Hello,
We have a flight arriving from the US at 12:30 am then have a Lan Peru flight out of Lima at 6 am. Figuring the time it takes to get through customs and the time we have to be at the airport to catch the 6am flight, transfering to and from a hotel doesn't seem worth it. Does anyone know if the airport remains open all night, and can we camp out there, or will we have to leave the airport and return for our early morning flight? Thanks, Sandy

The airport does stay open. It will make no sense to go to a hotel and come back to check in for your 6am flight. By the time you arrive, go thru customs, pick up your bags ...you are looking at possible 1:30am, possibly 2am. The domestic flights are on the other side of the terminal. No worries, it's only one terminal in Peru.

Have fun!

Thanks for the info! Sandy

I think the answer to your question needs some qualification. The public areas of the airport are just packed with crowds all the time, and some of those people are not passengers and are not seeing someone off or meeting someone who's arriving. I've heard enough stories of pockets being picked and bags being snatched to always be on guard when I'm at that airport. The ticket counters are roped off and only ticketed passengers may enter those areas, but the security people may only let you in a certain time (I seem to remember two hours) before your flight departs. (That might be 4 am for a 6 am flight.) So from 2-4 am you could be out in the public areas of the terminal. Quite frankly, I would watch my things rather than sleep during that time. Once you get to the ticket counter and pass through airport security, all is fine.

I agree with Jeff. However, the policies at the airport with regards as to who is allow "inside" the airport changes constantly. My aunt who is just visiting us from Peru informed me that "now" the only people who are allowed "inside" the airport are those who are holding a ticket. With regards to security, Sandy should practice common sense regardless. You'll be fine, and have fun!, ....you might not even have time to close your eyes anyway...



Carlos

check out sleepinginairports.com .Then if you feel so moved- post a report for fellow travelers

Thanks everyone.
Granted we won't get much, if any sleep, and we thought we may have to do a bit of tag team napping. I can handle the public areas with lots of people and am always aware of where my things are, I just wanted to make sure that we wouldn't be standing outside the airport for two hours unable to get inside with that "perhaps this isn't a good idea" feeling. Thanks again!

P.S to greenfieldhunter
Who knew the sleepinginairports website existed and could be so helpful. Fodorites have a answer for everything