Ica to Arequipa by Bus

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

A bus from Ica to Arequipa takes around 12 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 Ica to Arequipa.

Ica to Arequipa is a long straight trip down one of the main highways in Peru along the Pacific Coast. There are no flights from Ica so the other option would be going back to Lima and taking flying to Arequipa. Below is some information you should consider when trying to choose the best bus company for this route.

Quick Tip:  If traveling to or from Lima Airport, it is strongly recommended to use the luxury Airport Express Lima  bus to get to or from your hotel. Safer and cheaper than a taxi with no baggage limit as well as Free WiFi and USB chargers onboard, it is ideal for travelers.

To take a bus from Ica to Arequipa 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 Ica to Arequipa are as follows:

COMPANIES
SCHEDULEDEPARTURE TIMEDEPARTURE LOCATIONENGLISH SPEAKING ASSITANCETRIPADVISOR RATING
CRUZ DEL SUR DAILY11:00, 19:00, 20:00 and 21:00PUBLIC TERMINAL NO82%
PERU HOP
DAILY 13:00HOTEL PICK-UP & DROP-OFF
YES98%
CIVADAILY17:20, 20:30 and 23:20PUBLIC TERMINAL NON/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

Ica to Arequipa by bus is a long trip that is better broken up with a quick stop at Nazca when possible. Just choose the best bus company and enjoy the journey!

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