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Llama, Peru

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Travel to Peru

Flying to Peru

The principal international airlines are Lan (LP) (www.lan.com) and Taca Perú (T0) (www.taca.com). There are no direct flights from London; however, airlines with regular services to Peru include Air Canada, American Airlines, Avianca, Continental, Iberia and KLM. Prices of flights to Peru from London are fairly consistent around the year, with a slight rise in the summer and over the major holidays.

Air notes:

Try to book your flights at least a few months in advance for the best prices.

Flight times:

From London to Lima is between 16 and 25 hours, including at least one stopover. From Madrid is 12 hours and from New York is 9 hours.

Air passes:

oneworld Visit South America Pass: valid within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines are American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), Iberia (IB), JAL Japan Airlines (JL), LAN (LA), Malév Hungarian Airlines (MA), Qantas (QF), Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) and S7 Airlines (S7). You must buy the pass outside South America in your country of residence. It allows unlimited travel to 30 cities. You must book a minimum of three flights; prices depend on the amount of flight zones. For further details, go to www.oneworld.com or contact one of the participating airlines.

Departure tax:

US$30.25 from Lima's airport (or the equivalent in Soles). Transit passengers and children under two years of age are exempt. Payment must be paid in cash prior to boarding.

Travel by rail

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 two return trips daily and takes approximately 90 minutes. Taking a collectivo (shared taxis which leave regularly from the bus station) is quicker and more flexible.

By 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 will take you across or to borders, where you can get 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.

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