If you only have a few weeks to travel in Peru and want to see several major destinations, flying is your best bet. Domestic airports are scattered across Peru in most major cities.

Peru is a fairly big country and has a landscape (i.e. mountains and jungles) that isn’t always hospitable to quick overland travel. As such, flying is a practical and efficient form of transportation in Peru. Most major cities – including Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, and Puerto Maldonado – have airports and are fairly inexpensive to fly into. Some cities in the jungle, like Iquitos, can only be reached by airplane (or a very long boat ride).

All airlines will fly into and out of Lima, and it’s often necessary to make connections in Lima when flying to other places. Cusco and Arequipa often have direct access to some destinations. Do note, however, that flight routes may be limited to certain days of the week. The major airlines in Peru include LAN, Star Perú, LC Busre, Peruvian Airlines, and TACA Airlines.

Flights should be booked in advance, especially during the high season. Prices are most expensive during Christmas, Easter, and Fiestas Patrias (a national holiday during the last weekend in July).