Distance 371 km (231.9 miles) | |
Price range US$25-US$354 | |
Ride Duration Range 6h 30m-8h | |
Earliest Departure 10:00 | |
Latest Departure 23:00 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest bus: 8h
Cheapest bus: US$25
We know! It’s tough to pull yourself away from the magic of Lima. And, before you head out, don’t forget to give your taste buds a treat, a meal of fresh ceviche with a tangy squeeze of lime. Fun fact – ceviche is a national obsession, so much so that it has its own holiday!
However, you can’t stay in Lima forever, and mystery abounds in Nazca! The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a series of unexplained etchings on the plains of Nazca. And it draws visitors from far and wide.
Hop on a plane ride for the best views of these geoglyphs.
Or, for a less expensive option, travelers can ride out to the observation tower and climb to the top for a view of this unexplained mystery.
Most travelers visit the town for a quick aerial tour of these world-famous lines and patterns. However, those willing to delve deeper can explore the Cantalloc Aqueduct, the Cahuachi Pyramids, and the Chauchilla Cemetery.
The distance from Lima to Nazca is around 280 miles (450 km).
Tours from Lima to Nazca Lines usually involve travelers taking a bus, the most popular way to cover this distance. Travel time varies between seven to nine hours, and ticket prices start from $20 per person.
Bus travel is comfortable, given the air conditioning and padded, reclining seats that the vehicles are fitted with. However, if you need more flexibility or are planning to stop over at some of the other attractions on the way, you could book a taxi.
There is no Lima to Nazca train.
The journey from Lima to Nazca Lines is known to be one of the best rides in Peru, with smooth roads and vast tracts of land to gaze upon. Once you are out of Lima, the view opens up to an endless brown landscape that meets brilliant blue skies to present a strangely sublime and relaxing experience.
With many popular attractions located on the way to Nazca, this route presents quite a few opportunities for an overnight break.
The town of Paracas, known as the poor man’s Galapagos, is a popular stop-over point. Sign up for a boat tour of the Islas Ballestas, part of the Paracas National Reserve and home to a fantastic variety of wildlife. Spot sea lions, Humboldt penguins, the blue-footed booby, and even humpback whales.
An hour and a half south of Paracas is the town of Huacachina, a desert oasis that has cropped up around a beautiful lagoon. Surrounded by palm trees and mesmerizing dunes, this popular tourist town is the perfect spot to go sandboarding and ride dune buggies.
Taking a bus from Lima to Nazca
With departures every half an hour to one hour, taking a bus from Lima to Nazca is one of the most convenient ways to travel this route.
The most popular options are the luxury double-decker buses equipped with comfortable, cushioned reclining seats. Depending on the operator and ticket price, you can choose a bus with 130°, 140°, or 160° reclining seats. Given that the journey is reasonably long, having good quality seats will help you relax and get some shut-eye.
The Lima to Nazca Lines buses are air-conditioned and have toilets, although stops are made along the way to provide breaks. Even though some operators provide blankets, it’s best to carry a warm sweater with you in your hand luggage.
Seats are typically arranged in a two-by-two or two-by-one format giving you enough room for a comfortable travel experience. Most operators offer bottled water and a packaged meal. Some even provide the option to pre-book a vegetarian meal based on dietary preferences.
Most Lima to Nazca buses have a travel time ranging from 7-9 hours, and with buses running through the day, you will have little problem finding a time that works best for you.
Ticket prices range depending on the operator and the class of seats chosen. It can be anywhere from $20 to $60 per person.
Most of the above bus operators offer point-to-point services from Lima to Nazca. But if you’re looking to explore other places en-route, you should consider the Peru Hop buses.
With a single bus pass, you can hop off at any destination and hop on again as you decide to explore another city or town. So, you could travel from Lima to Nazca to Cusco with a single ticket, if you wanted to. Peru Hop buses offer hotel or hostel pick up and drop off, and the tickets are valid for a year.
Oltursa, Tepsa, Cruz del Sur, and Peru Hop are some of the well-known bus operators.
With a 7-hour travel time, the Tourist Bus by Oltursa is one of the fastest ways to get from Lima to Nazca.
The 140° Reclining Seats Bus by Oltursa offers tickets starting from $20 per person, making it the most cost-effective option – an ideal choice for budget travelers and backpackers.
Taking a taxi from Lima to Nazca
The distance from Lima to Nazca Lines can also be covered by hiring a private taxi. It’s more expensive than a bus, but this option is perfect if you want more space, privacy or flexibility. The opportunity to choose departure times and stopovers is ideal for families with children and couples who don’t mind spending a little extra for the added convenience.
Traveling by private taxi allows you the option of stopping over at Paracas or Huacachina and exploring these towns a little before you set off to discover the mysteries behind the Nazca Lines.
Taking a flight from Lima to Nazca
While there are no commercial flights on this route, travelers can take a charter flight from Lima to Nazca.
You are picked up from the hotel and driven to the Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima. A one-hour flight gets you from Lima to Ica, where you transfer to another charter flight for a tour of the Nazca Lines. This private Lima to Nazca flight is the fastest way to cover the distance.
After the 60-70 min tour of the Nazca Lines, you’re brought back to Ica. You can then choose to fly back to Lima immediately or stay around for a traditional Peruvian lunch.
Alternatively, some operators drive down from Lima to Paracas and then take them on a tour of the Nazca Lines via charter plane.
If you crave a hike in the mountains, learning about Peru’s history or hanging out with wildlife, you have lots of options when taking a weekend trip from Lima.
Although you may be starting your holiday on your own, you`ll likely end up spending your entire holiday with others.
The world is too big and beautiful for us to stop traveling and exploring everything it has to offer, so discover how to become a more sustainable traveler.
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