How to Get to Arequipa: Rodríguez Ballón Airport (AQP), Buses & Andean Train

Positioned at 2,335 metres above sea level along the classic southern Peru overland loop connecting Lima, Paracas, Nazca, the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca (Puno), and Cusco, Arequipa is easily reached by direct domestic and regional flights, first-class sleeper coaches, or luxury high-Andean rail.

1. Arriving by Air: Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón International Airport (AQP)

• Location & Transfer to the Historic Centre: Situated in the Cerro Colorado district just 8 kilometres northwest of the Plaza de Armas, Arequipa's airport (IATA: AQP) is a 20- to 25-minute taxi or Uber ride across the Chili River into the UNESCO Historic Centre or Yanahuara. Always use the official pre-paid airport taxi counters inside the arrivals hall or request an Uber / Cabify ride.
• Direct Flight Routes: Multiple daily non-stop flights link Arequipa with Lima (LIM) in 1 hour 25 minutes (operated by LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSmart), alongside direct 55-minute Andean hops to and from Cusco (CUZ) and direct international flights connecting with Santiago de Chile (SCL); check airline portals for seasonal schedules.

2. Long-Distance Buses (Terminal Terrestre & Terrapuerto)

Arequipa's two adjoining long-distance coach stations, the Terminal Terrestre and the international Terrapuerto, sit side by side on Avenida Arturo Ibáñez in the Jacobo Hunter district, 15 minutes south of the Plaza de Armas by taxi:

• From Lima, Paracas, Ica & Nazca: Reputable national coach operators (including Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and Civa, offering 160- to 180-degree cama sleeper seats) run along the coastal Pan-American Highway before climbing into the Arequipa valley (16 hours from Lima, 9 to 10 hours overnight from Nazca).
• To and From Chivay (Colca Canyon), Puno & Cusco: Regional coaches depart throughout the day for Chivay and Cabanaconde in the Colca Valley (3.5 to 5.5 hours), Puno on Lake Titicaca (6 hours across the Altiplano), and Cusco (10 hours). Tourist day-trip buses (such as 4M Express) also link Chivay in the Colca Canyon directly onward to Puno so you do not have to backtrack to Arequipa.

3. The Andean Explorer Train & Getting Around the City

For travellers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime rail journey across the 4,000-metre puna, the luxury sleeper train Belmond Andean Explorer operates multi-day itineraries linking Arequipa (from Estación de Arequipa on Avenida Tacna y Arica), Lake Titicaca, and Cusco. Inside Arequipa itself, every sight in the UNESCO centre and San Lázaro is walkable on foot, while short rides to Yanahuara, Carmen Alto, or traditional picanterías in Sachaca take 10 to 15 minutes by Uber.