Transportation in Peru: How to Get Around

“Transportation in Peru” is one of the most-Googled phrases by visitors to the country, and this is for a good reason. Traffic in the city is INSANE, and roads in the interior are generally not safe for foreign drivers.

Fortunately there are safe, sometimes even comfortable, public transportation options. These depend on your specific location in Peru, so I broke this down into two categories: transportation between cities, and transportation within cities.

How to Get Around in Peru

City-to-City Transportation

Bus

Buses are by far the most popular way to travel in Peru. The great thing is, most companies offer a 180-degree reclining option, or “buscama“. And the food and drink options (included) tend to be decent.

The obvious downside is trip length. For example, if you only have 2 weeks you probably won’t want to spend a full day to get to Cusco. And those long trips can cost almost as much as a plane ticket.

Safety is another issue. Narrow roads with no guardrail and bandits at night are common dangers, so use a reputable bus provider. Well-known companies for safety are Cruz del Sur, Movil and Peru Hop.

Your options narrow dramatically when off the tourist trail. Be prepared to travel in a small bus with no amenities (like the one pictured at the beginning of this article). This doesn’t mean the trip is dangerous or scary; ask locals for tips if you’re worried about a particular means of transportation.

Plane

This is the most-used form of transportation in Peru by tourists. Peru is like anywhere- plane rides are shorter, more expensive, and safer than other options. Most domestic plane rides are under 3 hours.

The good news is that you can find round-trip tickets for under $100. These prices are offered by cut-rate airlines, but Avianca and Latam offer good rates at times.

Train

There are not many trains in Peru but they provide cool, unique options:

• Arica to Chile: Ride this for the experience! Arica isn’t very touristy, so this train is a quirky addition to any trip.
• Cusco (or Sacred Valley) to Machu Picchu: Inca Rail and Peru Rail offer the most popular (and fastest) way to arrive to Machu Picchu. Peruvians can take the inexpensive local train. Peru Rail also offers a first-class service to Puno.
• Huancavelica-Huancayo: The amazingly-named “Tren Macho” is an affordable option that Peruvians take through the Central Andes. Get a ticket that includes a lunch buffet!
• Lima-Huancayo: This is a daylong ride to the Central Andes and one of the highest passenger train services in the world. It’s beautiful, and the ride is the attraction more than the destination. However the train only goes once a month and is pretty pricey.

Boat

Multi-day boat trip schedules depend on the weather and logistics, and are only for transportation in the jungle. The most popular is any variation of the trip to Iquitos.

Moving in the City

How you get around Peruvian cities depends greatly on the city. But these are the most common forms:

• App: Uber, DiDi and Cabify are considered the best. Since the apps track where you are, it’s safer than hailing a random taxi from the street.
• Bus: This is the cheapest way to get around. I always check with hotel staff or someone knowledgeable to make sure I get on the right bus beforehand. Also ask how long the trip will take (it can take a LOT longer than a taxi). If the bus is crowded be aware of your belongings. Lima and other cities have introduced electric buses, making this a cleaner form of travel.
• “Moto”: Oh man. My favorite way to travel in town is by moto-taxi! These resemble the tuk-tuks of Southeast Asia. They are generally cheaper than a taxi but more expensive (and faster) than a bus.
• Taxi: Of course, you can always just hail a taxi from the street. Make sure it and the driver pass the “eye test” for safety and be ready to haggle.

Transportation in Peru: Conclusion

Hopefully this article answered your questions on getting around in Peru. Please write any questions below!

If you’re ready to go to Peru check out a sample itinerary to get started :)