Ollantaytambo is 72 km northwest of Cusco, at 2,792 m above sea level — about 600 m lower than Cusco, which makes it a gentle first stop to get used to the altitude. By road the trip takes 1.5 to 2 hours. These are your options, from the most comfortable to the cheapest.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Time | Approx. price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer — car (up to 4) | 1.5–2 h | USD 50 per car | Arriving at the airport, luggage, families |
| Private transfer — van (up to 7) | 1.5–2 h | USD 75 per van | Groups |
| Taxi | about 1.5 h | S/ 100–180 per car | Flexibility, if you can negotiate |
| Shared colectivo | 1.5–2 h | S/ 10–20 per person | Budget travelers with light luggage |
| PeruRail train | about 2 h 45 min | from about USD 70 | A scenic ride on a fixed schedule |
1. Private transfer: door to door
The easiest way, especially if you land at Cusco airport: the driver waits for you at arrivals and drops you at the door of your hotel in Ollantaytambo, with no changes and no haggling. We arrange it for our guests: USD 50 for a car (up to 4 people) or USD 75 for a van (up to 7). Send us your flight number on WhatsApp and we take care of the rest.
2. Taxi
A taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo costs around S/ 100–180 per car and takes about an hour and a half. Agree on the price before you get in, and prefer a taxi called by your hotel or a company over one stopped in the street.
3. Shared colectivo: the cheapest option
Shared vans (colectivos) leave from Calle Pavitos, in central Cusco, as soon as they are full; during the day one leaves frequently. The ride costs about S/ 10–20 per person and takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Pay in cash, in soles.
- Space for big suitcases is limited and the vans can get crowded at busy times.
- No colectivos leave from the airport: take a taxi to Calle Pavitos first.
- They stop near the main square of Ollantaytambo; our hotel is a 5-minute walk from there.
4. Train from Cusco
PeruRail runs Expedition and Vistadome Observatory trains from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. Service 33 leaves Wanchaq station at 05:40 (by bus to Poroy, then by train) and arrives at 08:22; service 203 leaves San Pedro station at 07:30 and arrives at 10:22. On the way back, service 604 leaves Ollantaytambo at 19:08. Fares start at about USD 70; schedules change with the season, so check them on perurail.com before you travel.
Tips from our family
- Sleep in Ollantaytambo first. At 2,792 m it is about 600 m lower than Cusco, so your body gets used to the altitude more easily.
- Travel by daylight to enjoy the views of the Sacred Valley and arrive with time to settle in.
- Going on to Machu Picchu? Trains from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu Pueblo take about 1 h 20 to 1 h 40. Spending the night before in Ollantaytambo lets you catch an early train without a two-hour drive at dawn.
- Our hotel is in Qosqo Ayllu, the original Inca quarter: 5 minutes on foot from the main square and 10 from the train station.
Sleep in Ollantaytambo
Parwa & Iskay is a family-run hotel in the heart of Ollantaytambo, with breakfast and Wi-Fi included in every booking. Write to us and we will help you with your transfer, trains and tours.
Sources (checked October 2026): PeruRail – Cusco–Ollantaytambo train · PeruRail – Ollantaytambo · PeruRail – schedules · Andenes del Inca · Lorenzo Expeditions · Wikipedia – Ollantaytambo