South America > 🇵🇪 Peru
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Peru can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Peru; 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 Peru?
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 Peru?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Peru
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Cusco | CUZ | |
| Iquitos | IQT | |
| Juliaca | JUL | |
| Lima | LIM | |
| Piura | PIU | |
| Pucallpa | PCL | |
| Trujillo | TRU |
🚗 Renting a Car in Peru — Freedom with Caution
Renting a car in Peru can offer extraordinary flexibility, especially if you want to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations such as the Colca Canyon, Sacred Valley, or coastal deserts. You’ll find international car rental brands at Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) and in major cities like Cusco, Arequipa, and Trujillo.
However, self-driving in Peru comes with challenges. The Andean roads are spectacular but demanding, often with steep gradients, sharp bends, and occasional landslides. In Lima, driving is hectic — traffic is dense, lanes are loosely observed, and parking is limited. Outside cities, you’ll find long stretches with no petrol stations, limited signage, and variable road conditions.
That said, once you leave the main highways, you’ll discover a country full of stunning scenery and authentic encounters — best enjoyed with your own transport.
🚆 Rail Travel — Scenic and Iconic
Peru’s railway network is small but world-famous. Rather than serving as a transport backbone, it’s an experience in itself:
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Cusco ➜ Machu Picchu: PeruRail and Inca Rail operate luxurious and mid-range trains to Aguas Calientes, the base for visiting Machu Picchu.
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Cusco ➜ Puno (Lake Titicaca): The Andean Explorer route is one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, passing through high-altitude plains and remote villages.
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Arequipa ➜ Puno ➜ Cusco: The luxury Belmond Andean Explorer train offers multi-day trips combining these regions with overnight accommodation on board.
These services are primarily for tourists and run less frequently than buses, but they provide unparalleled views of the Andes.
🚌 Public Transport — Cheap and Extensive
Peru’s bus network is excellent for long-distance travel. Major companies like Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and Civa offer comfortable, safe, and affordable routes connecting nearly every city. Overnight buses between Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, and Trujillo are popular with both locals and tourists.
In cities, taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Uber operate widely, though it’s always best to confirm fares before starting your journey. Lima also has a limited Metro Line 1 and several Metropolitano bus corridors, but they mainly serve commuters.
🏔️ The Geography Challenge
Peru’s geography makes overland travel unpredictable. You can drive from coastal desert to snow-covered peaks in a single day, but the same variety makes routes slow and weather-dependent. The Pan-American Highway runs smoothly along the coast from Tumbes to Tacna, but inland routes through the Andes and Amazon require experience and patience.
If you’re planning to reach remote areas like Chachapoyas, Huaraz, or Manú National Park, you’ll often need to combine road travel with domestic flights or tours using 4×4 vehicles.
✈️ Domestic Flights
Because of the distances involved, flying is often the most efficient way to get between major destinations. Airlines like LATAM, Sky Peru, and JetSMART connect Lima with Cusco, Arequipa, Juliaca (for Lake Titicaca), and Iquitos (for the Amazon). Fares are reasonable, and most routes have multiple flights daily.
🧭 Summary — Should You Rent a Car in Peru?
Why you should:
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Ideal for flexible travel through the Sacred Valley, Colca Canyon, or the coast.
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Reaches small towns and ruins far from main bus routes.
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Road trips reveal incredible scenery and photo stops.
Why you might not:
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Mountain roads can be treacherous.
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Long distances and unpredictable weather.
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Excellent long-distance buses and affordable domestic flights make car hire unnecessary for most travellers.
✅ Conclusion:
You don’t need to rent a car in Peru for a rewarding trip — trains, buses, and planes cover almost every destination efficiently. But if you’re confident behind the wheel and want the freedom to explore rural regions at your own pace, a short-term car rental can open up unforgettable landscapes. Peru rewards both the cautious planner and the bold explorer 🇵🇪🚙🏔️.
