Your driver will meet you at your address in Cusco.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
Trip
Youâll travel in comfort for 6 h 30 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 Puno.
Door-to-door service
Help with your luggage
In total
387 km6 h 30 min
Questions & Answers about Traveling from Cusco to Puno
Is it worth visiting Puno?
Puno is absolutely worth visiting. From the famous Lake Titicaca and the floating islands to its deep-rooted traditions and historic sites, Puno offers an unforgettable experience!
What is the fastest way to get from Cusco to Puno?
The fastest way to get from Cusco to Puno is by private car services like Daytrip, as the drive takes approximately 6.5 hours, which is not much, compared to the bus or luxury train.
How do you get from Cusco to Puno?
There are four direct modes of transportation for traveling from Cusco to Puno: by bus, luxury train, rental car, or private car service (like Daytrip). Whichever option you choose depends entirely on your budget and preferences. Make sure to check the âHow to get from Cusco to Punoâ section above to find the best choice for your needs.
How long is the train ride from Cusco to Puno?
The Andean Express train departs at 10 AM and arrives at 8:30 AM the next day, so it takes 22.5 hours to reach Puno.
Is the train from Cusco to Puno worth it?
The Andean Express train from Cusco to Puno offers some stunning views, though it is not particularly renowned for having the best landscapes compared to other trains. If you are seeking a truly cultural experience, this train might not be the ideal choice, as it is quite touristy. Whether the train is worth it will depend on your personal preferences.
Are there flights available from Cusco to Puno?
There are no direct flights from Cusco to Puno. The closest airport to Puno is in Juliaca. To travel by air, you would need to fly from Cusco to Lima (as all flights require a transfer to Lima) and then take another flight from Lima to Juliaca. From Juliaca, you would need to take a bus to Puno.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, here are the answers.
Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 14,500+ cities around the world.
Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries theyâre visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.
Within the distance of 240 miles (387 km) and about a 6.5-hour drive, you will find Puno, known for Lake Titicacaâthe worldâs highest lake. Although Cusco may have left you in awe, Puno will impress you in multiple other ways. Before you dive into the culture of Puno, make sure you explore on your way from Cusco to Puno because every mile in Peru offers something memorable.
Thanks to the flexibility of Daytrip, you wonât miss out on anything, as you are given the opportunity to take a moment to explore sightseeing stops as you approach Puno. Some of the most remarkable stops include the pre-Incan city Pikillacta and its impressive walls, the ruins of the Raqchi Temple, which was unfortunately destroyed by the Spaniards, the village of Pucara, just a two-hour drive away from Puno, and the city of Lampa, known for its dusty-pink architecture.
About Puno
Peru is undoubtedly one of the most culturally rich countries in the world, and the mountain-surrounded city of Puno is no exception. Although the city itself is relatively flat, you will enjoy breathtaking views of distant mountain ranges and passes.
The area of Puno was inhabited by the indigenous Aymara and Quechua people, and as of the 15th century, Puno formed part of the Inca Empire. However, a century later, the Spaniards took over the territory and established Puno. The city was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1688 following the discovery of silver metal mines. In 1821, Peru became an independent country. However, Puno became the battlefield during the conflicts between Peru and Bolivia until the Treaty of Puno was signed by both parties.
Usually, Puno is used as a base to explore its surroundingsâLake Titicaca, which is not only the highest but also the largest navigable lake in the world, as well as the floating Uros Islands. Although these are must-visit places when near Puno, the actual city (unfortunately, often not appreciated enough) is also worth exploring, as it is a great way to connect with the local culture. We assure you that even if you donât speak a word of Spanish, you will receive a warm welcome, which is very typical of Latin American cultures.
Puno holds the unofficial title of the Folkloric Capital of Peru, as the city still preserves its deep-rooted traditions of the Andean folklore, including dancesâthey have more than 300 different ones, influenced by both Incan and Spanish cultures. So, if you want to explore the traditional side of Peru, do not hesitate to plan a trip from Cusco to Puno!
From Cusco to Puno: travel tips
As the distance from Cusco to Puno is quite significant, it is important to be as prepared as possible. While we won't overwhelm you with the usual travel advice, here are two key tips that we believe are essential for your trip:
Combat altitude sickness
Although you may be prepared for the altitude in Cusco, remember that Puno is situated at an even higher elevationâaround 12,500 feet (or nearly 3,800 meters). To manage altitude sickness, you have a couple of options: you can use altitude sickness prevention pills (consult your doctor before using them) or try the traditional method used in the Andesâcoca leaves. They can be chewed or consumed as coca tea.
Additionally, it is important to stay hydrated, eat smaller but more frequent meals, and take it easy to allow your body to acclimate. While you might enjoy coffee or alcoholic beverages, it is best to avoid them as they can worsen altitude sickness symptoms.
Bring warm layers
As Puno is situated at a high altitude, it also means that temperatures are significantly lower than in other cities at lower elevations, especially at night. Be sure to bring warm layers so you can enjoy your adventures in Puno comfortably.
How to get from Cusco to Puno
Choosing the right transfer method is one of the most important parts of travel planning a tripâit has to be adapted to your needs, budget, and preferences. While there are no direct flight options from Cusco to Puno, we have summarized other straightforward alternatives for you to consider:
From Cusco to Puno by bus
The most budget-friendly way to travel from Cusco to Puno is by bus, with Cruz del Sol being a popular choice among travelers. These buses depart twice daily, at 8 AM and 10 PM, and the journey takes about 7 hours. The price for a ticket is around $17.50 (S/ 65 or âŹ15.85).
As Puno is one of the most common destinations after visiting Cusco, there are also many companies that offer tourist buses with guided tours included.
