Car Hire Lima Airport

Car Hire

Jorge Chávez International Airport is not only Peru's biggest airport, but it is among the highest rated airports in all of South America. Despite Lima's large size, Peru's capital is surprisingly lacking in public transportation options. Taxis, buses or car rental in Lima Airport are the only ways to travel the seven miles along Elmer Faucett Avenue between the airport's Callao location and Lima's historic centre. Most buses which depart from the airport stop at or near the La Victoria neighbourhood.

Who to Book With
Budget, Dollar and Hertz all offer car hire at Lima Airport International Arrivals area. Motorists should be aware that many Lima car rental fees include hidden insurance, mileage and other costs. Four-wheel drive vehicles cost even more than basic cars.

Need to Know Essentials
These mandatory documents must be shown at vehicle collection:

- Your national driver’s licence
- The credit card used to make the initial deposit
- Confirmation of age, such as a passport (you must be 25 years to rent a vehicle)
- Confirmation of booking

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving in Lima is not for the faint of heart as the city suffers from poor traffic conditions and few easily identifiable landmarks. Those who wish to brave the seven-mile journey between Lima's city centre and airport, however, will find Elmer Faucett Avenue to be the easiest street to follow. Driving outside of Lima is easier but drivers should beware of potholes and limited petrol stations. Fully guarded car parks are recommended in all parts of Peru.

See our guide to Peru for more information on driving here.

Transport

Lima is among the few cities in the world of its size without a widespread public transportation network. Taxis, rented vehicles and privately-owned buses are the only transportation options which lead directly to the airport. La Victoria is the most common location for the main bus terminals of Lima's many privately-owned bus companies.

Trains
The first line of Lima's light rail network, Consorcio Tren Electrico, opened in 2011, but there remains no direct rail link to Lima Airport. Airport passengers can, however, take a bus or taxi to any of the 16 stations along this 13-mile rail line, and a second line is currently under construction. Ticket fares are currently around £0.35 for a regular adult ticket and £0.20 for a middle passage ticket.

Taxis
Taxis are usually the safest and fastest way to travel between Lima Airport and the rest of Peru's capital, but passengers should avoid flagging down cabs or using unauthorised taxis. It's best to stick to officially registered taxi companies like Mitsoo and Taxi Green, whose cabs are parked directly outside the main Arrivals area.

Taxi prices:
Lima Airport to Lima city centre is about £5
Lima Airport to San Isidro is about £7
Lima Airport to Miraflores is about £8.50
Lima Airport to La Molina is about £12

Buses
Transit shuttle buses regularly travel from Lima Airport to the districts of Miraflores, just over 10 miles away, and San Isidro. Another express bus travels from the airport's Arrivals hall to Miraflores and Lima's historic city centre. The micro buses which are popular among locals only cost between £0.10 and £0.30. However, in order to avoid pick pockets, passengers unfamiliar with Lima should stick to costlier, but safer and more modern, bus lines like Metropolitano. The rechargeable cards required to board these buses cost around £1.20.

Facilities

Terminals
The single Lima Airport terminal greets nearly 12 million annual passengers to its domestic and international zones. No fewer than five Peruvian airlines use this airport as their home base, but the airport also offers international destinations throughout South, North and Central America via international carriers. Iberia Airlines flights to Madrid, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flights to Amsterdam and Air France flights to Paris are the airport's direct European routes. Most overseas flights arrive at this bustling airport late at night or early in the morning.

Parking
The airport car park is situated across from the main terminal. The extended parking fee is about £8.50 per day, while short-term parking rates are just over £1 for small vehicles and about £4.50 for large vehicles. Taxes are included in all parking rates, but debit and credit card payments are only accepted in the extended parking section to the right of the main car park entrance.

Wi-Fi
Purchases at the airport Starbucks come with free wireless internet access, which normally costs £1 per hour throughout the airport. The second level Telefonica outlets in both terminals and the Peru Plaza offer Wi-Fi cards for sale.

Information Services
The Lima Airport international zone contains the airport's main information desk, where English-speaking agents are willing to answer passenger questions.

Useful Numbers
General Enquiries: +51 1 517 3100
Flight Information: +51 1 511 6055

Accessibility
Wheelchairs are available upon request at Lima Airport, whose other amenities for disabled passengers include specially adapted telephones, wheelchair ramps and reserved parking places. Passengers who need wheelchairs upon arrival should make arrangements in advance.

Restaurants and Bars
Most Lima Airport restaurants are located in the second level food court, including international fast food franchises like Papa John's, Dunkin' Donuts and McDonald's. A Starbucks outlet is situated in the mezzanine area near the Gelateria Italiana restaurant. The Manacaru Restaurant and Aroma Café are the International Terminal's main restaurants.

VIP Lounges
International Departures area:
Sumaq VIP Lounge
VIP Club Lounge

Money and ATMs
Both Lima Airport Arrivals areas and the Peru Plaza shopping centre contain Interbank Money Exchange counters where passengers can exchange currency. All of the above areas, as well as the main airport hall, contain Global Net ATMs. Banking services are available in the international zone.

Shopping
The Peru Plaza shopping centre contains most Lima Airport shops, including a pharmacy and mini market. Designer boutiques like Hugo Boss and Bijoux Terner are situated throughout the airport, while the International Departures area's El Rincon del Pisco shop is the airport's best place to pick up a souvenir bottle of Pisco brandy. The International Terminal is the location of all of the airport's duty-free shops.