What is the cheapest way from Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima?

The AeroDirecto Centro public bus to Plaza San Martín, about S/4 (~$1) paid on board, taking roughly 50–60 minutes with buses every 15 minutes from 5am to 11pm.

Where do I catch the AeroDirecto bus at the airport?

At the official AeroDirecto stop outside arrivals, about a 5-minute walk from the terminal — look for staff in ATU vests, then board the bus marked 'Centro / Plaza San Martín.'

Do I need exact change for the AeroDirecto bus?

No — pay the driver on board with cash, a Visa card, Yape or Plin. Ask specifically for the 'directo' fare to Plaza San Martín (S/4 Monday–Saturday, S/4.50 Sundays and holidays), since the S/2 zonal fare only covers stops near the airport.

Is it safe to take a taxi from Jorge Chávez Airport?

Avoid unauthorized drivers who approach you in arrivals — they can charge S/100 or more. Use the official licensed counters inside arrivals (about S/60–95 to Miraflores) or book through Uber or Cabify instead.

Is the Airport Express Lima bus worth it?

Only if you're headed to Miraflores and want a direct, comfortable ride with WiFi — it costs from about S/15 (~$4), more than triple the AeroDirecto fare, for a 40–65 minute trip.

What is the best way from LIM to downtown Lima?

For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the AeroDirecto Centro bus to Plaza San Martín in the city centre — about S/4 (~$1) paid on board, taking roughly 50–60 minutes.

How much is a taxi from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport to the city?

From the official licensed counters inside arrivals, about S/60–95 to Miraflores — and unauthorized touts can charge S/100 or more. The AeroDirecto Centro bus does the trip to the centre for about S/4.

How to get from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM) to downtown Lima — the cheapest way

The cheapest way from Lima's Jorge Chávez Airport (LIM) into central Lima is the AeroDirecto Centro public bus to Plaza San Martín in the historic centre: pay the driver on board for about S/4 (roughly $1), and the ride takes about 50–60 minutes, with buses every 15 minutes from 5am to 11pm. Ask for the 'directo' fare to Plaza San Martín — the cheaper S/2 zonal ticket only reaches stops near the airport — and ignore the unauthorized taxi touts in arrivals who can charge S/100 or more for the same trip. If you're headed straight to Miraflores and don't mind paying more, the Airport Express Lima bus runs from about S/15 (~$4) in 40–65 minutes.

How to find it

AIRPORTLima Jorge Chávez International Airport
01From arrivals, follow the AeroDirecto signs to the official bus stop just outside the terminal (about a 5-minute walk); look for staff in ATU vests directing passengers.
02Wait for the next bus marked 'Centro / Plaza San Martín' — they run about every 15 minutes from 5am to 11pm, and roughly hourly overnight.
03Board and pay the driver on the spot — cash, Visa card, Yape or Plin all work. Ask for the 'directo' fare to Plaza San Martín (S/4 Monday–Saturday, S/4.50 Sundays and holidays); the cheaper S/2 zonal fare only covers stops near the airport, not the city centre.
04Ride about 50–60 minutes via Avenida Faucett and Avenida Óscar R. Benavides (Colonial) into the historic centre, getting off at the Plaza San Martín stop, where taxis, city buses and onward connections are all within walking distance.
CITY CENTRELima

Ticket

AeroDirecto Centro one-way ticket (direct fare to Plaza San Martín)

Where to buy: Paid on board the AeroDirecto Centro bus — no advance ticket needed. Board at the official AeroDirecto stop outside arrivals, or at the Plaza San Martín stop in the historic centre for the return trip.

How to pay: Pay the driver directly by cash, Visa card, Yape or Plin; ask for the 'directo' fare to Plaza San Martín, not the cheaper zonal fare. No validation stamp is needed.

Local's trick: Tell the driver you want the 'directo' fare to Plaza San Martín when you board — some drivers will otherwise charge the cheaper S/2 zonal rate that only reaches stops near the airport (Quilca or Hospital San José), leaving you to find another way into town. Yape or Plin (Peru's mobile payment apps) are the fastest way to pay if you have a Peruvian SIM; cash and Visa cards work too.

Trap to avoid: Ignore unauthorized drivers who approach you inside or outside arrivals offering a 'taxi oficial' — they aren't, and can charge S/100 or more. If you want a taxi, use the licensed counters inside arrivals (around S/60–95 to Miraflores) or book through Uber or Cabify.

All ways to downtown, compared

Option	Price	Time	Ticket
BusCheapest route	PEN 4.00	55 min	AeroDirecto Centro one-way ticket (direct fare to Plaza San Martín)
Bus	PEN 15.00	50 min	Airport Express Lima one-way ticket to Miraflores

Frequently asked

What is the cheapest way from Jorge Chávez Airport to Lima?: The AeroDirecto Centro public bus to Plaza San Martín, about S/4 (~$1) paid on board, taking roughly 50–60 minutes with buses every 15 minutes from 5am to 11pm.
Where do I catch the AeroDirecto bus at the airport?: At the official AeroDirecto stop outside arrivals, about a 5-minute walk from the terminal — look for staff in ATU vests, then board the bus marked 'Centro / Plaza San Martín.'
Do I need exact change for the AeroDirecto bus?: No — pay the driver on board with cash, a Visa card, Yape or Plin. Ask specifically for the 'directo' fare to Plaza San Martín (S/4 Monday–Saturday, S/4.50 Sundays and holidays), since the S/2 zonal fare only covers stops near the airport.
Is it safe to take a taxi from Jorge Chávez Airport?: Avoid unauthorized drivers who approach you in arrivals — they can charge S/100 or more. Use the official licensed counters inside arrivals (about S/60–95 to Miraflores) or book through Uber or Cabify instead.
Is the Airport Express Lima bus worth it?: Only if you're headed to Miraflores and want a direct, comfortable ride with WiFi — it costs from about S/15 (~$4), more than triple the AeroDirecto fare, for a 40–65 minute trip.
What is the best way from LIM to downtown Lima?: For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the AeroDirecto Centro bus to Plaza San Martín in the city centre — about S/4 (~$1) paid on board, taking roughly 50–60 minutes.
How much is a taxi from Lima Jorge Chávez Airport to the city?: From the official licensed counters inside arrivals, about S/60–95 to Miraflores — and unauthorized touts can charge S/100 or more. The AeroDirecto Centro bus does the trip to the centre for about S/4.

Last verified: Jul 2, 2026. Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.