How To Get Around Peru · Transportation Travel Tips

Planning your transportation in Peru shouldn’t be at all times an apparent matter — particularly if it’s your first time on this unimaginable Andean nation.

Things typically work a bit otherwise in South America. And the varied modes of transport, the mountainous geography, and potential language boundaries can result in a good bit of head-scratching and anxiousness when getting from A to B — or at the least, for those who come unprepared!

In this information, I’ll take out the entire guesswork out of exploring Peru. Having travelled and been primarily based in Peru long-term, I’ll share every thing it’s essential to know to attach all of the dots in your itinerary.

Getting into Peru

By air

The giant majority of travellers arriving into Peru will achieve this by aircraft.

The Jorge Chávez International Airport is among the largest and greatest related in all of South America, which welcomes flights from all around the world each day (it’s fairly simple to seek out direct flights right here too).

The greatest routes for these coming from elsewhere within the continent are from Bogotá, Santiago and São Paulo. From North America it’s greatest to fly from Panama City, Mexico City or Miami.

Travellers from Europe will wish to fly from Madrid, which is the general most cost-effective hub for flights heading to Lima.

Whilst different nations produce other main cities you possibly can fly straight into, within the case of Peru it’s simply Lima. If your last vacation spot is elsewhere, you’ll then have to hop on a connecting flight or take the bus.

By land

Those who’re already on a journey by means of South America also can enter Peru by bus.

3 nations have land borders with Peru: Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile (Colombia and Brazil additionally border Peru, nevertheless it’s unimaginable to journey by land).

Travellers in Ecuador can head south to the city of Huaquillas, after which cross over into Tumbes. It’s a well-liked crossing route, nevertheless I like to recommend doing it throughout the day since it may well get fairly unsafe after darkish.

From Bolivia, it’s best to move to Copacabana, which lies on the shores of Lake Titicaca. From right here you possibly can take a bus to Puno, which is a serious cease alongside the favored southern loop of Peru.

Those who’ve been travelling by means of Chile can head to Arica within the far north, after which cross over into Tacna. From right here you possibly can simply catch a bus to Arequipa or Puno.

By boat

The last (and least widespread) means of arriving in Peru is by boat.

Between Peru and Brazil lies a big swatch of Amazon Jungle, and people on this neighbouring nation can take a river boat from Tabatinga to Iquitos.

The trip will take both 12 hours or a couple of days relying on which choice you choose (they’ve a sooner ferry in addition to a sluggish boat).

Whilst not probably the most sensible, it’s positively one for the true adventurer as you’ll journey by means of the deep jungle and get to see endemic wildlife alongside the best way.

There are additionally cruise ships that journey alongside the Pacific that make stops in Lima, nevertheless they’re going to be wildly costly (and most probably out of our funds).

3 Main Ways of Getting Around

Bus (coach)

The greatest solution to journey round Peru is mostly by bus.

Not solely is it the most affordable choice, however you’ll additionally discover an abundance of fine suppliers serving the identical routes (this additionally helps to drive down the value).

For instance, a one-way bus from Lima to Arequipa will price you round $20 USD (roughly 80 Soles), while a flight between the 2 prices a median of $40 USD (160 Soles – excluding further charges for luggage).

Buses in Peru are often of superb high quality, the place you possibly can both select a daily seat or an Ejecutivo — this is a bit more expensive however has a 180° reclining seat. Some of one of the best Peruvian bus suppliers embody Oltursa and Cruz del Sur, though you too can discover cheaper ones inside the terminal (they don’t market themselves on-line).

When it involves travelling round Peru, it’s greatest to separate the South American nation into two completely different elements:

The south is the extra fashionable space which incorporates Cusco, Lima and Lake Titicaca, and I extremely suggest utilizing the bus to get round right here. This is as a result of the suppliers are dependable, and in addition as there are various frequent departures each day. You can verify them and pre-book your tickets at PinkBus or at 12Go.

The north is tougher, given it’s much less touristy and distant in lots of locations too. You’ll most probably must ebook buses inside the terminal (they’re extra sporadic) and even take flights between completely different areas.

The main draw back with utilizing buses in Peru is that distances may be big, so that you’ll have to get used to many 8+ hour buses alongside your journey.

Some journeys may even be so long as 24 hours(!), similar to from Lima to Cusco as you navigate by means of the spiralling Andean peaks alongside the best way.

Pack one thing heat! The majority of buses are inclined to hold the air-con on no matter whether or not it’s day or evening. On a brief journey that is okay, however it may well get fairly uncomfortable and chilly at evening. If on an in a single day bus or long-haul, be certain that to carry a jumper and/or blanket on board.

How to ebook a bus in Peru

There are two important methods of reserving buses in Peru.

The first choice is utilizing on-line websites like PinkBus or 12Go, the place you possibly can simply pay together with your card and get tickets despatched to your telephone. Not solely is it simpler as every thing is clearer and in English, you’ll additionally be capable to plan prematurely and arrive on the terminal without having to hurry.

