How to get to the city of Ica?
In short, from Lima is the easiest option to get to Ica, but if you are in other regions of Peru there are also options by road to get to Ica, but these can take much longer.
Many travelers arriving at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima usually first visit the city of Lima and then go to Ica and from there continue to the south of Peru: Arequipa, Puno and Cusco, in my experience this is the option that I have recommended to my foreign friends.
Note: There is NO airport in the city of Ica, the closest one is the airport of Pisco, in the region of Ica, but it is not used for commercial travel (with some exceptions) but only for the use of the Peruvian Armed Forces, so the only option to get to Ica is to go by road.
By car
Traveling by car is the most convenient option if you want to have privacy and travel alone with your family, in case you do not have a car a good option is to rent one and get to Ica quietly, you can also reach several of the tourist destinations in Ica by road, so you would save on tourist service. From Lima to Ica you must travel 340 Km and you arrive in Ica in approximately 5 hours.
If you dare to make the route by car from Lima to Ica, here are my favorite places for breakfast or lunch:
Tambo Rural, is a stand of artisan breads at Km 52 of the Panamericana Sur, usually do not sell coffee or tea, but the breads are very fresh and rich, also come in several versions of flavors. Each bread costs between S/. 3 to 5 soles (USD 1 to 2 dollars);
Panadería Toñito, is a very well known bread stand, it is located at Km 62 Panamericana Sur, their breads are really delicious and the place is always very crowded, also their breads come in various versions of flavors and stuffed with cheese, ham, meat, etc.. It is worth stopping and trying the breads, they sell coffees and infusions. Each loaf costs between S/. 3 to 5 soles (USD 1 to 2 dollars); and,
Panadería Sabor y Tradición, also a stand located at km 62 Panamericana Sur, exactly next to Panadería el Toñito there, what I like the most is the bread with chicharrón, you can also find bread with asado and soups, such as caldo de gallina, here they also sell coffee and infusions. The bread with pork rinds is S/. 10 soles (USD 3 dollars).
By bus
This is a very popular option for travelers. The transportation companies that provide service on the Lima-Ica and Ica-Lima routes and the best known are: Peru Bus and Cruz del Sur.
You can find tickets for between S/. 35 to 80 (USD 10 to 22 dollars) soles per person, everything will depend on the season and how far in advance you buy your ticket, obviously the cost is cheaper if you buy it in advance. The trip lasts a little less than 7 hours, I suggest that you make the trip at night so you can rest on the bus and take advantage to start the day in Ica.
The cab fare from the bus terminal either Cruz del Sur or Peru Bus to your accommodation, depending on the distance, is approximately between S/. 10 to 15 soles (USD 3 to 4 dollars) and even less.
By tourist agency
There are many tour agencies that offer ALL INCLUSIVE tours, which mostly implies that they take care of the transfer from Lima to Ica. The tours that include transportation service are usually 1 day or 2 day tours.
