**Cusco Airport Taxi Prices and Scams Before Visiting Machu Picchu**
I was furious! Sky Airlines charged me an extra $40 for my carry-on, even though I had already paid for it. I had confirmed with my travel agency that everything was set, but the airline staff didn’t care. It felt like they were deliberately targeting foreign tourists. This is apparently a common scam—just Google it, and you’ll see many similar stories.
After landing in Cusco, I needed to exchange some cash. The rate was 3.34 soles per dollar, much lower than the 3.65 I could get in Lima. Between the taxi scams and the airline ordeal, I was so frustrated that I didn’t even want to deal with taxi drivers. I decided to blacklist them altogether.
My ride from the airport was short—just 15 minutes and about 4.2 kilometers (2.5 miles). Before checking the Uber app, I asked a taxi office agent at the airport, assuming they were official and trustworthy. They quoted me $20 USD, which was an outrageous price for such a short distance. I checked Uber and saw it would cost around 17 soles (about $4.70). I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure if Ubers were allowed at the airport, but I took the chance. I walked outside the airport—a crucial step—to order the Uber. In many places, including Cusco, taxi mafias control airport pickups, so Ubers often can’t enter.
Outside, there were police officers managing traffic, which made me feel safe. I requested an Uber and waited near the gas station. My ride arrived in just three minutes. The driver was friendly, and the car was clean. It was a stark contrast to the taxi driver in Lima who had warned me not to use Uber, claiming it was dangerous. That was clearly just a scare tactic.
Overall, it was a frustrating experience, but I’m glad I avoided further scams. I hope sharing my story helps other travelers steer clear of these issues.
**Update:** My travel agency was right—Sky Airlines had scammed me. After filing a complaint, I got my $40 refund. However, I’ll never fly with them again. Locals in Peru even warned me that Sky Airlines is notorious for being cheap and unreliable. Avoid them if you can!
