Cusco to Lima by Bus
Cusco to Lima by Bus: 2024 updated information about Bus Schedules, Bus Safety, and the Best Bus Companies to take!
A direct bus from Cusco to Lima takes around 23 hours without stops and so we always recommend breaking up the journey with other stops along the way. 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 Lima.
All public buses from Cusco to Lima cross right through the often dangerous Andes Mountains. It is always recommended to go the slightly longer route via Arequipa or break up the journey with other stops in the south of Peru. Flights between Cusco and Lima can be expensive, especially considering the location of Lima Airport, which is quite far from the main hotel area of Miraflores, although the new Airport Express Lima Bus now offers a safe and cheap way from Lima Airport. 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 Cusco you have 2 main options:
1 – Public Bus (e.g. Cruz del Sur, Tepsa)
2 – Hop on hop off bus (e.g. Peru Hop, Green Toad Bus)
The schedule and departure times of buses from Cusco to Lima 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 | 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 | PUBLIC TERMINAL | NO | 76% |
| TEPSA | DAILY | 12:00, 15:00, 17:00 | 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
Quick Tip: Cusco to Lima by bus is not the nicest of journeys and so the journey should be broken up where possible (maybe with stops in Huacachina and Paracas). If flying to Lima, use the Airport Express Lima Bus to get you to your hotel safely.
