Travel guide
How to get from Nazca to Cusco
Nazca and Cusco are 660 km apart across the Andes. The direct night bus takes about 14 hours and climbs to more than 4,000 m; the alternative is to return to Lima and fly, or to break the journey in Arequipa. This guide compares the options and shows how travellers combine the Nazca Lines flight with Machu Picchu.
Updated: 2026-09-16
Option 1: direct night bus, about 14 hours
Cruz del Sur, Oltursa and Civa run buses from Nazca to Cusco leaving between 20:00 and 22:30 and arriving the next morning around 10:00 to 12:00. Choose the fully reclining seats (160 or 180 degrees) on the lower deck: the road over the Abancay pass is winding and reaches 4,100 m at its highest point.
Fares range from about US$ 35 to US$ 70 depending on the seat. Bring a jacket, water and snacks; the bus stops once. If you fly over the lines in the morning, you have the afternoon free in Nazca before the bus.
Option 2: bus to Arequipa, then Cusco
Nazca to Arequipa is 9 hours (night bus), and Arequipa to Cusco another 10 hours or a 1-hour flight. It takes a day longer but adds the Colca Canyon and helps you acclimatise gradually: Arequipa is at 2,300 m, Cusco at 3,400 m.
Option 3: back to Lima and fly
Nazca to Lima is 7 hours by bus; from Lima there are flights to Cusco every hour (1 h 20 min). Total about 12 hours, more comfortable than the night bus but usually more expensive. It is the best choice if you are not comfortable with long mountain roads.
Doing it the other way: Nazca Lines from Cusco
Many travellers visit Cusco first and want to see the lines before flying home from Lima. Our two-day Nazca Lines tour from Cusco includes the night bus, a hotel in Nazca, the scenic flight and the onward bus to Lima, so the logistics are handled for you.
Suggested itinerary combining both
Day 1: Lima to Paracas or Huacachina. Day 2: Nazca Lines flight, night bus to Cusco. Day 3: rest and city tour. Day 4: Sacred Valley. Day 5: Machu Picchu. Day 6: fly Cusco to Lima. Six days cover the two icons of southern Peru without backtracking.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the bus from Nazca to Cusco?
About 14 hours on the direct night bus, leaving in the evening and arriving late morning.
Is there a flight from Nazca to Cusco?
No. Nazca airfield only operates scenic flights. The nearest airports with flights to Cusco are Lima and Arequipa.
Is the Nazca to Cusco road safe?
Yes, with the main companies (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa). The road is paved but winding and high; choose a reclining seat and travel at night to arrive fresh.
Can I see the Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu in the same trip?
Yes. Fly over the lines from Nazca or Pisco, take the night bus to Cusco and give yourself a day to acclimatise before Machu Picchu.
