How to get from Lima airport to the city center

Getting from the airport to Lima downtown isn’t necessarily the easiest thing in the Peruvian capital. I do it once or twice a year and it’s always more or less the same headache. Jorge Chavez airport is in Callao, north of Lima, a spot that isn’t exactly easy to reach in a city ruined by extremely heavy car traffic and where public transport is basically nonexistent. I’m really selling it well, aren’t I? 😀

Some good news anyway: since June 2025, a brand-new terminal has opened, much bigger, more modern and better organized than the old one. It doesn’t change the challenge of the trip into the center, but the airport itself has become noticeably more pleasant.

Before I walk you through the different options, let me explain why it’s a problem. It’s about your safety. And that’s not something to take lightly.

Lima’s Jorge Chavez airport, a place where you need to be VERY careful

First of all, Jorge Chavez airport is located outside Lima, in the sweet and warm city of Callao. Which is famous for being the most dangerous in the country, plain and simple. And honestly, that’s not wrong. That’s why you have to be VERY careful at the airport, and in particular not to leave it on your own.

You can step out of the terminal, but it’s a bit of a circus out there. More-or-less official taxi drivers may try to grab you. The upside is they’re not nasty, not too pushy. A little, but honestly it’s fine. A friendly “no gracias” with a smile usually does the trick.

Don’t let ANYONE carry or touch your luggage. That one is super important. Unless it’s your driver and you’ve agreed on it. But someone you don’t know? No.

Watch out for taxi drivers’ prices. NO unlicensed taxis. NO suspiciously low prices, otherwise there’s a catch.

With the new terminal, the setup has changed: official taxis are booked at counters located between exits 1 and 2, and ride-hailing cars (Uber, Cabify…) pick you up in a dedicated parking area — the app guides you there (often parking E1). Follow the signs carefully, it’s well marked.
Important point: you don’t leave the new terminal on foot. Access is only via bridges reserved for vehicles (above the Rímac River), there’s no secure pedestrian path. And in any case, you’re in Callao: never leave the airport area alone and on foot!

It’s also a problem because Peru is a bit of a country of tricksters. I love them, mind you, but as good gringos we’re going to get hustled regularly, and transport is a perfect example.

Finally, the fact that you’ve just changed continents means you don’t necessarily have internet access. Generally the Lima airport WiFi works, but because of this you might prefer to book in advance.
Anyway, I’m rambling on, let’s get into it!

On the public transport side, one new development worth mentioning: since the new terminal opened, the ATU has launched AeroDirecto, the first public bus network to serve the airport. It’s by far the cheapest (a few soles), but honestly I don’t recommend it on arrival: it’s a standard public bus, so less safe than the private bus, especially with luggage and the fatigue of the flight. On top of that you need an ATU card and a transfer to reach Miraflores, and the practical info (schedules, exact fares per line) remains fuzzy. Good to know it exists, but for a traveler passing through I’d stick with the shuttle, the Airport Express bus or a ride-hailing car. As for the metro, the line that’s supposedly meant to serve the airport one day is still not in service.

But we do have safe, cheap and honest options. Let’s go through them all.

Taking a TAXI / UBER between Lima airport and the city center

Taxis, a double-edged option

Realistically, unless you’re a true regular in the country and you speak good Spanish, I’d advise against taking taxis at the airport.
First of all, you should know that taxis do NOT have a meter. So it’s based on how you look and on negotiation. Roughly speaking, a trip to Miraflores costs around 60 to 75 soles (€15 to €20) at normal hours, and it can climb to 80-95 soles (€20-25) at peak times. If it’s a lot more, that’s not good. If it’s a lot less, there’s a catch.

Always go through the official taxi counters (between exits 1 and 2), never a tout who approaches you in the hall. The tricky part is finding a driver you can trust. Absolutely ask to see his badge, his accreditation. You might also ask to see his car first. Don’t let him take your luggage until you’ve seen the car.

And honestly, since it’s a bit of a free-for-all, when I’m alone and don’t look like a local, I’d rather not deal with the hassle of a taxi.
But it’s doable! Just be careful:
– about the price, absolutely agree on it BEFORE
– about the driver and his car. Take an official taxi, an official company. Take a photo of the license plate and of the car (and don’t do it discreetly, so he can see you’re doing it) and send the photo to someone via WhatsApp

To wrap up, for a trip between Lima airport and Miraflores (for example):
– it takes between 45 and 75 min depending on traffic (it’s heavy down there, about 20 km)
– it costs between 60 and 75 soles (€15 to €20), a bit more at peak times

Ride-hailing apps like UBER

Ride-hailing works well. I like it for two reasons:
– the price is fixed, in advance, no negotiation possible, no scam
– the driver is identified, often with a good rating, so you know who you’re dealing with
– you can choose several types of vehicle

The “basic” Uber is generally a not-so-fancy car, they’re not sedans like back home, because these are their own cars and they don’t have a ton of money. And they drive Peruvian-style.

You can go for the more upscale version for a few euros more, it’s still very reasonable, and for the pleasure of air conditioning in the streets of Lima, I’ll admit it does feel good.
And also plenty of green cars, since they often run on gas (much cheaper).

On the ride-hailing front, the choice has grown: Uber, Cabify, DiDi and inDrive all work in Lima (Beat left a while ago). I used to use Cabify sometimes but I can’t be bothered installing the app every time, so I use Uber. They’re all very good, no nasty surprises.

