Cities Near Cusco
Cities near Cusco, Peru: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Pisac. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Cusco, Peru is Aguas Calientes, about 45 mi (73 km) away — roughly 1 hr 21 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aguas CalientesThe gateway to Machu Picchu | 45 mi / 73 km | 1 hr 21 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| OllantaytamboInca fortress and living old town | 27 mi / 43 km | 52 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| PisacInca ruins and a famous market | 11 mi / 17 km | 36 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| UrubambaHub of the Sacred Valley | 18 mi / 29 km | 35 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| ChincheroWeaving village and Inca terraces | 11 mi / 17 km | 36 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Abancay | 62 mi / 100 km | 1 hr 51 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Ayacucho | 154 mi / 247 km | 3 hr 34 min | Drive/rail | Weekend getaway |
| Juliaca | 184 mi / 295 km | 4 hr 16 min | 50 min | Weekend getaway |
| Arequipa | 201 mi / 323 km | 4 hr 23 min | 52 min | Short break |
| Puno | 206 mi / 332 km | 4 hr 30 min | 53 min | Short break |
Day trips from Cusco
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Urubamba, Chinchero. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Weekend getaways from Cusco
Far enough for a change of scene but still an easy hop: Ayacucho. Worth an overnight or a full weekend.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Cusco include Aguas Calientes, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Urubamba, Chinchero. The closest is Aguas Calientes, about 45 miles (73 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.