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

There are no nonstop flights from Tampa to Lima, but the one-stop options are fast and cheap. From Tampa International (TPA), Copa via Panama City is the quickest, at about 7.5 to 8.5 hours, and usually the cheapest. American via Miami, Delta and LATAM via Atlanta, Avianca via Bogotá, and United via Houston are the other main choices, and the evening American and Delta/LATAM connections land in Lima around 5 a.m., in time for a flight to Cusco the same morning. St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE) has no useful connections to Lima. Driving to Miami (MIA), about 4.5 hours away, gets you a nonstop, but MIA fares aren't lower than Tampa's, and American already sells Tampa–Miami–Lima on one ticket. Orlando (MCO) has no Lima nonstop, so it isn't worth the drive. A round trip from TPA to Lima typically costs about $460 to $650 (KAYAK), about the same as from Miami or Orlando. February or March is the cheapest month, depending on the source, and July and December are 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 3, 2026, on Google Flights, KAYAK, and aa.com. Fares change daily, so treat them as a guide, not a guaranteed price.

The Trip at a Glance

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

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. The US State Department warns that travelers arriving with less than 6 months of validity are denied entry. It also asks for 1 blank page.
• No visa is required for tourism. US citizens can enter visa-free for tourist stays of 90 days or less.
• The immigration officer decides how many days you get when you arrive. The US Embassy in Lima says it's usually 90 days and that stays can't be extended. If you overstay, you pay a fine before leaving: according to Migraciones (Peru's immigration agency), 0.1% of the UIT (Peru's tax reference unit) for each extra day.
• Travelers on an official or diplomatic passport do need a visa, even for tourism.

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)

• If you're carrying more than $10,000 in cash or negotiable instruments, you must declare it. You can do this with SUNAT's "Bienvenido al Perú" app.
• You can't bring in more than $30,000 in cash. Larger amounts must go through a financial institution.
• The CDC recommends checking with the Peruvian embassy that your prescription medications are legal in Peru. Carry them in their original packaging.

Health and Vaccines (CDC)

• Peru doesn't require any vaccines for entry, including yellow fever.
• Yellow fever: the CDC does not recommend it if your trip is limited to Lima, the city of Cusco, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu. It does recommend it (for travelers 9 months and older) if you're visiting Amazon areas below 7,546 feet (2,300 m).
• Malaria: the CDC says there's no transmission in Lima, Cusco, or Machu Picchu.
• Get up to date on routine vaccines and see a travel medicine provider at least a month before your trip. The CDC recommends hepatitis A and B for unvaccinated travelers.

What's New for 2025–2026

• New terminal in Lima: the new terminal at Jorge Chávez Airport has handled domestic and international flights since June 1, 2025.
• E-gates on departure: adult tourists who entered through Jorge Chávez with an e-passport can use the electronic gates when leaving Peru if they pre-register on Migracheck within 48 hours before their flight.
• US travel advisory: as of September 2026, Peru was at Level 2 ("Exercise Increased Caution"), with specific areas at Level 4, such as the Colombian border in Loreto and the VRAEM region. Check the current advisory and consider enrolling in STEP.

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

2. International Flights: Tampa to Lima

Is There a Nonstop Flight from Tampa to Lima?

No. As of October 3, 2026, no airline flies nonstop between Tampa and Lima. KAYAK lists no direct flights, and Google Flights shows none on this route. From TPA, Copa connects through Panama City, American through Miami, Delta (with partner LATAM) through Atlanta, Avianca through Bogotá, and United through Houston or Newark. Nothing has been announced to change this.

The good news: the fastest one-stop takes only about 7 hours 34 minutes in total (Google Flights), not much longer than driving to Miami. Times below are local. Florida's Gulf Coast is on Eastern Time, so Lima is 1 hour behind Tampa until clocks fall back on November 1, 2026, on the same time from then until March 14, 2027, and 1 hour behind again after that.