The disadvantages of this selection are that you just’ll pay extra, and in addition not have entry to a number of firms who don’t market themselves on-line (which implies you’ll have fewer routes and timetables obtainable).

The second choice is to purchase your ticket on the bus terminal. There shall be many counters, so that you’ll want to move to a counter that serves your vacation spot. This is the most affordable choice by far and in case your instances are versatile then the prices may be additional diminished.

However, for this technique, you’ll have to know some Spanish (except you might be high quality improvising) and Peruvian bus terminals can get fairly wild and hectic at instances.

Here are some Spanish phrases that may turn out to be useful:

I wish to go to Cusco = Quiero ir a Cusco

How a lot is it? = ¿Cuanto cuesta?

Do you supply luxurious seats? = ¿Tienes asientos ejecutivos?

How many hours is the journey? = ¿Cuántas horas es el viaje?

Plane

Travelling by air in Peru definitely has its perks, and is a perfect choice for individuals who are brief on time or don’t thoughts spending a bit extra for further consolation.

Given this nation’s various and wild landscapes, it usually signifies that roads must wind round mountains or go by means of dense parts of jungle. Whilst it’s positively an expertise in and of itself, it may well simply rack up hours of journey time.

Flying is unquestionably ideally suited for reaching locations additional afield, together with on routes similar to from Lima to Cusco, Lima to Piura, or Lima to Tarapoto. The price of flights in Peru gained’t have to interrupt the financial institution both and may be extremely well worth the time financial savings.

The traditional instance is when heading from Lima to the imperial metropolis of Cusco. The bus will price between $30-40 USD (120-140 Soles), and in addition take so long as 24 hours to reach. However, the flight can generally price as little as $40 USD (150 Soles, together with baggage), which is kind of the identical value! And that’s with out mentioning the 15+ hours of journey time saved both…

In some circumstances, planes are the one sensible solution to attain a vacation spot. Those heading to Iquitos must take a aircraft, or in any other case have to spend a number of days utilizing public buses and in addition a ship too!

It’s necessary to say that while you’ll find flights between sure Peruvian cities (similar to Arequipa, Ica or Piura), the bulk might want to stopover in Lima.

Some of one of the best airways in Peru are LATAM and SKY Airline, and you may verify itineraries right here on SkyScanner.

PeruHop

Lastly, we come to the extra touristy (and organised) transportation choice.

The personal bus firm PeruHop has turn out to be an more and more fashionable choice, seen as one of the best of each worlds between utilizing public buses or travelling with a tour firm.

Unlike customary excursions the place you’ve a set itinerary that have to be adopted, PeruHop is far more versatile in that when you’ve purchased your go you possibly can journey on any chosen date.

As the identify goes, you possibly can merely hop off and hop on everytime you’re able to proceed your journey. It additionally takes out the guesswork of heading to a bus terminal, the place you’ll want an honest grasp of Spanish and in addition a considerably tenacious perspective to take care of shopping by means of completely different bus firms.

You can take a look at PeruHop’s intensive vary of passes right here, with most starting in Lima (though you can begin wherever alongside the route) and heading right down to Lake Titicaca and even into Bolivia. Prices begin at $79 USD, nevertheless it’s price evaluating with the native bus prices earlier than you ebook.

An obstacle of PeruHop is the upper price versus public buses. Those in search of a extra native and genuine expertise may wish to assume twice, provided that it feels far more Gringo and touristy. Finally, PeruHop solely serves the southern portion of Peru.

Train

Whilst different nations have an intensive prepare community to get round, Peru isn’t one in every of these. However, there are specific areas the place utilizing the prepare shall be advantageous.

One of the largest is when heading to Machu Picchu. When heading from Cusco, your bus will cease off on the railway, the place many travellers stroll alongside the tracks to the city of Aguascalientes. You can as an alternative choose to take the scenic prepare from Cusco to Aguascalientes, while inhaling the entire unimaginable sceneries alongside the best way.

There are different trains used all through Peru too, that are not often utilized by vacationers, although is usually a good choice for the extra adventurous traveller.

These embody the service from Cusco to Puno, which is supplied by PeruRail. The different one is from Lima to Huancayo (Ferrocarril Central Andino), the place you’ll go by many mesmerising mountain sceneries alongside the best way.

Local Transport for brief distances

Once you’ve arrived in a brand new metropolis or vacation spot, you’ll now have to know how you can make your means round. Through my expertise, I’ve discovered there to be 5 important methods of exploring Peruvian cities and their close by areas.

Taxis

Once you arrive at a brand new metropolis or city after an extended bus trip, it’s greatest to make use of a taxi to get to your lodging. Not solely is it the most secure technique of all (given you and your belongings are using personal), however you’ll even be travelling on to your vacation spot.

Of course they are often costly, and sadly some drivers have been identified to extend costs for unsuspecting vacationers. It’s at all times good to ask a kiosk at a bus terminal or airport how a lot a route prices, or perhaps a native who could have a great estimate.

