Your driver will meet you at your address in Cusco.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
Trip
You’ll travel in comfort for 1 h 40 min.
Optional sight-seeing
Clean, comfortable car
Professional driver
Bottled water
Child seats
Prepared for handicapped
Smoke-free
Pet friendly
Drop-off
Your driver will drop you off at your address in Ollantaytambo.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
In total
62 km1 h 40 min
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
How much is a train from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?
The train from Cusco to Ollantaytambo will cost between $45 and $110 (170-417 Sol), and depending on where your accommodation is located, you may need to account for a bus ticket to the station in Cusco.
How far is it from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?
The approximate distance from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is 38 miles (61 km), which takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes of driving time if you travel by private car transfer.
How much does a taxi cost from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?
A taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo starts in the range of $35 to $50 (133-189 Sol) but can become more expensive depending on your exact pickup and drop-off location, whether you’re departing from an airport and the amount of luggage you’ll carry with you.
Is it worth going to Ollantaytambo?
Ollantaytambo is certainly worth visiting, particularly for those en route to Machu Picchu. The town itself is home to some of the best-preserved Inca ruins in Peru and is an incredible window into the country’s ancient history.
Is it better to stay in Cusco Or Ollantaytambo for Machu Picchu?
Many people stay in Cusco on their way to Machu Picchu, but travelers often find that Ollantaytambo offers much more scenic surroundings, fewer crowds, and a culturally rich setting to stay in before the journey to Machu Picchu (90 minutes by train.)
How do I get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?
The best way to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is with a private driving transfer, as this gives you convenient door-to-door service and allows you to stop and sightsee en route to witness parts of Peru you may otherwise miss out on.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
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The Cusco to Ollantaytambo transfer takes you on a scenic tour to the heart of the Sacred Valley of southern Peru. Here, you can immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring Incan ruins, surrounded by distant snow-capped mountains. The drive from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is 38 miles (61 km) and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
With a Daytrip private driving transfer, you have the option to stop along the way to do some sightseeing. Consider a visit to the Q’enco Archaeological Complex, where you can explore the sprawling complex of mysterious rock structures carved by the Inca for use as an ancient spiritual center.
Or, you can choose to stop and visit the mysterious “Bath of Inca” at Tambomachay, where you can witness the still-flowing aqueducts that demonstrate the incredible engineering prowess of this ancient civilization.
If you prefer a more direct route, the Daytrip private car service is still the best option for swiftly and safely getting from Cusco to Ollantaytambo.
About Ollantaytambo
After your Cusco to Ollantaytambo journey, you will find yourself in a town serving as the gateway to Machu Picchu, surrounded by some of the oldest continuously occupied settlements in South America.
The incredible town of Ollantaytambo is home to a series of temples and other sacred sites erected meticulously from stone that would have to have been carried from a distant quarry all the way across a vast valley and up a staggering hill to the settlement site.
Now, the town is a testament to the longevity of Inca creations. Visitors can witness the original irrigation infrastructure in action, as it’s still used today throughout the town and in the surrounding fields. Further, the layout of the town and even some of its guarding walls are original to its settlement centuries ago.
In addition to offering some of the best-preserved Peruvian ruins, the town carries a storied history as the site of resistance against Spanish invasion during the 16th century. Throughout its history, the town also served as a major linking point for the entire Inca Empire, and its lower elevation made it a key stopover along several important transportation and communication routes.
Similarly, today, many travelers will also often use Ollantaytambo as a stopover or “base camp” for visits to Machu Picchu, which is conveniently about 90 minutes from the town by train. The town offers a comfortable respite for travelers and a chance to learn more about the local Quechua communities, complete with traditional Andean architecture and glimpses of the lasting customs.
From Cusco to Ollantaytambo: travel tips
As you plan your exciting trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, there are a few pieces of advice that will elevate your travel experience and allow you to make the most of your time in Ollantaytambo.
Give yourself time before Machu Picchu
If your trip to Ollantaytambo includes an onward journey to Machu Picchu, be sure to plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to arrive in town and find your way to the train station. You should plan to have at least 30 minutes between your arrival and the train’s departure, as it can be tricky to navigate to the station.
Enjoy the calmer markets
While in Ollantaytambo, there are a series of markets outside of the gates to the archaeological preserves that are very similar to the ones in Cusco. These markets offer many of the same items but tend to be much less crowded in the smaller town environment, so it can be a great opportunity for calmer and sometimes cheaper traditional shopping.
How to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
There are several transportation options for getting from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, including private car services and bus and train routes—all varying in cost and time commitments.
Bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
Some shuttle buses operate from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, including some departing from the international airport in Cusco. These bus routes vary in cost depending on the company, but tickets seem to cost around $70 (265 Peruvian Sol) on average. This journey takes between an hour and 90 minutes, depending on the departure location, and does not offer you direct door-to-door service.
Train from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
The train route from Cusco to Ollantaytambo leaves from Cusco’s Wanchaq station, which you may first need to take a bus to, depending on the location of your accommodation. Tickets vary but range from about $45 to $110 (170-417 Sol). The trains take around 2.5 hours to cover the distance, with scheduled departures twice a day.
Taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
There are taxis from Cusco to Ollantaytambo (and from the airport in Cusco for those on flights heading straight to Ollantaytambo, with journeys starting around $35 to $50 (133-189 Sol). Keep in mind that the costs can vary widely depending on the taxi company.
Private car service from Cusco to Ollantaytambo
The best way to get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo is to opt for a private driving transfer, as this will give you the benefits of door-to-door transportation directly to your accommodation in Ollantaytambo. With Daytrip, you will be accompanied by a local, English-speaking driver and be helped with your luggage in both destinations. As an added bonus – this travel option starts at just $16 (61 Sol) per seat.
Things to do when you get to Ollantaytambo
Once you complete your Cusco to Ollantaytambo transfer, there are a few must-see highlights for your time in this fascinating destination. This town offers some of the richest deposits of Peru’s history, architecture, and tradition and is incredibly welcoming to visitors.
Explore the Ollantaytambo Sanctuary
Possibly the main attraction for travelers here is the remarkably preserved ruins of the primary sanctuary, with remarkable stonework and stepped terraces; this hilltop feature is a bucket list item for any global explorer. Take your time ascending the hill and learning about the Inca people on your tour of the Sanctuary, and relish the incredible panoramic views from the top.
Sample Peruvian specialties in ChocoMueso
This unique shop features a range of unique Peruvian artisanal chocolate, handcrafted “from bean to bar.” Here, you can even tour the entire process and try your hand at making your very own Peruvian chocolate in one of the workshops. These can be great souvenirs, and the process itself is a methodical journey into the past.
Visit Moray
This fascinating archaeological site sits high above the Sacred Valley on a plateau and appears to be a series of terraces taking the shape of concentric circles. This area was most likely used for agricultural research, where the rising terraces each had a different temperature and could best be used to cultivate different plants.
Research suggests that the Incas were able to grow over 250 varieties of vegetables in these terraces using complex hydraulic irrigation techniques.
Hike to the Pinkuylluna Incan Storehouses
These Incan storehouses overlook the Ollantaytambo ruins and require visitors to hike up a moderately steep path up the mountain. Depending on fitness levels and conditions, this can take travelers anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, and the views from the top are certainly worth the effort.
When is the best time to visit Ollantaytambo?
Before embarking on your Cusco to Ollantaytambo transfer, it is important to consider the best time of year to visit this historic town. As with the majority of Peru, Ollantaytambo experiences its dry season from May to October. This period sees clear skies and warm weather (around 63°F/17°C), with slightly cooler temperatures into the early autumn.
If you do intend to visit during the rainy season in the hopes of fewer crowds and potentially cheaper accommodation and flights, you should still avoid the months of January and February when the rains are heaviest and most frequent.
Visit these sights on the way
Q'enco Archaeological Complex
The Inca's spiritual center for the Cusco region is a labyrinth of enigmatic rock-carved structures. Mystery, Death, and Sacrifice
Tambomachay
Free-flowing water can be found throughout this strange archaeological site known as “The Bath of Inca”. Inca Water Worship
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 Tetris
Chincheros
This highland town is famous for its Peruvian weaving, which create a rainbow of color in its local markets. Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Maras Salt Mines
This mountain pass has been used to produce salt for over 1,000 years. Pass the Salt
Moray
They might look like Incan works of art, but these terraces are actually a marvel of agricultural engineering. The Science of Circles
“I used this service for a transfer from Split in Croatia to Perast Montenegro. My experience was exceptional. My driver Bojan was helpful, informative and ensured my journey was comfortable and enjoyable. I highly recommend the service.”
“We were extremely satisfied with the quality of service we received from Day Trip. We had two Day Trip rides on August 31 from Athens to Lefkada and September 7 from Lefkada back to Athens. Both trips included stops at scenic sites in Greece. Both drivers were excellent and accommodating. However, we’d especially like to recognize Panos Peppas, who was our driver from Lefkada to Athens. Panos was incredibly nice & pleasant and delivered outstanding customer service, which included handling all of luggage, providing us with cold waters throughout the trip, providing us protein bars, providing us with printed materials on the Corinth Canal (one of scenic stops), looking up and providing us with terminal & gate info for our flight back home and providing us with a recipe for tzatziki.”
