Are you planning a trip to Peru and are wondering if you should take the bus from Lima airport to Miraflores? Is taking the bus the best option or are there easier ways of getting from Lima airport to Miraflores?
Let’s take a look at all you need to know before making a decision.
Organizing your trip to Lima?
* Buy the official Lima Airport bus ticket to Miraflores
Lima Airport to Miraflores by Bus
Miraflores is one of the best areas of Lima to explore, so it’s no wonder that it’s such a popular destination. But despite its popularity, there are not many public transport options to get there from Lima airport.
Actually, the official Lima airport bus, the Airport Express, is basically your only option to get by bus to Miraflores.
There is actually one local micro (van) that you can take from outside Lima airport that will drop you off somewhere in Miraflores. But public transport in Lima is chaotic, seats are very small, there’s no space for lugagge, etc. It’s not a viable option.
On the other hand, the Airport Express bus will be a big modern bus, comfortable, with enough space for your lugagge. The times that I have taken it, it has been relatively empty (both from and to the airport).
But being a frequent traveler (I’m Peruvian), this bus is actually not my first option when traveling from Lima airport to Miraflores. I would highly recommend it on certain cases but not in others. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons.
Lima Airport to Miraflores Bus: The Pros
For sure, one of the pros is that the bus is big and comfortable. It’s a modern bus, like many of the tour buses you will take if you are traveling by bus in Peru.
You will have air-con, which can be great if you are traveling between January and March, the summer months.
The Airport Express also has free WiFi. This is also a great advantage if you don’t have internet in your phone, especially since you can’t get a SIM card at Arrivals in the airport (there used to be a small kiosk but as of 2024 it’s not there anymore).
The ride to Miraflores is long, so you will probably appreciate having internet in your phone!
Like I mentioned, it’s generally it’s not crowded, at least in my experience. Plus they guarantee two seats for yourself if you travel alone, so you won’t have to seat next to anyone.
You have unlimited luggage space, so it’s not something you will need to worry about.
If you are on a budget, taking the Airport Express bus from Lima Airport to Miraflores will be the cheapest way to get there.
Lima Airport to Miraflores Bus: The Cons
While there are a lot of pros, I find a big con to taking the bus from Lima airport to Miraflores. And this is time.
Most taxis or airport transfers will take a much faster route to get from the airport to Miraflores. That route would be the Costa Verde, the highway that goes along the ocean. That route is the best and fastest to get to Miraflores (and Barranco as well, in case that’s your final destination).
For some reason, though, the Airport Express takes a slower route to get to Miraflores. It travels through the city, significantly extending the journey due to traffic.
So whenever I have taken it, instead of taking 40 minutes to get to Miraflores, it has taken me like 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to my stop. They take the same route from Miraflores towards the airport, so it’s equally slow.
This is not just because of the route it takes but also because of the stops it makes.
Another factor that makes it slow, is that buses depart only every hour from the airport. So if you just missed it you have to wait an hour plus maybe an extra hour and 20 minutes. That would 2 hours and 20 minutes, compared to the 40 minutes to 1-hour ride if you take a taxi.
Something else to take into account is that it only stops in Miraflores. So if you are heading to any other popular neighborhood, like Barranco, this is not an option.
Also, it just has four stops. Even though the stops are around popular spots, not all hotels or hostels will be that close to them.
Is the Lima Express Bus Worth It?
I would recommend to take the Lima Express bus if you are on a budget and are traveling alone. Like I said, it’s the cheapest way to get to Miraflores. The cost of the ticket is 20 soles (around USD$ 6) for one person, and 15 soles each (around USD$ 4) for two people.
If you are one person, this is absolutely the cheapest way to travel. If you are two people, I would consider other options.
The official airport taxis are very expensive (the rate is around 60 or 70 dollars to Miraflores). But you can order an Uber, which will cost you much less. Maybe somewhere around 15 to 20 dollars. And other taxi apps will charge you much less than that. Take a look at this post about taking an Uber from Lima airport for more details.
Personally, I would never take the bus if I’m traveling with someone else. It doesn’t make sense, cost and time wise.
If I would be traveling alone, wouldn’t want to spend much, and my flight would not arrive in rush hour, I would consider taking the bus if I needed to get to Miraflores.
If this is your case, especially if you are a woman who doesn’t feel so safe in a new country, then this is the way to go, if your hotel is close to a stop. More so if you don’t speak Spanish, arrive late at night or don’t have internet on your phone.
If you are used to traveling and/or are traveling with someone else, I would just take a taxi. It’s so much more convenient.
Lima Airport Express Prices and Where to Buy Tickets
The price for one ticket from Lima airport to Miraflores is 20 soles (approximately $USD 6). They guarantee that you will have two seats for yourself if you are traveling alone.
If you are two or more people traveling on the same flight, then the cost is 15 soles per person (around USD $4).
The prices are the same if you are taking the bus from Miraflores to Lima airport.
If you prefer to organize your trip in advance, you can buy the tickets online on the official Lima Airport Express website, or you can also buy your airport bus ticket on Viator (for the same price).
Otherwise, you can buy them at the airport or at the bus itself. The tickets that you buy online are valid for any day and any time.
You can find their counter right after leaving the luggage belts area, among the taxi stands.
Lime Airport Express Timetable
Buses from Lima airport to Miraflores depart hourly. The first ride is at 7am and the last one is at 10pm.
On the other hand, the buses from Miraflores to Lima airport also depart hourly, but the schedule is different. They leave 5 to 10 minutes before the hour (so for example 6:55am, 7:50am and 8:50am) from the first stop in Miraflores (across J.W. Marriott Hotel). The first bus leaves at 6:55am and the last one at 8:50pm.
They run every day of the year, including holidays.
You can see the complete timetable here.
Lima Airport Express Bus Stops
The Lima Airport bus to Miraflores has 4 stops. They are all in Miraflores.
From the airport to Miraflores, this is the order of the stops:
- Hotel Boulevard (on the corner of Pardo Ave. And Jorge Chavez Ave.)
- Parque Kennedy – Tourist Information Center (on the corner of Berlin St. and Diagonal Ave.)
- Tourist Information Center of Larco Ave. (on the corner of Larco Ave. and San Martin St.)
- Across J.W. Marriott Hotel
If you are taking the Lima Airport Express bus from Miraflores to Barranco, the stops are in reverse order.
In case you are staying in Barranco and you plan to take this bus, you should get down at the J.W. Marriott stop, which is the closest to Barranco. From there, you can get a taxi (which should not be more than 10 soles, or around USD$ 3. Negotiate the price before getting in or call an Uber). You can also walk, but it will take you around 40 minutes to reach the main square of Barranco.
Before You Go…
Remember that the bus only takes you to Miraflores. If you are going to Barranco or are staying in a hotel near Lima airport, you can get an official taxi or call an Uber. Of course, big hotels will also offer shuttle services.
Not sure yet if you want to stay in Miraflores? Miraflores is a great neighborhood to explore, but Barranco is full of beautiful areas as well.
Check out this post about staying in Miraflores vs. staying in Barranco for more insights about both neighborhoods.
