Getting Around in Peru

Explore Peru

Getting around Peru isn’t just logistics—it’s part of the adventure. Hop on a vista dome train for jaw-dropping Andean panoramas, catch a quick flight from Lima to Iquitos to swap the coastline for an amazing jungle adventure in hours or roll along winding highways by bus through high-altitude villages and the interior. Every transfer unlocks new terrain, local flavors and hidden gems off the beaten track, turning each mile into a front-row seat on Peru’s epic landscapes and vibrant cultures.

See below for more information on "how do I get around in Peru?"

Your Window Seat to a Mini Adventure

Peru’s rail network for travelers centers on two main operators—PeruRail and Inca Rail—plus a luxury sleeper train and a national mountain line. These services link Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno (Lake Titicaca), Arequipa and even Lima to the central highlands.

Here are the rail lines available for your travels: Peru Rail - Cusco ↔ Machu Picchu; Cusco ↔ Puno; Cusco ↔ Arequipa, Inca Rail - Cusco ↔ Machu Picchu, Belmond Andean Explorer - Cusco ↔ Puno ↔ Arequipa (sleeper service), Ferrocarril Central Andino - Lima ↔ Huancayo; connections to Huancavelica.

PeruRail, part of the Belmond group, is the bigger operator with more daily departures and routes beyond Machu Picchu, while Inca Rail focuses exclusively on the Cusco–Machu Picchu corridor with a smaller fleet and boutique offerings. The Belmond Andean Explorer elevates luxury travel between the southern cities, and Ferrocarril Central Andino provides the only direct rail link from Lima into the Andes highlands.

Cusco to Machu Picchu

The best way to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco is by train.

Consider taking PeruRail - trusted for over 20 years - PeruRail transforms a necessary transfer into an iconic experience that will add to your headline‑making part of your Peruvian story. Enjoy a moving panorama through large viewing windows as you glide through jagged valleys, misty cloud forests and watch rivers unfold as the train pauses at KM104 for thrill seeking hikers joining the Inca Trail. Choosing the Vistadome observatory car will expand your experience into a live spectacular journey surrounded by inspiring landscapes as you build your suspense to the legendary city in the sky-Machu Picchu.

Scenic, easy, and downright unforgettable.

Book early as tickets sell out fast.

HOT TIP : If you are planning on hiking the Inca Trail through a travel agency, most packages include the train transfer. Check your itinerary and package details.

Front-Row Views to Wonder

Ride the intercity buses to see the countryside. Consider taking Peru’s chartered buses for epic value and front‑row views as you slice through coastal plains, highland deserts and the Andean switchbacks. Overnight sleepers save daylight for exploring, comfortable luxury coaches offer reclining seats with frequent departures, giving you a flexible exploring itinerary. Travel like a local, spot hidden villages between major stops and turn long transfers into mini-adventures that stretch your Peru story without breaking the bank. Scenic, smart, and surprisingly stylish.

Unlocking the Roads of Peru

Hit the road to your dreams—rent a Budget car and turn every turn into an adventure. Cut loose from timetables, chase sunrise overlooks on secret mountain roads and pull over for golden shots of terraces, waterfalls and village life. Choose the right vehicle for the route, pack water and a spare tire and trade crowded buses for privacy, flexibility for the freedom to discover hidden gems that don’t make the guidebooks. Rent a car and unfold your adventure - your way.

Maximize Your Adventure Time

Fly into Peru’s airports and kick your adventure into high gear — land in Lima for city culture, touch down in Cusco to start the trek to Machu Picchu, hop to Iquitos for instant Amazon immersion or arrive in Arequipa and drive into canyon country. Fast domestic hops, convenient airport pickups and regional connections turn travel time into more time exploring. Uncover those off‑grid gems.

Hot Tip : Transform the way you travel though airports. Instead of waiting at crowded gates when traveling to Peru, consider an airport Priority Pass or a Lounge Pass which adds more flexibility by giving you access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide. It’s a simple upgrade that makes long layovers easier, reduces travel stress and helps you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed rather than drained.

Airport reliability in Peru

Peru’s main international airports LIMA - Jorge Chávez International (LIM) or CUSCO - Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) are generally reliable for scheduled domestic and international flights. Airports Arequipa, Trujillo, and Iquitos offer regular service and good ground‑side facilities.

Operational reliability can vary by region and season: highland and jungle airports face weather‑related delays, while remote or smaller airports have fewer daily flights and can be more easily affected by schedule changes or cancellations.

Strikes, infrastructure limits and occasional operational disruptions have interrupted travel in the past, so travelers should expect occasional delays and keep flexible connections when moving between isolated destinations.

Practical advice to consider: book critical domestic hops early, allow buffer time for one‑way itineraries, monitor your airline for updates and prefer airports and carriers with higher frequency on your route to reduce risk of missed connections.

Airports in Peru

Below are the main airports that handle regular commercial flights and are used by travelers exploring Peru. Please check with local authorities for other possible connections depending on your own personal itinerary.

• Lima — Jorge  Chávez International (LIM): Peru’s primary international gateway with the widest range of connections.

• Cusco — Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ): Main airport for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley; frequent flights from Lima.

• Juliaca / Puno — Inca Manco Cápac International (JUL): Gateway for Lake Titicaca and southern highlands (serve Puno).

• Arequipa — Rodríguez Ballón International (AQP): Access to Colca Canyon and southern coastal routes.

