How to Get to Machu Picchu from Fort Lauderdale: Flights, Fares, Airports, and Entry Requirements

There's no nonstop from Fort Lauderdale to Lima right now, but you still have two good ways to go. Spirit's daily FLL–Lima nonstop ended when the airline shut down on May 2, 2026, and no airline has announced a replacement. From your home airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL), you can take a one-stop flight on Copa via Panama City (about 7 hours 40 minutes at best) or Avianca via Bogotá, plus slower options on Delta, LATAM, and United. Or you can head 24 miles south to Miami International (MIA), which has 6 to 8 nonstops a day to Lima on American, LATAM, and Sky. Those flights take about 5 hours 40 minutes. A round trip from FLL to Lima typically costs about $350 to $590 (KAYAK), and recent one-stop deals have run $530 to $650. February is usually the cheapest month to fly from FLL, and December is the priciest. From Lima, a flight of about 80 minutes takes you to Cusco for $80 to $160 round trip, and from Cusco you continue overland to the train to Aguas Calientes. With a US passport you don't need a visa, but your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you enter Peru. Our top tip: book your flights early, especially for June through August, Christmas, or Holy Week (Semana Santa).

Approximate fares checked on October 2, 2026, on Google Flights, KAYAK, Priceline, and the Copa, American, and Sky Airline websites. Fares change daily, so treat them as a guide, not a guaranteed price.

The Trip at a Glance

Leg How Approx. time Approx. fare (economy)
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) → Lima One-stop flight (Copa via Panama City, Avianca via Bogotá, and others) 7 hrs 40 min–10+ hrs $350–$590 typical round trip; recent deals $530–$650
Or: Fort Lauderdale → Miami (MIA) → Lima Tri-Rail, Brightline, or car to MIA, then a nonstop (American, LATAM, or Sky) 45–90 min to MIA + 5 hrs 40 min–6 hrs flying $420–$650 round trip from MIA; more in July and December
Lima → Cusco Nonstop domestic flight ~1 hr 20 min $80–$160 round trip
Cusco → Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) Road + train 3–4 hrs Depends on the train you choose
Aguas Calientes → the citadel Bus or on foot 25 min by bus —

1. Peru Entry Requirements for US Citizens

Here's what official sources say. Check them again before you travel, since rules can change.

Passport and Visa

Return or Onward Ticket

The US Embassy in Peru says tourists must be able to show a return or onward ticket. Keep your itinerary handy: the airline may ask for it at check-in, or the immigration officer when you land.

Virtual TAM (Andean Migration Card)

There's no paper form anymore, and according to Migraciones, Peru has stopped stamping passports on international flights. When you clear immigration, your Virtual TAM is generated automatically, showing your entry date and authorized stay. You can download it for free at cel.migraciones.gob.pe/ConsultaTAMVirtual/VerificarTAM or with the "Consulta TAM Virtual" app. Save it on your phone: it's your proof that you entered legally.

Traveling with Minors

Minors with a US passport traveling alone or with one parent usually don't need additional documents if they enter as tourists and stay less than 183 days. The exception: a dual US–Peruvian citizen who enters on a Peruvian passport, or stays more than 183 days, needs a "Travel Authorization for Minors" (Autorización de Viaje para Menores de Edad) to leave Peru. It's issued by a notary or judge in Peru, or at a Peruvian consulate abroad.

Customs (SUNAT)

Health and Vaccines (CDC)

What's New for 2025–2026

We found no new requirements (e-visa, pre-arrival form, or mandatory insurance) for US citizens in 2026.

2. International Flights: Fort Lauderdale to Lima

Is There a Nonstop Flight?

Not right now. KAYAK and Priceline both show no nonstop flights between Fort Lauderdale and Lima. Here's what happened:

That leaves you with two choices: connect from FLL, or go to MIA for a nonstop. We compare both below.

Which Airports Can You Use from Fort Lauderdale?

Broward County sits between three international airports: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL), Miami International (MIA), and President Donald J. Trump International (DJT) in West Palm Beach, which was called Palm Beach International (PBI) until July 2026. Only MIA has nonstops to Lima. Distances below are from downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL): Your Home Airport

Miami International (MIA): The Nonstop-to-Lima Option

President Donald J. Trump International (DJT), Formerly Palm Beach International (PBI)

Ground transportation times and fares are approximate and depend on traffic, time of day, and schedules.

