Claire Dean
Claire Dean

Claire Dean

Travel in South America is a joy to behold. The rich variety of destinations, experiences, landscapes and geography fascinated me so much, that I chose to relocate here, over 20 years ago! The best thing I ever did! Allow me to share my knowledge and passion for Central and South America with you and help you plan your holiday of a lifetime!

HOW TO GET TO PERU BY PLANE

HOW TO GET TO PERU BY PLANE

5MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Published: 2024-06-13

If you could choose just one word that sums up Peru, it would probably be "DIVERSITY". This South American country literally has it all! From stunning coastal regions to some of the highest mountains in the world, Peru is big, geographically disparate, culturally divergent, historically profound, and mind-bogglingly adventurous! Is it any wonder why intrepid travelers want to visit this astounding country? To get to this South American powerhouse of a travel destination you invariably have to take a plane, unless you already have the pleasure to be in one of Peru´s neighboring countries. Here are some useful Peru travel tips about how to get to Peru by plane.

 

The main reason why people visit Peru is to experience its rich culture and history and to explore the country´s impressive landscapes. The highlight for many of course is Machu Picchu, the most famous sight in Peru. ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.

The Magical Machu Picchu
 

Time of Year

The cost of airfares vary depending on the time of year you are traveling. High season in Peru runs from May to September when it is dry season in The Andean region, and most importantly Cusco and Machu Picchu! This coincides nicely with when most of Europe and the USA have their holidays and are looking to travel. The main airlines generally maintain their fares and tickets can easily be bought online. Christmas and public holidays also have a mini price increase for international travel and should be taken into account.

 

The high season for travel in Peru is between May and September. During these months, the weather is drier and more stable, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities such as trekking, sightseeing, and visiting the main tourist attractions. During this time of the year, it is super-important to reserve your flights to Peru in advance due to the large amount of tourists visiting the country!

Entrance to Machu Picchu in High Season
 

Peru has only 1 International airport (…… kind of!)

All international air passengers to Peru will first arrive to Peru to the capital, Lima, at the Jorge Chávez International Airport. There are limited international flights that arrive at Cusco from Bolivia or Chile but they are few and far between.

 

Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is the primary airport when you travel to Lima, Peru. Located in Callao, about 11 kilometers (7 miles) from Lima's city center, this is is the main entrane point for international travelers arriving to the country.

Jorge Chavez International Airport
 

From the Lima airport to your hotel in one of the "tourist-friendly" Lima districts, such as San Isidro, Miraflores or Barranco, (these "barrios" are generally preferred by travelers and tourists),  it's usually a 40-minute taxi ride outside of rush hour. Inside of rush hour, this can often take up to two hours! 

Take a taxi from an authorized taxi company. Each company has its stand just after you pass through customs. Don’t pick up a taxi outside of arrivals from the zillion taxi drivers offering their wares and shouting "taxi" at you, nor from the road outside of the airport terminal. There is also an Airport Express Lima bus that offers transfers to and from the Miraflores district).

 

Taking a taxi from Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima is the best option to reach the center of Lima. Taxi Green and Taxi Directo are two of the official taxi companies that operate from the airport arrivals. Their counters are located inside the terminal after you pass through customs.

Official Taxis
 

Booking your International Flights to Peru

There are a few options for booking your flights to Peru including using a Peru travel agency- maybe be the one you booked your Peru trip with?, online flight platforms such as Kayak, Sky Scanner, or Expedia, LATAM which is the main airline in Peru, and also offers international flights as part of the "One World" chain.

 

u is a country with rich Andean traditions. The Andes of Peru attract travelers looking to immerse themselves in the Peruvian way of life and to experience Peruvian culture first-hand. Visitors are mesmerized by Peru’s authentic essence which can be witnessed in its high-spirited Peru festivals, traditional music, dance, and exquisite cuisine. Peru culture trips are nothing if not authentic!

Andean Traditions
 

Flying From The UK

There are no direct flights from the UK to Peru anymore. Getting to Peru involves changing planes somewhere in Europe or The USA. From Heathrow Airport, you can expect the trip to take around 20 hours, approximately, depending on your route and the stopovers involved. The most popular routes are via Amsterdam on KLM , via Madrid on Iberia , via Frankfurt on Lufthansa or via Miami, Atlanta, New York and Houston on one of the US airlines.

Fares can range from £750–£1200 depending on the time of year and the nearer to the departure date, the higher the cost. Buy in advance! KLM, Iberia and Continental Airlines are the Airlines that generally offer the most competitive prices.
 

