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Overview: car trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
The drive from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes with a Daytrip private car transfer, covering a distance of 38.5 miles (62 km). While Daytrip will bring you door-to-door, on the way, you can choose to add sightseeing stops to your journey to elevate your travel experience and see more of Peru.
You could visit Moray, a stunning example of Incan engineering and agriculture. The series of stepped, concentric circles are a visual marvel, and their historical purpose of agricultural experimentation is a fascinating example of the ingenuity of the Inca.
Or, you might take a detour to the Maras Salt Mines to check out the 1,000-year-old hillside pools designed to cultivate different kinds of salt. The vast arrangement of the pools turns the landscape into an unforgettable geometric pattern, and as the pools are still in use today, you can even buy a bag of salt to bring home (or use when you get to Cusco).
About Cusco
After your Ollantaytambo to Cusco transfer, you can look forward to an unforgettable travel experience in the Peruvian Andes. Cusco is nestled near the Sacred Valley of the Andes, with the Huatanay River running nearby. The city features a unique blend of ancient Incan heritage with Baroque Spanish influences, due to their conquest in the 16th century.
When the city was an Incan capital, it developed rapidly and contributed significantly to religious, cultural, and agricultural movements in the area. The city was home to some of the first symbolic urban compounds, with impressively constructed stone structures dedicated to the royal families as well as to religious and administrative buildings.
The city stands out with sites such as the Temple of the Sun, and other decadently designed structures that showcase the Incan engineering capabilities. After the Spanish conquest, these structures were largely preserved below the construction of new churches and manor houses. The resulting blend of traditions and aesthetics from its time as an Incan powerhouse and as a colonial town has rendered Cusco a vital center of history and culture.
The city is filled with must-see historical and spiritual sites as well as diverse natural wonders and opportunities to witness Peruvian wildlife up close. Many people traveling to Cusco use it as the home base for their trek to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This remarkable center of religious, political, and cultural activity during the Incan Empire is the pinnacle of travel to Peru.
Cusco is a great place to begin and end your journey to Machu Picchu, as this fascinating city offers plenty of amenities for every kind of traveler, from mountaineers and hikers to history buffs.
From Ollantaytambo to Cusco: travel tips
Ahead of your trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, there are a few things that will help you have the best time possible at your destination.
### Leave time for acclimatization
While Ollantaytambo is already at a considerable altitude, Cusco is another 2,000 feet (609 meters) higher, and you should leave yourself a day or two of downtime upon arrival to allow your body to adjust to the high altitude. This is particularly important for those attempting a trek to Machu Pichu from Cusco, as the added exertion and elevation can become dangerous if you have not had a chance to acclimatize properly.
### Consider a private transfer
Choosing a private transfer for your trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco will give you the most comfortable transportation possible and ensure that you arrive in plenty of time to adjust to the altitude. You will also have the option to stretch your transfer into an unofficial tour by adding sightseeing stops en route, allowing you to see more of the incredible Sacred Valley.
How to get from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
There are a few transportation options for your trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, but public transit in this area is somewhat limited.
### Train from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
There are trains between Ollantaytambo and Cusco, operating out of the Wanchaq station in Cusco. The train is a direct journey that takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes, and travelers will also need to account for the time spent navigating to the station from their accommodation. Tickers for this journey vary depending on how far in advance you book but tend to cost in the range of $45 to $110.
### Shuttle from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
There are shuttles along this route that take about 1 hour and 30 minutes, depositing travelers in the Plaza de San Francisco station in Cusco. Tickets can vary widely from $11 to around $65, and travelers will still need to find transportation to and from their accommodation in either city. The shuttles often operate on demand and can carry high last-minute expenses.
### Taxi from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
Some visitors to Cusco arrive by taxi, a journey that takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes door-to-door. The fares along this route tend to cost about $35-45 per passenger, depending on the taxi company used. Pickup and dropoff locations may be limited, and taxis can also become overbooked during the busiest travel season.
### Private transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
The best option for many travelers is a private driving transfer with Daytrip, which gives you seamless transportation from door to door in just 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can travel with greater peace of mind with the flexible booking policies and customizability of your itinerary, including departure times and any sightseeing stops you want to add.
This safe, comfortable journey with an English-speaking local driver also offers great value, starting at just $16 per passenger.
Things to do when you get to Cusco
After your Ollantaytambo to Cusco transfer, you will quickly find a range of activities to explore in this remarkable destination. While Cusco is often used as a base for treks to Machu Pichu, there are plenty of things worth seeing and doing in the town itself that you should be sure not to miss out on.
