peru, to La Paz, Bolivia, is by bus. The journey takes between 11 and 16 hours, depending on the source, and costs as little as $11. There are two main types of bus services that operate between the two cities: hop-on-hop-off buses and public buses.

Hop-on-hop-off buses, such as Peru Hop and Green Toad Bus, offer benefits such as hotel/hostel pick-ups and drop-offs, spacious and comfortable buses, and stops at hidden gems along the route. Peru Hop is particularly popular for its border-crossing assistance, with bilingual guides helping travellers with the necessary paperwork. The company also provides exclusive discounts on accommodation and access to the Peru Hop app, which offers up-to-date destination information and food discounts.

Public buses, such as Cruz del Sur and Oltursa, are more affordable but may require travellers to make their way to the bus terminals. These buses still offer amenities like TVs, toilets, and semi-cama or cama seats.

Regardless of the bus company, the journey from Cusco to La Paz is a scenic one, passing through Puno and Copacabana, where travellers can visit Lake Titicaca and the floating islands of Uros. It is recommended to choose a bus company that provides assistance with crossing the border, as it can be a challenging process.

In addition to bus travel, other ways to get from Cusco to La Paz include flying, driving, or taking a combination of trains and buses. However, these options may be more expensive and time-consuming.

The fastest way to get from Cusco to La Paz is by plane

The fastest way to get from Cusco, Peru, to La Paz, Bolivia, is by plane. The flight duration is 4 hours and 7 minutes from Cuzco Airport (CUZ) to La Paz Airport (LPB). The flight path is serviced by Avianca - Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A., which operates four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The cost of the flight ranges from $130 to $380.

The distance between Cusco and La Paz is 335 miles, while the road distance is 402.3 miles. The significant distance makes travelling by road a lengthy endeavour. However, if you prefer a road trip, you can drive or take a bus, train, or a combination of these. The journey by bus or train takes approximately 14 to 16 hours, with tickets priced between $10 and $80.

There is a direct bus from Cusco to La Paz that takes 14-16 hours

There is a direct bus from Cusco to La Paz that takes between 14 and 16 hours. The distance between the two cities is about 328 miles (529 km) and there are four buses running this route each day. The bus route is served by a number of companies, including Cruz del Sur, Transzela, Trans Salvador, Tour Peru, Bolivia Hop, and New International Continent. The average price of a one-way ticket is $43, but prices vary between $34 and $63. The cheapest ticket is usually available on a Wednesday. The buses are comfortable and spacious, with semi-reclining seats, USB ports, and air conditioning. However, some travellers have complained about delayed arrivals and non-functioning WiFi.

The direct bus from Cusco to La Paz passes through the migratory border of Desaguadero. It also passes through Puno, where most bus companies make a small stop to pick up passengers. Travellers can also opt for a bus that goes through the border in Kasani/Yunguyo, which includes a stopover in Puno or Copacabana. This route allows travellers to visit beautiful landscapes and colonial relics such as the Basilica of San Francisco in Copacabana. The trip takes over 24 hours.

Another option is to take a tourist bus that offers a longer, more scenic route with stops at various archaeological sites. This trip is called the "Sun Route" and takes more than 24 hours. The buses that offer this route include Inka Express, Wonder Peru Expedition, Bolivia Hop, and Turisbus.

The distance between Cusco and La Paz is 335 miles. The road distance is 402-403 miles

The distance between Cusco, Peru, and La Paz, Bolivia, is 335 miles. The road distance is 402-403 miles, and the trip can be made by plane, bus, train, or car. The fastest way to travel between the two cities is by plane, which takes around 4 hours and costs between $130 and $380. There are no night buses for this route, as the border closes in the evening.

If you're driving non-stop from Cusco to La Paz, the trip will take around 10 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 400-mile distance. However, it is not very realistic to drive without stopping, so you may want to spread the journey over a few days and make some interesting stops along the way.

For example, on the first day, you could drive for about 1.5 hours and then stop in Sicuani for an hour. After that, drive for another 1.5 hours and stop in Pucara for the night. On the second day, drive for about 35 hours and then stop in Puno for the night. On the final day, drive for about 1.5 hours to Yunguyo, stay there for an hour, and then drive for 50 minutes to Tiwanaku, where you can take a break for an hour. Finally, it's just a 54-minute drive from Tiwanaku to La Paz.

There are also buses that cover the Cusco-La Paz route, with tickets costing between $21 and $49. The trip takes between 12 and 15 hours, depending on the time it takes to cross the border. The buses are lie-flat or semi-lie-flat and offer entertainment, a WC, and air conditioning.

If you prefer to travel by train, you can take a train from Cusco - Wanchaq to Puno, and then another train from Guaqui to El Alto.

Frequently asked questions