Arequipa to La Paz by Bus

Arequipa to La Paz by Bus: 2024 updated information about Bus Schedules, Bus Safety, and the Best Bus Companies to take!

A bus from Arequipa to La Paz takes around 10 hours. Below we have detailed information about bus safety, the best bus companies and what other benefits you should look out for when choosing the best bus from Arequipa to La Paz.

Arequipa to La Paz is a long trip but is full of beautiful landscapes. Since the bus needs to cross the border between Peru and Bolivia, make sure you know about the visa requirements and fees. Depending on the service you choose, you might be lucky enough to have a guide on board to help you with the paperwork. The other way to get from Arequipa to La Paz is by plane, but this can be expensive, as flights between Peru and Bolivia are classed as international flights. Below is some information you should consider when trying to choose the best bus company for this route.

To take a bus from Arequipa to La Paz you have 2 main options:

1 – Public Bus (e.g. Civa, Transzela)

2 – Hop on hop off bus (e.g. Peru Hop, Green Toad Bus)

Peru hop bus

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

COMPANIESSCHEDULEDEPARTURE TIMEDEPARTURE LOCATIONENGLISH SPEAKING ASSISTANCETRIPADVISOR RATING
PERU HOPDAILY 05:45HOTEL PICK UP & DROP OFF YES98%
CIVADAILY 21:00PUBLIC TERMINALNON/A
TRANSZELADAILY 22:45PUBLIC TERMINALNON/A

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO HELP CHOOSE WHAT BUS COMPANY TO TAKE:

  1. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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 La Paz by bus should always be broken up with a visit to Lake Titicaca, whether at Puno or Copacabana, so try to find a suitable option allowing you time at either place

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