Travel to Peru
Flying to Peru
Most international visitors arrive by air via Lima. The principal gateway is Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Callao, adjacent to Lima, which is one of the busiest airports in South America and a significant regional hub. The airport sits approximately 11km (7 miles) west of Lima's principal tourist and residential districts such as Miraflores and San Isidro.
A wide range of international airlines connects Lima with cities in North America, Europe and across Latin America. From Europe, Iberia operates services via Madrid, KLM via Amsterdam, Air France via Paris, and Air Europa via Madrid. British Airways operates a seasonal non-stop service from London Gatwick (LGW), typically running from April to October. From North America, American Airlines and LATAM connect Lima with Miami, while several other carriers reach Lima via connecting hubs in Bogotá, Mexico City or Panama City. LATAM Airlines, the dominant carrier in the region, serves Lima from multiple South American cities and operates the most extensive domestic and regional network within Peru and beyond.
The most common transit hubs for travellers reaching Lima from beyond the Americas or Europe are Miami, Madrid, Bogotá, São Paulo and Mexico City. Avianca, Copa Airlines and Gol all offer useful connecting services through their respective Latin American hubs. Travellers from the Asia-Pacific region typically route via Los Angeles or Dallas, though direct connections from Sydney and Auckland are possible on some itineraries through Miami or Miami-connected hubs.
Cusco Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) receives domestic connections from Lima and is an important secondary gateway for visitors whose itinerary begins directly in the Andes. However, the altitude at CUZ and the often challenging approach mean that schedules are disrupted more frequently than at Lima, and it is generally more reliable to connect through Lima first.
Passengers making international-to-international connections at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima are required to pay a Unified Airport Usage Fee (TUUA). The fee applies to passengers connecting between international flights on the same ticket and can be paid online or at the airport. Travellers should check the latest requirements with their airline or the airport before travel.
Flight times:
From London to Lima: approximately 14 hours (non-stop seasonal service) or 16 to 18 hours via a European hub.
From Miami to Lima: approximately 6 hours (direct).
Departure tax:
Passengers making international-to-international connections at Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima are required to pay a Unified Airport Usage Fee (TUUA). The fee applies to passengers connecting between international flights on the same ticket and can be paid online or at the airport. Travellers should check the latest requirements with their airline or the airport before travel.
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
Travel by rail
There are currently no regular international passenger rail services into Peru.
Driving to Peru
Peru shares land borders with Ecuador to the northwest, Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, and Chile to the south. Overland entry is possible at a number of official border crossings, and road travel between Peru and its neighbours is relatively common among travellers exploring the wider South American region.
From Ecuador, the most frequently used crossing is at Aguas Verdes and Huaquillas, on the Pan-American Highway linking the Ecuadorian city of Machala with the Peruvian coast and eventually Lima. From Bolivia, the Desaguadero crossing at Lake Titicaca connects Copacabana and the Bolivian Altiplano with Puno and Cusco, and is popular among travellers doing the classic Andean circuit between the two countries. The Kasani crossing near Copacabana is another well-used option. From Chile, the Santa Rosa/Chacalluta crossing near Tacna is the main point of entry on the coast.
Road quality within Peru itself is variable and has been an ongoing area of investment. The Pan-American Highway along the coast is well-maintained and provides a fast, reliable north-south corridor. Roads in the highlands are more challenging, with many routes narrow and winding, and some prone to closures during the rainy season from November to March when landslides and flooding can affect routes through mountain valleys.
Getting to Peru by boat
Peru has a long Pacific coastline, but international passenger arrivals by water are limited as there are no regular international ferry services linking Peru with neighbouring countries.
Cruise ships:
Cruise ships occasionally call at ports such as Callao (serving Lima) as part of regional or international itineraries.
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