Peru
How to get to Peru: airports, flights and border crossings
Fly into Lima (LIM) for almost every Peru trip: it takes nearly all long-haul flights and has the most domestic connections. Fly into Cusco (CUZ) only if you start in the Andes and accept a connection, usually via Lima. Land entry works from Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile; check current border status before you go.
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Key facts
- Main gateway
- Lima Jorge Chávez (LIM) — nearly all long-haul flights land here
- Andes gateway
- Cusco (CUZ) — connections via Lima, or seasonal international routes (check)
- US to Lima
- About 6–8 hours nonstop from Miami, Atlanta, Houston, New York, Los Angeles
- UK to Lima
- No nonstop; about 15–20 hours with one stop in Europe or the US
- Australia/NZ to Lima
- About 20–30 hours with one or two stops
- Land borders
- Ecuador (Tumbes/Huaquillas), Bolivia (Desaguadero, Copacabana), Chile (Tacna/Arica)
- Entry rule
- Most Western passports get 90 days visa-free; confirm current rules (check)
- Airport tax
- Usually included in the ticket price
Quick answer
For a first trip, book into Lima (LIM). It is the only airport with nonstop long-haul service from North America and Europe, and it feeds the domestic network to Cusco, Arequipa, Iquitos and Puno (Juliaca).
Fly into Cusco (CUZ) only if your trip starts in the Andes and you are happy to connect, usually through Lima. Cusco sits at about 3,400 m, so arriving straight from sea level is hard on the body.
Land entry is realistic from Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile, and river boats connect Iquitos with the tri-border area. Check border status before travelling; closures happen.
Airports and gateways
Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) handles almost all international traffic. A new terminal opened in 2025, so allow extra time for the walk between gates and transport. The airport is in Callao, about 10–12 km from Miraflores; a taxi or ride-hailing car takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Cusco's Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) is the second gateway. It has domestic flights from Lima, Arequipa and Puerto Maldonado, plus a small number of international routes that change by season (check). The airport is close to the city centre, about 10 minutes by taxi.
Other airports with limited international service include Arequipa (AQP), Iquitos (IQT), Trujillo (TRU), Puno's Juliaca (JUL) and Puerto Maldonado (PEM). Treat these as domestic connections, not long-haul gateways.
- Book Lima on arrival and departure; domestic legs are cheap and frequent.
- If you fly straight to Cusco, plan a quiet first day and go easy on alcohol.
- Keep a buffer night in Lima before an international departure; domestic delays are common in the wet season.
| Airport | Code | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lima Jorge Chávez | LIM | Almost every trip | Long-haul flights; 30–60 min to Miraflores |
| Cusco Velasco Astete | CUZ | Starting in the Andes | Connections via Lima; 3,400 m altitude |
| Arequipa Rodríguez Ballón | AQP | Colca and the south | Domestic plus a few regional routes (check) |
| Iquitos Coronel Secada | IQT | Amazon by river | Domestic only; no road access to the city |
| Juliaca (for Puno) | JUL | Lake Titicaca | Domestic; 45 min by road to Puno |
| Puerto Maldonado | PEM | Tambopata lodges | Domestic; short hop from Cusco |
Flight times by origin
From the US, nonstops to Lima run from Miami, Atlanta, Houston, New York and Los Angeles, roughly 6–8 hours. From Canada, Toronto and Montreal have seasonal or year-round service, about 8–9 hours.
From the UK and Ireland there is no nonstop; expect one stop in Europe or the US and 15–20 hours door to door. From Australia and New Zealand, count on one or two stops, usually via Santiago, Buenos Aires, Mexico City or the US, and 20–30 hours.
Fares swing widely. As a 2026 estimate, a return from the US east coast often lands around US$500–900, from Europe US$700–1,200, and from Australia or New Zealand US$1,400–2,200. Book 2–4 months out for the Andes dry season (May–September).
- Compare a Lima return plus a cheap domestic hop against a through-ticket to Cusco.
