Overland travel is my preferred method of transportation in most places. It really ties the whole experience together feeling like one big adventure instead of separate segments. Luckily, Peru has a very solid tourist bus system. The rides are reliable and comfortable (for the most part). The price is right. And you can get to most destinations very easily. Traveling by bus was honestly one of the best decisions I made in Peru.

That being said, Peru bus travel is not for everyone. The journeys can be long and the roads can be challenging. So if you’re more comfortable flying, then Peru has plenty of options for you. But if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous or want to save some money, here’s how to travel Peru by bus.

Comfort

First thing to know about Peru bus travel is that the journeys will be long. Thankfully, the coach buses are actually quite comfortable making the hours on the road much more enjoyable. I found the buses to be clean and well-maintained on my trip. 

There are usually two seat classes: regular and executive. You will definitely want the Executive option as it usually means a lay-flat reclining seat as opposed to the regular bus seat with minimal recline. This is especially true for an overnight journey.

Safety

You may read lots of warnings or terrible reviews for each and every bus company operating in Peru. Take them with a grain of salt. I’ve learned that, like with most things, people usually write a review only when they want to say something bad. Personally, I had no safety issues in my experience with Peruvian buses. Drivers got us safely from point A to point B. Baggage was handled carefully and stored securely. Boarding at the terminals was simple.

Bus Companies

There are quite a few providers to choose from. I guarantee each of them will have some sort of poor review so just choose which feels right for you or makes the most sense for your budget or itinerary.

One of the most popular is Peru Hop. It’s a great option for those who want a more catered experience. They have preset routes, provide a guide for various stops and will be full of other tourists. I didn’t go with Peru Hop because my Peru Travel Itinerary didn’t line up with any of their offerings and they’re a bit more expensive than some of the other options.

Cruz del Sur is another extremely popular option. I saw it referenced in many other blogs and they had routes to nearly everywhere in Peru. They’re supposed to provide great comfort and safety. And they’re clearly a favorite among backpackers meaning you’ll likely have other travelers joining your ride.

Personally, I went with Civa. I picked them because they were slightly cheaper for basically the same offering as Cruz del Sur and the departure time lined up a bit better with my plans. I gave Civa a chance on my initial ride from Cusco to Arequipa and wound up using them the rest of the way. Seats were comfortable, staff was helpful and there were no delays.

NOTE: I was the only foreigner on all of my rides with Civa. I’m not sure if that’s usually the case, but that’s actually how I prefer it. If you’d rather be with other backpackers then that’s something to consider.

How to Book

The easiest way to book buses in Peru is online. You can use RedBus or Busbud to search the various routes and providers (in English!). And you’ll be able to pay and select your seat in advance, avoiding additional stress at the terminal. However, booking online can be more expensive sometimes.

You can also buy your ticket at the terminal. There will be even more options here than online and can often be much cheaper. But you’ll need to navigate the terminal to find the bus you want and may need a bit of Spanish to make sure you don’t wind up in the wrong place.

What to Expect at the Terminal

Finding your way around the terminal can be a bit intimidating at first. The main thing is to take your time to figure out where you need to be (if you already have a ticket) or to find the best provider for where you’re going (if you’re buying your ticket at the terminal). Here are some things to be aware of:

• There will be several bus companies offering various destinations and routes. They’ll each have their own individual ticket booth/window displaying their available destinations. Do not expect to find a consolidated list like at an airport.
• The terminal will likely be crowded so mind your belongings and your space.
• There will be plenty of vendors so you can buy some snacks or last minute supplies for your journey.
• Give yourself plenty of time at the terminal so you don’t feel rushed. Trying to find your bus can be a bit chaotic.
• Don’t be afraid to ask someone for help. There are usually terminal employees to help passengers find their way. I even found some bus operators will point you in the right direction even if it means pointing you away from their business. Also, if you take a taxi to the terminal, ask your driver if they know where you need to go…I did this every time and they always helped a lot.

Boarding

• Once you have your ticket, simply ask your provider where to wait for boarding. This isn’t clearly marked at some stations so it’s best to confirm with your specific bus company.
• At the boarding gate/area, I recommend finding the agent and confirming the bus you’re waiting for. That way they know to alert you and you don’t have to worry about being left behind. This was especially helpful for me and easy for them as I was the only tourist on all my rides.
• Then just find a place to wait for the agent to announce boarding. Don’t stress too much if boarding doesn’t begin exactly on time. Just keep an eye on your agent.
• When the time comes, all you need to do is present your ticket and you’ll be shown to the bus.
• If you’re storing a bag down below, simply hand it off to the attendant. Some of the operators provide a receipt, some do not. Personally, I didn’t have any issues and felt very comfortable handing over my bag.

Tips

The bus routes in Peru can be very long journeys. Here are some tips to help prepare for the ride:

• Pay extra for the Executive seats. The additional cost is negligible but the additional space/comfort is noticeable. Trust me, you’ll want lay-flat seats on some of these rides.
• If you’re traveling solo, reserve one of the individual seats. Otherwise be ready to make a new friend (or potential enemy).
• Try to reserve the front seat (unless you’re really tall!). I got the front seat each time which was great for enjoying the views and making the long journeys a bit more interesting. However, I felt like the leg room was maybe a bit less than all the other seats? I’m 5’11” and was fine, but just barely so.
• Bring earplugs or headphones. I cannot stress this enough. Some of the buses play music which can be nice at first, but not so nice after a few hours.
• Have your jacket ready. In most cases, the air conditioning will be on even into the night. I found myself wearing one of my jackets and using another as a blanket.
• Bring snacks and stay hydrated. There will be stops, but it’s important to stay nourished, especially at the higher altitudes. Don’t worry…there are bathrooms onboard.

Final Thoughts – Peru Bus Travel

While Peru bus travel is fairly straightforward and safe, not everyone will be comfortable with it. Luckily, Peru has well established transit for every sort of traveler. You can find quick and reasonably priced flights to most places, especially if you’re coming from a major destination such as Lima or Cusco. But I highly recommend utilizing Peru’s network of buses. The distance between destinations can be quite far and many times a flight will only get you part of the way there. Meaning a bus is on your itinerary no matter what. You might read warnings or horror stories about the buses in Peru. Personally, I found zero issue with the buses and had great experiences each time. Only once did I feel a bit nervous (more on that in my story) and only once did we get delayed (but that was due to traffic). Otherwise, I found the seats to be comfortable, the staff to be friendly and the tickets to be very reasonably priced!

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