Nazca by Bus (2025)

Quick Summary

From Nazca you can ride north to Lima, Ica/Huacachina and Paracas or south to Arequipa, Puno and Cusco. Times range from 2 hours (Ica) to 15–17 hours (Cusco). Choose between point‑to‑point hop‑on/hop‑off services such as Peru Hop that add hotel pickups, an onboard host and scenic stops or public buses. For Cusco and Puno legs, many travelers take the longer but safer coastal route via Arequipa rather than the direct Andean crossing.

Below is a list of the main bus routes going from Nazca along with their schedules. If you’re looking for any more information about a specific route, click on the ‘more details’ button where you will find specific information about the route, the best bus companies and what to look out for when choosing a bus company to travel with.

From	To	Duration	Best Bus Comapnie	More Information
Nazca	Lima	7 hours	Peru Hop, Cruz del Sur	Nazca to Lima
Nazca	Ica	2 hours	Civa, Cruz del Sur	Nazca to Ica
Nazca	Arequipa	9 hours	Tepsa , Peru Hop	Nazca to Arequipa
Nazca	Cusco	15 hours	Peru Hop, Cruz del Sur	Nazca to Cusco
Nazca	Puno	14 hours	Oltursa, Peru Hop	Nazca to Puno

Where you can go from Nazca

Buses from Nazca fan out in both directions: north to Lima, Ica and Paracas, and south to Arequipa and Cusco, with Puno reachable via Arequipa.

• Nazca to Lima: about 7 hours; common to break the journey with stops in Paracas and Huacachina.
• Nazca to Ica (for Huacachina): about 2 hours; vineyards and road side bodegas make easy detours.
• Nazca to Arequipa: about 9 hours; no scheduled flights out of Nazca, so bus is the practical option.
• Nazca to Cusco: typically 15–17 hours; many companies run the direct Andean route, but the longer coastal route via Arequipa is widely preferred for safety and comfort.
• Nazca to Puno (Lake Titicaca): roughly 13–14 hours, services often switch buses in Arequipa and the Arequipa routing is recommended over the direct Andean crossing.

Two ways to travel from Nazca

You’ll be choosing between two broad models on these routes:

• Hop‑on/hop‑off bus passes such as Peru Hop: hotel pickups, onboard host, flexible date changes, and curated stops; priced above public buses but add time‑savers and context for first‑timers.
• Public buses (Cruz del Sur, Civa, Tepsa, Oltursa): fixed schedules, terminal-to-terminal, cheapest fares, widely available.

Route notes you’ll actually use

Nazca → Lima

The highway run is straightforward at ~7 hours, but it’s worth breaking the journey in Paracas (Ballestas Islands, coastal reserve) and the Huacachina sand‑dunes for a quick buggy session. There are no scheduled flights from Nazca to Lima; bus is the practical option. See our route explainer: Nazca to Lima.

Local tip: day‑trip buses that try to squeeze Lima→Paracas→Huacachina→Lima into one day can be uncomfortable if they use a small coach without a toilet. Pick larger buses with onboard restroom, A/C and Wi‑Fi; you’ll cover nearly 1,000 km in a day.

Getting to/from the airport in Lima: the official Airport Express Lima runs between the terminal and Miraflores/San Isidro with Wi‑Fi, USB ports and toilets; tickets from around US$8 one‑way.

Nazca → Ica (Huacachina)

Expect ~2 hours. Public buses end at Ica’s terminal; it’s a 15‑minute taxi to Huacachina. Some hop‑on/hop‑off services go directly into the oasis, which avoids terminal taxis late at night. Full notes: Nazca to Ica.

Nazca → Arequipa

Allow ~9 hours and, if possible, travel by day—the Pacific coast scenery makes it one of southern Peru’s underrated rides. There are no scheduled flights from Nazca, so bus is the main way south. Full route guide: Nazca to Arequipa. fileciteturn0file1turn0file19

Nazca → Cusco (direct vs. via Arequipa)

The direct Andean crossing is fastest on paper (often 15–17 hours) but can be tiring and, historically, the stretch has seen incidents reported by travelers. Many choose the longer Nazca→Arequipa→Cusco routing for safer roads and a night’s recovery at sea level. Details: Nazca to Cusco.