### Visit Saqsaywaman
This Incan fortress is within about a 30-minute walk from Cuscoâs old town. Saqsaywaman is a significant citadel that once stood even taller than it appears today. The fortress was the site of a major battle between the ancient Inca and the invading Spanish in 1536. This is a great place to learn more about the fierce and bloody Spanish conquest that shaped the city of Cusco into its modern image.
### Explore the Plaza de Armas
This central square is built on top of what used to be an important Incan gathering place in Cuscoâs old town. Plaza de Armas is central to the colonial development of Cusco and is home to the Baroque Spanish buildings of the Cusco Cathedral and the Church La Compania de Jesus.
The square preserved many of the intricately carved Incan walls, and there are still celebrations of the Inca Festival of the Sun and other traditional festivities.
### See Qorikancha
This colonial church and convent dedicated to Santo Domingo were constructed on the base of Inca ruins on the site of a formerly rich temple in the Inca empire. The resulting structure is a grandiose combination of Inca and colonial architecture. Qorikancha translates roughly to âGolden Courtyardâ in Quechua, as in Inca times, the walls were literally lined with gold sheets.
The area was one used in agricultural rituals, and gold and silver corn statues were found alongside altars and solid gold figurines of llamas and babies. The vast majority of these valuables were looted by the Spanish conquerors and melted down.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
Before you embark on your Ollantaytambo to Cusco transfer, you will likely be looking into the best time of year to visit. While the summer months are the direst in Cusco, they are also the most popular for tourism, and June to August can become very crowded around the main attractions. However, June is the month of the Fiestas of Cusco, which features street parties and traditional dancing that can be incredible to witness.
To beat the crowds without battling the winterâs frequent showers, consider a shoulder season visit in May or even in the autumn months of September to November.
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Questions & Answers about Traveling from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
There is a direct train from Ollantaytambo to Cusco that takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes, with tickets costing around $45-$111.
Driving is the fastest way to get from Ollantaytambo to Cusco, and either a taxi or a private driving service will get you to Cusco in about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The easiest way to get from Ollantaytambo to Cusco is to take a private driving transfer which gives you seamless door-to-door service straight to your accommodation in Cusco.
The drive from Ollantaytambo to Cusco takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes from door to door, though this can be extended with sightseeing stops if you choose to take a private transfer.
A taxi from Ollantaytambo to Cusco tends to cost around $35-$45, but the fare can vary widely depending on the taxi company.
You can take a train, taxi, shuttle, or private driving service from Ollantaytambo to Cusco.
Visit these sights on the way
Moray
They might look like Incan works of art, but these terraces are actually a marvel of agricultural engineering. The Science of CirclesÂ
Maras Salt Mines
This mountain pass has been used to produce salt for over 1,000 years. Pass the SaltÂ
Chincheros
This highland town is famous for its Peruvian weaving, which create a rainbow of color in its local markets. Somewhere Over the RainbowÂ
Sacsayhuaman
Standing atop the bones of an even older civilization, the massive blocks of stone that make this Incan fortress fit together so perfectly they didn't need mortar. Titanic TetrisÂ
Tambomachay
Free-flowing water can be found throughout this strange archaeological site known as âThe Bath of Incaâ. Inca Water WorshipÂ
Q'enco Archaeological Complex
The Inca's spiritual center for the Cusco region is a labyrinth of enigmatic rock-carved structures. Mystery, Death, and SacrificeÂ
Verified reviews from 2,153 travelers who booked this route
Dec 21, 2025
"On time trip with an excellent driver who went above and beyond. I have used daytrip for multiple trips throughout the world and I will continue doing so!"
Nicole B.
United States
Oct 5, 2025
"I booked with Daytrip for the six of us. We traveled from Cusco to Ollantaytambo on Oct. 2nd and returned via Daytrip on Oct. 4th. Both times the driver was excellent đ and was very helpful. I was always kept informed of our pickup time, we were loaded up quickly and the drive pleasant. The driver even went to the extra effort to accommodate requests as they arose. The best, most helpful service I've experienced in my travels!"
John R M.
United States
Oct 31, 2024
"He was wonderful -- very informative and kind. We had him twice --on this trip thru daytrip - highly recomended -"
ronald d.
United States
Sep 11, 2024
"The trip was perfect. Our driver met us as planned, helped with our bags, drove safely, and got us to our destination on time. Definitely recommend!!!