• Trujillo — Cap. FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos (TRU): Northern Pacific coast and archaeological sites like Chan Chan.

• Piura — Capitán FAP Guillermo Concha Iberico (PIU): Northern beaches and gateway to northern desert/oasis regions.

• Tumbes — Cap. FAP Pedro Canga Rodríguez (TBP): Closest airport for northern coastal resorts and mangroves.

• Iquitos — Coronel FAP Francisco Secada Vignetta International (IQT): Main air gateway to the Peruvian Amazon. 

• Tarapoto — Cad. FAP Guillermo del Castillo Paredes (TPP): Amazon foothills, waterfalls, and jungle lodges.

• Pucallpa — FAP Captain David Abenzur Rengifo (PCL): Eastern lowlands access and jungle departures.

• Chachapoyas — Chachapoyas Airport (CHH): Region for Kuélap and cloud‑forest excursions.

• Ayacucho — Coronel FAP Alfredo Mendívil Duarte (AYP): Highlands travel and cultural tourism.

• Huánuco — Alférez FAP David Figueroa Fernandini (HUU): Central highlands access for jungle‑Andean transitions.

• Jauja / Junín — Francisco Carle (JAU): Central highlands access; flights mainly from Lima.

• Jaén — Jaén Airport (JAE): Northern highlands and Amazon access.

• Andahuaylas — Andahuaylas Airport (ANS): Southern‑central highlands regional flights.

• Anta / Huaraz — Comandante FAP Germán Arias Graziani (ATA): Gateway for Huaraz and the Cordillera Blanca.

Main Airlines operating in Peru

• LATAM Airlines Perú — the country’s largest carrier and main domestic hub operator with the widest network.

• Sky Airline Perú — growing low‑cost carrier serving major domestic routes and expanding regional links.

• JetSmart Perú — budget airline focused on point‑to‑point domestic connections and competitive fares.

• Star Perú — smaller domestic carrier with frequent services to secondary airports and niche routes.

• ATSA / AerCaribe Perú and other regionals — smaller carriers that fill gaps on shorter or less‑served routes.

The Real Adventure

Fill your journey with the real story-making experiences. Ride local and you skip the tourist beat: buses reveal more of the city, while flagging a taxi and app rides save precious time. Each choice delivers immediacy to Peruvian culture, local color and the kind of unscripted moments that turn travel into memories that are impossible to forget.

Travel available in the main cities include : Local buses, taxis, Uber and of course walking. Remember, when planning your trip, that smaller cities and towns might not have these services available and that finding the local bus stops and their reliability may vary. 

Uber is available at LIMA airport for reliable fares without bartering for a taxi. 

Walking

Walk Peru’s streets to turn sightseeing into serendipity: cobbled plazas, market stalls and hidden courtyards reveal local life, roadside feasts, and photo moments you’ll never catch from a bus. Walking lets you soak in colonial architecture and colorful Andean art, slow‑your‑breath for altitude acclimatization, overhear market banter and discover tiny cafés, artisan shops and rooftop sunset viewpoints that guidebooks skip. It’s the cheapest way to dive into culture, sharpen your itinerary with on‑the‑spot finds and make meaningful exchanges with vendors and neighbors—every step can be its own souvenir.

Quick walking tips

• Walk early or late to avoid heat and crowds.

• Carry water, sunscreen, and small change for street vendors.

• Learn a few Spanish phrases to start conversations and unlock local recommendations.

Local Buses

City buses are the cheapest way to get around Peruvian cities, serving dense urban corridors and suburban routes. They range from municipal buses to crowded minibuses that dive into narrow streets and neighborhoods.

Practical tips to consider:

• Use large buses for predictable routes and minibuses to reach markets or neighborhoods off main lines.

• Ask your hotel for the exact bus name/number and the most reliable boarding point -consider a taxi or app ride at night.

• Expect cash fares on local buses; carry small bills and coins.

• Signal your stop early on minibuses; drivers don’t always announce stops.

• Learn a few destination names in Spanish to avoid getting off too early

Standards vary by city and operator: bigger cities have newer fleets and dedicated terminals, while smaller towns rely on older vehicles and informal schedules. Watch for crowding, keep valuables close, and prefer official terminals or known operators for longer city runs.

Taxis and Ride Apps

Taxis are the fastest, most flexible way to get around Peruvian cities and towns; they range from company‑branded cars and airport counters to informal unmarked cabs and moto‑taxis in smaller places. Allow some extra time for city congestion or for those seasonal festivals.

Safety and common scams

Use company taxis or airport counters for the safest rides. Unmarked or informal taxis can be cheaper but carry higher risk of overcharging or scams—agree the fare up front or use an app to avoid surprises.

Ride apps and reliable options

Ride‑hailing apps like Uber and Cabify operate in major cities and offer clear pricing and traceable trips. Airport shuttle services and established transfer companies are popular alternatives for arrivals and departures.

Fares and payment

Many city taxis still prefer cash and negotiated fares. Apps and company taxis accept cards or in‑app payments, so carry small bills for metered negotiation or tipping in smaller towns.

Night travel and luggage

At night or when you have heavy bags, consider official airport taxis, hotel‑recommended services or prebooked transfers—these may cost more but cut safety and reliability risks.

Whichever way you choose to get around—bus, boat, moto-taxi or your own two feet—every journey in Peru spins into a story: a market overheard, a canyon glimpsed from the window or a colorful festival blocking your way. Transit isn’t just how you get there—it’s where the magic begins.