Peru is accessible from Europe by direct flight to Lima or via a Spanish stopover. The main gateway is the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima (LIM), at Callao (15 km west of Lima centre), recently modernized (new terminal opened in 2025).
By direct flight from Paris: Air France operates 3-4 weekly flights Paris CDG-Lima in 12 hours (Boeing 777, about 11h30 outbound with jet stream, 12-12h30 return). Return fares: €500-700 in low season (April-May, October-November outside holidays), €700-1,100 in mid-season, €900-1,800 in high season (June-August, Christmas-New Year, Easter). Checked baggage generally included in standard Eco class.
By stopover flight from Paris (often cheaper): Iberia (via Madrid, 1 stop 1h-3h, 13-15h total, €500-1,000 return), Air Europa (via Madrid, 13-15h, €450-900), KLM (via Amsterdam, 14-16h), Lufthansa (via Frankfurt, 15-17h), British Airways (via London, 14-16h). In Latin America: LATAM (notably from Madrid).
To reach Cusco from Lima: domestic flight 1h30 with LATAM, Sky, JetSmart or Avianca — €80-200 return depending on booking lead time. It's the only practical option (the bus takes 22-25h on Andean roads). Book ahead for best rates. To Arequipa: Lima-Arequipa flight 1h30, €70-180 return, or Cruz del Sur bus 14-16h (€50-80, comfortable). To Puerto Maldonado (Amazon): Lima flight 1h45 or Cusco 50 min, €100-200 return. To Iquitos: Lima flight 2h, €120-250 return (Iquitos accessible only by plane or boat, never by road).
Flights to/from France require no advance visa (90 days tourist). Passport must be valid 6 months after entry. No airport tax remains to pay at the counter (integrated in ticket price). On arrival at Lima, allow 60-90 min to retrieve bags and clear immigration at peak times.
From Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima centre: official taxi Green Cab or Taxi 365 (book at indoor counter after arrivals hall, PEN 60-90 i.e. €15-22 depending on Miraflores/Barranco/centre destination, 40-60 min depending on traffic), Uber/Cabify/InDriver (PEN 35-55 i.e. €9-14, order at upper-level departure parking), Airport Express bus (Miraflores PEN 25, reliable). NEVER take an unofficial taxi near the airport — real risk of scam or assault.
Once on site, internal transport is organized in three modes. Domestic flights (LATAM, Sky, JetSmart) are essential for long distances (Lima-Cusco, Lima-Arequipa, Lima-Iquitos, Cusco-Puerto Maldonado) — €70-250 return depending on route and lead time. Premium long-distance buses (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Movil Tours) offer exceptional comfort on Lima-Paracas-Ica-Nazca-Arequipa-Cusco connections (160° reclining seats, meals, films, safety) — €25-80 the trip. The PeruRail / IncaRail train Cusco-Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) is the only mode of access to the citadel (€75-500/person depending on class). Car rental is generally NOT recommended in Peru (difficult Andean roads, risky local driving, huge distances) — prefer bus + flights + taxi/Uber on site.
Read also
- Cusco and Machu Picchu — The former Inca capital (UNESCO 1983), the Sacred Valley and the lost Machu Picchu citadel.
- Lima and the Pacific coast — World gastronomic capital, Miraflores, Barranco and the Paracas-Ica-Nazca triptych.
- Peruvian Amazon — Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado and the ecotourism lodges of Tambopata and Manu.
- Arequipa and Titicaca — The White City, Colca Canyon and the world's highest navigable lake at 3,812 m.
- Machu Picchu — The 1450 Inca citadel, UNESCO 1983, named among the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007.