Getting to and away from Juliaca

Transportation

By Ricardo Segreda

The airport in Juliaca, known as the Inca Manco Cápac International Airport, is a short distance from the city itself, northwest of it by more than 5 kilometers (or 3 miles). It is managed by a government agency and features the longest runway in all of Latin America. It is a domestic, rather than international airport, and is used only by the three Peruvian airlines – Wayra, StarPeru, and Aero Condor – as well as the Chilean airline, LAN. There approximately 28 domestic flights that leave Juliaca airport every week, ranging from a distance of 111 to 181 miles. If you are in a hurry and are willing to spend extra, you can fly directly from Juliaca airport to Puno and Lake Titicaca, rather than take a bus. There are buses and taxis that will take you directly from this airport to the village of Llachon.

If you prefer to take a bus, there is service from Cusco to Juliaca and Puno. The bus from Cusco to Juliaca can take anything from five to six hours and the road is relatively new and decent. The cost is around $10. Buses run onward to Puno, approximately another 45 km away. There is also a train service that runs from Cusco through Juliaca and Puno on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. The train makes a scenic stop at La Raya, the highest point of the journey (literally). Tickets cost $130 first class and $19 "backpacker class". If you buy the cheap tickets you can't pre-reserve seats. The train leaves Cusco at 8 a.m. and arrives in Juliaca at 4.30 p.m. and Puno at 5.30 p.m. The return journey leaves Puno at 8 a.m. and Juliaca at 9.15 am, arriving in Cusco at 5.30 p.m.