Cusco Travel Forum

Hi
I´m currently in Arequipa and i´m planning a trip to cuzco, nazca, and final destination puno. I already checked ¨cruz del sol¨ and i see there´s buses from cuzco to nazca, but not from nazca to cuzco or puno. My plan was to go from arequipa to nazca, nazca to cuzco, cuzco to puno. Or arequipa to cuzco, cuzco to nazca, nazca to cuzco/puno. Can some one please help?

thanks :)

um have you studied your map?

i hopefully assume that you've come north from chile to arrive in arequipa.

if there is a bus from cuzco to nazca, then your first itinerary looks right if your final destination is puno.
i also assume you'll be heading to bolivia afterwards.

Check on:

http://www.sabuses.com/

and you'll see TEPSA has buses covering your routes.

I agree. Just stick to the best plan: Arequipa-Nazca, Nazca-Cusco, and Cusco-Puno.

Goodluck & enjoy beautiful Peru!

thanks for you help, i already got my tickets through tepsa. Arequipa to Nazca and Nazca to Cuzco. Once in cuzco im going to check what buses go to puno, because tepsa doesn´t go nor cruz del sur.

There are many local buses and a handful of special "tourist" buses that ply the Cusco-Puno route. You can get the bus ticket at least one day before departure date in Cusco. Also, the train ride can be inexpensive. Check my Puno page under "transportation" tip for the Cusco-Puno train ride & how to get it at a cheap rate. Goodluck & enjoy beautiful Peru!

Hi Marissa,
I am also looking for a train ride from Cuzco to Puno. But it seems like they don't have the backpacker service anymore. The website only has the expensive ticket ($143 one way, and will be $220 starting in April)... :( ... I read a post in another forum here in VT that this guy emailed peru rail and was told that they no longer run the backpacker service ... I was really hoping I could get the backpacker train ...

is it safe to take the bus from cuzco to puno ? or is it better to just fly to Juliaca ?

Thanks
Maria

Flying will not be much less than that, I'm afraid.
Buses are quite OK if you stick with the better companies.
There are several tourist buses, e.g.:
www.inkaexpress.com
But yes, Marissa can tell you more detailed info about this stretch.

Hi Maria,

First of all, I would like to say that Peru Rail tends to endorse only the most expensive tickets ($143 OW, didn't even know about the upcoming price hike) they can sell you via their website and ticket retailers that cater to tourists. The cheaper train tickets are available, but accessible only if you ask for it. I've asked a hostel staff in Cusco (check my Puno transportation tip) to buy it for me in advance (5 months in advance) for a little supplemental fee ($6) and got my cheap ($19) OW Cusco-Puno train ticket this way. You can't pre-reserve this kind of train ticket directly through the Peru Rail website anyway. I highly recommend to try doing what I did and really push for it, so people know you're either serious or desperate enough (like me) to get it. I don't know what others have posted here and the truth to it, but what I do know from my own experience is that I did get a CHEAP Cusco-Puno train ticket during my vacation. It was an amazing and scenic ride and from what I heard, it is much better than the bus ride. I do know other tourists I've met in Puno who took the bus ride and didn't seem to have any problems with it. The only regret from them is not having to ride the train, which they thought was quite expensive as they only read the exorbitant rates advertised in the website and guidebooks. Noel is right, flying is not much less, but if you're lucky, you can get a much cheaper price for a OW flight than a regular train ride (the $143 that's advertised). As already indicated, there are regular & tourist buses that are available for a nominal fee. If I were you, I'd look into the CHEAP train ride if at all possible. Let us know of updates re: your Cusco-Puno transportation investigation.

Good Luck & Enjoy Beautiful Peru!

Thank you Nhoolb and Marissa... Yes I will try having my hotel book a train .. I would prefer to take the train, whenever possible. I'd love to see the scenery on the way :) I'll let you know what I find.