One-Stop Options from FLL, by Airline

Route Airline Approx. travel time Round-trip fares seen (Oct. 2, 2026)
1 stop via Panama City (PTY) Copa ~7 hrs 40 min–8 hrs 30 min (up to 8–11 daily connections) From $534 (Copa site); $566–$659 (Priceline); $599–$645 (KAYAK deals)
1 stop via Bogotá (BOG) or Medellín (MDE) Avianca ~7 hrs 55 min–9 hrs 30 min (about 8 daily connections) $570 (KAYAK, cheapest in the last 5 days); $578–$634 (Priceline)
1 stop via Houston (IAH) United ~9–11 hrs ~$591 (KAYAK)
1 stop via Atlanta (ATL) Delta ~10–11 hrs ~$600 (KAYAK)
1 stop via Atlanta (ATL) LATAM (with Delta) ~10–11 hrs $597–$604 (KAYAK); ~$825 (Priceline)

Travel times come from Priceline, KAYAK, and Copa schedules. Deals are the lowest fares users found in the days before October 2, 2026, and may be gone by the time you search.

A few things worth knowing:

How Much Does It Cost by Season?

Season Approx. round-trip range (economy) What the data shows
Cheapest month (February) ~$305–$615 KAYAK: February is the cheapest month (median $305). Priceline: also February (average $615, bottoming out around $605 in early February).
Rest of the year ~$350–$590 KAYAK's typical FLL–LIM range is $352–$586, with an average of about $456. Fall 2026 deals have mostly landed at $530–$650.
Summer (June–August) ~$580–$770 KAYAK: August median $579. Priceline: June ($767) and July ($750) are among the priciest months.
Christmas and New Year's ~$625–$800 KAYAK: December is the most expensive month (median $626). Priceline: late December peaks around $797.

The two sources measure differently (KAYAK uses medians of fares its users found, while Priceline blends booked fares and adjusts them to today's prices), so Priceline's numbers run higher. Both agree on the pattern: February is the cheapest month, and December and summer are the most expensive. KAYAK also found Tuesday departures cheapest (about $422) and Mondays the priciest (about $490).

Google Flights note: Google groups Fort Lauderdale with Miami, so its "Fort Lauderdale to Lima" page shows MIA nonstops and MIA fares (April cheapest at about $270–$420, July priciest at about $500–$670). Use it to compare both airports at once, but don't read it as FLL-only data.

FLL One-Stop vs. MIA Nonstop: Which Should You Choose?

One-stop from FLL Nonstop from MIA
Getting to the airport 3 miles; 10–15 min by car or $2 by bus 24 miles; 45–60+ min by car, or ~$4–$6 and about 1–1.5 hrs by Tri-Rail plus MIA Mover
Flying time ~7 hrs 40 min (Copa) to 10+ hrs ~5 hrs 40 min–6 hrs
Typical round trip (KAYAK) $352–$586 (average ~$456) $418–$646 (average ~$513; nonstop average ~$526)
Recent deals (KAYAK, fall 2026) ~$570–$645 LATAM ~$470–$511, Sky ~$488, American ~$586
Arrival in Lima Copa ~12:55 a.m.; Avianca ~10:05 p.m. LATAM red-eye ~5:00 a.m. (same-day Cusco connection possible); Sky mid-afternoon; American evening
Connection risk Yes (Panama City, Bogotá, Atlanta, or Houston) None until Lima
Delays (KAYAK) 21% of FLL–LIM itineraries delayed 15% of MIA–LIM flights delayed

Our recommendation: for most Fort Lauderdale travelers, the MIA nonstop is the better trip. Even after 45 to 90 minutes getting to Miami, you'll usually reach Lima sooner, you skip a connection, and you get the overnight LATAM flight that lands early enough to fly on to Cusco the same day. Prices are close: KAYAK's yearly averages slightly favor FLL, but this fall the cheapest MIA nonstops (LATAM and Sky) have been cheaper than FLL's one-stops.

Choose FLL instead when:

Whichever airport you choose, search both FLL and MIA for your exact dates. Google Flights does this automatically, and on KAYAK you can add nearby airports.

Book in Advance

Always book ahead. KAYAK estimates that booking about 20 weeks ahead has saved around 36% on FLL–Lima, and that last-minute fares (within 2 weeks) run about 8% above the route average. On MIA–Lima, booking at least 5 weeks out saves about 13%.

Priceline's data puts the sweet spot closer to 4–6 weeks out. Sources disagree on the exact window, but none of them suggests waiting until the last minute.

Our recommendation: book 2 to 3 months ahead in low season and 3 to 6 months ahead for June through August, Christmas or New Year's, or Holy Week. In 2027, Holy Week runs March 21–28. Set fare alerts for both FLL and MIA on Google Flights or KAYAK.

If you can, book a single ticket all the way to Cusco. That way, if a delay makes you miss your connection, the airline has to rebook you.

Route Changes to Watch

Tips for Arriving in Lima

3. Domestic Flights: Lima to Cusco

Airlines, Frequencies, and Approximate Fares

Airline Nonstop flights per week Cheapest recent one-way fare (KAYAK) Typical round trip (Google Flights)
LATAM ~189 ~$50–$62 $90–$160
Sky Airline ~50 ~$54 $85–$115
JetSMART ~46 ~$51 $80–$140

Frequencies per Google Flights; fares rechecked on October 2, 2026. The flight takes about 1 hour 15–25 minutes, with departures from around 4:40 a.m. until close to midnight.