What Changed in 2025–2026

• Orlando lost its Lima nonstop. LATAM's Orlando–Lima flight, the closest nonstop to Tampa, was cancelled from March 29, 2026, so the nearest Lima nonstops are now in Miami.
• Spirit is gone. Spirit, which flew from Tampa and had a Fort Lauderdale–Lima nonstop, shut down on May 2, 2026.
• A new bus from St. Petersburg to TPA. PSTA's 727 Airport Express starts on October 4, 2026, linking downtown St. Petersburg and TPA (see below).
• Brightline still doesn't reach Tampa. Brightline's planned Orlando–Tampa extension is still in the planning stage, with no route, station, or construction date. Brightline's parent companies filed for Chapter 11 to restructure debt in September 2026, but Miami–Orlando trains keep running.
• LATAM's Atlanta flight moved later. In March 2026, LATAM moved its nightly Atlanta–Lima departure to 11:15 p.m. (still landing at 5:00 a.m.), so an evening flight from Tampa connects comfortably.
• United is reshuffling its Lima flights. United ends Newark–Lima after March 26, 2027, and flies Houston–Lima twice a day from March 27, 2027.
• Lima's new terminal: Jorge Chávez Airport's new terminal has handled all flights since June 1, 2025 (see "What's New" above).

Which Airport Can You Use from Tampa?

Tampa International (TPA) is the best choice for almost everyone: it's close to downtown and has one-stop connections to Lima on six airlines. St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE), across the bay, has no way to Lima. Miami (MIA) has nonstops but is about 4.5 hours away by car, and Orlando (MCO) has no Lima nonstop. Distances below are from downtown Tampa.

Tampa International (TPA): The Main Gateway

• Distance: about 6 miles from downtown Tampa and about 20 miles from downtown St. Petersburg.
• Terminals: all check-in and baggage claim are in the Main Terminal, and people movers take you to four airsides. Copa, Avianca, and American fly from Airside F (TPA's main international airside), Delta from Airside E, and United from Airside A. All five use the blue ticketing and baggage claim side.
• Flights that connect to Lima: Google Flights counts about 159 weekly connecting options on American, 74 on Copa, 69 on Delta, 35 on United, 21 on Avianca, and 6 on Aeromexico. Copa flies Tampa–Panama City up to twice a day on the dates we checked.
• HART bus: Routes 10 and 30 run between the airport and downtown Tampa for $2. Route 30 runs hourly, from about 4:30 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 7 a.m. to midnight on weekends. The stop is at the Rental Car Center: take the SkyConnect train from the Red Baggage Claim.
• PSTA 727 Airport Express: new from October 4, 2026, this limited-stop bus links TPA's Rental Car Center with downtown St. Petersburg and the St. Pete Pier in about 35 minutes, running every 75 minutes from about 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week. The fare is $2.25 in cash ($2.36 by card).
• Taxi: Yellow Cab picks up outside Baggage Claim at the Red 1 and Blue 2 Ground Transportation areas. There's a $40 flat rate to downtown Tampa and the cruise terminal. Otherwise the meter starts at $3.50 plus $2.85 per mile, with a $22 minimum from the airport.
• Rideshare: Uber, Lyft, and Wridz pick up at the Red Express Curbside, the Blue Express Curbside, or the SkyCenter One remote curbside. The airport adds a $5 service fee.

St. Pete–Clearwater International (PIE): No Way to Lima

• What flies from PIE: almost all flights are Allegiant, with about 60 domestic nonstops, plus Sun Country to Minneapolis–St. Paul. Allegiant sells only point-to-point tickets, so you can't book a connection to Lima from PIE.
• International flights: BermudAir plans seasonal flights to Turks and Caicos, Belize, and Anguilla from late December 2026 to early May 2027, subject to approval. None of them help you get to Peru.
• Getting there: PIE sits in Pinellas County, between St. Petersburg and Clearwater, across Old Tampa Bay from TPA. Taxis wait in the Ground Transportation lot outside Baggage Claim, and rideshare pickup is at the Arrivals curb. PSTA's Grouper Airport Express runs only to Clearwater Beach.
• Bottom line: if you live in Pinellas County, use TPA. From downtown St. Pete, the new 727 Airport Express gets you there for $2.25.

