Lima
Lima airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
There is no train from Lima airport. Take an official taxi or app car from Jorge Chávez (LIM) to Miraflores or the centre: 45–90 minutes depending on traffic, roughly S/ 60–120 (about US$16–32). Airport buses cost less but stop early and run on fixed routes. Choose a taxi if you land after dark or carry bags.
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GuideLima
Key facts
- Train from the airport
- None; no rail link to the city
- Main option
- Official taxi or app car from the arrivals rank
- Time to Miraflores
- 45–90 minutes depending on traffic
- Taxi costcheck
- About S/ 60–120 (US$16–32) — 2026 estimate
- Airport buscheck
- Cheaper fixed-route service; limited late-night departures — check
- Public transportcheck
- Metropolitano BRT and Metro do not reach the terminal; a taxi or bus leg is needed — check
- Terminal
- New Jorge Chávez terminal in use since 2025; allow extra time for walking
- Safest booking
- Prepaid official taxi desk or app; avoid unmarked cars touting in the hall
Options at a glance
Lima has one international airport, Jorge Chávez (LIM), about 12 km northwest of the historic centre and roughly 20 km from Miraflores. Every option below is road-based; the choice is really about price against door-to-door convenience and how late you land.
| Option | Time to Miraflores | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official taxi (prepaid desk) | 45–90 min | About S/ 80–120 — 2026 estimate | First arrivals, late nights, heavy bags |
| App car (Uber, Cabify, DiDi) | 45–90 min | About S/ 60–100 — 2026 estimate | Solo travellers with data; set zone pickup |
| Airport bus (Airport Express Lima and similar) | 60–100 min | About S/ 20–30 — 2026 estimate | Budget daytime arrivals to Miraflores |
| Shared shuttle | 60–90 min | About S/ 30–50 — 2026 estimate | Two or more travellers, fixed hotel drop |
| Metropolitano BRT + taxi | 90 min + | About S/ 5–15 total | Very low budget, daytime, light luggage |
Times assume normal traffic; the Lima–Callao corridor can add 30 minutes or more at rush hour. Prices are 2026 estimates — check current fares.
The detail
Taxis are the default. Inside arrivals you will find prepaid taxi counters and authorised operators; paying there fixes the price before you leave and avoids arguing at the kerb. App pickups use a designated zone at the terminal rather than the kerb outside the doors, so follow the signs and confirm the meeting point in the app before you walk out.
Airport buses run fixed routes between the terminal and Miraflores, with some services continuing toward San Isidro and the centre. They are comfortable and cheap, but departures thin out in the evening and a bus will not help you if your flight lands at 01:00. Check the last departure of the day before you rely on one.
Public transport does not reach the terminal. The Metropolitano BRT and Metro Line 2 serve parts of the city, but you need a taxi or bus leg first, and both are crowded at rush hour with luggage. Treat this as a daytime, light-bag option only.
The new terminal has been in use since 2025, so allow extra walking time between the gate and the ground-transport exits, and do not book a tight connection on the assumption that you will be outside in minutes.
What it costs
Prices below are 2026 estimates in soles; the site converts them to your currency. Airport fares are higher than ordinary city trips because the airport sits in a set pickup zone — a normal Lima app ride across town runs about S/ 10–30, so expect roughly three to four times that from the terminal.
| Item | 2026 estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Official taxi, airport to Miraflores | S/ 80–120 | Fixed at the prepaid desk |
| App car, airport to Miraflores | S/ 60–100 | Set zone pickup; surge possible |
| Airport bus, one way | S/ 20–30 | Fixed route, limited late service |
| Shared shuttle | S/ 30–50 | Per person, hotel drop |
| City app taxi, short trip | S/ 10–30 | For comparison |
| Airport trolley or porter | Small fee — check | Have coins ready |
Card payment is common at official desks; keep some cash for buses and tips.
Practical tips
- Book the return leg too: morning departures mean leaving Miraflores 2.5–3 hours before the flight.
- Ignore touts offering rides inside the hall; use the prepaid desk or your app.
- Screenshot your hotel address in Spanish and share your trip with someone at home.
- Traffic peaks roughly 07:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00; add 30 minutes if you travel then.
- If you land after midnight, pre-book a taxi or shuttle rather than improvising.
- An eSIM set up before landing saves hunting for a SIM at the terminal.
Questions people ask
How do I get from Lima airport to the city centre?
Take an official taxi from the prepaid desk or an app car: 45–90 minutes to Miraflores or the centre, about S/ 60–120 (US$16–32), 2026 estimate. Airport buses are cheaper but run fixed routes with limited late-night departures. There is no train.
How much is a taxi from Lima airport?
Roughly S/ 80–120 to Miraflores at the official prepaid desk, or S/ 60–100 with an app, 2026 estimates. City trips away from the airport cost far less, about S/ 10–30. Confirm the price before you get in.
Is there a train from Lima airport?
No. Jorge Chávez airport has no rail link. All transfers are by road: taxi, app car, shuttle or bus. Lima's Metro and Metropolitano BRT do not serve the terminal directly.
Is the airport bus or a taxi better?
A taxi or app car is faster door to door and works at any hour. The bus is cheaper and fine for daytime arrivals to Miraflores, but check the last departure if you land late.
How long does it take to reach Miraflores?
45–90 minutes by road depending on traffic. The corridor is busiest roughly 07:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00, when you should add about 30 minutes.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialJorge Chávez International Airport (LAP)
- officialPROMPERÚ – official Peru tourism
- officialAutoridad de Transporte Urbano (ATU) – Lima
- secondaryWikivoyage – Lima