Fares are often a bit cheaper than taxis, especially during off-peak hours: generally count on 40 to 70 soles (€10 to €18) depending on traffic and the car you choose. And thankfully there’s none of that joy of negotiation 😀

Downside: you need internet to order a ride once at Lima airport. Knowing that outside, where you have to wait, you no longer get the airport WiFi (even though it’s just a few meters away). It’s a bit annoying.

Another downside: with the new terminal, the ride-hailing car doesn’t pick you up right outside the exit but in a dedicated parking area (the app guides you there, often parking E1, sometimes with a small parking surcharge). It’s signposted and not very far, but if you’re there at night, stay alert and only step out at the last moment, once you’ve clearly identified your driver.

Transfer from Lima airport to Miraflores (city center) by MINIBUS

A practical, reliable and cheap option is to take a minibus:

• with Quick Llama transport (I have to admit I really like the name)
• from the airport to Miraflores in one hour
• the price starts around 15-20 soles (€5 to €6), you need to book in advance
• there’s one shuttle per hour (to be confirmed afterwards via WhatsApp)
• they drop you off in front of your hotel in Miraflores (if it’s not on the list, then it’s at Kennedy Park)
• they run in both directions

Honestly I think it’s great! They have a good reputation, it’s reliable, it’s cheap, you book in advance and you don’t have to struggle with taxis.
The only catch would possibly be having to wait an hour for the next shuttle

⭐️Info and booking for the Quick Llama shuttle!

Getting to Lima city center by BUS from the airport

This is a big private bus company that runs the trip between the airport and Miraflores. The Airport Express Lima bus takes you to several spots in Miraflores (7 stops in total) starting from about 15 soles (€4 to €6). With the opening of the new terminal, the company increased frequencies and brought in bigger buses. Departures roughly every hour, from early morning until late evening.
It has big advantages:
– it’s cheap
– there’s WiFi on board and USB ports
– it’s safe
– you’re dropped off right in the center

It’s better to book in advance as it’s a fairly popular mode of transport.
The meeting point is in the arrivals hall, at the Airport Express Lima desks.

⭐️Info and booking for your bus to/from the airport

Taking a PRIVATE DRIVER to go from the airport to the center of Lima

This is another excellent option that isn’t especially expensive, which is very safe, very convenient and very widely used. A driver can come pick you up directly at the airport. For about €18, for 1 to 3 people, you don’t have to worry about anything. They come to the airport and drop you off at your hotel (or the other way around, obviously).

I find the rates very fair, we’re in ride-hailing price territory (more or less €20).

If there are more of you, then the vehicle size goes up, and so do the rates (€34 for 5 people, €63 for 9 people).

You absolutely have to book in advance.

⭐️Info and booking for your driver to/from the airport

Staying near Jorge Chavez airport

Flight taking off at dawn, arriving in the middle of the night, or just a layover in Lima? Rather than crossing Callao and then all of Lima to reach Miraflores and do the trip in reverse a few hours later, there’s a far more restful — and far safer — option: sleeping right inside the airport. There’s only one hotel within the grounds of the new terminal, and it’s precisely the one I recommend in this case.

In conclusion

There you go, now you know everything! So we have several options:

• Uber (or Cabify, DiDi, inDrive), it’s convenient, but requires having internet and the app, for €10 to €18
• The official taxi, if you want to give it a go, around €15 to €20
• The shuttle (Quick Llama), which takes you to your hotel in Miraflores from €5-6
• The bus (Airport Express), which makes several stops in Miraflores, from €4-6
• The private driver, who comes to pick you up and takes you directly to your hotel for about €20

• In the next article, I explain everything you should do in Lima
• Speaking of money, here I show you how to work out the cost of a trip to Peru

4 recommended places to stay in Lima

Take a free guided tour of Lima!

Once you’re there, I think it would be a shame not to enjoy Lima a little. Plenty of people will tell you to flee this city. I long thought the same, but actually no! I introduce you to Lima in this article, but between its historic center, its museums including the famous Museo Larco, the Miraflores district, and Huaca Pucllana in particular, there’s plenty to do!

So I’m suggesting 3 free guided tours to get you started:

• in the historic center
• in Barranco
• at Huaca Pucllana

Where to stay in Lima

It’s fairly easy. All the main accommodations, especially the good-quality ones, are in Miraflores. There are a few in Barranco, very few in the historic center even though it’s actually nice. The area long suffered from high crime, but that’s changing.

So in Miraflores, here are the ones I particularly recommend:

Guesthouses:

• Ana Frank
  • from €72, 9.7/10 on Booking
• Casa Porta
  • from €50, 8.8/10 on Booking
• Belma Boutique
  • from €53, 9.4/10 on Booking
• Wasi Pai
  • from €73, 9.5/10 on Booking

Hotels:

• Radisson Miraflores
  • 4*, from €85, 8.8/10 on Booking
• Best Western Larco
  • 4*, from €78, 8.8/10 on Booking
• DoubleTree by Hilton
  • 5*, from €116, 8.6/10 on Booking
• Arawi Miraflores
  • from €68, 8.7/10 on Booking

Useful links for Lima

• Find your ACCOMMODATION in Lima
• Rent a CAR to explore the country
• Compare to find the best FLIGHTS
• Find the best guided TOURS of Lima
• Find the best ACTIVITIES in Lima
• Discover the SPORTS activities in Lima
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