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traveler Daydream20046758137
“We absolutely love this company and have used it many times over the years to get from A to B without the hassle of hiring a car ourselves. Excellent drivers every time. Efficient and professional. It’s worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. It’s 5 star rating is well deserved.”
“We traveled from Nuremberg to Munich in a beautiful Audi. Driver picked us at our hotel at the exact time requested. Got us to Munich in plenty of time for our next tour. Driver made sure we were comfortable”
“Gonzalo from daytrip was our driver and he was absolutely amazing. He went over and beyond trying to locate us as our service wasn't so good on our phones. He patiently awaited our arrival to the lobby so he could take us from Tulum Dreams Resort to our other hotel in cancun an hour and a half away near the airport prior to our departure flight home. He was polite, respectful and kind. Made sure we were comfortable during our long ride. Fast and to the point. I recommend this company as finding a one way ride from Tulum to Cancun isn't easy or cheap and this company provides a great service for a great price. I will definitely be using them again whenever I'm in the Cancun/Tulum area. Thank you DayTrip and Gonzola.”
“We were picked up by Marianna to drive us from Heraklion to Chania. The weather was terrible & due to this Marianna arrived a few minutes late. She contacted me to advise of this. Marianna lives in Chana and she made our trip very interesting by informing us of local things to do and see in Chania. Marianna is a safe driver and we all felt comfortable with the speed she drove at and how good her driving was in heavy rain. She is a lovely person with fluent English. We highly recommend Daytrips and if you are in Heraklion or Chania please make sure you ask for Marianna.”
“Used the service to go from Luxor to Hurghada, Egypt. Ahmed H was our driver and he was perfect. The car was new, clean, he had water and snacks for us, and accommodated our stops. Great service from him and would recommend it.”
“Used Daytrip for two rides in Mexico, which were both great. So comfortable, and we arrived at each of our destinations at a great time. Both were incredible drivers, and we felt so safe. One of our drivers, Miguel, also played the best music! Will definitely use Daytrip on our next trip to Mexico.”
“We did not know what to expect with this trip and booked from Australia. We were initially looking for an easy way to travel from Granada to Malaga. We decided not to waste the opportunity to see something additional on our way. Miguel certainly exceeded our expectations. His English was excellent (unfortunately we speak very little Spanish), and he was very friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed hearing about the regions as we passed through and also discussing some of the local ways. Miguel took us to Antequera as planned and ensured we were able to easily get our tickets to the attractions without any sense of rushing us. We were picked up and dropped off punctually and really enjoyed our trip. Hopefully we will return to Spain and we can use this service again sometime.”
“We used the service twice while in Thailand. Extremely prompt and efficient customer service. Best rate being offered in Chiang Mai for the travels. Polite, punctual, professional and English speaking drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles. Being a regular visitor to Thailand, this was hands down the best service. Most pleased with the company. I hope it sustains the excellence of service that was rendered to us.”
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Good to know
Children
If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!
Pets
Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.
Tips
Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).
Luggage
Big luggage
29x21x11 inches
74x53x28 cm
Small luggage
22x14x9 inches
56x36x23 cm
Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.
Payment methods
Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!
Daytrip is a platform that connects you with local drivers who will transport you door-to-door, from one city to the next. We also give you the opportunity to explore sights/attractions along the way. We drive, you discover.
Yes! A return trip will take you back to your city of origin in the same size car in which you arrived. Return trips can be booked for the any day. You can also add customized sightseeing stops separately for each trip! Don’t worry if you don’t know your exact address at the time of booking - you’ll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select “Return” when you start the booking process, then choose the dates and times of your departures.
For private trips, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. For the Daytrip Pool shared shuttle, we offer 3 ticket options when booking: Non-refundable, Flexible with cancellations 24 hours before departure, and Super-flexible with cancellations up to 15 minutes before departure.
Simply choose your origin and destination via our homepage and enter your departure date and time. Browse and add sightseeing stops along the way by following the booking instructions provided on-screen. Select “One Way” or “Return” to change the type of trip you need. It’s a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you don’t see your desired route on our website, you can request a custom trip. You can even book without knowing your exact pick-up or drop-off address - we let you add these later!
Each passenger is allowed one large bag (29" x 21" x 11" / 74 x 53 x 28 cm) and one small bag (22" x 14" x 9" / 56 x 36 x 23 cm). Luxury sedans can only accommodate 2 large bags. We always send the vehicle that is the best fit for you and your luggage, so make sure to select the actual amount of luggage you are traveling with when booking. If you have oversized luggage, or are unsure if your luggage will fit, contact us.
Everywhere except the USA, drivers will supply appropriate child seats (just let us know during booking). In the USA, certain states require you to supply your own child seats.
