Peru is a vast country covering over a million square kilometers, almost three times the size of France, and offering an incredible diversity of landscapes. To connect the different regions, it’s essential to choose the right means of transport. While air travel can be useful on some very long journeys, the ecological footprint is significant, and other solutions exist such as the bus, which remains by far the most economical, practical and sometimes even the most pleasant way of getting around the country. Indeed, the road network is quite well developed, and some Peruvian bus companies now offer services with a real concern for comfort and safety. For tourists, this changes everything: it’s perfectly possible to travel in peace and quiet, sleeping overnight on reclining seats and saving the price of a night in a hotel. But you still need to know which airlines to choose.
Cruz del Sur: the market leader
The first that springs to mind is Cruz del Sur. Today, this company is the benchmark for travelers. Founded several decades ago, Cruz del Sur has built a solid reputation by focusing on quality of service. Its buses are modern, spacious, well-maintained and designed for long journeys. Comfort is top-notch: you can opt for 160° reclining seats, perfect for sleeping through the night, or 180° seats, even better for resting. Blankets, headphones, individual screens with films and games. Everything is designed so that passengers don’t have to worry about anything. And that’s what appeals to most tourists: with Cruz del Sur, you can book online with ease, have access to responsive customer service and, above all, travel with peace of mind, with no nasty surprises. But what really sets Cruz del Sur apart is its level of safety. In Peru, the roads can be winding and sometimes dangerous, and compliance with traffic regulations is not always exemplary.
Yet the company has strict protocols in place: each bus is equipped with a GPS system to monitor speed in real time, drivers are tested before each departure, and there are always two drivers to alternate on long journeys. That’s why even the most cautious travelers recommend it with their eyes closed. Of course, this quality comes at a price: Cruz del Sur is often more expensive than other companies, but the comfort and safety fully justify the fare differential, especially for journeys of 10 to 20 hours. However, Cruz del Sur is not the only viable option. The Peruvian market is competitive, and several other companies have specialized in long-distance transport, offering a good level of service at prices often more attractive than Cruz del Sur.
Civa: another competitively priced premium option on Peru's roads
This is the case with Civa, another major airline serving almost the entire country, including major cities such as Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, Trujillo and Piura. What makes Civa interesting is its wide range of options. It offers a range of services, from economy routes to “Excluciva” buses, a premium brand with fully reclining seats, hot meals on board, blankets, Wi-Fi and individual screens. These services provide a very comfortable experience, sometimes equivalent to that of the competition, but for a slightly lower fare.
Beyond the major airlines: the regional network and its specific features
Another company rising in popularity is Oltursa. Although a little less well known internationally, Oltursa is often considered one of the best by local travellers. Headquartered in Lima, it serves the country’s main tourist cities. What’s striking about Oltursa is the modernity of its fleet. The buses are new, quiet and very comfortable. The seats are wide, there are electrical outlets, sometimes Wi-Fi, and the overall experience is very pleasant. On certain routes, such as Lima-Arequipa or Lima-Cusco, Oltursa offers a solid alternative to other companies, often for a slightly better price. It’s an excellent option for those looking for value for money without sacrificing too much comfort.
If you’re traveling in the south of the country, particularly between Arequipa, Puno and Cusco, Transzela is worth a mention. Less present on a national scale, it has specialized in this region, and offers quality services on routes that are very popular with tourists. The service is simple but efficient, with a good level of punctuality and careful drivers, which is far from guaranteed everywhere in Peru.
For travelers looking for a more local experience, or on a tighter budget, there are also regional companies that are less expensive, but also less standardized. This is the case, for example, of Movil Tours, which serves a large part of the country, often at competitive rates. Their fleet is very heterogeneous: on some routes, there are very comfortable buses, but other vehicles are more outdated, with sometimes uneven service.
Generally speaking, the online booking system has improved considerably in recent years. Most major companies, such as Cruz del Sur, Civa, Oltursa or Movil Tours, allow you to book directly on their website, or via platforms such as RedBus, Busportal or Busbud, making it easy to compare prices, timetables, seat types and even read customer reviews before making your choice. In some cases, booking online also allows you to choose your seat in advance, which is always nice on a long journey.
Finally, one last piece of advice: no matter which company you choose, always allow a bit of extra time in your schedule. Delays are common in Peru due to traffic conditions, strikes, or landslides during the rainy season. So make sure to leave enough time between two journeys, and avoid booking an international flight the day after a long bus ride. Another recommendation: for overnight trips, always go with a trusted company, even if it costs a bit more. Road safety remains a major issue in certain areas, and it’s best to avoid poorly regulated local lines
