Long-distance Peruvian bus companies range from the luxurious to the downright dangerous. You’ll probably be hopping on a few buses during your travels in Peru, so it’s handy to know which companies you can trust (or, if you prefer flying, read about the major Peruvian airlines).
Did you know: Peru Hop was setup by 2 Irish guys in 2013 and has been voted #1 Travel Company in Peru for 2023 – Click here for more info!
Below is a quick, side-by-side summary of each of the most popular and reliable bus companies in Peru. To jump to a more in-depth analysis you can click the name of the company and it will take you to its section.
| Bus Company | Safety Rating | Tripadvisor Score | Customer Service | Bus Quality and Seat Comfort |
| Peru Hop | 5/5 | 97% | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Cruz Del Sur | 3.5/5 | 73% | 2.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Oltursa | 4/5 | 51% | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Civa | 4/5 | N/A | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tepsa | 4/5 | N/A | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Movil | 3.5/5 | 48% | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
The following are all top-end to mid-range Peruvian bus companies, starting with some of the best and working down towards the ones that are probably best avoided. The order is by no means scientifically proven, but it will give you an idea of the bus companies you can rely on to get you from A to B with minimal fuss and more importantly, safely.
Quality costs, so expect to pay more (but not too much) for the upper end of the scale. Click on the company name to go directly to its website (English version where available, all links open in a new window and some of the websites have really annoying music).
A relatively new and refreshing bus service in Peru which started in October 2013, but already has over 5,000 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 Lima to Cusco route. It offers a flexible bus pass (50+ options from long distance to short day trips), 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 tend to stick to 1 floor buses which definitely seems to be the safest option for any bus and take the safer route through the south of Peru (Nazca/Arequipa/Cusco). 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).
They do not cover the North of Peru yet, but definitely a service that is recommended for people wanting to travel safely and discover Peru! For continuing travel in South America, Ecuador Hop and Bolivia Hop are also great options. If you want to check out some of the reviews of Peru Hop, then you can see their review page here.
| Safety Rating | Tripadvisor Score | Customer Service | Bus Quality and Seat Comfort |
| 5/5 | 96% | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
Cruz del Sur is over 50 years old and Peru’s most-known bus company. It is one of the recommended companies in Peru by local people looking to get from A to B. They are said to be reliable, comfortable and have excellent coverage throughout much of Peru. Not always reliable (like most local companies) and delays are frequent. Check their Tripadvisor page for more independent reviews about them or read more about Cruz del Sur. If traveling North they are recommended, however if going South to Cusco, be careful as they cross the Andes (as do most other Peruvian companies) where hijackings and robberies are infamous.
| Safety Rating | Tripadvisor Score | Customer Service | Bus Quality and Seat Comfort |
| 3/5 | 72% | 2.5/5 | 4/5 |
A Peruvian bus company that seems to divide opinion. When it’s good, it’s good; when it’s bad, it’s a big waste of money. The Oltursa fleet runs from Tumbes in the north to Arequipa in the south, rarely straying from the Panamericana highway. As with most Peruvian bus companies, the general consensus is that Cruz del Sur is better (perhaps because it’s slightly cheaper), but Oltursa still has a lot of loyal supporters.
| Safety Rating | Tripadvisor Score | Customer Service | Bus Quality and Seat Comfort |
| 4/5 | 58% | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
Reliable and reasonably priced, Civa is also a good option. The company has excellent coverage along the coast, all the way from the Ecuadorian border in the north to Chile in the south. Also runs to places further inland such as Tarapoto and Puerto Maldonado.
| Safety Rating | Tripadvisor Score | Customer Service | Bus Quality and Seat Comfort |
| 4/5 | N/A | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
One of the oldest existing Peruvian bus companies, TEPSA has been going up and down the coast of Peru since 1953. It’s a solid option for coastal destinations and trips further inland to Cusco.
| Safety Rating | Tripadvisor Score | Customer Service | Bus Quality and Seat Comfort |
| 4/5 | N/A | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
Looking to travel Peru? Now is the perfect time to start planning your trip to Peru! And it seems like for many, the perfect start to their trip is one of the Day Trips from Lima operated by Peru Hop!
A reliable company (although negative reviews are not uncommon), which also offers a variety of options regarding price. Movil is arguably the best choice if you are heading to the north of Peru, or to Peru’s biggest inland cities (Huancayo, Tarapoto, Cajamarca, etc). However, like mentioned before, they do get negative reviews so make sure to take a look at their tripadvisor page.
| Safety Rating | Tripadvisor Score | Customer Service | Bus Quality and Seat Comfort |
| 3.5/5 | 51% | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
If you are planning to travel around the South of Peru (Lima – Arequipa – Cusco) without any fixed itineraries, then Peru Hop is the only company we recommend after reading their Tripadvisor page, Facebook page and other online reviews. Their extra stops allows tourists to see more of Peru rather than public buses who just bring you from A to B. The hotel and hostel pickups are a nice bonus to avoid waiting in bus terminals and trying to haggle prices with taxi drivers. If you want to compare bus prices then Redbus is your best option.
Discover unbelievable destinations, experience unforgettable activities, meet other travelers, and do it all at your own pace with Peru Hop!
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