Cusco to Ica by Bus
Cusco to Ica by Bus: 2024 updated information about Bus Schedules, Bus Safety, and the Best Bus Companies to take!
A bus from Cusco to Ica takes around 19 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 Cusco to Ica.
Cusco to Ica trip is usually via Nazca (across the dangerous Andes mountains) or Arequipa (a little bit longer but much safer route). The other option is taking a flight to Lima and then a 4 to 5-hour bus to Ica which can be really expensive and time consuming. Below is some information you should consider when trying to choose the best bus company for this route.
To take a bus from Cusco to Ica you have 2 main options:
1 – Public Bus (e.g. Cruz del Sur, Civa)
2 – Hop on hop off bus (e.g. Peru Hop, Green Toad Bus)
The schedule and departure times of buses from Cusco to Ica are as follows:
| COMPANIES | SCHEDULE | DEPARTURE TIME | DEPARTURE LOCATION | ENGLISH SPEAKING ASSISTANCE | TRIPADVISOR RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PERU HOP | DAILY | 19:00 | PRIVATE TERMINAL | YES | 98% |
| CRUZ DEL SUR | DAILY | 4:00, 16:00, 18:00 | PUBLIC TERMINAL | NO | 76% |
| CIVA | DAILY | 1:30 | PUBLIC TERMINAL | NO | N/A |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO HELP CHOOSE WHAT BUS COMPANY TO TAKE:
- 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
Cusco to Ica is a long journey which should be broken up with stops at Arequipa or Nazca if possible. The longer road via Arequipa is definitely the recommended option as it is much safer.
