Airfare to Lima, Peru

The capital of Peru, Lima is home to nearly 8 million people, colonial architecture and extensive beaches. Must-visit sites include the National Museum of Archaeology and History, the cute animal-filled Islas Palomino (Palomino Islands) and the Instituto Riva Aguero.

Airfare to Lima will be the cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday. Mondays are popular with business travellers and weekends are key dates for holidaymakers wanting the longest trips possible - avoid these dates.

Also consider flights into Cusco, Peru. To get between the cities, you can grab a spot on a train, bus or flight. Look for cheap flights on no frills airlines. Although it will take longer to reach your destination, a bus or train could save you enough cash to make it worth your while.

Another possible money-saving tip is to look for flights that go through Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or another major gateway city instead of flying direct. Because there are more flights - and competition - from these cities on low budget airlines, you can save some cash over flying non-stop to your destination. It is very common to layover in one of these main cities.

Finally, consider traveling on a lesser-known carrier. LAN Peru is the national airline. However, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, KLM and other airlines also stop in Lima.

The most expensive air tickets to Lima are found during peak holiday travel times, such as the New Year. Also be aware of national events or festivals, which can also cause ticket prices to rise.

Summary of Money Saving Tips:

• Fly mid-week
• Book your holiday during the off-peak season
• Consider flying into Cusco, Peru and traveling overland to Lima via train or bus
• Look for flights that go through large cities, with many flights
• Check out carriers besides the national airline - they may undercut the monopolistic competition

For more information on Lima, check out BootsnAll's Lima Travel Guide.