Overview
The Lima and Callao Metro (Spanish: Metro de Lima y Callao) is the rapid transit system serving the Lima metropolitan area, which covers both the city of Lima and the neighbouring port city of Callao. For a visitor, it is a fast, cheap way to cover long north–south distances that would otherwise mean a slow, traffic-choked bus or taxi ride.
Riding it end to end is straightforward. You enter a station, buy or top up a fare card at the ticket window or machine, tap through the turnstiles, and wait on the platform for the next train. On board, automated voice announcements and screens tell you the next station, so you can follow your progress even without Spanish. When you reach your stop, tap out where the system requires it and follow the signs to the exit. Note that the Metro is only one part of the city's public transport: the Metropolitano bus rapid transit system and the AeroDirecto airport buses fill in many of the routes the rail lines do not yet reach.
The network
Lima's public transport is a patchwork of rail, bus rapid transit and feeder services rather than a single unified system, so it helps to know which mode and which line you need before you set out.
- Metro de Lima y Callao (Lima and Callao Metro) — the rapid transit network. Line 1 (Línea 1) started full operations on 28 July 2014 and runs 34.6 km (21.5 mi) along an elevated viaduct with 26 stations, linking Villa El Salvador in the south with San Juan de Lurigancho in the northeast, passing through Villa María del Triunfo, San Juan de Miraflores, Santiago de Surco, Surquillo, San Borja, San Luis, La Victoria and Lima District. Its elevated viaduct is the longest in Latin America. Line 2 (Línea 2) began operations on 21 December 2023 with its first five stations, a 5 km segment in Santa Anita district in the east of the city. Four further lines are planned.
- Metropolitano — the integrated bus rapid transit system, inaugurated in 2010, whose buses run in their own exclusive lane. Its main trunk route (Ruta Troncal) connects Chorrillos in the south to Comas in the north, passing through Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro, San Miguel, La Victoria and Cercado de Lima (the historic centre). This is the route most visitors use. Feeder routes (Ruta Alimentadora) connect neighbourhoods to stops on the trunk route.
- Metropolitano lines — four lines run on the trunk corridor: A, B, C and D. Line C is the regular service stopping at all stations and is the one recommended for visitors; Lines A, B and D are express services that may not stop at every destination.
- AeroDirecto — a public bus service connecting the city with Jorge Chávez International Airport, with six routes as of July 2025.
- Airport Express Lima — a dedicated airport shuttle bus connecting the airport with the Miraflores district, with seven stops in Miraflores.
There is no tram, light-rail or ferry service in the source material for Lima; the rail network consists of the Metro lines described above.
Tickets & fares
Fares are low and paid with rechargeable smartcards rather than cash on board. Treat all prices below as approximate; they change over time.
- Metropolitano card — costs about 5 Soles, bought at any Metropolitano station, and is rechargeable at stations in local currency (coins are preferred). Card-issuing machines exist, and station staff can help, though staff may be absent on Sundays and holidays.
- Metropolitano fare — a flat fare of about 3.20 Soles to any destination on the system. One card can be shared by a couple or family; simply recharge it with enough for everyone.
- No card? — you can ask a fellow passenger to swipe their card for you and pay them the 3.20 Soles per person in cash.
- Airport Express Lima — about S/20 one way per person, or S/15 per person for multiple people on the same flight; a return ticket is quoted at about US$12.
- AeroDirecto — a public bus service; the source material does not give a specific fare, so expect a low standard city bus fare rather than a premium shuttle price.
The source material does not describe tourist passes, zoned fares or multi-day travelcards for Lima, so plan on paying per ride with a stored-value card.
From the airport
Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) sits in Callao, about 11 km (6.8 mi) from the historic centre and 17 km (11 mi) from Miraflores. The area immediately outside customs is crowded and you will be approached by persistent taxi drivers, so decide your onward transport before you walk out.
- AeroDirecto public bus — stops are on the airport grounds and it is the only public bus service connecting the airport with the city, with six routes as of July 2025. Take the "Sur" route to get closer to Miraflores, or the "Terminal Norte" route to reach the Gran Terminal Terrestre Plaza Norte in about 50 minutes. The trip to Miraflores takes 1–3 hours depending on traffic. The area around the airport is a bit dodgy, so if you are carrying valuables, especially at night, a shuttle or taxi is recommended instead.
- Airport Express Lima — an hourly express bus between the airport and four stops in Miraflores, with seven stops in the district overall. A one-way ticket costs about 20 Soles, and the last bus leaves at 10:00 PM. It should take under an hour.
- Taxi — avoid the informal taxis outside that accost you. You can hire a certified taxi at desks inside the customs reception area (such as Green Taxi or Taxi365) at somewhat inflated fees, or book ahead online with a reputable company. A trip to the historic centre was quoted at S/55 and to Miraflores at S/65. Once you leave the airport grounds, prices drop sharply — a trip to Miraflores should cost no more than S/25–30 — but it is not as safe. Always confirm whether a quoted price is in soles or dollars.
Etiquette & customs
Lima's public transport is busy and largely informal in its manners, so a little awareness goes a long way.
- Rush hour — avoid travelling between roughly 6:00 AM and 9:30 AM and between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM, especially in the hot summer months of December to March. The Metropolitano in particular is not advised at these times with children, strollers or wheelchairs, or for anyone unused to crowded public transport.
- Queuing and boarding — ask control booth staff for directions before entering a Metropolitano station, and check the large signs inside listing stops and routes. Northbound services head toward the historic centre; southbound services head toward Barranco.
- Priority and quiet — the source material does not describe specific quiet cars or priority seating rules, so simply offer your seat to elderly passengers, pregnant women and anyone with small children as you would anywhere.
- Eating and drinking — no specific rules are documented in the source material; keep food and drink minimal on crowded services out of courtesy.
- Safety — the systems are generally safe, but keep an eye on your belongings when carriages are crowded.
Survival terms
- Metro / subway — Metro (MEH-troh)
- Ticket — boleto (boh-LEH-toh)
- Line — línea (LEE-neh-ah)
- Entrance — entrada (en-TRAH-dah)
- Exit — salida (sah-LEE-dah)
- Transfer — transbordo (trans-BOR-doh)
- Single fare — tarifa (tah-REE-fah)
- Day pass — pase diario (PAH-seh DYAH-ryoh)
Buy your Metropolitano card early in your trip and keep it topped up, because a loaded card is the one thing that lets you move quickly and cheaply across Lima without hunting for change.