Quick Facts
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Duration
07 hours 30 minutes
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Rating
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Experience
lake tours, cultural sites, floating islands
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Best Price
USD $ 19
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Maximum comfort or class
Good
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Departures
5 Departures Daily
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Recommended by
1219 travelers
Price may fluctuate due to seasonal demand and other market-driven and regulatory events.
Bus from Cusco to Puno

Getting a bus from Cusco to Puno is a great idea for an adventure and can be had at a great price. The bus is actually one of the best ways to get from one place to the other around Peru, and the more you take it, you will find the system both convenient and fun. In this guide, we want to cover all the natural questions you may have to get to Puno on time and without hassle.
What are the buses in Peru like?
One of the things to consider is that whenever you take a bus from Cusco to Puno, the quality of the buses will differ from one carrier to the next. The reason for that is because some carriers may be in the process of upgrading their fleets, which allows them to offer new onboard amenities. In other cases, a bus carrier will offer more direct service and cut any extra stops, but these usually depart only at night.
Just because you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a bus from Cusco to Puno, it doesn’t mean you will be plagued with issues. You will miss some conveniences like an onboard toilet, or seats that can be reclined. But if you can dispense with these features for the length of the trip, you will be fine with the overall experience.
How long is the bus ride from Cusco to Puno?
The distance from Cusco to Puno is around 386 km. It will take you around 6.5 hours minimum and up to 9 maximum to get from one place to the other. This is governed not only if the bus is making additional stops along the way, but if they are going on the main highway through Juliaca and Pucara, or a minor highway that goes through Lampa. Night buses always stick to the main highway and are thus stopping less and have a shorter and more predictable time schedule.
What is the cost of traveling by bus from Cusco to Puno?
That depends on which carrier you choose or which cabin, but the basic fare is around USD $20. Some carriers have more loyal followings among certain sectors of Peruvian society, but for foreign travelers, the difference is not that distinguishable. When you click the Reserve Now button above, you will see the range of prices attached to the carrier providing that rate, and then you can use other filters to find the best rate that also meets other requirements of your itinerary.
What is the best bus between Cusco and Puno?
Our preferred carrier is no longer servicing the route, but of those that are, we prefer Mer. They are more oriented to tourism than commuters, and they have good marks in terms of quality of service and the reliability of their departures and arrivals. This is not to say all passengers travel on Mer, in fact, there are other honorable competitors like TransZela that we have also used and liked.
Where can I book bus tickets from Cusco to Puno?
The Cusco to Puno bus is almost always full because both cities are popular for different reasons. So getting tickets in advance will give you peace of mind. You can book either online or in person.
Ideally, you want to book online, because booking offline means you have to go to the terminal and risk there not being any seats left. Booking online is easier, faster and the value will be a great deal considering all the time and effort saved.
Also, keep in mind that tickets around the holidays are a bit more expensive and are sold out in rushes at the terminal. The same thing happens on weekends. Weekdays are therefore most affordable, but unless you have the time to keep track of Peruvian, Bolivian, and Pan-Latin holidays, it’s easier to just use the online system by clicking Reserve Now above, as that will show you a calendar by which you navigate in and around higher-priced days and therefore get ahead of crowds and rushes.
Where can I see the Puno to Cusco bus schedule?
The latest and most up-to-date schedules are found by clicking the Reserve Now button button above. There you can browse to see the latest information. Some bus companies can and do change their schedule, but when you use the online system you are hooked into the bus company and an agent who can notify you of any changes that come up.