Luxury vs Budget Peru Bus Travel Options & Tips
Traveling in Peru by Bus – Backpacking Peru Transportation Info
Nov 4, 2009
Backpacking Peru, as with South America in general, often involves a large amount of time spent in buses and coaches. As the most common form of passenger transportation in Peru, bus journeys will, for many Peru backpackers, be the principal mode of moving from place to place.
Backpacking Peru – Bus Standards
A Peru backpacking budget will stretch a lot further if travel costs are minimized. Buses in Peru are generally of a good standard compared with some other South American destinations. However, there are notable differences between the more expensive companies (such as Cruz del Sur) and the economy class Peru bus companies.
Sticking with the budget Peru bus companies can save a lot of money, particularly over time. There are a few essential differences to be considered when deciding whether to travel Peru in greater comfort or at lesser cost.
Peru Bus Travel – Comfort, Food & Entertainment
Top-end and luxury bus companies (especially the bus-cama and semi-cama “bed buses”) often provide the following:
- Very comfortable reclining seats with arm and foot rests.
- Air conditioning (sometimes used to excess so take warm clothes – blankets are often provided).
- Decent meals are provided depending on the length of the journey. If meals are not included the bus will stop at a restaurant.
- Onboard entertainment including newly released movies, music and sometimes bingo!
- Adequate toilet facilities.
Budget Peru bus companies are basic and do not offer the level of comfort or services available above. The following can be expected:
- Standard seating with minimal space and legroom.
- No air conditioning. Windows are opened when it is hot and closed when cold or raining.
- No onboard meals. Some buses will stop at a basic restaurant along the route, while others do not stop at all for food. When the bus stops at a terminal, street side vendors enter the bus to sell food and drinks.
- Toilet facilities are normally present on long distance buses, but the quality is low.
Safety – Peru Bus Travel Info
Peru safety considerations need to be taken into account. Top-end bus companies are safer for a number of reasons. Companies such as Cruz del Sur monitor their passengers on entry, sometimes even filming passengers as they board the bus. Passengers are not picked up without a legitimate ticket purchased beforehand. Hand luggage and luggage stored below are less at risk from theft or loss. Driving standards are also regulated to a greater degree – no gung-ho drivers here.
Budget Peru bus companies will frequently pickup passengers from the roadside if there are seats available. Luggage stored below is normally secure but keep an eye on it if possible. Hand luggage also needs to be watched over carefully – don’t leave anything of value unattended on the bus. Bus drivers for the budget companies are normally friendly but at times a little eccentric. High speeds and dubious overtaking maneuvers are not unheard of.
Backpacking Peru by Bus – Trip Duration
Budget Peru bus drivers may drive quickly but this doesn’t necessarily mean arriving sooner. The budget companies stop more often and have far more frequent break-downs. As far as reliability is concerned, the top-end bus companies are clear winners.
If a bus breaks down, top-end companies will arrange for another bus to take the passengers to their destinations. It is not unheard of for unscrupulous budget companies to ditch their passengers at the side of the road.
Budget Peru Bus Travel Verses Top-End Traveling in Peru by Bus
The advantages of top-end buses are clearly numerous. However, if a backpacker is looking for a Peru adventure on a tight budget then the cheaper bus companies are the way to go. A large amount of money can be saved by traveling in Peru with the cheaper companies. Be sure to take water and food on board and a mix of clothing for varying temperatures.
Top-end buses can be seen as a traveling treat. If traveling overnight and in need of a decent sleep, use the money saved on the cost of a hotel or hostel and splash out on a little Peru bus luxury.
For some more budget Peru backpacking tips have a look at the following articles:
Tipping – Peru Backpacking Travel Tips
Backpacking Peru Budget Travel – Eating
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