Rodríguez Ballón International Airport serves Arequipa, Peru's 'white city' for its sillar volcanic stone buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Located approximately 8 km from the city center, it is the departure point for the Colca Canyon, among the world's deepest.
How to get to Rodríguez Ballón International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to AQP
Parking near Rodríguez Ballón International Airport
The parking in front of the terminal is of limited size.
The parking cost is aligned with area standards.
How to get to Arequipa from AQP
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Rodríguez Ballón International Airport
Only a few car rental companies have a desk in the arrivals area.
Driver's license, passport, credit card and, almost always, an International Driving Permit: these are the required documents.
Hotels near Rodríguez Ballón International Airport
At the airport in Zamácola
Hotel Cumbre Real Airport is about 1.1 km from the terminal, with its own shuttle for those arriving or departing.
Best for: Short layovers and dawn departures, when it pays to stay a step from the terminal instead of facing 8 km of traffic toward downtown.
- No risk of missing the flight because of traffic on the road into town
- A dedicated shuttle instead of relying on informal taxis outside the terminal
- Around it only Zamácola's industrial area: there's nothing to do on foot in the evening
- For the historic centre you still need 15-30 minutes by taxi depending on the time
Historic centre
15-30 minutes by taxi from the airport for about 8 km, official fare around 25-35 soles; authorised taxis have a desk outside arrivals.
Best for: Those who want the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the white sillar palaces of the UNESCO centre within walking distance.
- Plaza de Armas, the Monasterio de Santa Catalina and the centre's restaurants within walking distance
- The liveliest area in the evening, with the historic centre's life concentrated within a few blocks
- The transfer from the airport is longer than staying in Zamácola
- Cobbled streets and rush-hour traffic make taxi times unpredictable
Recommended hotels
- Wyndham Costa del Sol Arequipa On Calle Puente Grau, 15 minutes on foot from the Plaza de Armas and 5 from the heart of downtown; a central location despite the airport-hotel name the chain uses elsewhere in Peru. View availability
- Hampton by Hilton Arequipa On Calle Puente Grau, near the Yanahuara district and its viewpoint over the Misti volcano; about a 16-minute walk from the Yanahuara church and a few minutes more from the historic centre. View availability
- Alwa Hotel Boutique Premium On the Malecón of the Chili river, in the Vallecito district about 1.6 km from the Plaza de Armas (5 minutes by car); free airport pick-up included. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is appropriately sized for regional tourist traffic.
To avoid delays, plan to arrive with 2.5 hours buffer before your flight.
Map of Rodríguez Ballón International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Why is Arequipa called the "white city"?
Because of the historic centre's buildings built from sillar, a local white volcanic stone, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Q. How much does a taxi from the airport to downtown Arequipa cost?
Roughly 25-40 soles (about 7-11 USD), among the lowest fares of Peru's major cities; taxis don't have meters, so always agree the price beforehand.
Q. Is Arequipa a good starting point for Colca Canyon?
Yes, it's the main gateway to Colca Canyon, among the deepest in the world.
Q. Do Arequipa taxis have a meter?
No, outside Lima meters aren't standard: always agree the fare with the driver before setting off.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
