Ica to Arequipa by Bus: 2025 Guide to Schedules, Safety and Smarter Booking

Updated Date: November 12, 2025

Author: The Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary:  The Ica–Arequipa run takes roughly 12 hours along the Panamericana Sur. You can use a hop-on hop-off service like Peru Hop for hotel pick-up, onboard hosts and sightseeing stops, or a public bus for a direct, cheaper ride. Book a few days ahead in high season and aim for daytime departures if you want scenery (and easier logistics). Expect public buses to depart from terminals; hop-on services collect you at your accommodation.

Route snapshot

The 560–720 km drive from Ica to Arequipa follows Peru’s coastal desert before climbing inland toward the “White City.” Typical travel time is around 12 hours on a mostly straight, paved highway. There’s no airport in Ica, so ground transport is the practical choice; the alternative is bussing back to Lima and flying, which adds time and costs for airport transfers.

Arequipa itself is a major jumping-off point for Colca Canyon—twice as deep as the Grand Canyon—and the wider southern circuit; the region’s population is about 1.2 million.

When to go: Seats tighten from June–August and around July 28 (Fiestas Patrias). Book several days ahead in these periods.

Your two main ways to travel

• Hop-on hop-off service: Peru Hop runs with hotel pick-up/drop-off, onboard Spanish/English hosts, and short scenic stops en route. Expect a social, traveler-focused experience with guidance in English.
• Public bus: Large intercity operators run terminal-to-terminal services with multiple departures daily and lower fares, but you’ll handle taxis to/from bus terminals and Spanish-only service on most routes.

Quick comparison (at a glance)

• Door-to-door logistics
  • Hop-on: hotel/hostel pick-up/drop-off included.
  • Public: depart/arrive at public terminals; allow time and budget for local taxis.
• Language/help on board
  • Hop-on: hosts on board share tips and help with changes.
  • Public: Spanish-only on most services; assistance varies by staff.
• Punctuality realities
  • Hop-on: runs its own point-to-point routes for travelers.
  • Public: many schedules are chained (Lima→Paracas→Ica→Nazca); upstream delays can cascade 1–2 hours at smaller stops.
• Disruption handling
  • Hop-on: typically proactive about protests/roadblocks via WhatsApp/email and helps re-route.
  • Public: cancellations often posted on social feeds; rebooking can be on you.
• Price
  • Hop-on: higher ticket price with extras (pick-ups, host support, stops).
  • Public: cheapest; base fares on this corridor often start near US$20 one-way.

How long it takes, and whether to ride by day or night

Count on roughly 12 hours. Overnight buses save daytime hours but can compress meals and rest stops. Daytime departures let you see the stark Pacific-desert scenery and make terminal transfers easier in city daylight. Roads on this corridor are generally good by Peruvian standards.

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

What it costs

Public bus fares often start around US$20–30 for semi-cama seats; premium classes cost more. Hop-on/hop-off services cost more upfront but include hotel pick-up/drop-off and host support, which can replace taxi transfers and reduce friction.

Safety and comfort: what actually matters

• Terminals vs pick-ups: Public buses require you to reach the station up to an hour before departure; hop-on buses collect you at your hotel or a nearby meeting point.
• Seats: Expect semi-cama/cama recline, A/C, TV and toilets; cleanliness and maintenance vary by operator and specific bus.
• Bag security: Keep daypacks under your legs and valuables on you; don’t rely on overhead racks on any operator. Local travelers often report occasional tampering when sleeping on public night runs.
• Disruptions: Protests and roadworks can affect the Panamericana Sur. Services geared to tourists tend to communicate proactively and help rearrange plans; many public lines simply cancel and post an update.
• Altitude staging: If you’re ultimately heading to Cusco, this coastal swing via Arequipa helps you ascend more gradually than flying straight to high altitude.

Booking advice (and what to avoid)

• Book direct on the company’s official site or in person to avoid third‑party errors (wrong seats, missing vouchers).
• In high season (Jun–Aug) and holiday weeks (Easter, late July), buy several days in advance.

Real traveler voices

• “PeruHop do it better! Buses always on time and super comfortable; support replies were fast.” OliviaM_bs, Italy, August 2025.

Useful stops and onward legs

• Nazca stopovers: Many travelers break the journey to visit the lines or viewpoint before pushing on to Arequipa.
• From Arequipa: See our guides to the next legs—Arequipa to Lima, Arequipa to Cusco, and Arequipa to Ica—for schedules and safety notes.

Who each option suits

• Choose Peru Hop if you want hotel pick-ups, English-speaking onboard support, and quick detours to viewpoints or food stops along the way; the vibe is social and traveler-focused.
• Choose a public bus if price matters most and you’re comfortable handling terminals, ID checks and Spanish-language announcements; pick a reputable line, arrive early, and keep valuables with you.

Sample day plan (Ica → Arequipa)

1. Morning/early‑afternoon departure from Ica; grab snacks and water before boarding.
2. If riding hop-on, expect one or two short “micro-stops” and curated food breaks; public buses may run non‑stop stretches for several hours.
3. Late evening arrival in Arequipa; have your accommodation address ready to streamline transfers.

Practical notes and small print

• Expect variable A/C and temperatures on night runs; bring layers and an eye mask.
• Keep boarding documents and physical ID handy; some terminals won’t accept digital copies.
• If you’re crossing to Bolivia later, consider Bolivia Hop for border‑assistance buses; for the Puno–Cusco “tourist day bus,” Inka Express is a dedicated option with guided stops.

FAQ

How long is the bus from Ica to Arequipa, really?
Most services schedule about 12 hours depending on traffic, stops and the class of bus. It’s a long, mostly straight run along the Panamericana Sur before turning inland toward Arequipa.

Is there an airport in Ica? Can I fly instead?
No. There are no commercial flights from Ica; to fly to Arequipa you’d first need to travel back to Lima, then connect to a domestic flight—usually slower and pricier once you add airport transfers.

Public bus or hop-on service—what’s safer/easier for first‑timers?
Both are widely used. Hop-on buses such as Peru Hop collect you at your hotel, have Spanish/English hosts and are set up for international visitors. Public buses are cheaper but involve terminals, Spanish‑only announcements and fewer updates during disruptions; plan extra time and monitor operator channels.

What do tickets cost and when should I buy?
Public buses on this corridor often start near US$20–30 one way for semi‑cama; prices rise for premium seats and busy dates. In June–August and late July holidays, buy several days ahead.

Can public buses drop me at Huacachina?
No. Public services terminate in Ica city. Private/hop‑on services can go directly to Huacachina; otherwise take a local taxi from Ica (10–15 minutes) to the oasis.

Limitations:

Company timetables and pricing change frequently and can be affected by roadworks or protests. Always confirm on the operator’s official site the day before departure and build a buffer for connections; if flexibility matters, consider services that offer easy date changes and proactive alerts.

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.