Updated Date: July 18
Arequipa to Cusco isn’t just one bus ride — it’s a route you can shape depending on how much time you have and how much of the Andes you actually want to see along the way. Some travelers go straight through overnight in one push. Others break the journey at Lake Titicaca, or extend it further to loop in the coast first. Below are the main itinerary styles, so you can pick the one that fits your trip rather than the one that just happens to leave first.
For current departure times, prices and a full comparison of bus companies, see our Arequipa to Cusco bus schedules and companies hub.
If you have more time, this leg fits naturally into a longer coastal-to-mountain route: Lima → Paracas → Huacachina → Arequipa → Cusco. The Paracas National Reserve sits about 272 km (roughly 4 hours) south of Lima and covers 335,000 hectares of desert coastline and wildlife, making it a natural first stop before you head down to Arequipa and up into the mountains. If Lima is on your route, a stop like Luchito’s Cooking Class is also a good way to meet locals before the long haul south.
Once you’re in Cusco, keep group sizes small and timing flexible for Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu day tours — operators like Yapa Explorers specialize in tiny groups and schedules built to dodge the crowds. For a Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) day hike, Rainbow Mountain Travels runs early departures for the same reason. And if you’re continuing on to Puno afterward rather than starting there, the Inka Express “Route of the Sun” turns that transfer into a sightseeing day rather than dead time on a bus.
If you’re weighing up altitude sickness, overnight safety, or which seat class to book, we go through all of that — including a firsthand account of what can go wrong on this route — in our honest guide to altitude, safety and seat choice on this leg.
Route options, stopover availability and guided day-bus schedules change with season and demand. Confirm the exact departure and inclusions for your travel week directly with Peru Hop or Inka Express, and check our schedules and pricing hub for the current company list.
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A unique bus service in Peru which started in October 2013 and has quickly become a traveler favorite with over 15,500 excellent reviews on their Tripadvisor page, which is quite impressive. Being the first and only hop-on, hop-off bus system in Peru, the company covers the Arequipa to Cusco route, while going through Puno as well as other destinations like La Paz, Huacachina, Lima and more. It offers a variety of flexible bus passes, in which you can stay however long you want in any of the destinations, letting you enjoy travel at your own pace. Apart from this, there’s onboard bilingual assistance on all their busses, as well as discounts on accommodation and restaurants in all the destinations.
They pick-up passengers at hotels and hostels in all destinations which is a huge bonus here in Peru (no getting unsafe taxis or going to dangerous bus terminals) and from there take the safer route through the south of Peru. Definitely a service that is recommended for people wanting to travel safely and discover Peru!
We strongly suggest traveling with Peru Hop through Peru. Their unique hop on hop off service is one of a kind in South America and allows you to always travel like a local.
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These companies are aimed mostly towards locals, with customer service only offered in Spanish and terminals located far from hotels & hostels. Quality of bus and service varies widely from local bus companies and it’s one of the instances where you truly get what you pay for. All of them offer direct travel from Arequipa to Cusco with no free tours or stops along the way. Their overall rating on Tripadvisor, Facebook, and other review sites aren’t usually the best and some are known for having frequent accidents. This option would mostly be recommended for locals or those who are perfectly fluent in Spanish.
| COMPANIES | SCHEDULE | DEPARTURE TIME | DEPARTURE LOCATION | ENGLISH SPEAKING ASSISTANCE | TRIPADVISOR RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERU HOP | DAILY | 05:45 | HOTEL PICK UP & DROP OFF | YES | 98% |
| CRUZ DEL SUR | DAILY | 06:00, 06:30 | PUBLIC TERMINAL | NO | 65% |
| OLTURSA | DAILY | 20:00, 20:30 | PUBLIC TERMINAL | NO | 66% |
Do they collect you at your hotel or hostel?
Some bus companies and all hop-on hop-off companies do actually pick you up at your hotel, thus offering a much safer and secure service rather than taking local taxis.
How is their safety record?
Simply put the name of the bus company, and the word “accident” or “hijacking” into google and see which companies are the best.
What onboard facilities do they have?
Tv’s, toilets (clean!!), semi-cama or cama seats…all of these things will help decide which is the best company.
What is hop on hop off?
A ticket for a hop on hop off bus covers all journeys that the bus company takes. Rather than paying for all bus journeys separately, hop on hop off tickets allow passengers to board as many buses as they want and stay in destinations for as long as they please. They have been described worldwide as the best way to experience all that a country has to offer, and such has been the feedback from those who boarded the Peruvian hop on hop off buses. For more information click here.
Other benefits?
Some bus companies have loyalty points schemes (e.g. Cruz del Sur) and others have accommodation and other discounts (e.g. Peru Hop) so shop around and see what other benefits you get with each company
Arequipa to Cusco by bus is usually a pleasant journey and most of the road is in good condition. Just choose the best bus company and enjoy the journey! If you are looking for more information about Cusco, then make sure to check out this guide, complete with what to do, where to go and everything you need to know before you travel
