South America > Peru > Cusco (CUZ)
The Car or no Car advice for Cusco can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Cusco ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Cusco ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Cusco?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚆 Rail: the classic way to Machu Picchu
Cusco is famous for its scenic rail services. These lines are a major reason why private cars are often unnecessary.
1. Trains to Machu Picchu
There are two operators:
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PeruRail – runs the Vistadome, Expedition, and luxury Hiram Bingham services.
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Inca Rail – runs several classes between Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
Trains depart from:
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Poroy Station (close to Cusco, but with limited departures), and
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Ollantaytambo (in the Sacred Valley, with the most frequent services).
Because no public roads reach Machu Picchu itself, the final ascent is by shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes. This makes the whole journey heavily rail-dependent.
2. Trains to Puno and Lake Titicaca
The Titicaca Train links Cusco with Puno. This is one of South America’s great rail journeys. It crosses altiplano landscapes and avoids the need to navigate long, high-altitude highways.
3. Trains to Arequipa
The route from Cusco to Arequipa is scenic but mostly used by luxury tourist trains. It avoids long mountain drives but is not an everyday service.
These routes mean you can explore far beyond Cusco without driving.
🚌 Local transport and Sacred Valley day trips
Cusco has:
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reliable taxis,
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organised minivans known as colectivos, and
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many guided tours to the Sacred Valley.
These reach Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Chinchero, Maras Salt Mines, and other Inca sites. The roads are winding and steep. Parking is limited at popular stops. Colectivos and guided trips often save time and stress.
🏔️ The altitude factor
Cusco sits at 3,400 metres. Visitors often feel mild altitude symptoms on the first day. Because of this, driving immediately after arrival can be tiring and risky. Letting a guide or local driver handle the roads is usually safer.
🚗 When a rental car makes sense
A car is useful if:
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you want to explore remote villages not served by colectivos,
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you plan to spend several days touring higher Andean passes, or
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you want complete independence in the Sacred Valley.
However, you should expect narrow roads, sudden drops, livestock on the carriageway, and changeable mountain weather. Drivers unfamiliar with Andean routes may find this stressful.
Moreover, many key attractions—Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain (via organised hikes), and the Inca Trail—cannot be reached directly by car.
🧭 Conclusion — Should you rent a car in Cusco?
Should you rent a car in Cusco? Usually no, because trains and tours offer smooth access to Machu Picchu and most Sacred Valley highlights. Still, a car has value if you want to reach remote Andean areas on your own schedule. For most visitors, though, Cusco is one of the strongest “no-car needed” destinations in South America.