Travel Guide: Cusco To Copacabana, Bolivia

There are several ways to get from Cusco, Peru, to Copacabana, Bolivia, with the most popular option being to travel by bus. The journey takes between 10 and 15 hours, depending on the route and traffic. The distance between the two cities is around 267 miles, and the border crossing takes place in Yunguyo-Kasani, near Copacabana. Buses depart from Cusco and arrive at Copacabana via Puno, with some companies offering direct trips, and others providing a stopover option in Puno. The price of a bus ticket ranges from $16 to $45.

Travel by bus

The bus is a popular way to travel from Cusco to Copacabana. The journey takes between 8 and 13 hours, depending on the bus company and route. The distance between the two cities is approximately 530 kilometres (328-330 miles).

There is no direct bus from Cusco to Copacabana. All bus journeys involve a transfer at Puno, on the Peruvian side of Lake Titicaca. Some bus companies require a change of company in Puno, while others, such as Transzela, offer a direct trip with a brief stop in Puno. The border crossing takes place in Yunguyo-Kasani, near Copacabana.

In Cusco, buses depart from the terrestrial terminal Wanchaq in the urban area of the city, or from Cusco Real Inka Car on Avenida Luis Vallejo Santoni. They arrive in Copacabana at the terminal on Av. 16 de Julio, close to Plaza Sucre. Tickets range from $26 to $36.

Tickets Bolivia is a recommended booking system, allowing passengers to choose their trip from different bus companies. Bolivia Hop is another option, offering luxury buses, border-crossing assistance, hotel pick-up/drop-off, and other perks.

Travel by train

Step 1: Cusco to Puno by Train

Take the train from Cusco - Wanchaq to Puno. The train operator is PeruRail.

Step 2: Puno to Copacabana by Bus

Take a bus from Puno to Copacabana. The bus operators are Trans Titicaca, Kanoo Tours, and Transzela.

Journey Overview

The total journey time is around 15 hours. There are no direct trains or buses from Cusco to Copacabana, so you will have to change from a train to a bus in Puno.

Tickets and Schedule

You can book tickets through Tickets Bolivia, which offers a safe and reliable booking system. Tickets Bolivia works with various bus companies, including Transzela, Huayruro Tours, and Trans Titicaca. Buses from Cusco to Copacabana depart every day between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm.

Prices

Bus prices from Cusco to Copacabana range from $17 to $45.

Travel by car

The distance between Cusco and Copacabana is around 330 miles. The journey by car will take approximately 7 hours and 50 minutes, although this can vary depending on traffic and road conditions.

When travelling by car from Cusco to Copacabana, you will need to pass through the Peru-Bolivia border. Make sure you have your passport with you and that it is valid for at least another 6 months. If you are driving, you will also need a valid driver's license, as well as car insurance.

The first part of your journey will take you through a beautiful mountain valley in the Andes Mountain Range, with the winding Urubamba River alongside you. As you head south, the landscape will open up into vast pastures. After a few hours, you will reach the city of Puno and the famous Lake Titicaca. The final stretch of your journey will follow the lake, offering uninterrupted views of its blue waters.

After passing through border control, you will reach Copacabana within 20 minutes.

Please note that there may be additional costs involved in renting a car, such as gasoline, which is approximately $3.80 per gallon.

Travel by plane

To get from Cusco, Peru, to Copacabana, Bolivia, by plane, you will need to take a multi-leg journey. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Cusco to Juliaca by Plane

Firstly, you will need to take a flight from Cusco's Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) to Juliaca's Inca Manco Capac International Airport (JUL) in Peru. This is a short flight of around 55 minutes. LATAM Chile is one airline that operates this route.

Step 2: Juliaca to Puno by Bus

Once you arrive at Juliaca Airport, you will need to take a bus to the city of Puno. The bus journey from Juliaca to Puno should take approximately one hour.

Step 3: Puno to Copacabana by Bus

Finally, from Puno, you will need to take a bus to Copacabana, Bolivia. This journey will take you through the Peru-Bolivia border at Yunguyo/Kasani, so make sure you have your passport ready. The bus journey from Puno to Copacabana will take around three hours, so the total journey time from Juliaca to Copacabana, including the border crossing, is expected to be around four hours.

Overall Journey Time

In total, the journey from Cusco to Copacabana by plane and bus is expected to take around eight hours and 45 minutes. This option is faster than travelling by bus or car, but it does involve a multi-leg journey with multiple changes. Please note that the journey times provided are estimates and may vary depending on factors such as traffic, weather conditions, and border crossing times.

Travel by taxi

Travellers can take a taxi from Copacabana to San Pablo de Tiquina, and then take a bus to La Paz, followed by another bus to Club The Strongest-Bolivar. From there, travellers can take a flight from La Paz to Cuzco.

The taxi journey from Copacabana to San Pablo de Tiquina is approximately 40km. The bus from San Pablo de Tiquina to La Paz takes around 4 hours, and the bus journey from Terminal Minasa to Club The Strongest-Bolivar is a short one.

The flight from La Paz to Cuzco takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. There are several flights a day, operated by various airlines.

The total journey time for this option is around 7-8 hours, depending on the waiting time for the flight.

Frequently asked questions