Travel to Peru

Flying to Peru

The principal international airline in Peru is LATAM (www.latam.com).

The major airport is: Lima Jorge Chavez International Airport.

Flight times:

To Lima: from London - 12 hours 30 minutes; New York - 8 hours.

Air passes:

oneworld Visit South America Pass: valid for travel to more than 60 destinations within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. You must buy the pass outside South America in your country of residence and you must book a minimum of three flights; prices depend on the amount of flight zones. For further details, go to www.oneworld.com.

Departure tax:

Included in the air fare.

Airport guides

Airport Code: LIM. Location: Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport is situated 16km (10 miles) northwest of Lima. Money: There are bureaux de change in the main hall of the international concourse. ATMs are available... Read more

Other airports in Peru

Cusco Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport

Airport Code: CUZ. Location: Situated 4km (2.5 miles) south of Cusco city centre, Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport... Website: N/A. Public transport description: The simplest way to reach the city centre is to take a taxi from outside the arrivals hall (journey time 5-10 minutes). Taxis do not have meters so fares must be fixed in advance. Alternatively pick up a collectivo bus from the airport car park. The airport is full of tour touts who should be avoided.

Travel by rail

Revived in 2016 after four years out of service, the only international rail service in Peru links the towns of Tacna in southern Peru and Arica, just over the border in northern Chile. The train makes daily journeys and takes approximately 90 minutes. Taking a collectivo (shared taxis which leave regularly from the bus station) is quicker and more flexible.

By rail note:

As there are few rail routes in Peru, you should try and book your train tickets the day before you travel, or earlier if possible. As always, keep an eye on your belongings.

Driving to Peru

The Panamerican Highway and two other main roads located further inland run from the north to the south of the country. There are buses from every town or city in the neighbouring countries which take you across or to borders, from where you can catch another at the other side.

Getting to Peru by boat

Main ports: Callao and San Martín. Some international cruises occasionally call at Callao and Salaverry (Trujillo). Iquitos is the main river port and the major water route between Peru and Brazil, for travel through the Amazon Basin.

Cruise ships:

Cruise ships stop briefly at Callao (for Lima), Salaverry (for Trujillo) and Matarani (near Arequipa), but as many of Peru’s main attractions are at high altitude, there are not many cruises and they are usually part of bigger trips to other destinations.

River routes:

Most routes are accessible from Iquitos, from where there are some river ferry services between Peru and Brazil (Tabatinga) and between Peru and Colombia (Leticia). See www.worldportsource.com for more information.




Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.