Miami International (MIA): The Nonstop Option, 4.5 Hours Away

• Flights to Lima: 6 to 8 nonstops a day on American, LATAM, and Sky Airline, taking about 5 hours 45 minutes. LATAM's and American's overnight flights land around 4 to 5 a.m. See our Miami guide for details.
• Getting there from Tampa: about 280 miles, or roughly 4.5 hours by car via I-75, plus parking at MIA for the length of your trip. Brightline doesn't serve Tampa, so there's no train.
• Fares: KAYAK's typical MIA–Lima round trip is $418–$646, about the same as Tampa's. In our January and July samples, the MIA nonstops cost $469 to $479 one way, more than the cheapest one-stops from Tampa on the same dates. Sky had the lowest recent MIA fare on KAYAK ($370 round trip).

Orlando International (MCO): Not Worth the Drive

• Flights to Lima: one-stop only since LATAM's nonstop ended, mostly Copa via Panama City, plus American, Delta, Avianca, United, and Volaris. That's the same mix you get from TPA. See our Orlando guide.
• Getting there from Tampa: about 85 miles, or roughly 1.5 hours via I-4, depending on traffic.
• Fares: KAYAK's typical MCO–Lima round trip is $486–$658, slightly higher than Tampa's. There's no reason to drive to Orlando for a flight to Peru.

Sarasota–Bradenton (SRQ), about 55 miles south, and Lakeland (LAL) have no nonstops to Lima. Ground transportation times and fares are approximate and depend on traffic, time of day, and schedules.

One-Stop Options from Tampa, by Airline

Travel times come from Google Flights and KAYAK. Deals are the lowest fares users found in the days before October 3, 2026, and may be gone by the time you search.

A few things worth knowing:

• Panama City is the favorite connection. About 48% of KAYAK's one-stop TPA–Lima bookings connect there, followed by Miami (24%), Bogotá (21%), and Atlanta (5%). Panama City is also the fastest on average (about 9 hours 5 minutes), ahead of Miami (9 hours 25 minutes) and Atlanta (10 hours 28 minutes).
• Copa is fast and cheap but lands late. Its afternoon departures (around 2:30 p.m. or 5:15 p.m.) land in Lima around 10:45 p.m. or 12:55 a.m., from $271 to $372 one way in our samples. On some dates there's also a very early flight (around 4:50 a.m.) that lands around midday or mid-afternoon. Plan to sleep in Lima before flying to Cusco.
• The evening American and Delta/LATAM connections land in time for Cusco. American's departures around 6:20 to 7:40 p.m. connect in Miami to the overnight nonstop and land around 4:10 to 5:15 a.m. (from $278 one way in January, but $723 on one November date). Delta's departures around 6:20 to 7:20 p.m. connect in Atlanta to LATAM's overnight flight and land at 5:00 a.m. ($278–$467). American's midday departures land around 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.
• American via Miami puts you on the MIA nonstop without the drive. It's the same nonstop you'd catch if you drove to Miami, but with your connection protected on one ticket, and in our samples it was usually cheaper than the nonstop bought on its own from MIA.
• Avianca and United land late at night. Avianca's afternoon departure via Bogotá lands around 1:00 a.m., and United's morning departures via Houston or Newark land around 10:15 to 11:55 p.m.
• Watch out for "too cheap" fares. KAYAK's lowest one-way fares ($220 to $245) had three stops and took 36 to 41 hours, to save only about $30 to $50 over Copa. Choose a two-stop itinerary only if it saves you $150 or more per person.

How Much Does It Cost by Season?

