Lima Airport Transfers

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

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

Get ready for your arrival at Jorge Chavez International Airport! This place is only 10 kilometers from the city center, 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. You only have to make your reservation indicating the time of your arrival. In addition, you must agree in advance on the meeting point. Usually the driver will be waiting for you with a sign with your name written on it so that you can locate him easily.

You can get vehicles with three or more seats in case you travel 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, in 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. Also, you can hire it for your transfer from Lima to the airport for when you have to return home.

Details of interest

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

If you like the idea of traveling by bus but do not want to use public transportation, 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 located inside the airport.

The best thing about this service is that their 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 arrive quickly to your destination.

Among the stops that these buses include is the historic center of Lima, which was declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 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 only need to contact the company and go to the stop they indicate.

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

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: 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 to 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 transportation: you just have to buy the ticket online or at a kiosk and wait for the bus.
• Recommended if... you don't mind sharing transportation and waiting a bit for your bus to arrive.

Public transport is a good option if you don't feel like spending a lot on transportation. However, you should keep in mind that the surroundings of the airport can be dangerous. Therefore this option can be risky, especially if it is the first time you travel to this city.

Besides being a bit unsafe, taking the bus from the airport to downtown can be a bit confusing. For starters, these buses do not have a number, but instead have signs indicating 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.

There is no doubt that taking public transportation is 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 moving 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

• Duration of the trip: about 1 hour.
• Price: public transport costs around 0.80 €.
• Advantages of using this method: it is economical and allows you to connect with the local culture from the very first moment.
• Disadvantages of using this method: it is complicated to take luggage on these buses as space is limited and there is no special compartment for it.
• How to book this transportation: no reservations are needed.
• Recommended if... you are traveling with little luggage.

One option that can always get you out of trouble are the apps you can use on your smartphone. The most popular of them 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 enter the app, enter your destination, check the cost of the trip, confirm and wait for your driver to arrive. It's certainly an option you can settle with at the last minute.

However, there are things you should consider before relying entirely on this option. Many times 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, something that can be very annoying when you have just arrived from your trip.

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: 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 to have a quality service. In addition, the driver can cancel the trip if he/she wishes to do so.
• How to book this transportation: although you can make a reservation, it is not necessary as you can request a ride at any time.
• Recommended if... you could not book a private transfer and you need to solve your transfer quickly.

Taking a cab is perhaps the most classic way to move around in a city you do not know. However, you must be careful. I suggest you always look for cab lines that work for the airport. Usually the cab drivers that you find outside do not turn on their taximeter, so the trip can be very expensive. Also, some of them do not have the necessary permits to work as cab 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 cab drivers, but they are safer. For example, if you forget something in the vehicle you could contact the company and get it without much trouble.

These cab services are not only useful to go to the airport or to your hotel, but also to explore the city during your vacation days. Especially to go to places a little far away like the beaches where you can surf in Lima. So having the contact of these companies is very useful.

Details of interest

• 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 transportation: you can book in advance by contacting the company, but you can also approach a properly identified cab driver when you arrive at the airport.
• Recommended if... you want a private service but not so expensive.

Renting a car may be the most expensive option on this list, but it is also the most useful. Besides transferring you to and from the airport, this transportation will even help you to take tours from Lima and get to know much more of this city and its surroundings.

One of the companies that offer this service is Rentalcar. You can choose where to pick up the vehicle and they will take it to wherever you want. Please note that the price may vary depending on the car model and 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 times in the best way and not depend on public transportation or companies that have set schedules. However, if you don't have enough money to hire it and want to tour 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.

Details of interest

• Travel time: the trip from the airport to downtown Lima and back takes less than an hour.
• Price: from 70 € the rental for about 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 must know how to drive very well and be able to adapt easily to a new environment. If you have difficulty understanding maps, it may not be a good option. Also, you need a driver's license. I suggest you investigate the requirements for driving as a foreigner in Peru.
• How to book this transportation: you must request the car through the website of the company that provides this service.
• Recommended if... you have many activities planned in the city and you want to move freely.