Lima Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM) serves as Peru’s main international gateway, handling over 26 million passengers annually from its location in Callao. The new passenger terminal with five levels makes navigation straightforward, which I find preferable to sprawling international hubs. The airport recently added a second runway and a new terminal began full operations to support continued growth.
Airlines at Lima Jorge Chávez airport
Several international carriers serve Lima Airport. European connections include Iberia, Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. LATAM, Latin America’s largest airline, operates many flights through Lima, while Delta Air Lines and United Airlines provide frequent US service.
Getting to and from Lima airport
On your return trip, I recommend arranging reliable transport to the airport with your hotel and allowing plenty of extra time for traffic delays. Roads in Lima can get seriously congested, and that trip from the city center can sometimes take hours.
A word of caution, don’t use unlicensed taxis or an Uber service. They aren’t allowed on airport grounds and will drop you off outside, which isn’t ideal. The safest option for an outing or airport transfer is to use the official Airport Express Lima bus service.
Car rentals
You’ll find a good variety of car rental services available at the airport, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar and Hertz. The problem won’t be finding a car, but rather using it.
Road conditions in Peru can be unpredictable. Some roads aren’t paved and can be rocky. If you plan to drive into the more remote regions of the country, you’re better off renting a vehicle that can handle some rough terrain. And drive carefully as other drivers don’t always play by the rules of the road.
Arriving at Lima airport
With a little planning, you can have a smooth arrival at Lima Airport. Since it’s a single terminal, you’re unlikely to get lost, but you can run into trouble if you don’t have the right documents ready.
Documents you’ll need
You’ll need a passport valid for at least six months. US citizens don’t need a visa, but immigration officials will issue a digital Andean Migration Card (TAM) confirming your stay duration. Tourists can remain in Peru for up to 183 days per year with no visa fee, but there’s a fine for overstaying that you’ll pay before departing. Tell officials how long you need and don’t exceed it.
Navigating immigration and customs
Peak hours for immigration congestion are between 11:00 PM and 2:00 AM, when many international flights arrive. During these times, the process can take over 60 minutes.
You’ll need to fill out a customs declaration form if you’re bringing items subject to declaration, such as dutiable goods or cash over US$10,000, otherwise, no declaration is needed.
Baggage claim is located right past immigration, but you’ll still need to clear customs before leaving the secure area. There are transport desks in the public area at arrivals.
Connecting through Lima airport
Even if you can leave the airport while in transit, I wouldn’t recommend it. While Lima Airport is safe, well-equipped and modern, the area outside isn’t safe for walking tours. Traffic can make longer trips to the city impractical, sometimes taking hours to travel to the city center and get back.
There’s also a re-entry fee for transit passengers who leave. Because many unlicensed taxis operate in Lima and rideshare services are unreliable, the airport doesn’t allow unlicensed taxis or Uber drivers to enter.
Domestic connections
To connect through Lima to a domestic flight, you must clear immigration and customs. You’ll then need to go through the public area to check your luggage in again at the airline desks. After you get your new boarding pass, you can head up to the third floor (Level 3) for domestic departures.
International connections
When connecting through Lima on another international flight, don’t clear immigration or go through customs. Instead, head to the international connections area on Level 2 to complete security and migration processes before continuing to the boarding gates on Level 3. You will need to pay the Unified Tariff for Airport Use (TUUA). Check the screens to find your next boarding gate.
Tips for a long layover
The airport doesn’t close, so I’d stay in the terminal overnight and hang out at the food court or the dining areas, which have free Wi-Fi. A reliable option for an outing is the Airport Express Lima bus service.
If you have a late night arrival and early morning connection and need to sleep but don’t want to use airport seats, there’s a hotel on the property: Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport. It’s located within the airport property, just a few steps from the main terminal. One thing I like is that they rent rooms during the daytime, and it’s a nice place to rest and refresh when you have an early morning arrival with a late evening departure, even if it is a little pricey.
Departing from Lima airport
Checking in for your flight
On your return, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport because of traffic delays. Be sure to use authorized transportation services to ensure you’re dropped off at the proper terminal entrance.
All airline check-in desks are on Level 3 when you enter the terminal. If flying internationally, you should arrive 3 hours before your scheduled flight. For flights within Peru, arriving 2 hours ahead is enough. That said, because of the traffic situation in Lima, I’d leave myself more time.
Getting through security
I’d recommend arriving 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic flights to allow sufficient time for check-in, security, and immigration. One thing I like is that there are lots of nice shops and a food court at the airport on Level 2, so I’d spend any extra time there doing a little last-minute shopping or catching up with work while enjoying a meal. The new terminal offers extensive airside commercial spaces as well, including duty-free shopping accessible to both domestic and international passengers.
International departures, including check-in, security, and immigration, are handled on Level 3, while domestic and international connections flow through Level 2. Just check the screens past security for your flight number.
Airport facilities and amenities
Whether you’re looking to relax in a lounge or just need to get online, LIM has you covered.
Lima airport lounges
You’ll find lounges in both the international departure area and the landside area of the terminal.
El Salon by Newrest in domestic departures, located opposite Gate 13, offers luggage storage and a selection of snacks and beverages. I’d take advantage of the work zones to catch up between flights. Overall, it’s nothing fancy but it is comfortable.
In the international departures zone, The Club LIM is available to Priority Pass members. It’s pleasant and spacious, offering a fair selection of food and beverages. It is in high demand, though, and sometimes you may find a crowd waiting to enter.
The Club LIM serves international departures and welcomes walk-in guests who can purchase access passes at the door, which is something I always look for. The food and beverage options are generous, making it a comfortable place to wait for your flight.
Other handy facilities
The new terminal features a modern Wi-Fi 6 network providing fast, free Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the facility.
Money exchange facilities are available in the Baggage Claim hall (Level 1) and the Check-in Hall (Level 3) operated by Interbank. I never use these because the exchange rates aren’t great. Normally, I’d only get local currency at the ATM where the exchange rate is set by my bank. There are several ATM machines throughout Lima airport but the service fee can be high. I recommend waiting to use an ATM in the city, or not at all. Many places in Peru will accept US dollars, so you don’t need Sols in your wallet.
The iPerú tourist information service has two modules in the new terminal - one in the Baggage Claim area (Level 1) and another in the Check-in Hall (Level 3) - offering helpful guidance if you’re venturing out and answering questions in English.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
