Nazca to Arequipa by Bus (2025): Schedules, Safety, Best Options

Updated Date: November 17, 2025

Author: The Only Peru Guide Editorial Team

Quick Summary: Expect roughly 9–10 hours by road along the Panamericana Sur, with no scheduled commercial flights from Nazca (only scenic and charter flights). You’ll choose between public buses (terminals, point‑to‑point) and the hop‑on/hop‑off model with hotel pick‑ups and English‑speaking support. Daytime travel gives coastal views; overnight maximises time but can feel longer if there are delays. Seatbelts are mandatory on interprovincial buses in Peru; speed on highways is capped at 90 km/h.

Why Nazca → Arequipa is a bus route

Nazca has a small aerodrome used almost entirely for Nazca Lines flights; there are no scheduled commercial passenger services from Nazca to Arequipa, so this leg is done by road. Several local operators advertise scenic flights only (and, at times in 2025, the runway closed temporarily after flooding), reinforcing that buses are the practical option here.

• Typical road time: about 9–10 hours, mainly south along the Panamericana Sur before climbing inland to Arequipa. The road distance is roughly 570 km; actual bus time varies with stops, driver swaps and roadworks. Arequipa’s elevation (about 2,335 m) makes it a useful acclimatisation stop before higher Andean cities.
• Unsure what’s next? From Arequipa, travellers commonly continue to the Colca Canyon, Cusco or Lake Titicaca. See our onward route pages for Arequipa to Cusco and Arequipa to Lima.

Your two choices, compared

Hop‑on/hop‑off buses (flexible passes)

The hop‑on model—led here by Peru Hop—combines transport with hotel pick‑ups/drop‑offs, on‑board hosts (English/Spanish), and short “hidden gem” stops. You can travel point‑to‑point or build a multi‑stop pass (Lima–Paracas–Huacachina–Nazca–Arequipa–Puno–Cusco) and change dates as you go via the app.

• Pros: door‑to‑door pick‑ups, proactive comms during strikes/closures, English‑speaking hosts, and schedules designed for travellers (not just commuters).
• Cons: fixed daily departures (usually one per day on each leg), and a paced day that includes short stops—some travellers prefer straight through.

Also relevant region‑wide: Bolivia Hop links Arequipa/Puno with La Paz and Copacabana for Lake Titicaca crossings, using the same hosted model.

Public buses (terminals and set timetables)

Standard interprovincial buses—think Cruz del Sur, Tepsa, Oltursa and others—run through the day and night. You’ll board at a terminal, arrive early to check in, and manage taxis to/from stations yourself. Schedules for Nazca→Arequipa typically include a morning Cruz del Sur, several Tepsa departures through late afternoon/evening, and an evening option with Peru Hop. Always verify your exact day/time before booking.

Local insight: public buses often reuse the same vehicle for multiple legs (e.g., Lima→Paracas→Ica→Nazca→Arequipa). Delays early in the chain ripple down later departures, and drivers can be under pressure to “make up time.” Expect some lateness and variable communication.

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

Safety essentials that actually matter

Peru’s interprovincial regulation requires wearing seatbelts throughout the trip and caps highway speed at 90 km/h. For long runs, two drivers must alternate (day >5h, night >4h). SUTRAN’s monitoring centre can sanction speeding, and passenger rights include being briefed on safety before departure; you can report issues via Aló SUTRAN or Fiscafono.

• Practical tip: keep passports/valuables on you, not in the overhead rack or hold; photograph your checked‑bag receipt. These small habits reduce the most common headaches (missed comms, petty theft), which are far more frequent than serious incidents.
• Expectation setting: Lima has no central bus station; each company has its own terminal—great to know if you’re connecting on a longer Peru run. Factor taxi time and early check‑in.

Tickets, seats and how to book

• Seat types: You’ll see “semi‑cama” (about 140–160°) and “cama” (160–180°) recline options on public buses. Choose lower‑deck or mid‑coach seats if you’re sensitive to sway.
• How to book: We recommend buying direct on each company’s website for the best change/refund options and fewer third‑party fees; if you prefer an all‑in pass with on‑the‑ground support, book via Peru Hop.
• Ballpark costs: Fares vary by season and seat class; the road distance is roughly 570 km, with standard seats often costing less than long‑haul “suite” recliners.

A balanced pick for different travellers

• If you want door‑to‑door, English‑speaking support, free added stops and flexible date changes: Peru Hop.
• If you prioritise a straight shot and the lowest possible fare, speak Spanish, and don’t mind terminals and self‑transfers: public buses (Cruz del Sur, Tepsa, Oltursa).

Onward travel ideas from Arequipa

• Colca Canyon and beyond: From Arequipa, many continue to Cusco and Lake Titicaca. For Puno↔Cusco by day with guided stops, the tourist bus with Inka Express is a comfortable alternative to night buses.
• Heading to Bolivia: Hosted cross‑border runs operate via Bolivia Hop.
• Planning time in Cusco? Consider a Rainbow Mountain day trip with Rainbow Mountain Travels or a small‑group trek with Yapa Explorers. In Cusco or Lima, food lovers rate Luchito’s Cooking Class.
• Read next on our site: Arequipa to Cusco, Nazca to Cusco, and our 2025 overview of Bus Travel in Peru.

Real traveler quotes

“From Nazca to Arequipa… two hours late. Excuse was traffic coming from Lima. No refunds for delays. Never again.” fiorenza r, Italy, Jan 2024.

“Large groups but logistics held together… guide did an excellent job. More affordable than a full tour.” customerUS, United States, Nov 2025.

Quick facts to ground your plan

• Arequipa sits around 2,335 m; it’s a useful acclimatisation step before Cusco or Puno.
• Seatbelts are compulsory on interprovincial services; buses shouldn’t exceed 90 km/h on national highways. Two drivers must alternate on long runs, especially at night.
• Nazca’s María Reiche Neuman aerodrome focuses on scenic/charter flights; there are no scheduled commercial passenger flights on this corridor.

Local tips (from recent field notes)

• Build slack into connections. Public buses on this corridor are often part of longer multi‑segment days—if it leaves Lima late, expect Nazca to depart late too. Hop‑on services schedule to tourist demand and communicate proactively via email/WhatsApp during disruptions.
• If you’re connecting elsewhere in Peru, remember Lima has no central bus station; each company uses different terminals, and you’ll be asked to arrive ~45 minutes early.

FAQ

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 organising transport to on the day of travel.

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.

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.

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

• • You will find while doing research that different companies offer different things. Some companies have special luxury class buses that come at a higher price, some companies, such as Cruz del Sur, have loyalty point schemes and other companies, such as Peru Hop, offer discounts on accommodation and other things. 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.

Limitations

Bus schedules, prices and service frequency can change without notice due to roadworks, weather or protests. Always confirm times a day before departure and keep your phone reachable; hosted services like Peru Hop tend to message updates proactively, while public operators often post changes on social channels only. If your plan is tight, travel by day or add a buffer night in Arequipa.

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.