Getting Around Lima

Lima is a sprawling city, whose far towns in the north and south regions creep up into the mountains. Traffic jams are a daily problem during commuter times, and you can be stuck on the road for more than an hour.

As a New Yorker, if it takes less than an hour, I’ll plan on walking there. In Lima, I walked from Pueblo Libre through to Jesús María and Lince and from Miraflores to Barranco and San Isidro on the regular without any issues. But that can’t get you everywhere in Lima.

Here’s my guide for getting around the city (and to/from the airport) as fast as you can and for every budget.

Metropolitano Bus

If you want to take public transit, these buses are safe, clean, and serve the main tourist neighborhoods: the historic center, San Isidro, Miraflores, and Barranco.

The buses do get crowded, so expect to stand for long times. The good news is that Metropolitano buses have their own traffic lanes, so even in the worst of Lima traffic (and it does get bad), these buses can be faster than taking a car.

This bus line is going cashless, so buy either a Metropolitano Pass or a Lima Pass and load money onto it at the station. Tap your card through the turnstile before getting onto the bus. You can also add money to your card at Tambo or Oxo convenience stores or on the Plin app.

Take the usual precautions when it comes to pickpockets (don’t wave your phone around, use a cross-body bag that zips, etc.

Ride Share Apps

For me, the price of ride-share apps is low enough compared to the U.S. (all the rides I took were under <$10) that I end up using Uber or Cabify instead of public transit. I believe that Cabify has a stricter vetting system than Uber does for their drivers.

A Peruvian woman I met also told me about a ride-share company called Taxi Satelital that is considered incredibly safe and bookable through an app, but costs a little bit more than Uber or Cabify.

I have never had any issues with Uber or Cabify in my solo travels in Lima or in other parts of the country- I actually got my best Arequipa recommendations from the Uber driver who picked me up from the airport there!

Street Taxis: A Word of Caution

I would recommend against using street taxis, especially if you don’t speak Spanish or are unfamiliar with the city. Lima taxi drivers have been known to rob or kidnap tourists.

I have friends who have used taxis in Lima without any issues, but they have all been native Spanish speakers or were accompanying locals at the time. If you are traveling with locals or you’ve spent lots of time in Latin America, this is probably a safer option for you.

Personally, with the plentiful rideshare options available, I am not willing to risk it when I travel around Lima!

Getting to/from the Airport

The Cheap Way: Bus and Shuttle Options

Aerodirecto Bus

In 2025, a new bus line opened up connecting Lima and Callo with direct access to Jorge Chávez International Airport. The bus costs 1.20-5 soles depending on the route. Aerodirecto has routes going to the historic center, Magdalena del Mar, Pueblo Libre, and San Miguel, but it does not go to Miraflores, San Isidro, or Barranco.

QuickLlama Shuttle

Quick Llama is a cheap shuttle option for those staying in Miraflores. Quick Llama serves the Miraflores area and can either pick you up and drop you off near Parque Kennedy or, depending on your hotel or address, drop you off or pick you up at your door. It is a flat rate of 20 soles one way, either with cash or by credit/debit card.

Private Airport Transfers

RideShare

This is what I usually use. There are pickup spots for both Uber and Cabify directly outside of the airport that are easy to find. The rides are usually between $10 and $18 depending on the destination and the time of day.

My flight out of Lima back to New York is usually very early in the morning (like around 5 am), and I am NOT a morning person, so I pre-schedule a ride a few days before. The ride takes between 25 and 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Private Taxi Companies

When my Mom was coming into Lima by herself late at night, I knew that a private taxi would make the most sense. I booked a ride via Taxidatum. This is the priciest option at $22, but the taxi drivers speak English, meet you at baggage claim, and are the safest and most convenient option.

She had a great experience and requested the same driver for her 4 am flight back to the US. Gringo Taxi is also another safe and easy private taxi option in Lima.

Hotel Shuttles

Some hotels in Barranco and Miraflores also offer hotel shuttles if you would rather book that than worry about booking an outside company.

None of the hotels I have stayed at have offered this, but I am sure it is a good option if you don’t want to think about organizing rides.