Cusco Velazco Astete Airport (CUZ) Flights & Flight Status

Flying into Cusco for the first time was one of the most exciting trips of my adult life. It was my first time in Peru and I was on my way to see Machu Picchu, which had been on my bucket list for years. Let’s just say the magic of the Sacred Valley got to me and I plan to go back every chance I get.

If you do the same, the Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport (CUZ) will likely be your jumping-off point before getting to Machu Picchu. While it’s the second-busiest airport in Peru, it’s relatively easy to navigate as long as you have patience and take your time.

Next time you’re heading to Cusco, the following tips and tricks will help ensure your trip goes off without a hitch.

Arriving at CUZ

Landing in and navigating Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport is a relatively easy operation, but you’ll still want to take it slow. The altitude change in Cusco (it sits about 11,000 feet) can take even the most seasoned travelers by surprise and result in altitude sickness, even compared to neighboring Lima.

I’ve been to more than 50 countries on all seven continents and I was still hit aggressively with nausea, dizziness, and a headache almost immediately upon arrival which made getting through baggage claim and into a taxi somewhat tricky.

The Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport is the second-largest airport in Peru after Lima but it’s still relatively small for an international airport. If you arrive between peak hours, it’ll be quick and easy to retrieve your luggage and get through customs, but chances are good you’ll likely be arriving from a domestic flight and won’t have to deal with any additional screening upon arrival.

Getting to and from the airport by public transportation

The Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport is only about 4 miles southeast of the city center and as such you might be tempted to take public transit to avoid a taxi fee. Keep in mind that there are no busses that stop directly at the airport and if you do want to catch a bus, locally known as combis, into town, you’ll have to walk to the Pesca gas station near the airport.

It’s also worth noting that the busses in this area (and in Cusco proper) do not run regularly and you might end up having to wait for quite a while for your bus to come. Unless you’re really trying to be frugal and make your money go as far as possible, I would recommend skipping public transportation this time around.

Getting to and from CUZ by car

The best and easiest way to get to and from Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport is by hiring a taxi. You’ll want to take care to hire an official car rather than something unmarked.

Don’t accept a ride from anyone who approaches you with a deal and make sure the taxi you get into is marked with the company number illuminated on the roof of the car. Reputable brands that you’re likely to see are Aló Taxi or Okarina and both are fine.

Keep in mind that taxis in Cusco are not metered so, no, you’re not getting ripped off if you don’t see a meter running. The average cost of a taxi from the airport to the city center is not too expensive and the ride should take about twenty minutes, depending on exactly where your hotel is located.

It’s also worth noting that Uber has recently become available in Cusco. The cost will generally be a little bit more expensive than a local taxi company but it provides a peace of mind that might be worth the extra fee.

Security lines at CUZ

Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport is a small airport with one single terminal. This makes it the airport easy to navigate but it can sometimes be hectic to get through security. Despite the small size, I recommend arriving at least three hours in advance to ensure you have plenty of time to get through security before your flight.

I’ve never had to wait more than 15 minutes to get through security but with multiple flights between Cusco and Lima each day in one single terminal, there’s always the chance of getting stuck behind multiple flights’ worth of travelers and having to rush to make it to your gate.

Free Wi-Fi at Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport

Unfortunately, there is absolutely no free airport-wide Wi-Fi at CUZ. I found this out the hard way when I left a bunch of work to do during my first long layover at this airport, which caused a lot of unnecessary stress. It’s best not to leave important work for your time at CUZ.

If you do need access to Wi-Fi and don’t have an international roaming plan, you can access Wi-Fi at most of the cafes and restaurants within the airport. Keep in mind that Wi-Fi access at these establishments is not free, though. You’ll have to buy something in order to access the Wi-Fi password and get connected, but even something small like a simple drip coffee will do.

Souvenir shopping at CUZ

The souvenir shopping at Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport is limited. Still, I’ve scored a handful of great locally made products while waiting for my flight to Lima in the past. There are a couple of souvenir shops before security and a handful airside as well.

I found local alpaca scarves and artisan-made jewelry at a few of the shops, as well as much-appreciated local Peruvian altitude sickness pills made from a blend of herbs and spices.

I really liked that the souvenir shops at the Cusco airport were mainly locally made goods rather than generic stuff, but the cost is definitely a whole lot more at the airport than it would have been in the city center. I recommend taking a little browse if you have leftover items you wanted to find, as I did, but otherwise, it’ll be more economical do to your shopping right in Cusco.

Lounges at the airport

The thing about the Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport is that it’s small and not exactly the most comfortable airport. The seating is limited and if you do snag a seat, it’s barely more comfortable than sitting on the floor. If you plan to escape the masses and dash into the lounge, you can try to get into the Hanaq VIP Lounge Cusco, which is located near gate 9.

The Hanaq VIP Lounge Cusco is open to travelers of all classes and airlines, as long as you have a membership with Priority Pass or one of the various credit cards that allow entrance. The lounge is accessible exclusively for domestic flights and is open from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm daily.

Keep in mind that this lounge has a three-hour time limit per client and it doesn’t include unlimited free alcoholic beverages. Your first drink is free but every subsequent drink is going to be subject to payment. In this case, you’re really just paying for a more comfortable seat than those in the public waiting area.

I usually love checking into a lounge but I didn’t find this one to be worth the additional fees, even as a Priority Pass member.

Service animal relief area

Traveling with a pup – whether a service animal or just a furry best friend – can be a lot of fun, but it might not be the best idea to bring an animal to Cusco. The elevated altitude can affect animals just like it can humans and your companion may find it uncomfortable or disorienting.

What’s more, there are no service animal relief areas at the Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco International Airport. If you do find yourself traveling with a pet, you’ll have to exit the airport and go outside in order for your pet to do their business.