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Author: How to Peru Editors
Nazca to Ica by bus is a short journey of around 2 hours, making it one of the easier overland routes in southern Peru. Most travelers take this route after visiting the Nazca Lines before continuing toward Ica, Huacachina, Paracas or Lima.
You can travel by traditional public bus or use a traveler-focused service such as Peru Hop. Public buses can have lower advertised fares and several daily departures, but travelers normally need to arrange their own transport to and from bus terminals. Peru Hop can be more convenient for travelers continuing through Huacachina and Paracas because its route is designed around tourist stops and includes hotel or hostel pickup on applicable services.
The journey itself is short, so the main things to compare are departure time, arrival point, terminal transfers and what you plan to do after reaching Ica. If Huacachina is your real destination, remember that a public bus to Ica does not automatically take you to the oasis.
The journey from Nazca to Ica usually takes around 2 hours. The route heads north through Peru’s southern coastal region and is much shorter than many of the overnight bus journeys between the country’s major cities.
Many travelers make this trip after visiting the Nazca Lines. From Ica, you can continue to nearby Huacachina or travel farther north toward Paracas and Lima.
The short travel time means you normally do not need to choose a bus based on sleeping comfort. Instead, focus on a departure that works with your sightseeing schedule and leaves you in a convenient location when you arrive.
Pisco-producing vineyards are another attraction in the Ica region. If you want to visit one, check whether it fits naturally into your itinerary rather than assuming every Nazca to Ica bus includes a vineyard stop.
There are two main ways to travel from Nazca to Ica:
Your best onward route depends on whether you are continuing north or traveling back south.
Pros:
Cons:
A unique bus service in Peru which started in October 2013 and has quickly become a traveler favorite with over 15,500 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 Nazca to Ica route, while going through Huacachina and Paracas. It offers a variety of flexible bus passes, 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 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) and from there take the safer route through the south of Peru. Definitely a service that is recommended for people wanting to travel safely and discover Peru!
We strongly suggest traveling with Peru Hop through Peru. Their unique hop on hop off service is one of a kind in South America and allows you to always travel like a local.
Pros:
Cons:
These companies are aimed mostly towards locals, with customer service only offered in Spanish and terminals located far from hotels & hostels. Quality of bus and service varies widely from local bus companies and it’s one of the instances where you truly get what you pay for. All of them offer direct travel from Nazca to Ica with no free tours or stops along the way. Their overall rating on Tripadvisor, Facebook, and other review sites aren’t usually the best and some are known for having frequent accidents. This option would mostly be recommended for locals or those who are perfectly fluent in Spanish.
| COMPANIES | SCHEDULE | DEPARTURE TIME | DEPARTURE LOCATION | ENGLISH SPEAKING ASSISTANCE | TRIPADVISOR RATING |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRUZ DEL SUR | DAILY | 08:30, 11:30, 12:00 and 18:00 | PUBLIC TERMINAL | NO | 65% |
| PERU HOP | DAILY | 16:30 | HOTEL PICK UP & DROP OFF | YES | 98% |
| OLTURSA | DAILY | 06:15, 06:30 and 16:45 | PUBLIC TERMINAL | NO | 66% |
| GREEN TOAD | WEEKLY | 03:45 | PUBLIC TERMINAL | NO | N/A |
Because Nazca to Ica is only around 2 hours, you do not need the same level of onboard comfort that you might want on a 12-hour overnight journey. Convenience matters more.
Where Does the Bus Pick You Up?
Traditional public buses generally use terminals. This means you may need to arrange your own transfer from your accommodation in Nazca to the departure point. Some traveler-focused services offer hotel or hostel pickup on applicable routes. This can remove an extra taxi journey and make the departure easier if you have luggage.
Where Will You Be Dropped Off?
This is particularly important if you are heading to Huacachina. Public buses generally take passengers to Ica, while Huacachina is a separate destination outside the city center. Before booking, check exactly where the service ends and whether you will need another taxi or transfer after arrival.
Does the Departure Fit Your Nazca Plans?
Many travelers visit the Nazca Lines before leaving the city. If you have a flight over the lines or another activity planned, leave enough time between the end of your tour and your bus departure. A cheaper departure is not useful if it forces you to rush an activity or spend most of the day waiting around afterward.
Do You Need Traveler Support?
Public buses are mainly designed for point-to-point transportation. That may be all you need on a short journey. If you are continuing through Huacachina, Paracas and Lima, a service designed around a longer traveler itinerary may be easier because the connections and stops work together rather than requiring separate tickets for each stage.
Should You Stop at Huacachina?
For many travelers, the answer is yes. Huacachina is only a short distance from Ica and is one of the most popular stops on Peru’s southern travel route. The small desert oasis is surrounded by large sand dunes and is known for dune buggy trips and sandboarding. It also works well as an overnight stop between Nazca and destinations farther north.
If you take a traditional public bus, check where it arrives in Ica and plan the transfer to Huacachina separately. Do not assume that a ticket labeled “Nazca to Ica” includes transportation to the oasis. If you are continuing through several southern Peru destinations, Huacachina can also break up the journey before Paracas or Lima instead of treating Ica as a simple transport connection.
Nazca to Ica by bus is a short and straightforward journey compared with most long-distance routes in Peru. For many travelers, the main decision is not which bus has the most comfortable seat. It is which service fits their Nazca schedule and makes the next part of the trip easiest.
A traditional public bus can work well if you simply need a direct ride to Ica and are comfortable arranging terminal transfers yourself. Remember that Ica and Huacachina are separate destinations, so factor in the extra transfer if the oasis is your real destination. If you are continuing through Huacachina, Paracas and Lima, a traveler-focused service such as Peru Hop may simplify the journey by reducing separate transfers and connecting the main traveler stops along the route.
