How To Get Around Peru · Transportation Travel Tips

Planning your transportation in Peru isn’t all the time an apparent matter — particularly if it’s your first time on this unbelievable Andean nation.

Things usually work a bit in a different way 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 no less than, for those who come unprepared!

In this information, I’ll take out the entire guesswork out of exploring Peru. Having travelled and been based mostly in Peru long-term, I’ll share all the pieces you should know to attach all of the dots in your itinerary.

Getting into Peru

By air

The massive majority of travellers arriving into Peru will achieve this by airplane.

The Jorge Chávez International Airport is likely one of the largest and finest linked in all of South America, which welcomes flights from everywhere in the world day by day (it’s fairly straightforward to search out direct flights right here too).

The finest routes for these coming from elsewhere within the continent are from Bogotá, Santiago and São Paulo. From North America it’s finest 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 international locations produce other main cities you’ll be able to 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 can even enter Peru by bus.

3 international locations have land borders with Peru: Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile (Colombia and Brazil additionally border Peru, however it’s unattainable to journey by land).

Travellers in Ecuador can head south to the city of Huaquillas, after which cross over into Tumbes. It’s a preferred crossing route, nonetheless I like to recommend doing it throughout the day since it could 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’ll be able to take a bus to Puno, which is a significant 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’ll be able to 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 experience will take both 12 hours or just a few days relying on which possibility you choose (they’ve a quicker 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, nonetheless they will be wildly costly (and almost certainly out of our price range).

3 Main Ways of Getting Around

Bus (coach)

The finest strategy to journey round Peru is mostly by bus.

Not solely is it the most affordable possibility, however you’ll additionally discover an abundance of excellent 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 additional charges for luggage).

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

When it involves travelling round Peru, it’s finest to separate the South American nation into two totally different components:

The south is the extra well-liked 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 numerous frequent departures day by day. You can verify them and pre-book your tickets at CrimsonBus or at 12Go.

The north is tougher, given it’s much less touristy and distant in lots of locations too. You’ll almost certainly should guide buses inside the terminal (they’re extra sporadic) and even take flights between totally different areas.

The main draw back with utilizing buses in Peru is that distances will be large, 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(!), akin 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 could get fairly uncomfortable and chilly at evening. If on an in a single day bus or long-haul, make sure that to convey a jumper and/or blanket on board.

How to guide a bus in Peru

There are two important methods of reserving buses in Peru.

The first possibility is utilizing on-line websites like CrimsonBus or 12Go, the place you’ll be able to simply pay together with your card and get tickets despatched to your telephone. Not solely is it simpler as all the pieces 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 corporations who don’t market themselves on-line (which suggests you’ll have fewer routes and timetables obtainable).

The second possibility 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 possibility by far and in case your instances are versatile then the prices will be additional diminished.

However, for this technique, you’ll have to know some Spanish (until you might be wonderful 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 provide luxurious seats? = ¿Tienes asientos ejecutivos?

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

Plane

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

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

Flying is certainly supreme for reaching locations additional afield, together with on routes akin to from Lima to Cusco, Lima to Piura, or Lima to Tarapoto. The price of flights in Peru received’t have to interrupt the financial institution both and will be extremely definitely worth the time financial savings.

The basic 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 instances, planes are the one sensible strategy to attain a vacation spot. Those heading to Iquitos should take a airplane, or in any other case have to spend a number of days utilizing public buses and in addition a ship too!

It’s vital to say that while yow will discover flights between sure Peruvian cities (akin to Arequipa, Ica or Piura), the bulk might want to stopover in Lima.

Some of the very 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 possibility.

The non-public bus firm PeruHop has grow to be an more and more well-liked possibility, seen as the very best of each worlds between utilizing public buses or travelling with a tour firm.

Unlike commonplace excursions the place you’ve got a hard and fast itinerary that have to be adopted, PeruHop is far more versatile in that when you’ve purchased your go you’ll be able to journey on any chosen date.

As the identify goes, you’ll be able to 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 cope with searching by means of totally different bus corporations.

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

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

Train

Whilst different international locations have an in depth prepare community to get round, Peru isn’t one in every of these. However, there are particular 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 a substitute decide to take the scenic prepare from Cusco to Aguascalientes, while inhaling the entire unbelievable sceneries alongside the best way.

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

These embody the service from Cusco to Puno, which is offered 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 easy methods to 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 a protracted bus experience, it’s finest 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 driving non-public), 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 all the time 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 very good estimate.

If you might be already within the metropolis, I’d suggest utilizing Uber as a substitute 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 isn’t 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 would not have them), those 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 (finest to agree the value earlier than setting off) after which head off for what is kind of an gratifying experience.

The solely drawback is that the experience will 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 have now 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 a lot of them (simply don’t anticipate any timetables!).

All you should 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 motive force know your cease and they need to cease for you (though you must hold checking on maps simply to be secure).

Colectivos are additionally the easiest way 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 (akin to a climbing path or Incan web site).

Just make sure that to convey small change with you earlier than boarding, since they’re all the time on a busy schedule and in addition don’t often carry massive quantities of money.

Buses and native transportation

In the larger cities, you’ll additionally discover different kinds of transport strategies. The buses (that are greater 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 you should know precisely which one to hail (once more understanding some Spanish will assist), nonetheless you’ll additionally have to regulate when to get off too. Some of the larger cities even have their very own distinctive strategies which might turn out to be useful.

Those in Lima can experience the Metropolitano, which has similarities to a metro with numerous stops, nonetheless as a substitute 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 prone to get caught in site visitors.

You should buy a card at any station, and easily top-up for any additional 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 supreme for opportunistic thieves).

Uber and related apps

Uber is the standard ride-hailing app in Peru and will 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 unattainable 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 value a attempt. With this one you’ll be able to choose your value for a route, then you definitely merely wait till a driver accepts. Of course it may be arduous with out the native know-how (for instance how a lot a sure route ought to price), so it’s finest to make use of this one with the steerage of locals.

My Travel Tips for Peru

Tip 1: Pick up some Spanish earlier than leaving

Whilst in different international locations 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 non-public classes on-line) can do wonders on your vocabulary, and in addition make your expertise a way more gratifying one too.

Locals shall be extra open to serving to those that put effort into talking their very own language, nonetheless don’t suppose that you should be a professional. Some primary phrases can go a great distance.

In the extra distant areas, natives could favor to talk Quechua or different indigenous languages. Of course, there are actually 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 all the time potential within the extra distant areas, you’d be stunned simply what number of bus routes will be booked on-line in Peru.

Websites like 12Go and CrimsonBus do a incredible job at itemizing totally different itineraries, in addition to the varied corporations that serve them. This is certainly a very good possibility for individuals who wish to keep away from problem or with a strict itinerary.

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

Tip 3: Stock up earlier than your journey

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

Another vital 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, akin to round Cusco or Huaraz. They might help alleviate complications or nausea that are widespread when travelling at these larger altitudes.