How do you get to Arequipa?
Getting There8.7/10Easier to reach than about 85% of cities
- Main airport
- Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: airportexpresslima.com, flightconnections.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Airport taxis can be negotiated; pre-booked transfers provide more security and predictability, especially with luggage
- No direct international flights from Arequipa—all international travel requires a connection through Lima or Cusco
- Bus travel in Peru: keep belongings with you at all times; avoid overhead storage; use money belt under clothing for cash, passport, and phone for extra security
- Terminal Terrestre can be very busy and loud, especially evenings; arrive early to navigate payment desk and long queues
- Buses to/from Arequipa stop only at designated locations specified on your ticket; confirm correct bus station before purchase
- Colca Canyon day trips involve early 3am departures; altitude (4,900+ meters at Patapampa pass) requires gradual acclimatization
- Best season for day trips and outdoor excursions: April–November (clearer skies, stable weather)
- Public transportation within city (local buses/combis) requires small coins; driver has a fare collector
- Airport sits at 2,560 m elevation; bring sunscreen, water, and sunglasses; dry climate may cause chapped lips and dehydration
- Local guide or organized tour strongly recommended for wildlife viewing (Condors, alpacas, vicuñas, flamingos) and high-altitude sites
Airport
- Name
- Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP)
- Wi Fi
- Free Wi-Fi is unreliable; available in select cafés/restaurants and VIP lounges for paying customers
- Facilities
- Single terminal with ATMs (BCP, GlobalNet), currency exchange counters, cafés, pharmacy, car rental desks (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Fox, Thrifty, Dollar)
- Arrival Tips
- Arrive 2 hours early for domestic flights, especially during peak times; airport elevation may cause mild altitude effects; no consistent free Wi-Fi across terminal
- Elevation Meters
- 2560
- International Flights
- None currently; must connect via Lima or Cusco
- Travel Time To Center
- 15-25 minutes by taxi under normal traffic; up to 30+ minutes during rush hour
- Distance From City Center
- approximately 8-9 km
Domestic Flights
Lima
- Carriers
- JetSmart, LATAM, Sky Airline
- Frequency
- Multiple daily (approximately 122 flights per week)
- Flight Duration
- approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Cusco
- Carriers
- LATAM
- Frequency
- Regular flights
- Flight Duration
- approximately 1-1.5 hours
Ground Transport From Airport
- Rental Cars
- Available on-site from major companies
- Ride Sharing
- Uber and InDrive available
- Official Taxis
- Available curbside; standard to Plaza de Armas typically costs S/ 25-30
- Airport Transfer Services
- Private transfers can be pre-booked; many tour operators include airport pick-up
Key Routes
Lima
- Operators
- Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa Transportes
- Distance Hours
- approximately 16 hours
Puno/Juliaca (Lake Titicaca Region)
- Operators
- Multiple
- Distance Hours
- approximately 4.5 hours by bus (no longer train service)
Cusco
- Operators
- Multiple
- Distance Hours
- approximately 20-22 hours
Colca Canyon/Chivay
- Operators
- Multiple from Terminal Terrestre
- Distance Hours
- approximately 4 hours (gateway to major tourist attraction)
International (Bolivia)
- Operators
- Available
- Destinations Served
- La Paz, Copacabana
Primary Terminals
Terminal Terrestre De Arequipa (Main Terminal)
- Location
- Avenida Andrés Avelino Cáceres, near Avenida Arturo Ibáñez; approximately 1.5 miles south of Plaza de Armas
- Major Operators
- Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, Civa Transportes, Transzela, Sur Oriente
- Description
- Modern, well-organized terminal serving as the main hub for regional and long-distance buses
Nuevo Terrapuerto (Newer Bus Station)
- Location
- Avenida A. Avelino Cáceres area, near Terminal Terrestre
- Description
- Newer facility; check ticket for correct departure station
Day Trip Access
- Tour Booking
- FindLocalTrips and Viator offer marketplace options; Peru Hop provides flexible hop-on/hop-off intercity service; many local operators available
Accessible Attractions
Colca Canyon
- Access
- Organized tours (3am-early morning departures common) or independent travel via Terminal Terrestre buses
- Distance Travel Time
- approximately 4 hours by road
- Description
- World's second-deepest canyon; viewable on full-day tours or multi-day treks; famous for Andean condors at Cruz del Condor viewpoint; hot springs in traditional villages
Ruta Del Sillar (Sillar Quarries)
- Hours
- Daily 09:00-17:00
- Access
- Organized tours recommended or verified taxi hire
- Entrance Fee
- PEN 5.00
- Distance Travel Time
- Half-day trip from city center
- Description
- White volcanic stone quarries featuring colonial architecture heritage; Canteras de Sillar Añashuayco and Quebrada de Culebrillas are primary quarries
Salinas Y Aguada Blanca National Reserve
- Access
- Organized tour recommended; becoming more popular as day trip destination
- Distance Travel Time
- Variable
- Description
- High-altitude reserve with alpacas, vicuñas, and Andean flamingos; guided tours essential
El Misti Volcano
- Access
- Organized multi-day climbing tours from Arequipa
- Elevation Meters
- 5822
- Distance Travel Time
- Day hike or 2-day expedition
- Description
- Iconic volcano overlooking Arequipa; steep ascent; local guides essential
Chachani Volcano
- Access
- Organized tours
- Elevation Meters
- 6075
- Distance Travel Time
- Multi-day expedition
- Description
- Extinct volcano; popular climbing destination; requires guides
Pillones Waterfalls and Imata Stone Forest
- Access
- Organized tours
- Distance Travel Time
- Day trip
- Description
- Natural waterfalls and surreal stone formations; high-altitude landscapes
Capua Waterfall
- Access
- Accessible independently or via guided tours
- Distance Travel Time
- 4-5 hours round-trip hiking
- Description
- Hiking trail through gorge accessible from collectivo to Yura; well-marked trail with river/stream crossings
Terminal Info
Two sections with 20+ bus companies; local tax of S/ 2-3 (approximately USD 0.59-0.88) required before boarding; ticket system is organized despite appearing chaotic; long queues at payment desk common during peak hours
Getting To Terminal
Taxi from central area approximately 30 minutes; public transportation available at low cost; official taxis at entrance
Rail Transport
- Status
- Train service between Arequipa and Puno/Juliaca no longer operates
- Alternative
- Well-maintained highway with minimal traffic; bus travel approximately 4.5 hours
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Arequipa
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.