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.

Airport Guides

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.

Travelling to Peru 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.

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.