Peru Transport

Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport handles all overseas flights from Europe and North America. There are no direct flights here from the UK or Ireland, however, so passengers will have to travel via Madrid, Spain which has a direct connection with Lima. Five carriers offer direct flights from Europe, which take approximately 13 hours.

Jorge Chávez International Airport is located to the northwest of Lima and has just the one terminal handling international and domestic flights. Essential passenger facilities at the airport include: currency exchange booths, cash machines and banks, left luggage and a medical centre. The terminal also has a range of cafés and restaurants, as well as several gift shops, including handicrafts, and a newsagents and confectionery shops.

For transport into central Lima, ‘combi’ minibuses run from the airport, while local buses run from the main street just outside the airport grounds. Official taxis offer the fastest option for getting to hotels and depart from outside the arrivals hall. If you hire a car at the airport, take E Faucett Avenue to the city centre.

The cheapest way to get to Peru from nearby countries is overland by bus. Several bus companies offer journeys to Peru from Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, although journeys are often long and fairly arduous. Bus services to Peru from neighbouring countries leave from Quito and Guayaquil in Ecuador; from La Paz and Copacabana in Bolivia; and from Arica in Chile.

It is possible for visitors to drive from neighbouring countries although this is not particularly recommended due to the less than perfect roads and long distances. Overland border crossings exist between Bolivia and Peru at Desaguadero and at Yunguyo on the shores of Lake Titicaca nearby. Borders for other countries exist at Tacna for Chile, and at Tumbes for Ecuador.

If you prefer to travel on water, ferries travel to Peru from numerous overseas destinations. Most services port at Callao, near Lima, which is the main seaport. You can also get to Iquitos, northern Peru, from Colombia and Brazil by river boat.

Peru is a large and mountainous country and flying is the most convenient and quickest way to get between major cities. Most major cities have airports and tickets can be purchased relatively cheaply, depending on the season. Travelling between Lima, Cuzco, Arequipa, and Iquitos by plane is straightforward, although getting to Puno and Lake Titicaca requires a lengthy bus journey from the airport.

Travelling by train in Peru is reasonable, although the rail network is not extensive and travelling in any class below First Class is more than likely going to be uncomfortable. Tickets must be purchased in advance of travel, particularly if you intend travelling First or Buffet Class (one up from First Class). If you don’t book in advance, you may be forced to suffer the hardship and luggage overload of the other classes.

Bus travel in Peru is by far the cheapest form of public transport in the country. Competition among bus companies is fierce, helping to keep prices low and ensuring that just about every destination is covered. If you are travelling long distances, it is advisable to book a seat in either the ‘Royal’ or ‘Imperial’ class, where services include toilets, reclining seats and other niceties. Buses known as colectivos are the cheapest of all and best used for short distances. Luggage theft on buses in Peru is a common problem and passengers should always keep an eye on hand luggage, as well as their main luggage during unloading time.

The north to south Pan-American Highway is the main international highway in the country, running from Tumbes to Tacna through the coastal desert of Peru. Travelling long distances by car in Peru can be extremely hard work due to bad roads, erratic local drivers and difficult terrain. If you plan on renting a car and are interested in seeing a lot of Peru, it is far better to fly between major cities and rent the car as and when you arrive. Major car rental companies can be found in Lima, Cuzco and Arequipa and rates are fairly expensive in relation to other forms of travel. Four-wheel-drives, trucks and jeeps are particularly expensive but may be the only way to negotiate some roads.

Taxis are sometimes the only way to get from one destination to another in the big cities like Lima. While they are relatively cheap, visitors should always check that the taxi cab is an official one with the official badge on the side. Always negotiate the price before setting off on your journey. Every major city offers official taxi companies which are best booked by phone. Getting your hotel to order you a taxi is the safest option.