1 popular destinations across Peru — compare prices from 500+ airlines and OTAs, find the cheapest fares from any UK airport.
No direct UK–Peru flights. All UK departures connect through Madrid (Iberia, LATAM, BA codeshare), Amsterdam (KLM), Paris (Air France) or — less commonly — Miami. Iberia via Madrid is typically the cheapest single-airline option.
| Visa (UK passport) | No visa needed for UK passport holders for stays up to 183 days. |
|---|---|
| Currency | Peruvian sol (PEN). Cards work in cities and tourist areas; carry sol cash for markets, taxis and rural travel. ATMs widely available — BCP and Interbank are reliable. |
| Time zone | PET (UTC−5) — five hours behind UK in winter, six during BST. No DST. |
| Language | Spanish (Peruvian). Quechua and Aymara also official. English in tourist hotels and Cusco; less so elsewhere. |
| Plug type | Type A/B/C — variable. UK adaptor essential. Voltage 220V (vs UK 230V) — most chargers accept the range. |
| Best months | May–September (dry season, especially for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail). November–March is the wet season for most of the country. |
| Flight times from UK | Lima (LIM) 13h 0m via Madrid, Amsterdam or Miami |
Around 16 hours total including layover. Madrid via Iberia is the shortest connection (LHR–MAD 2h 30m + MAD–LIM 12h). Amsterdam via KLM is roughly equivalent. No direct UK–Peru flights operate.
Yes — Cusco (3,400 m), Lake Titicaca (3,800 m) and the Sacred Valley are high enough to cause altitude sickness. Build in 2–3 days at intermediate altitude before any strenuous activity. Diamox prescription from a GP is common UK preparation.
No. Inca Trail permits are limited and sell out 4–6 months in advance for the May–September dry season. Book through licensed Peruvian operators only; many UK-based agencies just resell their tickets. The four-day classic Inca Trail closes for maintenance in February.
Heathrow via Madrid on Iberia or LATAM, typically £600–£900 return economy. Manchester and Edinburgh add a UK connection so usually £150–£300 more. Direct Lima visits via Amsterdam (KLM) are similarly priced from Heathrow.
Yes, but trail and weather conditions vary dramatically. May–September is dry and crowded. November–March is wet but with fewer tourists; the classic Inca Trail closes for February.
Peru's altitude, distance and weather windows shape every trip. These are the numbers UK travellers most commonly need before booking Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley.