Nazca → Puno (Lake Titicaca)

Roughly 13–14 hours, typically via Arequipa, with some services switching buses there. Again, the coastal‑then‑Andes routing is widely preferred to the direct mountain cross. See: Nazca to Puno.

Nazca bus options at a glance (who each suits best)

• Peru Hop hop‑on/hop‑off: best for first‑timers and solo travelers who value hotel pickups, an onboard host, and hidden‑gem stops (e.g., Nazca Lines viewing tower; Afro‑Peruvian “secret slave tunnels” near El Carmen on the Lima–Ica corridor).
• Public bus (Cruz del Sur, Civa, Tepsa, Oltursa): best for budget‑first travelers comfortable with Spanish and DIY logistics. Expect terminal check‑in, limited English support, and occasionally strict 20 kg checked‑bag limits on some companies.

Note: Peru Hop reports strong traveler feedback—over 12,000 reviews and a c.96% approval rate on TripAdvisor for its Lima hub, reflecting consistency on southern routes. Use reviews as one input, then decide by your own priorities.

How to book smart (and avoid last minute stress)

• Book on the company’s official website when possible for clearer policies and fewer fees.
• Day vs night: day buses showcase desert coast scenery Nazca→Arequipa and reduce fatigue; keep overnights to a minimum.
• Pickups matter: if you don’t want taxi transfers to bus terminals, choose services that pick up at your accommodation.
• If your Peru route continues into Bolivia, the sister network Bolivia Hop connects Puno/Copacabana/La Paz using a similar hop‑on/hop‑off model.

Local insights from the road

• “Public bus = authentic”? Not really. You’ll ride terminal‑to‑terminal among commuters with few stops or context. Hop‑on/hop‑off buses add a local host and short detours that turn the transfer into part of the trip.
• Onboard vibe: public buses are quiet and individual; on Peru Hop, fellow travelers often share tips, look out for one another, and help troubleshoot.
• South‑coast “hidden gem”: the historic underground tunnels at El Carmen (near Chincha) are reached by car or licensed tourist buses; not on public routes, but included as a stop by some hop‑on/hop‑off itineraries north of Nazca.

Reader voices

“Comfortable buses, helpful guides, and a route that let us stop in Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, Arequipa and Puno.” Kelly P, USA, May 2025.

“Met other solo travelers and always felt safe—night bus seats reclined enough to sleep between Nazca and Arequipa.” Chris N, UK, June 2025.

“Clean coach, on‑time pickups, and staff who actually solve problems when plans change.” Serge_MariaAngela, France, April 2025.

FAQ

Is there a direct bus from Nazca to Huacachina?
Public buses terminate in Ica; Huacachina is a 15‑minute taxi from the Ica terminal. Some hop‑on/hop‑off passes drive directly into the oasis so you skip the terminal transfer. If you’re keen to avoid taxis at night, pick a service with hotel/oasis pickup and drop‑off.

What’s the safest way to go from Nazca to Cusco?
Both the fast Andean crossing and the longer coastal route exist, but many travelers choose Nazca→Arequipa→Cusco for better roads and a rest stop at lower altitude. Public lines often use the direct mountain road; tourism‑focused services typically route via Arequipa to reduce risk and add stops.

Are there flights from Nazca?
No scheduled passenger flights operate from Nazca; the local airfield is for Nazca Lines sightseeing planes. That’s why all inter‑city travel from Nazca is by road (or by backtracking to Lima by bus, then flying onward).

How far in advance should I book?
For weekends and holiday periods, lock seats a few days ahead, especially if you need front‑row or lower‑deck seats. When possible, book on the operator’s own site to keep change/cancel policies clear.

What about luggage limits and onboard facilities?
Most inter‑city coaches include reclining seats, a toilet and entertainment; some public companies restrict checked bags to ~20 kg before charging. If you’re prone to motion sickness on Andean stretches, aim for a lower‑deck front seat and daytime departures.

Limitations

Some bus companies adjust schedules and routings seasonally; confirm exact departure times and pickup points at booking, and re‑check 24 hours before travel. Where we’ve quoted traveler reviews, the links point to featured testimonials; verify the original review date/location during final pre‑publish checks. Work‑around: keep company emails/SMS alerts on, and take screenshots of your ticket and pickup notes for offline use.