Private vs shared Nazca Lines flight: is it worth it?

If you are planning to see the Nazca Lines from the air, one of the first choices is whether to share the plane with other travellers or reserve it just for your group. Both options fly over the same figures in about 35 minutes, so the question is not what you will see but how you will experience it. Below is an honest comparison based on the prices published on our tour pages, written by our team in Nazca, so you can decide whether the private flight is worth it for you.

The short answer

The shared Nazca Lines Flight starts at USD 100 per person and can be booked by a single traveller. The Nazca Lines Private Flight costs USD 150 per person for groups of 2 to 5, with a Cessna reserved only for you. For couples, families and small groups of friends who can spend an extra USD 50 each, the private flight is usually worth it. If you are travelling alone or keeping a close eye on your budget, the shared flight shows you exactly the same lines.

What both flights have in common

Many details are identical, which is why this comparison is about comfort and atmosphere rather than content.

• Same route and duration: about 35 minutes over the desert plateau, with figures such as the whale, the astronaut, the monkey, the hummingbird, the spider and the condor.
• Same type of aircraft: a small single engine Cessna in which every passenger has a window seat.
• Same logistics: pickup at your hotel in Nazca, transfer to the Nazca aerodrome about 4 km from the town centre, a map of the lines, an English speaking pilot and drop off at your hotel afterwards.
• Same fees: the airport tax (S/ 30) and the tourist ticket (S/ 47) are not included in either price and are paid per person before boarding.
• Same requirements: your original passport and a weight limit of 95 kg per passenger. If you are above it, tell us before booking, as an extra seat may be needed.

What changes when you fly privately

The private flight does not add extra figures or extra minutes. What it changes is who sits around you and how relaxed the experience feels.

• Only your group on board. On a shared flight the seats are filled with other travellers, so you may spend the flight next to people you have never met. On the private flight every seat beyond the pilot's belongs to your group.
• A set departure for your group. The private flight leaves at 09:00, a morning slot reserved for you. You do not depend on how passengers are grouped into planes that day.
• Windows and seating among people you know. Everyone has a window on both flights, and the pilot still assigns seats to balance the aircraft. The difference is that the person beside you is your partner, your child or your friend, which makes it easy to point out a figure or help someone find it.
• Photos without pressure. The pilot tilts the wings to each side over every figure. With your own group you can talk freely, share the best angle and decide together when to put the camera down and simply look.
• A calmer atmosphere. Travellers who feel nervous in small planes, or who are prone to motion sickness, often feel more at ease surrounded by familiar faces.

What it costs for your group

The private price is per person, not per plane, so the difference is always USD 50 per traveller. Here is how the totals compare before airport fees:

• 2 travellers: USD 200 shared, USD 300 private.
• 3 travellers: USD 300 shared, USD 450 private.
• 4 travellers: USD 400 shared, USD 600 private.
• 5 travellers: USD 500 shared, USD 750 private.

On top of either option, each passenger pays S/ 77 at the aerodrome (S/ 30 airport tax plus S/ 47 tourist ticket), so bring Peruvian soles in cash. If you are a solo traveller, note that the private flight needs at least two people, so the shared flight is the way to go.

When the shared flight makes sense

• You are travelling alone.
• Your budget is tight and you would rather spend the difference on another visit in Nazca.
• You mainly want to see the lines and do not mind flying with other travellers.
• You want to add the Palpa geoglyphs, which are covered by the Nazca Palpa Lines Flight (USD 230 per person, minimum two).

When the private flight is worth it

• Couples celebrating a honeymoon, an anniversary or a special trip.
• Families with children, who are calmer when the whole plane is theirs.
• Travellers who feel uneasy in small aircraft and prefer to fly with people they know.
• Small groups of friends of up to five who want to share the moment.
• Photographers who want to compare shots and talk through each figure with their companions.

For groups larger than five, write to us before booking and we will look at how to organise the flight.

Tips for either flight

• Have a light breakfast and avoid a heavy meal before the flight. The turns are tight and the flight is short.
• Look at the horizon between figures if you start to feel dizzy, and let the pilot know if you need a moment.
• Take a few photos of each figure, then lower the camera and enjoy the view. The figures pass quickly.
• Carry your original passport and cash in soles for the fees.

Our article on what to know before a Nazca Lines flight covers airports, fees and motion sickness in more detail.

Fit the flight into a private trip

The flight takes a morning, so it combines easily with the rest of southern Peru. Our guide to private Nazca Lines flights explains every private option, including private flights from Ica and from Pisco near Paracas, which we arrange on request. If you want the whole journey private, from Lima to Cusco and Machu Picchu, our team designs tailor made Peru tours around your dates and pace, and our Peru packages, such as Mystic Peru (10 days with Nazca, from USD 1,990), are a good starting point.

Ready to book? Reserve the Nazca Lines Private Flight online, with free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour, or message us on WhatsApp at +51 941 695 002 or at [email protected] and our team in Nazca will help you choose.