Lima Airport Transfers

To start enjoying the best things to do in Lima, you must first organise your arrival very well. In addition to booking your accommodation and planning itineraries for all the days of your stay, you must find the most ideal way to get to and from the airport.

You will probably arrive tired from the hours of flying and with heavy luggage. Even when it is time to return home, you will need a responsible transport service. That is why it is important that you investigate which form of transfer will be the most convenient for you and your pocket. You can always hire a fully private service, or you can travel by public transport if you wish. There are many options, and I invite you to read on so that you can choose the best one.

Get ready for your arrival at Jorge Chávez International Airport! This place is only 10 kilometres from the city centre, so you will arrive in less than an hour. If you are looking for a transfer option that is fast, safe and efficient, I recommend hiring a private transfer that will not only serve you when you arrive in Lima, but also when you have to say goodbye.

This is not the cheapest option on this list, but it is the safest in every way. All you have to do is make a reservation indicating the time of your arrival. In addition, you should arrange the meeting point in advance. Usually the driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it so that you can find him easily.

You can get vehicles with three or more seats in case you are travelling with more people. The driver will help you with your luggage and quickly take you to your destination, which can be your hotel or inn. This way you can start exploring the city and its surroundings on one of the best tours and excursions in Lima.

Please note that it is necessary to book this service at least two days in advance. You can also hire it for your transfer from Lima to the airport for when you need to return home.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: about 1 hour.
• Price: approximately €40.
• Advantages of using this method: private companies take care of all kinds of inconveniences, as well as being very responsible and punctual.
• Disadvantages of using this method: you must book in advance and the cost is higher compared to other options on the market.
• How to book this transport: you must contact them at least two or three days in advance, in addition to giving all the information about the flight, arrival time and paying the total cost of the reservation.
• Recommended if... you want to avoid the stress of public transport and want to get directly to your destination without making extra stops.

If you like the idea of travelling by bus but don't want to use public transport, I recommend a shared transfer service. For this you need to book your ticket. You can buy it online or at one of the kiosks inside the airport.

The best thing about this service is that the buses are modern. Inside you can connect to WiFi and communicate quickly with your hotel, friends and family. You can also use the USB chargers to charge all your electronic equipment. Generally the stops they make are few, so you will get to your destination quickly.

Among the stops that these buses include is the historic centre of Lima, which was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site. There are multiple stops where you can get off, just ask the staff which one is the closest to your hotel. When you arrive at the airport you just need to contact the company and go to the stop they indicate.

One of these companies is Airport Express Lima, the official Lima Airport bus, although you can also use the Quick Llama service. Using the service of any of these companies will make your arrival in Peru more comfortable and rewarding.

Interesting details

• Journeytime: about 1 hour.
• Price: from 10 €.
• Advantages of using this method: you will have WiFi and a safe place to charge your electronic equipment. You will also travel comfortably with your luggage and the staff will help you find your way around Lima quickly.
• Disadvantages of using this method: you must share the bus with other people, in addition to waiting for the bus on duty, as they have specific schedules.
• How to book this transport: you just have to buy the ticket online or at a kiosk and wait for the bus.
• Recommended if... you don't mind sharing transport and waiting a bit for your bus to arrive.

Public transport is a good option if you don't feel like spending a lot of money on transfers. However, be aware that the area around the airport can be dangerous. Therefore this option can be risky, especially if you are travelling to Lima for the first time.

Besides being a bit unsafe, taking the bus from the airport to the city centre can be a bit confusing. For starters, these buses do not have a number, but instead have signs with the name of the area they pass through. Therefore, it is important that you know exactly where you are going so you can take the right bus.

Taking public transport is definitely one of the things you must do in Lima if you are staying for more than two days. Knowing how to use it will help you move easily from one place to another. However, when it comes to arriving on time and getting around safely, it is not the most recommended option.

As an additional recommendation, if you want to travel by bus while visiting the city you can always take a Hop on Hop off tourist bus tour. These may not drop you off at the airport but you can return to your hotel after a day of exploring.

