Puno Transportation

City Airport Information

The closest airport terminal is the Inca Manco Capac International Airport, known as Aeropuerto Internacional Inca Manco Capac in Spanish, and is situated in the city of Juliaca, a 30-minute drive from Puno city. Despite the name, this airport does not feature any scheduled international connections.

The airline serving the airport is LAN Peru, which has daily flights from both Lima and Cuzco. Flights from Lima have a duration of approximately 2.5 hours, with a stop in Cuzco. Flights directly from Cuzco take just under an hour.

City Bus Information

It is very possible (and common for those on a budget) to travel to and from Puno by bus, particularly from Cusco and onwards to Copacabana in Bolivia. The ride from Cusco can be arranged in a tourist bus, where along the way you visit the church in Andahuaylillas, the Inca temple Raqchi, the highest pass on the route La Raya, and the pre-Inca ruins of Pukara. This trip is highly scenic and takes about 9 hours including the various stops and a buffet lunch in Sicuani.

Another very attractive, if more costly, option is the tourist train that runs 3 times a week from Cusco – for more details ask one of our expert travel advisors.

Getting around the City

The most convenient way to get around the city is on foot, as the center is small and all points of interest are within easy walking distance from each other. Thankfully the streets are much less steep than they are in Cusco – a blessing at over 12,400 feet!

However, if the altitude is still leaving you somewhat puffed, taxi fare within the city is similar to that in Cusco, and generally never exceeds 3 soles (around $1) – but remember that taxis are not metered and be sure to settle a price before beginning your journey. Of course, if you prefer, your hotel is always able to arrange a secure and reliable taxi to assist you on your excursions.