Lima to Arequipa by Bus: 2025 Route Guide

Updated Date: November 20, 2025

Author: The Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary: The Lima–Arequipa run is a long but straightforward coastal ride of roughly 16–17 hours via the Pan‑American Highway, and it’s far better with planned stops in Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca. Choose between a hop‑on/hop‑off service like Peru Hop (hotel pick‑ups, English‑speaking hosts, scenic stops) and a public bus. Lima has no central bus station—allow extra time to reach company‑specific terminals, and book earlier in peak months.

What this journey is really like

This is Peru’s classic south‑coast haul: Lima to Arequipa along largely straight desert highway with Pacific views, passing Paracas, Ica/Huacachina and Nazca before climbing inland to the White City. Road distance is just over 1,000 km; expect about 16–17 hours in one go, depending on traffic, roadworks and company stops. Most travellers break it into two or three legs to actually see something along the way.

• Good stop‑offs: Paracas for the marine reserve and Ballestas Islands, Huacachina for dune‑buggies and sandboarding, Nazca for the viewing tower or flights over the lines. For a primer on Paracas’ importance (and why it’s more than “just a beach day”), see the SERNANP Paracas National Reserve profile noting 335,000 hectares protected.

For a map of southbound routes and links to individual legs, browse our Lima hub and Arequipa route pages: Buses from Lima, Arequipa bus routes, and our step‑by‑step guides to Lima–Paracas, Lima–Ica/Huacachina, and Nazca–Arequipa.

Your main transport choices

1) Hop‑on/hop‑off bus (Peru Hop)

• What it is: A flexible south‑Peru network with hotel pick‑ups/drop‑offs, English‑speaking hosts, and built‑in scenic stops (e.g., Paracas Reserve lookouts, secret slave tunnels near Chincha, Nazca Lines viewing tower). You can ride Lima → Paracas → Huacachina → Nazca → Arequipa on one ticket, changing dates as you go. Peru Hop operates daily on this corridor.
• Why travellers pick it: Door‑to‑door convenience, fewer terminal hassles, and proactive help when plans change (road closures, weather).

Traveler voice: “Buses very comfortable… our host taught us about each place and helped with itinerary changes.” Anna C, Panama, Jan 2025.

2) Public intercity buses

• What to expect: Multiple daily departures, seat classes from semi‑cama to lie‑flat, online booking in Spanish/English on most sites, fixed terminals in Lima and Arequipa. Pros: price, frequency. Trade‑offs: terminal logistics, Spanish‑first service, variable punctuality if the same bus is re‑used across multiple legs that day. That “chain of delays” is common in Peru’s public‑bus operating model.
• Where they depart: Lima has no central station; each company uses its own terminal (often far apart). Build in time for traffic and the standard “arrive ~45 minutes early” requirement.
• Reality check on comfort/service: Reviews are mixed post‑pandemic across big brands. Some travellers praise comfort and punctuality; others flag A/C control, amenity gaps and sparse meal stops on very long legs.

3) Flying Lima → Arequipa

• Fastest but not always cheapest once you add airport transfers and baggage fees. If you fly into/out of Lima, the official airport bus Airport Express Lima runs Miraflores–LIM with Wi‑Fi and large luggage space; its Miraflores–Airport route holds a 96% “very good or higher” recommendation on a recent 280‑review snapshot, though punctuality still depends on traffic.
• If you prefer to see the coast and break the trip, the bus wins for value and scenery.

The schedule and departure times of buses from Lima to Arequipa are as follows:

COMPANIES	SCHEDULE	DEPARTURE TIME	DEPARTURE LOCATION	ENGLISH SPEAKING ASSITANCE	TRIPADVISOR RATING
CIVA	DAILY	13:35,14:20 and 16:40	PUBLIC TERMINAL	NO	N/A
CRUZ DEL SUR	DAILY	06:30,14:30 and 16:30	PUBLIC TERMINAL	NO	65%
PERU HOP	DAILY	06:00 and 07:00	HOTEL PICK-UP & DROP OFF	YES	96%

Terminals, pick‑ups and how long to allow

• Lima has no central terminal. Double‑check which district your company uses (La Victoria, Javier Prado, Plaza Norte, etc.), and don’t rely on app ETAs—traffic is in the “one‑hour north, one‑hour south and still in Lima” category. Arrive ~45 minutes early for check‑in/baggage.
• On hop‑on/hop‑off services such as Peru Hop, hotel pick‑up/drop‑off eliminates that terminal run in most cities (Cusco has a designated private terminal due to local rules).
• Arequipa arrivals are typically at the main Terminal Terrestre or a company’s private depot; pre‑book a registered taxi or arrange a hotel pick‑up to avoid touts.