KAYAK found that the gap between the cheapest and priciest months averages about 75%. Sundays are the cheapest day to fly (about $500 on average) and Mondays the priciest (about $612). Holy Week also pushes fares up, even though it doesn't show up in the monthly averages. Google Flights' cheapest business-class round trip was about $1,309.

Fly from Tampa, or Drive to Miami or Orlando?

Our recommendation: fly from Tampa. The one-stops from TPA are about as fast door to door as driving to Miami, and in our samples they cost the same or less. If you want the Miami nonstop, book American's Tampa–Miami–Lima itinerary on one ticket instead of driving. Driving to Miami only makes sense if you'll already be in South Florida, or if a MIA fare is $150 or more per person cheaper after gas and parking. There's no reason to drive to Orlando.

Which Connection Should You Choose?

Our recommendation: Copa via Panama City for most Tampa travelers. It's the fastest and usually the cheapest, and you clear US customs back in Tampa on the way home. It lands late, so plan a night in Lima before flying to Cusco. If you want to reach Cusco the next morning, take American via Miami or Delta/LATAM via Atlanta in the evening: both land around 5 a.m. Avianca is worth a look when it's cheapest, and it also sells one-stop trips to Cusco via Bogotá (see below). Choose a two-stop itinerary only if it saves you $150 or more per person.

Book in Advance

Always book ahead. KAYAK's Tampa data shows only a small last-minute penalty (booking about 4 weeks ahead saves around 8%, and last-minute fares run about 1% above the average), but the cheapest seats on the evening connections and in peak season sell out. American's own page suggests booking 1 to 3 months ahead.

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 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

• A Tampa–Lima nonstop? None has been announced.
• Brightline to Tampa has no construction start or opening date. Until it opens, there's no train from Tampa to Miami.
• United ends Newark–Lima after March 26, 2027, and goes to twice-daily Houston–Lima from March 27, 2027.
• Nonstop to Cusco from the US? It doesn't exist, and none has been announced. Cusco receives international flights only from Santiago, Bogotá, and La Paz (LATAM has announced São Paulo–Cusco starting March 29, 2027). The new Chinchero airport is still under construction and could be delayed until 2028.

Tips for Arriving in Lima

• Early-morning arrivals (American via Miami around 4 to 5 a.m., Delta/LATAM via Atlanta around 5 a.m.) let you catch a flight to Cusco the same day. Allow at least 3 hours for the connection.
• Late-night arrivals (Copa, Avianca, United, and American's and Delta's midday departures) mean a night in Lima before flying to Cusco. A hotel connected to the new terminal is handy for this.
• Arriving from abroad, you clear immigration and customs in Lima. You'll usually need to collect your bag and re-check it for your domestic flight. Confirm with your airline.

3. Domestic Flights: Lima to Cusco

Airlines, Frequencies, and Approximate Fares

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.

• Overall range (KAYAK): $50 to $88 one way and $85 to $123 round trip, averaging about $100 round trip over the past 12 months. Google Flights' cheapest current fares were $63 one way and $120 round trip (JetSMART).
• Seasonality: according to KAYAK, July (about $114 round trip) and February ($110) are the priciest months, and November ($86) is the cheapest. Google Flights puts the low point in March ($75–$120) and the high in February ($95–$160).
• Baggage: on Sky and JetSMART, the cheapest fares usually charge extra for a checked bag, and sometimes for a full-size carry-on. Compare the final price with bags included.
• On-time performance (KAYAK, last 3 months): about 92% (Sky 93%, LATAM 92%, JetSMART 91%).