One Ticket from Fort Lauderdale to Cusco

Booking the two legs separately can sometimes be cheaper, but if your first flight is late, the second airline doesn't have to rebook you. Watch out for very cheap FLL–Cusco itineraries with 3 stops and 20+ hours of travel time. They show up on KAYAK, and they're rarely worth the savings.

Book Your Domestic Flight Early, Too

Flights to Cusco fill up in peak season. KAYAK calculates that booking about 22 weeks ahead saves around 32%, and that last-minute bookings cost 28% more than average. Book the Lima–Cusco leg at the same time as your international flight, or 2 to 3 months ahead at the latest. Book even earlier for June through August (Inti Raymi on June 24 and Fiestas Patrias on July 28–29), Christmas, or Holy Week.

Morning or Afternoon Flight?

Many travelers prefer morning flights to Cusco, because afternoon weather causes more delays. Either way, don't schedule Machu Picchu for the same day you arrive in Cusco.

The Altitude

Cusco sits at about 11,152 feet (3,399 m). According to the CDC, people who go quickly above about 8,200 feet (2,500 m) without acclimatizing can develop acute mountain sickness. Going from sea-level South Florida to Cusco in a day makes this more likely, so many travelers spend their first nights in the lower Sacred Valley (about 9,200 feet / 2,800 m). Talk to your doctor before your trip. This is general information, not medical advice.

4. Cusco to Machu Picchu in a Nutshell

From Cusco, you travel by road (taxi, private transfer, or shared van called a colectivo) to Ollantaytambo station, about 45 miles (72 km) and 1.5 to 2 hours away. From there, the train to Aguas Calientes departs (PeruRail or Inca Rail). PeruRail also runs trains from Poroy and San Pedro stations in Cusco, but only seasonally (May through December in 2026). From Aguas Calientes, a bus takes you up to the citadel. Buy your Machu Picchu entrance ticket first: it's sold only at tuboleto.cultura.pe, it carries your name and passport number, and daily capacity is limited. Then book your train.

Heads up: Machu Picchu Pueblo and Aguas Calientes are the same town; the bus goes from there up to the citadel entrance.

Leg Transportation Approx. time
Cusco → Ollantaytambo Taxi, transfer, or colectivo 1 hr 30 min–2 hrs
Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes Train 1 hr 20 min–1 hr 45 min
Aguas Calientes → the citadel Bus (or on foot, 1.5–2 hrs) ~25 min

5. Suggested Itinerary

You can do Machu Picchu from Fort Lauderdale in 5 to 6 days. Here's a 6-day plan that works with either airport.

Day Plan
1 From FLL: afternoon or evening one-stop on Avianca or Copa, landing in Lima late at night; sleep near the airport. From MIA: ride or drive to Miami for LATAM's overnight nonstop (leaves around midnight).
2 Morning flight to Cusco (from MIA, the red-eye lands around 5:00 a.m., in time for it), then straight down to the Sacred Valley to acclimatize.
3 Explore the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo, then take an afternoon train to Aguas Calientes.
4 Early visit to Machu Picchu; return to Cusco in the evening.
5 Explore Cusco.
6 Fly Cusco–Lima, then home. Copa and Avianca have overnight or early-morning departures from Lima back to FLL, and the MIA nonstops leave in the late evening and overnight. Leave plenty of buffer time at Jorge Chávez.

Short on time? With the MIA red-eye, you can trim this to 5 days by skipping the separate Cusco day.

Practical Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a nonstop flight from Fort Lauderdale to Lima?
No. Spirit's FLL–Lima nonstop ended when the airline shut down on May 2, 2026, and no airline has announced a replacement. From FLL, you'll connect, usually via Panama City on Copa or Bogotá on Avianca.
What's the fastest way to get from Fort Lauderdale to Lima?
Usually a nonstop from Miami International (MIA), 24 miles south: about 45–60 minutes to MIA plus a flight of about 5 hours 40 minutes. The fastest option from FLL itself is Copa via Panama City, at about 7 hours 40 minutes.
How do I get from Fort Lauderdale to Miami International Airport?
The cheapest way is Tri-Rail from the Fort Lauderdale or FLL Airport station to the Miami Airport station (about $4–$6 one way, $5 on weekends), then the free MIA Mover. You can also take Brightline to MiamiCentral and its airport shuttle, or drive or take a rideshare down I-95.
How much does it cost to fly from Fort Lauderdale to Lima?
KAYAK's typical round-trip range is about $350 to $590, and recent one-stop deals have run about $530 to $650. February is the cheapest month, and December, June, July, and August are the priciest.
Is Palm Beach International now called DJT?
Yes. It was renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport on July 9, 2026, and its booking code changed from PBI to DJT on August 18, 2026. It has no flights to South America.
How much is the flight from Lima to Cusco?
About $80 to $160 round trip, depending on the airline and date. One-way fares start around $50–$65 if you book early.
Can I fly from Fort Lauderdale to Cusco on one ticket?
Yes. Avianca sells FLL–Cusco via Bogotá, and other airlines connect through Lima. Recent round trips have run about $710 to $1,000. There's no nonstop from anywhere in the US to Cusco.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend 2 to 3 months ahead in low season and 3 to 6 months ahead for June through August, Christmas, or Holy Week. Book the Lima–Cusco flight at the same time.
Do I need a visa to visit Peru with a US passport?
Not for tourism. Your passport must be valid for 6 months from the day you enter, and the immigration officer decides how long you can stay (usually 90 days).

