Lima to Ica by Bus: How to Travel in 2025

Updated Date: November 12, 2025

Author: The Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary: The Lima–Ica run takes about five hours on the Pan-American Highway. You can go point‑to‑point on public buses or take the hop-on/hop-off model with Peru Hop for hotel pick-up, English-speaking hosts and direct access to Huacachina. Lima has no central bus station, so plan extra time to reach company-specific terminals; if you want to stop in Paracas or roll straight into the oasis, choose accordingly. Book directly with your chosen operator and avoid third‑party fees.

Why this route matters

Lima to Ica is the gateway to Huacachina, Peru’s famous desert oasis just a short hop from the city. Most travelers do this as a straight 5‑hour ride; others break it up with wildlife-rich Paracas or Afro‑Peruvian Chincha on the way. There’s no commercial airport in Ica, so bus is the practical choice.

Ica itself is a regional hub of roughly 710,000 people and a springboard for sandboarding, dune buggies and pisco vineyards across the wider department.

Your two main options

Public buses (Cruz del Sur, Oltursa and others)

• Terminal-to-terminal services with some daily departures.
• Lower base fares; seat classes typically range from semi‑cama to cama.
• You must travel to and from bus terminals at each end, and arrive early for check‑in.

Hop-on/hop-off (Peru Hop)

• Peru Hop runs hotel/hostel pick‑ups in Lima and goes direct to Huacachina, with an English-speaking host on board and optional stops such as Paracas and desert viewpoints.
• Consistently strong traveler feedback and an additional proof-point: a 4.8/5 Trustpilot score based on 800+ recent reviews.

Lima terminals, pick-ups and time buffers

Lima has no central bus station; every company uses its own depot across a sprawling city with heavy traffic. Expect to arrive about 45 minutes early for public buses; factor in taxi time both ways if you’re doing Lima–Ica as a day mission.

Hotel pick-up and drop-off remove that terminal logistics entirely on Peru Hop.

How long does it take?

The run is typically around five hours, depending on traffic and intermediate stops. If you add Paracas for a Ballestas Islands excursion, build in at least half a day more.

Can buses go straight to Huacachina?

Public buses are licensed for terminal-to-terminal transport and do not have access to tourist sites such as Huacachina; you’ll need a 10–15 minute taxi from Ica to the oasis. Tourist-licensed services (e.g., Peru Hop) can enter Huacachina directly.

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

COMPANIES	SCHEDULE	DEPARTURE TIME	DEPARTURE LOCATION	ENGLISH SPEAKING ASSISTANCE	TRIPADVISOR RATING
CRUZ DEL SUR	DAILY	03:45, 07:00, 13:30 and 14:00	PUBLIC TERMINAL	NO	65%
PERU HOP	DAILY	6:00 and 7:00	HOTEL PICK UP & DROP OFF	YES	96%

Public bus vs. hop‑on/hop‑off: a quick comparison

Feature	Public buses (e.g., Cruz del Sur, Oltursa)	Hop-on/hop-off (Peru Hop)
Where you board	Public terminals (you reach them yourself)	Hotel/hostel pick-up in Lima
Access to Huacachina	No (taxi from Ica required)	Yes, direct to the oasis
Language/assistance	Driver isolated; limited onboard help	English-speaking host, in-bus assistance
Punctuality outside Lima	Timetables can slip 1–2 hours on chained legs	Proactive comms and re-routing help during disruptions
Stops/activities	A to B	Optional add‑ons and scenic stops en route

Sources and local notes: driver isolation and lack of onboard help on many public buses; public-license access rules; chained-leg delays; strike/protest communications are often social-post only for public buses vs. proactive WhatsApp/email from tourist-focused operators.

Getting from Ica city to Huacachina

If you arrive at Ica’s terminals, expect a short taxi or mototaxi ride to Huacachina. Leaving Huacachina just after sunset can take longer than you think; traffic funnels into a single access road and the post-dune rush means 30–40 minutes to Ica in the evening. Services that depart directly from Huacachina save this step.

