You can get from Arequipa to Puno by bus, private transfer, guided tour, or rental car.
The cheapest option to travel from Arequipa to Puno is by bus, which costs only USD 14. The journey takes about 6.5 hours.
The most popular option is the transport + guided tour, offering direct transportation to Puno, along with a 2-day guided tour included in the price!
The fastest way to travel to Puno from Arequipa is by private transfer, or rental car, which takes about 5.5 hours!
Peru’s varied landscapes come with equally varied transportation methods. Having explored these extensively, I’m here to provide clear, useful tips on traveling along the country’s roads and getting from Arequipa to Puno, enhancing your Peruvian adventure!
Check our guide for the best options to travel from Arequipa to Puno.
Transportation Options from Arequipa to Puno
The following table outlines all transportation options from Arequipa to Puno:
| Method | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Bus from Arequipa to Puno | 6.5 hrs | $14 to 20 |
| Arequipa to Puno Private Transfer | 5.5 hrs | $137 to 243 |
| Transport + Tour | 48 hrs | $99 |
| Rental Car | 5 hrs | – |
How far is Puno from Arequipa?
The distance from Arequipa to Puno is 185.4 miles or 298.5 kilometers.
Getting to Puno from Arequipa
1. Bus from Arequipa to Puno
Journey Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
The first and most popular way to travel from Arequipa to Puno is by bus! This is a beautiful 6-hour trip from the Colca Canyon in Arequipa to Lake Titicaca in Puno.
If you choose this option, you can choose from various buses, each with a different price. The cheapest ticket is only USD 14, but you can go for more expensive ones up to USD 24.
However, no matter your chosen bus, you can’t go wrong!
All the buses are air-conditioned, modern, and well-equipped, and they also have onboard restrooms, televisions, and other amenities that will make your journey easy and comfortable.
Additionally, you don’t have to spend all your time traveling during the day because all the buses depart at night.
You can choose between VIP, 140, and 160 Reclining Seat Buses, operated by different companies.
Check out all the available options and get your tickets from Arequipa to Cusco online today!
Arequipa to Puno 140 Reclining Seats Bus Schedule
The table below displays the 140 reclining seats bus timetable for trips from Arequipa to Puno, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.
| DEP | ETA | DUR | PX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00pm | 04:30am | 6h 30m | $15 |   |
Arequipa to Puno 160 Reclining Seats Bus Schedule
The table below displays the 160 reclining seats bus timetable for trips from Arequipa to Puno, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.
| DEP | ETA | DUR | PX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30pm | 05:00am | 6h 30m | $20 | |
| 10:00pm | 04:30am | 6h 30m | $14 | |
| 10:00pm | 04:30am | 6h 30m | $20 | |
Arequipa to Puno VIP Bus Schedule
The table below displays the VIP bus timetable for trips from Arequipa to Puno, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.
| DEP | ETA | DUR | PX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05:15am | 11:15am | 6h | $17 | |
| 09:15am | 03:15pm | 6h | $17 | |
| 12:30pm | 06:30pm | 6h | $17 | |
| 10:00pm | 04:00am | 6h | $17 | |
2. Private Transfer from Arequipa to Puno
Journey Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
If you want convenience and comfort on this lengthy trip from Arequipa to Puno, and especially if you’re traveling with a group, a private transfer is another excellent choice!
Peru Selected Trips offers these services, with a wide selection of nice and comfortable vehicles!
You can choose between an SUV car and larger vehicles such as standard minivans that can accommodate up to 12 people!
You can plan your trip and get to Puno whenever you want because a private transfer is always available. Your driver will quickly pick you up from your Arequipa location and transport you to Puno in only 5 hours and 30 minutes!
During this roughly six-hour journey, you’ll also make stops to take some fantastic pictures and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Although a private transfer is usually much more expensive than other options, it will make it simpler and more comfortable for you to travel to Puno and get there in no time!
Save some time and travel comfortably by booking a private transfer from Arequipa to Puno!
Prices for a private transfer from Arequipa to Puno
- 1-2 passengers (SUV Car): USD 137
- 1-4 passengers (Standard Minivan): USD 150
- 1-12 passengers (Standard Minivan): 243
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3. Transport + Tour from Arequipa to Puno
Journey Duration: 48 hours
Another popular way to travel to Puno from Arequipa is by booking a transfer + guided tour!
Join this two-day adventure starting from Arequipa, and experience incredible sights, places, culture, and history along the way!
The 2-Day Colca Canyon Tour includes transportation to Puno, a guided tour with many activities and attractions, and extra amenities!
Get picked up from your Arequipa hotel and go on a trip where you’ll search for llamas, alpacas, and vicuas in the majestic Sacred Valley mountains. Take in the breathtaking views of the Misti, Chachani, Pichu Pichu, and Ampato volcanoes. After that, continue to Chivay, and enjoy lunch.
Continue the next day with several other activities through the Andes mountains, and finally, end your trip to the city of Puno!
Make the most of your Peru trip by booking your Arequipa to Puno transfer and tour in advance!
4. Driving with Rental Car from Arequipa to Puno
Journey Duration: 5 hours
Renting a car is your last option for traveling from Arequipa to Puno!
You can travel at your own pace and reach Puno much more quickly by renting a car than by any other transportation mode.
The drive takes about 5 hours, but plan any stops you might want to make to fully appreciate the breathtaking scenery along the way!
Additionally, Arequipa has very reasonable car rental rates, making this a worthwhile choice!
You just need to ensure your car rental company has all the required paperwork, and then get ready for the drive!
Fortunately, searching for the best car rentals in Peru is easy now! And the best part? You can book your vehicle online!
Best day tours in Puno, Peru
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading to. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.
Here, you can find some of the best tours in Puno, Peru.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which mode of transportation is most popular between Puno and Arequipa?
Most tourists traveling from Arequipa to Puno choose the VIP bus by Transzela.
What is the cheapest way to get from Arequipa to Puno?
The cheapest way to get from Arequipa to Puno is by 160 Reclining Seats Bus, which costs only USD 14.
What is the fastest way to get from Arequipa to Puno?
The fastest way to get from Arequipa to Puno is by driving a car! You can rent a car in Arequipa and arrive in Puno in only 5 hours.
Can I fly from Arequipa to Puno?
Unfortunately, you can’t fly directly from Arequipa to Puno. However, you can fly to the closest airport, Inca Manco Cápac airport in Juliaca. The airport is 44 kilometers and roughly an hour’s drive from Puno.
More Routes from Arequipa
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AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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Jean Nájera is the CEO of GuateGo, an online marketplace to buy transportation tickets in more than 200 cities. He has profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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