Arequipa Airport to City Centre: All Transport Options

Q: How do I get from Arequipa Airport to the city centre?

The only direct method for getting from Arequipa Airport to the city centre is to take a taxi. Though taxis do not operate with fixed fares or taximeters, you can expect to spend around €6 (PEN 25). The journey will take 22 minutes in light traffic or up to 30 minutes in heavier traffic. This is the most convenient and recommended option for tourists. There is no direct public transport to Arequipa from the airport. However, you can catch a bus from Zamacola if you are willing to walk 15 minutes to the bus stop from the airport. Once you catch the bus, the travel time is around 50 minutes as the bus makes multiple stops on the way to the city centre.

Q: What’s the cost of a taxi from Arequipa Airport to the city?

On average, the cost of a taxi from Arequipa Airport to the city is €6 (PEN 25) . However, the amount will depend on your driver; the custom is to negotiate your fare before departing because drivers don’t use fixed fares or taximeters. If you’d rather know your rate ahead of time and guarantee a safe and comfortable ride, consider booking a private Arequipa Airport transfer in advance .

Are you exploring Peru this year? Arequipa should be on your list! The trio of volcanoes, signature white stone buildings and sumptuous Peruvian eateries make this city the dream destination for a Peruvian adventure.

Fortunately, if you want to visit Arequipa, there is an airport just 9.6 km away – Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport. To get from Arequipa Airport to the city centre, you have two options: taxi or bus.

A taxi or private transfer will take roughly 22 minutes to make the journey in normal traffic. Though prices vary, it’s generally quite inexpensive for the convenience. Taxis are available from right outside Arequipa Airport’s Arrivals Hall.

Unfortunately, there is no direct public transport available from the airport. However, you can catch a bus from Zamacola Park which is around 15 minutes walk away from the airport steps. The bus ride will take 50 minutes to get to the city centre, not including the walk and any waiting time.

If you’d rather have a personalised ride in a spacious vehicle and an English-speaking local driver, consider booking a private transfer from Arequipa Airport for you and your travel companions.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Arequipa at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€6	22min	06:00–22:00
Bus	€0.72	65min	07:00–22:00

How to get from Arequipa Airport to the city centre by taxi

Taxi or private transfer is the most efficient way to get from Arequipa Airport to the city centre. It’s also the only direct route. The journey shouldn’t take longer than 22 minutes in light traffic, though this can rise slightly to 30 minutes during peak hours.

Taxi fare from Arequipa Airport to city centre

You can expect to spend €6 (PEN 25) on your taxi to Arequipa city, but this is just an estimate. Local Arequipa taxis do not use taximeters, nor do they offer set rates to the city. Instead, you must tell the driver where you’re going and negotiate a rate with them before you depart. If you’re not a strong haggler or Spanish speaker, you may prefer booking a private transfer in advance. That way you’ll know your taxi fare ahead of time, with no hidden fees or negotiating required.

Cost

€6 (PEN 25)

Trip Duration

22 Min.

*Prices vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available from 06:00 to 22:00 every day at Arequipa Airport (AQP).

Where do I get the taxi from?

You can easily find the taxi stand outside of the Arrivals Hall at Arequipa Airport. During busy times, there might be a short wait for a taxi, but generally, taxis are available when the airport is open. Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport is open from 06:00 to 22:00 every day.

Convenience

Travelling by taxi or private transfer is the most convenient method for getting from Arequipa Airport to the city centre. Not only are taxis available any time the airport is open, but you’ll also receive a complete door-to-door service to your hotel. The one minor inconvenience may be negotiating your taxi fare if you’re not accustomed to haggling. If that’s the case, consider securing a private transfer from Arequipa Airport instead.

Editor’s Note

Most taxis waiting at the taxi stand at Arequipa Airport are standard four-seaters. If you require a larger vehicle or a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, we recommend booking a private transfer ahead of time.

Useful Tips

Most local taxis accept both cash and card payments in Peruvian Sol (PEN).

Be sure to negotiate your taxi fare before you get into the taxi.

Tips are not obligatory nor expected by Arequipa taxi drivers. However, you can tip your driver €0.24 (PEN 1) if you so choose.

How to get from Arequipa Airport to the city centre by bus

There are no direct buses from Arequipa Airport to the city centre. You would need to walk from the airport to the nearest bus stop outside Zamacola Park. This walk shouldn’t take you longer than 15 minutes. Unfortunately, the bus has no set schedule, but you can expect it every 20-30 minutes.

How much is the bus from Arequipa Airport to the city centre?

Buses cost €0.36 (PEN 1.50) per person. You can purchase your ticket from the driver.

Cost

€0.36 (PEN 1.50)

Trip Duration

1 Hr. 5 Min.

Buses run on average every 20-30 minutes.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

There are no set bus schedules.

Where do I get the bus from?

The bus stop nearest to Arequipa Airport is located outside of Zamacola Park, which is a 15-minute walk from the airport.

Convenience

Given that the bus service does not pick you up from outside of Arequipa Airport, this is the most inconvenient route. The bus journey also takes over 50 minutes due to the number of stops along the way. That said, if you are travelling light and don’t mind the walk, the bus is a very affordable option.

Editor’s Note

Buses are first-come first-served. Therefore, during busy times of the day, the bus may be extremely crowded.

Useful Tips

Buses are quite small with extremely limited storage for luggage.

You can give the bus driver your fare in cash. Cash must be in the local currency – Peruvian Sol (PEN).

Public buses in Arequipa are notorious for attracting thieves, so keep a close eye on your belongings.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

What is the closest airport to Arequipa?

The closest airport to Arequipa is Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport. It is 9.6 km away from the city centre and the drive in a car or taxi takes around 22 minutes in light traffic.

How do I get from Arequipa Airport to the city centre?

The only direct method for getting from Arequipa Airport to the city centre is to take a taxi. Though taxis do not operate with fixed fares or taximeters, you can expect to spend around €6 (PEN 25). The journey will take 22 minutes in light traffic or up to 30 minutes in heavier traffic. This is the most convenient and recommended option for tourists. There is no direct public transport to Arequipa from the airport. However, you can catch a bus from Zamacola if you are willing to walk 15 minutes to the bus stop from the airport. Once you catch the bus, the travel time is around 50 minutes as the bus makes multiple stops on the way to the city centre.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Arequipa Airport to the city?

On average, the cost of a taxi from Arequipa Airport to the city is €6 (PEN 25). However, the amount will depend on your driver; the custom is to negotiate your fare before departing because drivers don’t use fixed fares or taximeters. If you’d rather know your rate ahead of time and guarantee a safe and comfortable ride, consider booking a private Arequipa Airport transfer in advance.

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How to get from Arequipa Airport to the city centre by taxi