Details of interest

• Travel time: about 1 hour.
• Price: public transport costs around €0.80.
• Advantages of using this method: it is cheap and allows you to connect with the local culture right from the start.
• Disadvantages of using this method: It is difficult to load luggage onto these buses as space is limited and there is no special compartment for luggage.
• How to book this transport: no reservations are needed.
• Recommended if... you are travelling light.

One option that can always get you out of trouble is the apps you can use on your smartphone. The most popular of all is Uber, and to use it you only need to download it. The same goes for Cabify, another very popular app in Peru.

These apps are very easy to use and, although you can make reservations in advance, it is not necessary. When you arrive at the airport you can log into the app, enter your destination, check the cost of the journey, confirm and wait for your driver to arrive. It's certainly an option that you can settle with at the last minute.

However, there are things to consider before relying entirely on this option. Often the airport is very busy, which means that there are fewer drivers available. Therefore you will have to wait longer. These situations may arise if you travel to Lima in summer, so take your precautions.

On the other hand, the quality of the service will depend on the person picking you up. Do not expect them to help you carry your luggage, as not all of them are willing to do so. Also, some may cancel the trip and you may have to ask for it again, which can be very annoying when you have just arrived from your trip.

Useful details

• Trip duration: about 1 hour.
• Price: from €30.
• Advantages of using this method: you can request a ride without having to book in advance and enjoy the service at any time.
• Disadvantages of using this method: nothing guarantees you a quality service. In addition, the driver can cancel the trip if he/she wishes.
• How to book this transport: although you can make a reservation, it is not necessary as you can request a ride at any time.
• Recommended if... you couldn't book a private transfer and you need to solve your transfer quickly.

Taking a taxi is perhaps the most classic way of getting around in a city you don't know. However, you must be careful. I suggest you always look for taxi lines that work for the airport. Usually the taxi drivers you meet outside don't turn on their taximeter, so the trip can be very expensive. Also, some of them do not have the necessary permits to work as taxi drivers.

Some of the services you will find inside the airport are Taxi Green, Taxi 365, Taxi Directo, among others. These companies may charge a little more than independent taxi drivers, but they are safer. For example, if you forget something in the vehicle you can contact the company and get it without much trouble.

These taxi services are not only useful for getting to the airport or to your hotel, but also for exploring the city during your holiday. Especially to go to places a bit far away like the beaches where you can surf in Lima. So having the contact of these companies is very useful.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: about 1 hour.
• Price: from 20 €.
• Advantages of using this method: you will enjoy a private and responsible service.
• Disadvantages of using this method: it can be just as expensive as other quality transfer services.
• How to book this transport: You can book in advance by contacting the company, but you can also approach a properly identified taxi driver when you arrive at the airport.
• Recommended if... you want a private but inexpensive service.

Hiring a car may be the most expensive option on this list, but it is also the most useful. In addition to getting to and from the airport, you can also use it to take tours from Lima and get to know much more of the city and its surroundings.

One of the companies that offer this service is Rentalcar. You can choose where to pick up the car and they will take it to where you want it to go. Please note that the price may vary depending on the model of car and its size.

With this car you will be able to explore much more of the city and even see what not all tourists get to see in Lima. You will have more freedom to explore, but don't forget to use Google Maps or a GPS so you don't get lost!

This is an ideal option to be able to adapt your time in the best way and not depend on public transport or companies that have set schedules. However, if you don't have enough money to hire one and want to explore the city with some freedom, you can also opt for a tour on the Hop on Hop off Bus of Lima. These tours allow you to hop on and off at the stops of your choice.

Interesting details

• Journey time: the trip from the airport to the centre of Lima and back takes less than an hour.
• Price: from €70 per rental for around three days.
• Advantages of using this method: you will be able to use the car for several days to go wherever you want and explore the city with much more freedom.
• Disadvantages of using this method: It can be expensive for some people. Also, you need to be a good driver and be able to adapt easily to a new environment. If you have difficulty understanding maps, it may not be a good option. You also need a driving licence. I suggest you research the requirements for driving as a foreigner in Peru.
• How to book this transport: you must request the car through the website of the company providing this service.
• Recommended if... you have a lot of activities planned in the city and you want to move around freely.