"
"I was so thoroughly happy with my two day trip rides in Peru. The drivers had clean and well maintained cars, were on time and communicated very well, and had a rich local knowledge. There was a new issue where a bridge was out and both drivers and your customer service team worked around the problem quickly and with ease. I would definitely recommend your service to anyone needing a driver in an unfamiliar area.
"
Jessica G.
United States
Aug 1, 2024
"We took a daytrip from cusco to ollantaytambo, Peru, with several stops along the sacred valley. Our driver not only allowed us the freedom to make an additional stop, but also provide historical context and information all along the drive. Highly recommneded!"
Angelica A.
United States
Jul 17, 2024
"You did wonderfully
Both trips we took were excellent. Driver was present early, vehicle was clean and in good condition. Drivers were respectful friendly. Very good service and recommended
Brent D."
Brent D.
United States
Jul 17, 2024
"Good evening,
I am taking a few minutes to let you know that the trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco on July 9th with Adner C. had met our expectations. We would rate it 5 on 5 without any reservation.
The driver was very professional and an excellent driver on the sacred valley roads and Cusco city.
We highly recommend Adner C. and daytrip for a future trip."
Sylvie L.
Canada
Jun 23, 2024
"They were on time, cars were in great shape, they were personable and knowledgeable, drove well and got us to our destinations on time safely."
Jennifer S.
United States
Jun 14, 2024
"very accommodating and entertaining. He answered all our questions and inquiries. He was in time to pickup us up and even gave snacks. "
Allen Ernest D.
Philippines
Apr 13, 2024
"William met us at the train station in Ollantaytambo and was early! Again William was very helpful and friendly, knowledgeable and a pleasure to spend time with."
Suzanne S.
Australia
Apr 5, 2024
"Our driver was great at handling the winding roads and verticle climbs, and shared some lovely facts about some of the scenery and landmarks we passed. Very peaceful and efficient ride!"
Hei Ching M.
United States
Feb 8, 2024
"We had the most wonderful experience with Coco. He was very friendly and spoke both Spanish and English and was very knowledgeable with any information on Peru and the land. As a person with bad motion sickness, coco catered to me and I felt good on the windy roads! Would highly recommend coco and would travel with him again! "
Celia Melanie B.
United Kingdom
Jan 28, 2024
"do not see anywhere to rate my experiences with Daytrip or with our driver, so I will provide my review here in this email.
Daytrip worked seamlessly for our trip from Ollantaytambo to Cusco in Peru. The reservation process was simple, and the price for the service was reasonable. Communication from the Daytrip team was excellent from start to finish. We received prompt confirmation of our booking and clear instructions about how to contact and meet our driver. We especially liked the option to add destinations along our route so that we could combine a taxi ride with a sightseeing tour. I highly recommend Daytrip to anyone seeking a reliable and affordable taxi service with the option to choose from a menu of tourist destinations along the way.
Our driver, Diomedes (Coco), turned out to be the very best tour guide we have ever had. He arrived early and gave use clear information about our pick up. At our request, he stopped at an ATM so that we could make a withdrawal. During our ride, he provided fascinating information about the Sacred Valley. His English was excellent, and his enthusiasm for the land and for his Incan ancestors was inspiring. We especially appreciated his honesty, integrity, and friendliness. I highly recommend Diomedes (Coco) to anyone visiting the Cusco area."
Gary B.
United States
Jan 14, 2024
"We were very , very happy with service that we received If you could pass on personal thank you to Christian M he was great."
Tim S.
Australia
Jan 6, 2024
"It was fantastic! He was knowledgeable and took the time to actually tell us about the history of the places. 5/5 would recommend"
Thomas C.
United States
Jan 3, 2024
"I cannot say enough good things about our experience with Diomedes! He went above and beyond to make our journey exciting and informed. I would give him 10+++.
Many thanks,
Jo"
Jo C.
United States
Dec 28, 2023
"My group had a wonderful experience with William! He is very thoughtful and kind. Also, William is very informative on Peruvian culture. We highly recommend his service! 5 out of 5 stars!
Best,
Lauren"
Lauren T.
United States
Dec 14, 2023
"The trip was excellent, and Jhonatan was very pleasant company. His English was very good (as mine Spanish is very bad). He was at Ollantaytambo before the designated time with a sign with my name, so that is always a good start. We had contact using WhatsApp before we left the train station in Machu Picchu. The car however was a little small for such a long drive, but this is not a major issue at all."