From Cusco to Puno by train
If you are looking for a luxurious experience, consider the Andean Explorer train. This nearly 24-hour journey includes several stops, such as a visit to the Raqchi Archaeological Site. Your trip will feature meals and refreshments, including lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and breakfast the following morning. The train arrives at Lake Titicaca at 8:30 AM the next day. However, these trains are pretty expensiveâthe lowest price for a cabin (with a bunk bed) is $3,938 (S/. 14,767 or âŹ3,570).
From Cusco to Puno by rental car
If taking a bus is not your style and you want to explore on your own, you can opt for a rental car. However, as Peru is quite mountainous and some roads do not have the best conditions, it is also quite risky. So unless you are a highly experienced driver, we suggest opting for a bus or private car service.
From Cusco to Puno by private car service
With Daytripâs private car services, you can relax and enjoy the ride without worrying about the road. Our experienced drivers are locals who know every twist and turn, so you can sit back and let them handle the journey.
Want to explore along the way? Weâve got you covered! At Daytrip, we prioritize not only your comfort but also flexibility. This means you have the chance to make sightseeing stops as you approach your destination. Whether you're interested in exploring the ancient walls of Pikillacta, the town of Huaro with its iconic giant hand viewpoint, the ruins of the Raqchi Temple, or the pre-Incan village of Pucara, you will be amazed by the richness of Peru!
Things to do when you get to Puno
No matter which mode of transportation you choose for your journey from Cusco to Puno, each one of them will eventually take you to Puno. Once you arrive in Puno, it is time to explore the city and its surroundings. Here are some recommendations on what to visit and taste during your stay:
Admire the highest and biggest navigable lake
Although we have already mentioned the lake multiple times, Lake Titicaca simply deserves to be at the top of your list. While we suggest you explore the city itself, Puno is not the same without a visit to the most famous lake. Lake Titicaca is also known for the floating Uros Islandsâthese artificial islands, made from _totora _reeds, are home to the Indigenous Uros people, who make their living through fishing and selling unique handicrafts you will find on the islands.
To visit the islands, you can take a boat trip for $2.60 (S/. 10 or âŹ2.50). To enter the islands and explore them on your own, you must pay an additional cost of $1.33 (S/. 5 or âŹ1.20). Alternatively, opting for a guided tour offers a more comprehensive experience, providing deeper insights into the history, culture, and daily life of the Uros people.
Enter the Puno Cathedral
Puno proudly boasts an impressive Andean Baroque-style cathedral located in the main square, known as Plaza de Armas in Spanish. Originally built in 1775, the cathedral was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1930. Its restoration took over 30 years to complete. Although the interior of the cathedral is relatively simple compared to the exterior, visitors are welcome to enter at no additional cost.
See the city from above
Just a short 10-minute walk from Plaza de Armas, the Cerrito Huajsapata viewpoint offers panoramic views of Puno and Lake Titicaca. There you will find a white statue of an Inca, serving as the symbol of the viewpoint. However, be cautious as the area is not very safe after darkâit is best to visit during the daytime.
Alternatively, Puno also features the Puma Uta viewpoint, which showcases a puma sculpture overlooking Lake Titicaca, making it a fun place to visit with kids.
Savor the local gastronomy
Peru is famous for its delicious cuisine, so you cannot leave Puno without trying some of the dishes that originated in the Puno region:
Chairo: a thick consistency soup mainly made of dried lamb meat, _chuño _(freeze-dried potatoes), and corn.
Cuy Chactado: a crunchy Guinea pig meat served with potatoes and the spicy _ajĂ _sauce.
Thimpu de Trucha: a fried trout prepared with vegetables.
When is the best time to visit Puno
Puno experiences a mountain climate with a dry season from April to October and a wet season from November to March. During the dry season, the days are usually sunny, whereas the nights are cool. However, during the wet season, you can expect frequent rain and slightly warmer temperatures. Despite the rain, which is usually brief, you can still enjoy any outdoor activities, such as visiting Lake Titicaca.
The temperatures vary throughout the yearâthe average ranges from 37° F to 63° F (3° C and 17° C). The coldest months are June and July, while you can expect warmer temperatures in November and December. The Humidity levels are highest during the wet season, particularly in January and February.
Visit these sights on the way
Pikillacta
Vast Wari culture administrative and spiritual capital, abandoned long before the rise of the Incas. Â South Valleyâs Sacred CityÂ
Huaro
This little town boasts one of the most spectacular Baroque churches in the Andes. A Treasure Trove of Andean ArtÂ
Raqchi Temple
One of the last sites erected by the Inka Empire, this now-ruined temple was their largest single-roofed structure. The Latest and GreatestÂ
Pucara
Watched over by an ancient archaeological site, this quiet city is famous throughout the Andes for its âlucky bullsâ. Bully for YouÂ
Lampa
A stunningly beautiful colonial church hides a macabre tomb commemorating its most famous son. Beloved to the BonesÂ
Sillustani
These pre-Incan monuments are towering mausoleums for long-forgotten noble families. Ancestors Held In High EsteemÂ
âI 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.â
âWe 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, weâd 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.â
Reviewed by Tripadvisor
traveler Daydream20046758137
âWe 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. Itâs worth every penny and we can honestly recommend Day Trip to everyone. Itâs 5 star rating is well deserved.â
âWe 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 comfortableâ
âGonzalo 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.â
âWe 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.â
âUsed 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.â
âUsed 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.â
âWe 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.â
âWe 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.â
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traveler Omar
Good to know
Children
If youâre 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 isnât 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 youâre 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! Donât worry if you donât know your exact address at the time of booking - youâll have the opportunity to update us closer to your travel date. Make sure to select âReturnâ 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 âOne Wayâ or âReturnâ to change the type of trip you need. Itâs a simple, easy, and fun way to book your next adventure! And if you donât 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.
