South America > Peru > Lima (LIM)
The Car or no Car advice for Lima can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Lima ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Lima ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Lima?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Lima without a car 🚶♀️🚍
Lima is vast, but most visitors concentrate on a few key districts: Miraflores, Barranco, and San Isidro. These areas are walkable, well-policed, and packed with restaurants, parks, museums, and coastal viewpoints. Miraflores in particular is easy to explore on foot, with long clifftop paths overlooking the Pacific 🌊.
Public transport has improved, but it remains fragmented. The Metropolitano BRT line is the most useful system for visitors, running north–south and linking central Lima with Miraflores. There is also a metro, but it serves limited corridors and is not especially useful for tourists. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap and widely used, making them the default way to move around without driving.
For most short stays, a car would be more of a burden than a benefit due to congestion, aggressive driving styles, and limited parking.
Day trips and longer journeys 🏜️🏖️
If you are planning day trips, organised tours are usually the best option. Destinations like Pachacamac, Caral, or even Paracas and the Ballestas Islands are commonly visited by coach. These trips avoid the stress of driving and navigating Lima’s traffic.
However, if you are planning a longer road trip, the equation changes. Driving south along the Pan-American Highway towards Paracas, Ica, and Huacachina is straightforward and scenic. Likewise, heading north along the coast becomes easier with a car, especially if you want flexibility and early starts.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Lima? 🚗❓
For the city itself, no—Lima works best on foot, by taxi, and with selective public transport. For coastal road trips or onward travel beyond the capital, yes, a rental car can be very useful once you leave the urban sprawl behind.
