Public transport in Peru can take you from the most scenic heights of the Andes straight to the bustle and chaos of downtown Lima.
Although the infrastructure tends to be reasonable, the mountains that cut straight through the middle of the country can add a lot of time to journeys that don’t follow the coast. As such adequate supplies of both nourishment and warmth are essential when making long trips.
Contrastingly, inner city travel can be both hectic and stressful and therefore also requires a certain degree of preparation. Don’t let this put you off though, as when done properly getting around Peru can be just as pleasant as it is rewarding.
Very little of the country is served by rail networks, however the few trains that do exist tend to be concentrated in traveller hotspots. The best example of this is the PeruRail which runs frequent services between the town of Cuzco and Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Although relatively expensive, the company offers a very safe, comfortable and reliable ride. It also provides a great opportunity to soak in some of the incredible scenery found along the route.
Buses tend to be the preferred means of transport for both Peruvians and visitors alike.
Within bus terminals there is often a huge selection of ticket offices run by competing companies. This means prices and quality can vary hugely and as such it is worth shopping around. Some companies are able to provide pictures of whatever class of coach you’re interested in, and so allow you to avoid any unpleasant or cramped surprises.
Journey distances are easy to underestimate when looking at a map and single trips can easily surpass 20 hours. When paying for a more upmarket service food may be included in the ticket price, it always pays to ask! Otherwise, snack vendors may be sporadically let on board to frantically attempt to offload a variety of small but sometimes inedible treats. Longer distance journeys tend to make a pitstop, although this is more often than not a restaurant or shop in the middle of nowhere, in some way affiliated with the bus company. Quality and price are variable and isolation removes the luxury of choice. As such it can be preferable to stock up on snacks before getting on board.
Larger bags are stored underneath the bus and there tends to be a luggage ticketing system to ensure no one else can disappear off with your things. However this is not foolproof and it’s best to keep an eye out when possible to ensure your belongings remain where they should be.
Many of the biggest and most reliable companies have been consolidated on a handy, one stop website which removes the necessity of trawling assorted providers for the best deals. It has no extra booking fees and is also available in English, making it an invaluable resource for English speakers looking to travel Peru by bus. Although e-tickets are not currently available, the site provides an e-voucher which can be exchanged at the appropriate bus terminal upon the presentation of valid photo ID.
Some of the main bus companies also have websites available in English:
The sheer length of some journeys in Peru can make air travel an appealing option, however this convenience comes at significant cost. Ticket prices have also risen further in recent years, due to a tax previously levied at the airport now being included directly in the cost of the ticket. Coupled with a limited choice of airlines providing commercial services domestically, flying within Peru can become impossibly expensive.
Despite this, as in any country bargains can always be found and it can be worth checking some of the main providers. The following companies also have websites available in English:
With regard to arriving in Peru from abroad, the vast majority of flights fly into Lima’s Jorge Chávez Airport, which in 2012 won an award for being the best international airport on the continent. As such you can expect it to be both modern and efficient.
Throughout major cities and tourist destinations in Peru taxis tend to be both abundant and reasonably cheap. It pays to negotiate a fare beforehand and a certain amount of haggling is almost expected. At the very least it is helpful to know where you are going in advance to avoid being taken for a ride (in both senses of the expression)!
It is also advisable to move away from the immediate vicinity of bus / airport terminals, tourist attractions and hotels when hailing a cab as this helps to bring down the price. Whilst the majority of taxis still tend to be safe, doing this may require a little extra caution, especially in areas you are not familiar with. It is generally a simple case of using common sense when assessing both the driver and vehicle.