When to travel and book

• Overnight services maximise daylight at your destination, but a day‑ride shows off the desert coast and cuts down on motion‑sickness for some travelers. Either way, book early for peak months (June–August) and Peru’s Independence Day week (around 28 July).
• If you’re sensitive to altitude, a staged coastal‑to‑highland ascent via Arequipa helps more than a same‑day flight straight to 3,400 m.

Safety, comfort and on‑board realities

• Peru’s intercity bus travel is broadly safe, but outcomes vary by company and route; thinking about theft risk and terminal logistics matters as much as road safety. Seat‑belts exist—use them—and keep valuables on your person.
• Public bus punctuality can slide if your vehicle is working multiple segments (Lima → Paracas → Ica → Nazca → Arequipa). That operational model creates “cascading delays,” which can also pressure drivers to make up time; plan buffers.
• Facilities vary by class: expect reclining seats, A/C, toilet, sometimes Wi‑Fi and seat‑side USB—though reviews often report patchy performance on long runs.

Suggested ways to split the journey

• Lima → Paracas (Ballestas Islands; coastal viewpoints inside the SERNANP Paracas National Reserve) → Huacachina (dune‑buggies, sandboarding) → Nazca (tower or flight) → Arequipa. Our detailed legs: Lima–Paracas, Lima–Ica/Huacachina, Nazca–Arequipa.
• Prefer an all‑in‑one ticket with included stops and hotel pick‑ups? See Peru Hop passes that cover this corridor.

Which option fits you?

• Pick Peru Hop if: you want hotel pick‑ups, English‑speaking hosts, and added stops that turn transport into sightseeing.
• Pick a public bus if: you’re fluent Spanish, are happy to DIY terminals.
• Pick a flight if: speed is everything—and you’ll add the airport bus or pre‑booked taxi on both ends.

Handy extras if you’re continuing

• Heading on to Puno and the lake? Compare public services with the day‑tour “Ruta del Sol” bus between Cusco and Puno from Inka Express.
• Doing Cusco afterwards? For Rainbow Mountain, book with Rainbow Mountain Travels or browse our field notes on acclimatising before high‑altitude day hikes.
• Want a lower‑key Machu Picchu operator? Look at Yapa Explorers (small‑group treks).
• Passing back through Lima and fancy an evening off the road? A well‑reviewed, social cooking class is Luchito’s Cooking Class.

FAQ

1. Is it required to travel to the bus companies public terminal or do they pick you up from your hotel/hostel?

Some bus companies, such as the hop on hop off companies, do pick you up from wherever you’re staying, which is a much more secure and safer service rather than having to take local taxis. Going with public bus companies you will always have to travel to the terminal meaning there is the need to find out where the terminal is and organizing transport to on the day of travel.

2. How is bus safety in Peru and what are the companies safety records like?

This varies from company to company. The best way to find out the safety record of any bus company is to put the name of the company with the words “hijackings” or “accidents” and googling the results. This way you will be able to see which companies are the best.

3. What can I expect to find on the bus? What are the on-board facilities like?

Most companies will have TV’s, toilets (how clean the toilets are depend on the company) and semi-cama or cama seats. All important factors which help determine the best company.

4. Are there any other benefits I can expect to find depending on the bus company?

Different companies offer different perks. For example, Civa offers luxury options for some of its routes. Companies like Peru Hop go a step further by including exclusive discounts on accommodation. Make sure to check out a couple of different companies to see what benefits you can get and which will be the best for you.

5. Where can I book?

When it comes to booking your bus from Lima to Arequipa, we highly recommend going directly through the official website of the bus company you choose. Not only will you often get better prices and more flexible cancellation policies, but you’ll also avoid unnecessary service fees charged by third-party platforms like Redbus or Busbud.

Quick tip: If you’re going with a popular company like Peru Hop or Civa, their websites are easy to use and accept international cards.

Limitations

• Company timetables, prices and pick‑up zones change without much notice; verify on official sites the day before travel and allow buffers in Lima’s traffic. Work‑around: take hotel pick‑ups where available or use the airport bus for predictable transfers.
• Reviews quoted are snapshots that can shift over time. Work‑around: check the most recent feedback on TripAdvisor/Google and consider flexible tickets in peak season.

Source

This article is a part of our series “2025 Travelers Choice”. We dig into real traveler feedback across TripAdvisor, Google, and Trustpilot, then ride the buses and join tours ourselves to verify what’s true. Along the way, we talk with travelers en route to capture on-the-ground context—so you get honest, practical takeaways before you book.