One Ticket from Tampa to Cusco

• On LATAM or Delta via Atlanta and Lima: one of the fastest itineraries on KAYAK's TPA–Cusco searches left Tampa around 3:20 p.m., connected to LATAM's overnight Atlanta–Lima flight, and reached Cusco around 8:00 a.m. the next day (about 16 hours 40 minutes), for about $994 round trip.
• On American via Miami and Lima: American sells one-ticket trips from TPA to Cusco, using JetSMART (an American codeshare partner) for the last leg. One KAYAK itinerary left Tampa at 4:07 p.m. and reached Cusco at 10:20 a.m. (about 18 hours), for about $884 round trip. You collect your bags after customs in Lima and re-check them for the Cusco flight.
• On Avianca via Bogotá, skipping Lima: Avianca flies nonstop from Bogotá to Cusco, so you can fly Tampa–Bogotá–Cusco with one stop. The schedule we saw left TPA at 2:50 p.m. and reached Cusco at 11:25 a.m. the next day, with an overnight connection in Bogotá (about 20.5 hours), for about $1,180–$1,345 round trip.
• Cheapest: the lowest TPA–Cusco round trip on KAYAK ($776) connected through Bogotá and Lima.
• Overall (KAYAK): typical TPA–Cusco round trips run $556–$898 (average about $740). KAYAK says April is the cheapest month (about $502) and August (about $1,018) and May (about $1,001) the priciest, and Fridays are usually the cheapest day to fly.

Booking the two legs separately (Tampa–Lima, then Lima–Cusco) is often cheaper. If you do, leave a big buffer, ideally a night in Lima, or at least 3 to 4 hours after an early-morning arrival.

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. Tampa sits close to sea level, 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.

5. Suggested Itinerary

From Tampa, plan on 6 days for Machu Picchu.

Practical Tips

• Time difference: Peru is on UTC-5 year-round (no daylight saving time). When Tampa is on daylight saving time (EDT, March to November), Lima is 1 hour behind. In winter (EST), Lima is on the same time as Tampa.
• Getting to TPA: HART Routes 10 and 30 ($2) connect downtown Tampa with the airport's Rental Car Center, and from October 4, 2026, PSTA's 727 Airport Express ($2.25) runs from downtown St. Petersburg. A taxi to or from downtown Tampa is a $40 flat rate. Copa, Avianca, and American fly from Airside F, Delta from Airside E, and United from Airside A. For an international trip, aim to reach the airport 3 hours ahead.
• Coming home: on Copa or Avianca, you fly straight into Tampa from Panama City or Bogotá and clear US customs at TPA. On American, Delta, or United, you clear customs at your connecting hub (Miami, Atlanta, Houston, or Newark) and arrive in Tampa on a domestic flight.
• Weather at home: summer thunderstorms and hurricane season (June through November) can delay flights in Florida, so leave a buffer before tight connections.
• Pack layers: Cusco is chilly at night year-round, and December through March is Peru's rainy season. Coming from Florida, bring a warm jacket for Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
• Documents: always carry your original passport. You'll need it for flights, the train, and the Machu Picchu entrance. Save your Virtual TAM and a digital copy of your passport.
• Insurance: Peru doesn't require it for entry, but the CDC recommends travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Buffer day: leave at least one free day between arriving in Cusco and visiting Machu Picchu, in case of delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a nonstop flight from Tampa to Lima?

No. As of October 2026, no airline flies Tampa–Lima nonstop. You'll connect once, most often in Panama City, Miami, or Bogotá. The fastest itineraries take about 7.5 to 8.5 hours on Copa via Panama City.

How much does it cost to fly from Tampa to Lima?

KAYAK's typical round-trip range is about $456 to $651, with an average around $529. February (KAYAK) or March (Google Flights) is the cheapest month, and July and December are the priciest. Recent one-way deals on Copa started around $271 to $275.

What's the best connection from Tampa to Lima?

Copa via Panama City is the fastest and usually the cheapest, but it lands late at night. If you want to reach Cusco the next morning, take an evening flight on American via Miami or Delta/LATAM via Atlanta: both land in Lima around 5 a.m.

Should I drive to Miami for a nonstop?

Usually not. Miami is about 4.5 hours away by car, and in our samples the MIA nonstops ($469 to $479 one way) cost more than the cheapest one-stops from Tampa ($275 to $278). American sells Tampa–Miami–Lima on one ticket, which puts you on the same nonstop without the drive. It's only worth driving if a MIA fare saves you $150 or more per person after gas and parking.