The Bottom Line

From Fort Lauderdale, there's no nonstop to Lima anymore, so you're choosing between a one-stop from FLL (Copa via Panama City is fastest, Avianca via Bogotá is the main alternative) and a short trip to MIA for a nonstop on American, LATAM, or Sky. For most travelers, the MIA nonstop wins: it's faster, it avoids a connection, and it's often no more expensive. Pick FLL when the fare is clearly lower or the trip to Miami is a hassle. Then take a flight to Cusco, ideally on the same ticket, and continue by road, train, and bus. Make sure your passport is valid for 6 months, save your Virtual TAM when you land, and book early: 2 to 3 months ahead in low season, and 3 to 6 months ahead for June through August, Christmas, or Holy Week. That goes for both your international flight and the Lima–Cusco leg.

Sources

Entry requirements, customs, and health

  1. US Department of State, Peru country information
  2. US Department of State, Peru travel advisory
  3. US Embassy in Peru, travel information
  4. Migraciones, Virtual TAM
  5. Migraciones, Virtual TAM lookup
  6. Migraciones, length of stay and overstay fines
  7. TVPerú, e-gates and Migracheck
  8. SUNAT, declaring money
  9. SUNAT, bringing cash into and out of Peru
  10. CDC, Travelers' Health: Peru
  11. CDC Yellow Book, high-altitude travel

Flights and fares (checked October 2, 2026)

  1. KAYAK, Fort Lauderdale–Lima
  2. KAYAK, Fort Lauderdale–Cusco
  3. KAYAK, Miami–Lima
  4. KAYAK, Lima–Cusco
  5. Priceline, Fort Lauderdale–Lima
  6. Google Flights, Fort Lauderdale–Lima
  7. Google Flights, Miami–Lima
  8. Google Flights, Miami–Cusco
  9. Google Flights, Lima–Cusco
  10. Copa Airlines, Fort Lauderdale–Lima
  11. American Airlines, Miami–Lima
  12. Sky Airline, Miami–Lima
  13. Sky Airline, Miami–Cusco
  14. Airport Overview, FLL–LIM schedule history
  15. Aviacionline, JetBlue leaves Lima
  16. Ladevi, Spirit resumes Lima–Fort Lauderdale flights
  17. Florida Today, Spirit shutdown
  18. JetBlue, Fort Lauderdale expansion
  19. Peru Ministry of Transportation (MTC), new Jorge Chávez terminal
  20. CORPAC, international flights at Cusco airport
  21. La República, Chinchero airport delays

South Florida airports and ground transportation

  1. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, ground transportation
  2. Broward County Transit, FAQ (Route 1 to FLL)
  3. Broward County Transit, fares
  4. Tri-Rail, Fort Lauderdale Airport station and shuttle
  5. Tri-Rail, 2026 fare change notice
  6. WPBF, Tri-Rail fares rise 10% in October 2026
  7. WPBF, free Palm Tran airport rides for Tri-Rail riders
  8. Brightline, airport connector shuttles
  9. Brightline, Fort Lauderdale station
  10. Miami International Airport, taxis and ride apps
  11. Miami-Dade County, Metrorail service and fares
  12. DJT airport, name change takes effect
  13. DJT airport, IATA code changes from PBI to DJT
  14. DJT airport, name change FAQs
  15. FAA, InFO 26011 on the DJT identifier
  16. Reuters, Palm Beach airport renamed (July 9, 2026)
  17. DJT airport, fact sheet

Cusco to Machu Picchu

  1. PeruRail, May–December 2026 timetable
  2. Inca Rail
  3. Peru Ministry of Culture, Ministerial Resolution No. 334-2026-MC (ticket sales)
  4. Tu Boleto, official ticket sales

Keep planning your visit

Tickets, all circuits, and route comparisons.