When looking at how to get from Puno to Arequipa, you’ll notice a few options. Most travelers choose to go by bus and it can be extremely easy if you choose a reliable company. Unfortunately, there are many public bus companies with poor reputation in regards to safety and reliability. When researching bus companies to travel with, you will be faced with two options: public buses (ie: Cruz del Sur) or hop-on hop-off travel buses (ie: Peru Hop). Hop-on hop-off buses offer a more traveler-friendly experience, with an added bonus of safety.
As you probably already know, there are many public bus companies in Peru with different levels of quality. This method is mostly chosen by locals as it’s a more direct route.
Although not a bad option, it can be stressful organizing the trip. Since there’s no central bus terminal, you’ll have to organize a taxi from the companies terminal (usually far from tourist hotspots) to your accommodation which adds up the cost of travel. The little to no assistance from some companies and the language barrier can make things more difficult.
If choosing a public bus, it’s important to determine the safety of a company. Google “hijacking” or “accident” along with the name of the bus company. The results should give a clear indication as to the safety precautions taken by the company.
If traveling on a public bus, it’s recommended to keep an eye of your personal belongings and to be alert during departure/arrival. Recommended options are Cruz del Sur and Civa. Both have years of service, and although on the pricier side, offer a bit more reliability and comfort.
See what travelers have said on their Tripadvisor pages!
Our recommendation (and from other travelers as well) when choosing how to get from Puno to Arequipa is Peru Hop. They’ve been ranked as one of the best ways to travel Peru for years now and offer a variety of passes to Arequipa with stops in some of the main destinations along the way. A local, bilingual guide is always present onboard helping passengers with tips and assistance on each place. It’s a great way to also meet other travelers from all over the world while sharing experiences along the way. To learn more about how their bus system works, check out their How it works page for more info!
Another reason why it’s so recommended is due to their impressive +10,000 reviews with a near perfect score. These reviews tend to highlight customer service, bus safety, comfort and overall experience.
As mentioned above, flying is not a recommended option. The price for flights are expensive for such a short distance.
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