Is Orlando a better option than Tampa?

No. Orlando (MCO) lost its Lima nonstop on March 29, 2026, and offers the same one-stop connections as Tampa at similar or slightly higher fares, plus a 1.5-hour drive.

Can I fly from St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE)?

Not to Peru. PIE's flights are almost all domestic Allegiant routes, which don't sell connections, plus seasonal BermudAir flights to the Caribbean and Central America from December 2026. Use TPA.

How do I get to TPA by public transit?

From downtown Tampa, take HART Route 10 or 30 ($2) to the Rental Car Center, then the SkyConnect train to the Main Terminal. From St. Petersburg, take PSTA's 727 Airport Express ($2.25, about 35 minutes), which starts on October 4, 2026.

Can I fly from Tampa to Cusco on one ticket?

Yes. American sells TPA–Miami–Lima–Cusco using JetSMART for the last leg (recently about $884 round trip on KAYAK), LATAM and Delta sell trips via Atlanta and Lima, and Avianca flies Tampa–Bogotá–Cusco with one stop, skipping Lima.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking 2 to 3 months ahead in low season and 3 to 6 months ahead for travel June through August, at Christmas, or during Holy Week. KAYAK's Tampa data shows only a small saving from booking early (about 8% for 4 weeks ahead), but the best-timed connections fill up. Book the Lima–Cusco flight at the same time as your international flight.

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 many days you're authorized to stay (usually 90).

The Bottom Line

There's no nonstop from Tampa to Lima, but TPA has fast, cheap one-stop options, so there's rarely a reason to drive to Miami or Orlando. Copa via Panama City is the quickest and usually the cheapest, landing late at night, so plan a night in Lima. If you'd rather reach Cusco the next morning, take American via Miami or Delta/LATAM via Atlanta in the evening: both land around 5 a.m. Skip St. Pete–Clearwater, which has no way to Lima, and only drive to Miami for a nonstop if it saves you $150 or more per person. Before anything else, make sure your passport is valid for 6 months and save your Virtual TAM when you arrive. And book early: 2 to 3 months ahead in low season, and 3 to 6 months ahead if you're traveling June through August, at Christmas, or during 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 3, 2026)

1. KAYAK, Tampa–Lima
2. KAYAK, Tampa–Cusco
3. Google Flights, Tampa–Lima
4. American Airlines, Tampa–Lima
5. Copa Airlines, Tampa–Panama City
6. LATAM, nonstop flights to Lima from the US
7. KAYAK, Miami–Lima
8. Google Flights, Miami–Lima
9. KAYAK, Orlando–Lima
10. LATAM Trade, Lima route cancellations from March 29, 2026 (including Orlando)
11. Tampa Transportation, Brightline to Tampa project
12. Wesley Chapel Community, Brightline bankruptcy filing and the Tampa extension
13. Sebastian Daily, Brightline trains running after Chapter 11 filing
14. Florida Today, Spirit shutdown
15. Google Flights, Lima–Cusco
16. KAYAK, Lima–Cusco
17. AeroRoutes, United schedule changes (Houston–Lima twice daily from March 2027)
18. American Airlines, JetSMART partnership
19. AeroRoutes, American–JetSMART codeshare
20. Peru Ministry of Transportation (MTC), new Jorge Chávez terminal
21. CORPAC, international flights at Cusco airport
22. La República, Chinchero airport delays

Tampa airports and ground transportation

1. Tampa International Airport, airlines and airsides
2. Tampa International Airport, ground transportation
3. HART, bus services
4. HART, fares
5. PSTA, 727 Airport Express to TPA
6. PSTA, 727 Airport Express brochure (PDF)
7. St. Pete–Clearwater International, airlines and destinations
8. St. Pete–Clearwater International, transportation services
9. St. Pete–Clearwater International, new BermudAir international service

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