Money at Cusco–Alejandro Velasco Astete International (CUZ)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Cusco, Peru.
Cusco uses the PEN (S/). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly S/.15–S/.25. Cash preferred for taxis; small PEN notes.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Cusco–Alejandro Velasco Astete International (CUZ)?
Peru uses the PEN (S/). Airport ATMs dispense PEN directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from CUZ to the city cost?
Expected fare on the CUZ → Plaza de Armas route is roughly S/.15–S/.25. Around S/.50+ is already high, and S/.80+ unauthorized is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at CUZ?
Not expected. Drivers in Peru don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at CUZ?
Cash preferred for taxis; small PEN notes. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of PEN notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at CUZ?
Only if you need $10–20 of PEN to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.