Flights to Peru: How to Get Here

Lima is Peru’s international gateway, connecting South America’s third-largest economy to Europe, North America, and the rest of the continent. The real logistics challenge for most visitors isn’t getting to Lima — it’s the onward connection to Cusco, the base for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.

International Airports

Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) is Peru’s only international hub for long-haul flights, located in Callao near the coast, about 15–20km north of Miraflores and the tourist districts. The airport expanded significantly in 2024–2025 with new terminal infrastructure, improving international arrival flows. All domestic flights also depart from the same airport complex.

Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) in Cusco is the country’s second-busiest airport and the key gateway for Machu Picchu visitors. It handles only domestic flights and a small number of regional international services (mainly from La Paz). The airport sits at 3,310m above sea level — altitude awareness on arrival is important.

Other airports: Arequipa (AQP), Juliaca (JUL) for Lake Titicaca, and Iquitos (IQT) for the Amazon basin all have regular domestic connections from Lima.

Flight Routes

From Europe:

• Madrid — Lima (LIM): Iberia and LATAM operate direct services. Flight time is approximately 12 hours.
• London — Lima: No non-stop service. Common connections are via Madrid (Iberia), Miami (American Airlines/British Airways), or Bogotá (Avianca). Total journey time is typically 16–19 hours.
• Frankfurt and Amsterdam: Connect via Madrid, Miami, Bogotá, or São Paulo.
• Paris CDG: Air France has operated Lima routes via Paris or in codeshare with partners.

From North America:

• Miami — Lima: LATAM and American Airlines operate daily direct services. Around 5.5–6 hours.
• New York (JFK) — Lima: LATAM, American, and United offer this route with some direct or one-stop options. Around 7.5–8.5 hours.
• Los Angeles — Lima: LATAM flies this route; roughly 8.5 hours.
• Bogotá is a common short connection point (Avianca’s hub) — around 2 hours from Lima.

From Latin America:

• São Paulo (GRU): Multiple daily flights via LATAM, Gol, and others. Approximately 4.5 hours.
• Santiago de Chile: LATAM and Sky Airline. Around 3.5 hours. A common entry point for travellers combining Peru and Chile.
• Buenos Aires (EZE): Around 4 hours. LATAM and Aerolíneas Argentinas serve this route.
• Bogotá (BOG): Around 2 hours. Useful for Colombia–Peru combinations.

Finding the Best Fares

For international flights to Lima, price comparison tools are the clearest starting point. We recommend using Aviasales for Peru flight searches, which aggregates fares across airlines and booking platforms to surface the best available prices on your dates.

Booking window: Peak season (June–August, December–January) books up early for both international and domestic legs. Book international tickets 3–4 months ahead and domestic Lima–Cusco flights at the same time — they sell out independently.

Flexible dates: Lima fares vary significantly by day of the week and by proximity to holiday periods. A midweek departure from Europe or North America is usually cheaper than a Friday or Saturday flight.

LATAM: The dominant carrier for both international and domestic Peru routes. Their oneworld membership means miles can be earned via American Airlines, British Airways, and other partners.

Budget carriers: Sky Airline and Viva Air have operated budget routes to Peru. Check availability at time of booking — budget carrier networks in Latin America change frequently.

Domestic Connections: Getting to Cusco

This is where most Peru itineraries require careful planning. Cusco does not have direct international service, so every visitor from outside the Americas must connect through Lima.

Lima (LIM) — Cusco (CUZ): The most important domestic route in Peru. LATAM operates multiple daily flights; Sky Airline provides a lower-cost alternative. Flight time is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. Prices range from around USD 60–150 one way depending on how far ahead you book and the season.

Book early: This route operates at high load factors during June–August (peak hiking season) and December–March (southern hemisphere summer). Booking 2–3 months ahead for peak periods is strongly recommended.

Altitude consideration: Cusco sits at 3,400m. Most travellers experience some effect on arrival — headache, fatigue, shortness of breath. Flying in directly from Lima (sea level) means the adjustment is immediate. Build in at least one rest day before attempting the Inca Trail or any strenuous hike.

Lima — Arequipa (AQP): Around 1.5 hours. Arequipa is the gateway for Colca Canyon and a useful stopover en route to Lake Titicaca.

Lima — Iquitos (IQT): Approximately 1.5–2 hours. Iquitos is accessible only by air or river — there are no roads in. Book early during high Amazon season (June–September).

Lima — Juliaca (JUL): About 1.5 hours. The airport for Puno and Lake Titicaca. Alternatively, take the Belmond train from Cusco — scenic but book months ahead.

Airport Transfer from Jorge Chávez

• Taxi (official counters): Fixed-rate taxi booths in arrivals. Fares to Miraflores are approximately USD 20–25 as of 2026. Avoid unmarked taxis — the airport has a long history of unofficial drivers overcharging or worse.
• Uber: Operates at LIM and is generally reliable. Must be booked from a designated pick-up area, not the curb.
• Hotel transfer: Pre-arranged airport pickups are common and worth the premium for late-night arrivals.
• Pre-booked private transfer: For a fixed-price transfer with a named driver waiting in arrivals, Kiwitaxi is a reliable option — particularly useful for late-night flights when you want certainty over cost. GetTransfer offers a bid model that can surface lower rates.
• Airport Express Lima: A bus service runs from the airport to Miraflores. Journey time around 45–60 minutes. Cheap but not appropriate for late-night arrivals with luggage.

Best Time to Book

• May–June and September–October offer the best combination of fair weather and lower fares
• July–August is peak season — high Andean dry season, Inca Trail at its most popular — book flights and trail permits months in advance
• December–March is the Peruvian summer, with higher Lima temperatures but rain in the Andes — Machu Picchu stays open but the Inca Trail has a February closure for maintenance
• Prices listed are approximate as of 2026 — always verify current fares at time of booking

Related Guides

• Lima Travel Guide — Where to stay after landing, safe neighbourhoods, and first-day orientation in Peru’s capital.
• Cusco Travel Guide — The destination most visitors fly on to after Lima; arrival altitude, acclimatisation, and what to do first.
• Altitude Sickness in Peru — What to expect when landing in Cusco (3,400m) directly from Lima or international connections at sea level.
• First-Time in Peru Guide — Visas, customs, SIM cards, and what to do in your first 48 hours after landing.
• Lima to Cusco Guide — Comparing flights versus the overnight bus on Peru’s most-travelled domestic route.
• Peru Travel Costs — How domestic flight costs fit into a realistic daily and trip budget.