Getting around in Peru
Once you’ve made it through immigration, and have a WiFi connection and some cash, it’s time to head into the city and start your adventure! Check out your options below to help you get around Peru….
Airport Transfer
If you are arriving in Lima, I recommend using The Luxury Airport Express Lima bus to get to or from your hotel. This option is safer and cheaper than a taxi with no baggage limit, as well as free Wi-Fi and USB chargers onboard.
From the Cusco airport into Cusco City, you can pre-book transport through sites like Booking.com. Just pick the date and transport type, and they handle the rest!
Taxi/ Ride Share
Uber is in a legal gray area in Peru. Although Uber is legal and frequently used by both locals and tourists, it is not considered an officially licensed taxi service. As it is not yet an official taxi, it cannot pick up passengers directly from airport terminals. I successfully used Uber on my last trip to get around both Lima and Cusco.
If you prefer to take a taxi, the safest and most secure option is to use a taxi service such as Taxi Satelital, Alo Taxi, Taxi Real, or Taxidatum (which also operates in Cusco). Taking a taxi in Peru is usually a simple process, but travelers should consider issues such as safety, fares, tipping, and trust before flagging a cab.
Metro
Tren Eléctrico is the main rail-based mass transportation system in Lima. Trains operate from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm and arrive every 6 to 10 minutes. You pay for your ride with a rechargeable electronic card. The card, called “tarjeta,” can be purchased for S/ 5 (make sure you have an ID with you) and recharged at every station.
Cusco does not offer a metro for tourists, but when you’re ready to make the journey to Machu Picchu, you can take a seat on one of PeruRail’s daily trains from Estación Poroy (15 minutes from downtown Cusco) to Aguas Calientes, a station located at the base of Machu Picchu. To learn more about the journey to Machu Picchu, check out my “How to Get to Machu Picchu” guide.
Bus
Lima’s bus network is complicated and lacks organization. Buses are not well-maintained and there is no printed itinerary or timetable available. However, riding on a micro provides a unique experience of the city. Fares are cheap, ranging from S/. 0.50 to S/. 3.00. The driver’s assistant collects the fare during the journey, so have change ready and ask for a ticket as a receipt and insurance cover.
Now that you have a full understanding of how to enter, exit, and navigate Peru, you can focus on exploring and discovering! Keep checking my blog posts for the latest adventures, and more tips on finding beautiful architecture and design around the globe!
