Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport at Cusco receives flights from all over Peru and a few international destinations. It is named after Peruvian pilot Alejandro Velasco Astete who was the first person to fly over the Andes in 1925 flying to this airport. This airport becomes very busy specially during high season. Dozens of flights from Lima , Arequipa and Juliaca ( a city next to Puno) land here everyday. You can also fly to Puerto Maldonado from here. Note that there is no flight between Cusco and Puno. Actually there is no airport at Puno. If you want to go Puno take the flight to Juliaca. You need only 45 minutes to reach Puno from Juliaca by road.
LanPeru provides better service, more reliable, specially with timetable. But LanPeru is expensive too ($200.00 return tickets). You can choose Aero Condor, this one is cheapest in this line (around $130.00 return tickets).
Cities
FLIGHT Time (hr)
Operating airlines
Lima- Cusco
1.05
LanPeru, AeroCondor, TACA, Star Peru
Arequipa - Cusco
0.55
LanPeru, Star Peru
Cusco - Juliaca
0.55
LanPeru, AeroCondor
By Bus
Lima is too far to reach Cusco by Bus. Bus service is good in Peru now a days. But tourists usually travel between Arequipa, Puno and Cusco by bus. If you planning to reach Cusco from Lima airway is far better choice. But if you still prefer bus, then you may travel by Cruz del Sur or by Ormeno. Usually it takes around 24 hours to reach Cusco from Lima. Cruz Del and Ormeno have some buses called imperial service. Those are really good. Seats are really comfortable. English speaking guide, video, sandwich and a lot more are provided in imperial or royal service. I will strongly recommend imperial service, if you have to travel by bus.
Website of Bus Companies
Companies
Website
Comments
Ormeno
grupo-ormeno.com.pe
Only in Spanish language
Cruz Del Sur
cruzdelsur.com.pe
You can buy ticket online
By Train
Sorry, there is no train service between Lima and Cusco. If you are Puno, you can reach Cusco by train from Puno. Though it takes at least 10 hours (usually it is late), this is the best train journey in Peru. It passes through at an altitude of 11500 ft. Places it passes is considered to be most scenic in Peru. Trains reach Cusco at Huanchaq station. They have two types of service for between Cusco and Puno. Andean Explorer is expensive ($120.00), but very very comfortable and meals are provided during journey. You can go by Backpacker class, which is really cheap, only 17.00$. Backpackers service is also comfortable, though no food is offered.