- Red-eye arrivals into Lima are common; book a hotel that allows early check-in or a day room.
| From | Nonstop? | Typical flight time | 2026 fare estimate (return) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US east coast | Yes, from Miami, Atlanta, New York | 6–8 h | US$500–900 |
| US west coast | Yes, from Los Angeles, Houston | 7–8 h | US$550–950 |
| Canada | Yes, seasonal from Toronto, Montreal | 8–9 h | CA$900–1,500 |
| UK and Ireland | No | 15–20 h with one stop | £600–1,000 |
| Australia and NZ | No | 20–30 h with one or two stops | A$2,000–3,200 |
Times and fares are estimates; routes change by season (check).
Land and river entry
From Ecuador, the main crossing is at Huaquillas–Aguas Verdes near Tumbes, with frequent buses onward to Piura, Chiclayo and Trujillo. From Bolivia, cross at Desaguadero or take the Copacabana–Puno route around Lake Titicaca. From Chile, the Tacna–Arica crossing is the standard one, with buses to Arequipa and Lima.
The Iquitos area is reached by river from Colombia and Brazil, or by boat down the Amazon from Pucallpa. There is no road into Iquitos, so flying or the river are the only options.
Border formalities are usually quick, but queues, strikes and weather closures happen. Carry your passport, keep the entry stamp, and check current status before you set off.
- Land crossings are cheap but slow; a Tacna–Arequipa bus takes about 6 hours.
- Keep the Andean border crossings for daylight hours; mountain roads close in bad weather.
| From | Main crossing | Onward |
|---|---|---|
| Ecuador | Huaquillas–Aguas Verdes (Tumbes) | Piura, Chiclayo, Trujillo, Lima |
| Bolivia | Desaguadero or Copacabana | Puno, Arequipa, Cusco |
| Chile | Tacna–Arica | Arequipa, Lima |
| Colombia/Brazil | River boats to Iquitos | Iquitos, then fly out |
Entry rules and practical notes
Most Western passports get 90 days visa-free on arrival, and the clock is set by the immigration officer. Confirm current rules for your passport before booking, and check whether your passport needs six months of validity.
Some nationalities need a yellow fever certificate if arriving from a risk area, and it is recommended for the Amazon. Proof of onward travel is occasionally requested. Airport departure tax is normally included in the ticket price.
Buy travel insurance that covers altitude illness and trekking before you fly; Andes itineraries and Amazon lodges are where claims happen.
- Check your passport validity and visa rules before booking flights.
- Carry a printed or offline copy of your onward ticket.
- Get yellow fever advice if you are heading to the Amazon.
Common mistakes
Booking a tight Lima connection on arrival. Immigration and baggage can take an hour or more, and domestic terminals are a walk or shuttle away.
Flying straight to Cusco and hiking the next day. Give yourself a day at altitude before any trek.
Assuming a cheap fare includes bags. Many South American carriers charge for checked luggage.
Leaving the international departure to the last afternoon. Domestic delays in the wet season (December–March) are common.
Questions people ask
What is the best airport to fly into for Peru?
Lima (LIM) for almost every trip: it takes nearly all long-haul flights and has the most domestic connections. Fly into Cusco (CUZ) only if you start in the Andes and accept a connection, usually via Lima.
How long is the flight to Peru from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and NZ?
From the US, 6–8 hours nonstop. From Canada, 8–9 hours. From the UK and Ireland, 15–20 hours with one stop. From Australia and New Zealand, 20–30 hours with one or two stops. All times are estimates (check).
Can I enter Peru by land or sea?
Yes. Land crossings run from Ecuador at Huaquillas, from Bolivia at Desaguadero or Copacabana, and from Chile at Tacna–Arica. The Amazon is reached by river boat to Iquitos. Check border status before travelling.
Do I need a visa for Peru?
Most Western passports get 90 days visa-free on arrival. Rules and passport-validity requirements change, so confirm for your nationality before booking. See the Peru visa requirements page.
Is it cheaper to fly to Lima or Cusco?
Lima is almost always cheaper on long-haul, and a domestic hop to Cusco is short and frequent. A through-ticket to Cusco can cost more and adds a connection.
How do I get to Machu Picchu?
Fly or bus to Cusco, then train from Poroy or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, then bus up to the citadel. Book timed entry tickets and trains well ahead in the dry season.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialPROMPERÚ — official tourism board
- officialMigraciones — Peruvian immigration
- officialLima Airport Partners — Jorge Chávez
- secondaryWikivoyage — Peru