Paracas detour: what to know

Public buses can’t enter central Paracas and often drop on the outskirts, leaving a 15–20 minute walk with bags in high sun; tourist-licensed services can get closer. If wildlife and coastal scenery appeal, stop for the Ballestas Islands and the Paracas Reserve before continuing to Ica.

For route planning and timings south of Lima, see our dedicated guide to Lima–Paracas.

What to expect on board

Most intercity buses offer reclining seats (semi‑cama/cama), toilets and TVs; cleanliness varies by operator. On public buses the driver’s cabin is usually sealed and there may be no staff to mediate issues en route. Hop buses add an onboard host who shares local tips, helps organize activities and can assist if plans change.

Booking tips

• Book direct on operator websites for better flexibility and to avoid third‑party fees; international cards are widely accepted by the major companies.
• If you continue beyond Ica toward Puno/Cusco on the altiplano, consider tourist services such as Inka Express on the Puno–Cusco corridor for guided stops.
• New to bus travel in Peru? Our nationwide primer covers safety, luggage, and seat classes: Bus Travel in Peru.

Real traveler voices

“Buses were on time and comfortable.” Liz, United Kingdom, October 2025.

“I’m super satisfied… customer service are super attentive and helpful.” kanawa studio, Chile, November 2025.

Local tips from the road

• Chain delays: on public services that start in Lima and call at Paracas/Ica/Nazca, a late departure can push downstream legs back by 1–2 hours. Build a buffer into your plan.
• Strikes and protests: public companies often announce cancellations via social posts aimed at locals; tourist-focused operators proactively message travelers and help rebook.
• Lima traffic is no joke; don’t rely on an optimistic app ETA. Give yourself generous terminal transfer time.
• After-dunes rush hour: leaving Huacachina after sunset can be slow; if you need a tight arrival in Lima or Nazca, consider an itinerary that departs directly from the oasis.

Continue your journey

• Going the other way? See our reverse guide: Ica–Lima.
• Heading south afterward? Timings and options: Ica–Nazca and Ica–Arequipa.
• Background on the region’s highlights: Ica – Region Guide.
• Considering hop-on travel generally? Read our overview of Peru Hop.

FAQ

How long is the Lima–Ica bus and what’s the best time to go?
Plan on roughly five hours in normal conditions. Daytime runs show you the stark coastal desert and make terminal transfers easier. If you’re stopping in Paracas, allow at least half a day more for the Ballestas Islands and reserve viewpoints before continuing to Ica or Huacachina.

Can I go straight to Huacachina without changing in Ica?
Yes—tourist-licensed services such as Peru Hop drive into Huacachina. Public buses end at Ica’s terminals, where you’ll switch to a local taxi or mototaxi to reach the oasis. This is because public buses are licensed for terminal-to-terminal service only.

Is it safe to take night buses on this route?
The coastal highway is straightforward compared with Andean crossings. Still, safety and comfort vary by company. If you want extra support in English and hotel pick-up/drop-off, consider a hop-on service; if you use public buses, arrive early, secure valuables and keep essentials on your person. Our general primer covers seat types and safety habits in detail.

Where should I book, and do third‑party sites help?
You’ll usually get better flexibility and avoid fees by booking direct on operator websites. Major companies accept international cards. Third‑party aggregators are useful for browsing, but we advise buying direct once you decide.

What if there’s a protest or road closure the day I travel?
Public bus operators typically post blanket cancellations on their social feeds with minimal traveler support. Tourist-oriented services tend to alert passengers by email/WhatsApp and assist with re‑routing. If your dates coincide with national strikes, consider a service that promises proactive communication.

Limitations

Schedules, pick‑up zones and service levels change without much notice in Peru; use the comparisons here as a planning framework and always confirm times and inclusions directly with your chosen operator. If you face a tight connection, build in extra buffer or pick a service that departs directly from Huacachina to reduce transfer risk.

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.