Trip to Peru: flights to Lima, visa and overland routes

Peru is one of the farthest destinations from Europe. There are few direct flights, and a connection can easily eat up an entire day. At the same time, the route is simpler to build than it seems: four European hubs, four land borders, and a river route from Colombia give you several workable options.

We put together a practical guide: how long the flight takes, how to choose a connection, what to do about the visa, where to get your stamp, and how to get from Lima airport afterwards. This is enough to plan the trip on your own, without an agency.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links. We earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

Which direct flights are available from Europe

💡 In short:

• Direct flights to Lima depart from Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, and Barcelona.
• Cheap options are almost always built through Madrid, Bogota, or Panama City.
• Flights and entry rules: 09/2026, verified on the official Peru tourism portal

There are not many departure cities in Europe, but the schedule is dense. Most flights depart from Madrid: 145 flights per month (as of 09/2026, FlightConnections). Paris offers 43 flights, Amsterdam 30, Barcelona around 13 (monthly flight frequency).

The longest nonstop flight goes from Lima to Amsterdam: 10,514 km and about 12 hours 20 minutes in the air (schedule data). It is operated by KLM. Iberia and LATAM fly from Madrid, so you can pick a departure time that fits your schedule (Lima carriers).

Flying with a connection takes longer, but is often cheaper. From Lima to Bogota there are 261 flights per month, to Panama City 211 (route data). Such connections add waiting time, but save money on the ticket.

Here is a quick tip. Do not buy two separate tickets for the same connection day. A delay on the first flight will leave you without the second, and nobody will refund the extra cost.

When to buy a ticket to Lima

The price depends on the season and how far in advance you buy. The dry season in Peru runs from May to September, and tickets for those months sell out first. For the high season, start looking about three months ahead.

It is convenient to compare all connections at once: check tickets to Lima on Kiwi.com. When buying, check whether baggage is included in the fare: on transatlantic flights this is often a separate expense.

Visa, passport, and border stamp

EU and Schengen citizens do not need a visa to Peru. On entry, you can stay up to 183 days per year (as of 09/2026, official Peru visa rules). The period is counted from the first entry, not from each trip.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry (FCDO recommendations). At the airport, the entry stamp is issued electronically, so you do not need to fill out a paper card.

Keep your hotel confirmation and return ticket on your phone. They are not checked every time, but you need to find them quickly.

Get insurance before your flight: compare insurance options. Medical services in Peru are paid, and the journey to Lima is long.

© Hensleytraveler · CC BY-SAPhoto: Hensleytraveler, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Overland routes from Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia

The first leg will still be by air: there are no buses from Europe to South America. But beyond that, Peru is connected to its neighbors by overland routes.

From Ecuador, you enter through Tumbes. From Chile, people travel through Tacna; from Bolivia, through Desaguadero near Puno. From Brazil, you enter through Iñapari, opposite the Brazilian town of Assis Brasil. From Colombia, there is almost no land crossing; the river is the main route there.

Within Peru, hop-on-hop-off buses are a convenient way to get around: Peru Hop connects Lima, Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa, Puno, Cusco, and La Paz. You decide how many days to spend in each place.

At the land border, make sure you get an entry stamp (entry rules). Without it, you risk a fine when leaving the country. Keep your bus ticket with your name on it as proof of entry.

© This photo was taken by Roman Bonnefoy ( Romanceor [parlons-en] ) . Feel free to use my pictures, but please credit me a · CC BY-SAPhoto: This photo was taken by Roman Bonnefoy ( Romanceor [parlons-en] ) . Feel free to use my pictures, but please credit me a, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

By water from Colombia to Iquitos

A different setup works in the Amazon. From the Colombian town of Leticia, you cross the river to the Peruvian town of Santa Rosa and continue south. Tabatinga is nearby, so three countries meet here: Colombia, Brazil, and Peru.

From there, fast boats and slow cargo vessels travel to Iquitos. By speedboat, the trip takes one day; on a cargo boat, you will spend several days in a hammock. Bring extra water and food.

This route is chosen by those who want to see the Amazon without a guided tour program. Border control takes place at the dock, and the stamp is issued there as well.

© Ministerio de Defensa del Perú from Perú, Perú · CC BYPhoto: Ministerio de Defensa del Perú from Perú, Perú, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

How to get from Lima airport to the city

Jorge Chávez International Airport is in Callao, about 17 km from Miraflores on the map (airport information). Taxis without a meter charge a fixed amount, and you'll need to agree on the price in advance.

A cheaper option is the Airport Express bus. Tickets start at 15 soles (as of 09/2026, Airport Express Lima), with stops in Miraflores and San Isidro. The new terminal opened in 2025 (Lima's new terminal), so look for the bus counter in the new building.

If you're coming for just a couple of days, book hotels in Lima on Trip.com with free cancellation. That way, if your flight is delayed, you can move your night without losing money.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to travel to Peru?

EU and Schengen citizens do not need a visa: on entry you get up to 183 days per year (as of 09/2026, Peru tourism board portal). Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry. Rules differ for citizens of other countries, so it's best to check with the consulate.

How long is the flight from Europe to Lima?

Direct flights depart from Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, and Barcelona (as of 09/2026, flight statistics). The longest nonstop flight from Lima to Amsterdam takes about 12 hours 20 minutes. With a connection in Bogotá or Panama City, the journey stretches to a full day.

Can you get to Peru overland?

You can't get there entirely overland from Europe; you'll have to fly across the ocean. After that, you enter Peru by bus from Ecuador, Chile, and Bolivia, or by river from Colombia (stamp at a land border). Make sure you get an entry stamp at the border, otherwise you risk a fine when leaving.

How to get from Lima airport to Miraflores?

The cheapest option is the Airport Express bus, with tickets from 15 soles (as of 09/2026, Airport Express prices and route). It stops in Miraflores and San Isidro, and buses run frequently. A taxi from the official desk costs more, but takes you straight to your hotel.

What to do if you didn't get a stamp at the border?

Contact the immigration office as soon as possible and file a request (recovering an entry stamp). Bring your passport, a bus ticket in your name, and the exit stamp from the country you arrived from. Without the stamp, leaving Peru will result in a fine.

In short: what to book

If you have two weeks, take a direct flight to Lima and Peru Hop to Cusco: that way you'll see the coast, Nazca, and the mountains without rushing. For a short trip, a connecting flight works well, and it's best to limit your route to Lima and Cusco. In high season, book both your flight and hotels right away.

Find tickets to Lima on Kiwi.com and check whether baggage is included in the fare.