Peru Travel Tips

It is not recommended to buy your return tickets in Peru. Air taxes are higher which inflates the cost and the rule of thumb when buying flights is that a return trip generally works out cheaper than a one-way flight.

 

When you visit Peru, there are several airport procedures involved to ensure a pleasant trip to South America. For an international flight, the check-in is generally 3 hours before your flight time. Check in your main luggage to be stowed away and take with you a small bag with travel essentials for the journey over.

Check-In Time!
 

Flying from The USA and Canada

Most flights to Peru from the USA go via Miami, Houston, or Atlanta. Delta,  Continental Airlines and American Airlines are the main airlines serving Peru from the USA. Most airlines can book connecting flights to Miami, Houston, or Atlanta from a range of cities throughout the USA. A number of airlines fly Miami-to-Lima, including American, Copa and LATAM; Expect to pay around $1000–1500 return. Fares from New York (via Miami) cost the same as fares from just Miami in general.

Flights from Toronto direct to Lima start at about Can$900 with LATAM; it costs the same price when flying from Montréal via Toronto.
 

Peru Travel Tips

There are often tours and packages on offer from the USA and Canada to Peru. They start from around $1500 for a two- to three-day package and range up to $4000–5000. You’ll also find a number of packages that include Peru on their itineraries as part of a longer South American tour.

 

Traveling from the USA for your Peru vacation package is a somewhat straightforward process. There are a number of flights connecting major US cities to Lima, the capital of Peru. Flights take between 6 to 9 hours depending on your starting point. Most flights arrive to Lima in the evening so book your taxi or transfer to avoid any last-minute issues.

American Airlines


Flights from Australia and New Zealand 

Flights to Peru from Australia and New Zealand tend to be limited and generally involve changing planes, usually in the US. High season is December to February; low season is the rest of the year, but prices also vary depending on how long you stay. Aerolineas Argentinas fly from Sydney via Auckland and Buenos Aires, with connecting flights to Lima; fares start at Aus$1875. LATAM in combination with Delta and Air Canada, also fly from Sydney to Lima via the USA; their cheapest tickets are 45-day returns at Aus$2500. Continental and American airlines regularly fly from Melbourne via Sydney, Auckland, and the USA with fares that start at Aus$2800/NZ$3600 and range up to Aus$4000/NZ$5160 for a six-month return in high season, including connecting flights to Lima.
Air New Zealand fly to LA from Auckland and Wellington but has no specific connections to Peru. Qantas (qantas.com .au) has flights from Auckland to LA via Sydney or Melbourne and also fly to Dallas and New York from Sydney, from where there are connecting flights to Lima; prices start from about NZ$1300.

 

A Lima city tour is a great introduction to Peru. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the history, culture, and culinary delights of Peru's capital. The Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, and the Archbishop's Palace, all surrounding the main square, making it easy to see various sights on one tour.

Lima Streets Await You!


Entry Requirements

A Peru tourist visa will last for anywhere between 30 and 183 days. This is given on entry to Peru and you do not need to apply ahead of time in most cases. If you have an onward ticket your visa will usually be given for the duration of your stay. Check out this ValenciaTravel Blog about entry requirements to Peru.

 

Passport etiquette is important for a smooth travel experience and respectful interactions with authorities when you arrive for your Machu Picchu tour package. Carry a photocopy of your passport and store the original in a safety deposit box wherever possible to keep it safe.

Passports At The Ready

 

Peru Travel Tips

Make sure you are traveling with your Passport that has at least 6 months validity and a spare page for the stamp. Make sure you have a return ticket and can show that you have a Budget for traveling in Peru. If you are on Peru vacation packages, have the details at hand. ALWAYS travel with a comprehensive travel insurance plan for any unexpected events or illnesses.

 

Travel insurance is crucial when setting out on a Peru tour package. It will cover delays, lost luggage, sickness or injury as well as adventure activities during your Peru getaway. Peru offers various adventure activities such as trekking, hiking, and zip-lining. A decent travel insurance policy can provide coverage for injuries sustained during these activities.

Travel Insurance!

 

The main advice we can give about how to get to Peru by plane is to book ahead, make sure your travel documents are in order, have travel insurance and pack your spirit of adventure! Please contact us if you need help with booking your flight to Peru and we will be more than happy to help! Bon Voyage!

 

Rainbow Mountain is located in the Andes near the city of Cusco. It's part of the Ausangate mountain range. To get to Rainbow Mountain, you first have to travel to Cusco. From Cusco, you can take a tour to Rainbow Mountain either in a private or group service. The importance of adequate acclimatization is of vital importance as Rainbow Mountian is found at over 5000 meters elevation.

Llama At Rainbow Mountain

 

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