Cheap flights to Peru

Peru Travel Guide

The Inca Empire once ruled the mystical land of Peru and each year thousands of visitors book their Peru flights to experience the magic for themselves. Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley are among the most visited sites, but beyond these illustrious landmarks is a country blessed with the most spectacular scenery in the region; a stunning 2,000-mile coastline and thousands of miles of lush Amazon rainforest that spills into the Atlantic.

What should you expect after your flight to Peru arrives? Some of the most beautiful landscapes in South America, a trek through the Andes mountains, and interesting conversations with natives who still speak the native Peruvian language of Quechua. Peru is South America’s fourth most populous country and its culture is still heavily rooted in Amerindian and Spanish traditions. 

Peru flights land in the capital, Lima. It was founded by Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador in 1535, and called La Ciudad de los Reyes (the City of Kings). It was the capital and most important city of the Spanish Viceroyalty of Peru and several of its fascinating buildings hail from that time. The vibrant city provides a good introduction to the country and a base from which to explore other towns, but a few days in Lima is generally more than enough. On the way to Machu Picchu is the colonial city of Cuzco which is well worth a stop. Incan descendants still live here and examples of colonial art are scattered throughout the stone-walled streets. The town of Aguas Calientes, west of Cuzco, is where tourists catch buses up to legendary Machu Picchu. Peru’s most popular destination, Machu Picchu still embraces the Inca legacies and remains one of the great mysteries of South America. Archeologists have recovered more than 50 burial sites and 100 skeletal remains in Machu Picchu. While the debate goes on over whether Machu Picchu was a forgotten city during a time of conquest, or a royal retreat before the Spanish invasion, tourists still book flights to Peru for a glimpse at its archeological stonework and clues to its mysterious past. After exploring the ruins, those in search of even more adventure could head back to Cuzco and take the train to Puno and explore the sacred Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable body of water.

Peruvian cuisine is one of the world’s great cuisines. It’s a blend of pre-Inca, Inca, Spanish, African, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French and British. Cebiche (marinated raw fish) is the national dish, but you’ll also find Cuy (Guinea Pig) on the menu in the Andes, all washed down with Inca Kola, the lemon verbena-flavored soft drink that outsells all others in Peru.

Tourists booking Peru flights and tours will get more than they hoped for – and that’s a very good thing when it comes to this South American country. It’s one of the world’s must-visit countries and it’s full of astounding geography. What’s the deepest canyon? Colca Canyon. What’s the oldest city in the Americas? Caral. Where will you see the longest waves? At Chicama. And the largest river? Peru is the source of the Amazon. What’s the world’s highest navigable lake? Titicaca. There’s much to see and do in Peru that it may seem overwhelming to figure out where to start. Here are some tips to help you plan and enjoy the smoothest possible trip.

How to get around Peru

The major airport in Peru is the Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) in Lima. It’s only around 7 miles away from the city center so finding your way isn’t too problematic; however, your options are slightly limited. The easiest way is to find a taxi booking desk in the arrival area. Make sure you agree on the fare before you begin the journey, and make sure you have agreed to currency in PEN as some taxi drivers like to scam passengers and confuse them into thinking the amount was in dollars instead. Failing that, you can ride a bus, however they do not enter the airport grounds and instead you can find them around a fifteen-minute walk away from the airport. The fare for the bus is incredibly cheap, however, if you’re not keen on taking public transport your best bet is a taxi.

Once you’ve settled in to your hotel and are ready to explore the country, there are a few different options you can utilize to get around. Here are some tips:

Air: Several airlines fly domestically including Aero Condor, the country’s oldest airline, which connects 11 cities including Lima, Arequipa and Iquitos. Star Peru links nine cities including Lima, Trujillo and Chiclayo. LC Peru flies between Lima and Huanuco, Huaraz, Jauja, Andahuaylas, Atalaya, Ayacucho and Cajamarca.

Rail: Peru Rail offers travel to Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa and Colca Canyon. There are luxury trains such as the Hiram Bingham, which travels between Cuzco and Machu Picchu, while the Vistadome runs between Cuzco-Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu. Backpacker carriages are for no-frills travelers and are available on the following routes: Cuzco-Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu and Cuzco-Lake Titicaca.

Bus: There are several private bus companies offering low-fare service throughout Peru including Ormeno and Cruz del Sur.

Car Rental: Renting a car is easy. Budget and Avis are just two of the most-recognizable companies operating in Peru.

Tips for your stay in Peru

• Visit the world’s third highest waterfall, Gocta Falls, which is a staggering 2,532 feet high. Located in the in the upper Amazon basin, the waterfall was “discovered” only in the past couple of years. Legend has it that local people kept the falls secret because they feared the wrath of the beautiful mermaid who lived there. 
• Most travelers to Peru book their trip with two places in mind to visit: The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. But the lesser-known jewel is Choquequirao, one of South America’s best-preserved Inca cities, near Cusco. Inca royalty fled to Choquequirao following the Spanish Conquest. Only a third of the site has been excavated so far.
• The San Francisco Monastery and Church (Iglesia de San Francisco) in Lima is an interesting place to visit. Famous for its catacombs, which house the bones of tens of thousands of bodies, the well-preserved building was built by the Spanish and dates from the late 1600’s.
• Head to Puno, the city on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Inca legend has it that Manco Capac, the first Inca, rose from the lake to establish the Inca Empire. The “folkloric capital of Peru”, Puno, at 12,628 feet, is known for its rich artistic and cultural traditions. It has more than 300 ethnic dances. The most famous dance is the Diablada, which is performed during the feast of the Virgin of Candelaria in February. During this time, the women dance to petition and thank the Virgin Mary. According to 17th-century legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to workers at a local silver mine and later rescued the city from enemies.
• The Nazca Lines are considered to be one of the world’s great mysteries. The geoglyphs, depicting people, animals and simple lines, are over 650 feet long. To appreciate them fully take an aerial tour. The Nazca Lines were placed on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites in 1994.

Finding Flights from Peru

Planning to hit a couple more destinations after Peru? Cheapflights can help you make sure you get the best deals. You can fly back to the United States on the same carriers that fly directly into Peru, or book a flight to an international destination. You can find terrific flight deals for popular routes from Peru at https://www.cheapflights.co.uk.

Since Jorge Chavez International Airport is so busy, it can take time to check in and make it through security, especially in the mornings. Plan to arrive a bit early to avoid any issues.

Once you choose a destination and departure city, be sure to check out our Peru airport guides for detailed travel information and helpful tips.

Getting around Peru

 The following chart gives approximate journey times from Lima (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Peru.

Note: (a) Approximate travel times are given for travel by bus. (b)* Includes one stopover.