Quick Facts
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Duration
04 hours 30 minutes
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Rating
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Experience
cultural site, pre-Incan archaeological sites, extreme sports
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Best Price
USD $ 16.27
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Maximum comfort or class
Excellent
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Departures
21 Departures Daily
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Recommended by
2847 travelers
Price may fluctuate due to seasonal demand and other market-driven and regulatory events.
All about the bus from Lima to Ica
If you are thinking about taking the bus from Lima to Ica - you are in luck!
Bus travel in Peru is common, affordable, and with the help of AndesTransit - it’s also super easy to book. Use the search bar above to book your bus, or if you want to learn more about this route, check out our ‘Lima/Ica Travel Guide’ below!
What are the buses in Peru like?
Just like anywhere else, Peruvian buses vary widely in their quality. The difference between a cheap local bus and a top-end bus is HUGE.
But the good news is that the top-end buses are very affordable. If you are willing to pay a few more Soles (Peruvian currency), you’ll find that the luxury buses in Peru are some of the best in all of Latin America!
If you are on a super tight budget, cheaper options do exist! You just might not have access to certain amenities (like a reclining seat or a toilet). Remember this as a rule of thumb, that a cheap bus in Latin America is always going to be extremely basic
How long is the bus ride?
The distance from Lima to Peru is 305 km (189 miles).
Expect the bus ride to take anywhere from 4-6 hours, depending on which bus you take and the traffic conditions of the day. Because of Peru’s enormous size, this is actually one of the shorter journeys between major tourist destinations.
What is the cost of traveling by bus from Lima to Ica?
Lima to Ica tickets will cost you anywhere from $16 USD (60 Soles) to $30 USD (103 Soles). This will vary on a few factors.
Which Bus Carrier you Choose
If you want a reclining seat and a nice bathroom, look to pay a bit more.
How far in advance you book
The sooner you grab your tickets the better!
When the tickets are for
Holidays and weekends will obviously be more expensive to travel.
Where can I book bus tickets from Lima to Ica?
Let's go over the two options…
In-person
This is an OK option but only recommended if you have flexibility in your travel plans. This is because Peruvian buses can fill up quickly, and you might have to wait a few hours at the bus station for the next available seat. And no one wants that.
Online
Our highest recommendation! Booking online is the safest and most secure way to book your bus from Lima/Ica. When you book through our search engine, there is no lost time, just stress-free Peruvian travel!
Why book with AndesTransit?
Here at AndesTransit, we believe that slow travel is better travel. Traveling by land is the absolute BEST way to see Latin America, especially in Peru!
This core belief is what defines AndesTransit, as we vow to find you the best bus tickets throughout Latin America, at a great price!
I guess when it comes to buses in Latin America… we’re a bit obsessed ;)
Things to do in Ica
Ica is a great base for local pisco tours and tasting.
Ica really captures the magic that is Peru. Located 5 hours south of Lima, Ica has it all: access to the Pacific Ocean, stunning deserts, adventurous activities like sandboarding, and tons more!
These are our three favorite things to do in Ica...
#1 - Huacachina Lagoon
Chances are if you are heading to Ica, it’s to see the Huacachina Lagoon. And while it is a bit of a tourist trap, the lagoon is still an impressive sight to see.
Situated in the barren desert, you can adventure in the sand, ride a dune-buggy, or just grab a pisco sour and enjoy the views!
Pro tip: if you hire a dune-buggy, ask the driver to take you to see the sunset. He’ll take you to the tallest sand dune for a once in a lifetime view of a bleeding Peruvian sunset. It’s stunning!
#2 - Drink some Peruvian wine and pisco
Low elevation + near the coast + warm sand dunes + fresh mountain water = Ica is where Peru’s finest wines and piscos are made!
Ica is commonly referred to as the ‘alcohol mecca’ of Peru, and you can find dozens of wineries and distilleries and be able to drink like a Peruvian
There are endless amounts of tasting tours, so be sure to ask your hotel or hostel to book you one!
#3 - Go sandboarding
No trip to Ica would be complete without riding down a sandhill on a board! Whether you want to stand on skis or go down your stomach on a snowboard, this is the quintessential experience to have in Ica.
You can easily book a guide through your hotel or hostel. And don’t worry, while it might look scary, it’s actually a lot easier than it looks!
Conclusion
As you can see, visiting both Ica and Lima are MUST-do’s in Peru, and traveling by bus is the best way to see both.
Whether you pick a local bus or a bus company that is more luxurious, you’ll see that traveling through magical Peru is best done by land!