If you might be already within the metropolis, I’d suggest utilizing Uber as an alternative to get round, specifically at evening.

Mototaxis

Personally for me, the mototaxi is the undisputed king in relation to journey in Peru!

This three-wheeled rickshaw shouldn’t be solely a fraction of the value of a taxi. You’ll even be alone which alleviates any security worries (or lacking your cease on the busy colectivos).

Whilst they’re not present in each metropolis (often the larger ones like Lima and Arequipa should not have them), people who enable mototaxis see them flying across the streets in hordes. You solely have to flag down an obtainable driver, allow them to know the place you’re heading (greatest to agree the value earlier than setting off) after which head off for what is kind of an pleasant trip.

The solely drawback is that the trip may be fairly bumpy, with some even lacking doorways (widespread in hotter areas like Iquitos). However, that’s all a part of the journey on the finish of the day!

Colectivos

Next we’ve got the colectivos, that are like vans or small buses that run alongside the roads. These are additionally fairly low cost, and are additionally dependable given there’s so lots of them (simply don’t anticipate any timetables!).

All it’s essential to do is ask your lodging or a neighborhood the place you’re heading, and so they’ll let you realize which one to take. Once on, let the driving force know your cease and they need to cease for you (though it’s best to hold checking on maps simply to be protected).

Colectivos are additionally one of the simplest ways of getting out of cities and exploring the close by areas. They join with smaller cities, and infrequently have stops at main vacationer locations alongside the best way (similar to a mountaineering path or Incan website).

Just be certain that to carry small change with you earlier than boarding, since they’re at all times on a busy schedule and in addition don’t often carry giant quantities of money.

Buses and native transportation

In the larger cities, you’ll additionally discover different kinds of transport strategies. The buses (that are larger than colectivos) are by far the most affordable means of getting round, though it tends to be a way more hectic expertise.

Not solely do it’s essential to know precisely which one to hail (once more realizing some Spanish will assist), nevertheless you’ll additionally have to regulate when to get off too. Some of the larger cities even have their very own distinctive strategies which may turn out to be useful.

Those in Lima can trip the Metropolitano, which has similarities to a metro with numerous stops, nevertheless as an alternative makes use of buses to navigate town. It’s fairly dependable since they use their very own lanes, so you might be a lot much less more likely to get caught in site visitors.

You can purchase a card at any station, and easily top-up for any further rides you’ll want. Whilst these choices are perfect for small journeys in cities, I don’t suggest them for these arriving with all their belongings since they will get overly packed (which makes it ideally suited for opportunistic thieves).

Uber and comparable apps

Uber is the standard ride-hailing app in Peru and may be discovered in lots of cities or cities.

It’s by far one of many most secure methods of getting round, given all drivers are licensed and registered. You’ll additionally be capable to loosen up, because it’s unimaginable to get ripped off (with the prices of routes already pre-determined on the app).

There are additionally different apps like inDrive that are additionally price a attempt. With this one you possibly can choose your value for a route, then you definitely merely wait till a driver accepts. Of course it may be exhausting with out the native know-how (for instance how a lot a sure route ought to price), so it’s greatest to make use of this one with the steering of locals.

My Travel Tips for Peru

Tip 1: Pick up some Spanish earlier than leaving

Whilst in different nations you may get away with finger-pointing and a few Spanglish, Peru goes to be far more of a problem.

Even studying just a few fundamentals on Duolingo (or taking personal classes on-line) can do wonders in your vocabulary, and in addition make your expertise a way more pleasant one too.

Locals shall be extra open to serving to those that put effort into talking their very own language, nevertheless don’t assume that it’s essential to be a professional. Some fundamental phrases can go a great distance.

In the extra distant areas, natives could favor to talk Quechua or different indigenous languages. Of course, there at the moment are translation apps and even bus routes displayed on-line, so a decided traveller can nonetheless discover their means round with out the native lingo.

Tip 2: Booking transport on-line

While not at all times potential within the extra distant areas, you’d be stunned simply what number of bus routes may be booked on-line in Peru.

Websites like 12Go and PinkBus do a improbable job at itemizing completely different itineraries, in addition to the varied firms that serve them. This is unquestionably a great choice for individuals who wish to keep away from trouble or with a strict itinerary.

Keep in thoughts most of the cheaper bus routes you’ll discover within the bus terminal gained’t be discovered on-line, nevertheless.

Tip 3: Stock up earlier than your journey

On lengthy journeys, it’s greatest to purchase numerous snacks, meals and water at a neighborhood store or the bus station prior. Whilst you’re going to get some distributors hop on and off infrequently, it’s nonetheless higher to return ready.

Another necessary consideration is buying Coca Leaves or Soroche Pills (altitude illness drugs). These are particularly wanted when travelling across the high-altitude mountainous areas of the Andes, similar to round Cusco or Huaraz. They may also help alleviate complications or nausea that are widespread when travelling at these larger altitudes.