If you are planning a trip to the Salar de Uyuni, the first real question is not which tour to book. It is how to cover the roughly 550 km of highland road between La Paz and the town of Uyuni without losing two days or arriving too tired to enjoy the salt flat. We grew up in Bolivia and have made this trip by every means available, so we know where each option shines and where it hurts.
In this guide we compare the three main ways of doing it, the morning flight, the overnight tourist bus and the train via Oruro, plus the routes from Chile, Sucre and Potosí, and the option of a multi-day tour that finishes back in La Paz. You will find real travel times, hedged price ranges, a big comparison table, a sample 3-4 day plan with acclimatization built in, and practical tips for arriving in Uyuni.
Our goal is simple: by the end you should know which option fits your budget, your schedule and your body at altitude, and what to book first.
Quick answer: The fastest way to get to Uyuni from La Paz is the daily BoA flight (about 1 hour, roughly US$100-200 one way). The cheapest is the overnight bus (10-12 hours, from about Bs 70 for a basic seat to Bs 200 for a cama seat, more for tourist companies like Todo Turismo). The train via Oruro is the most scenic but slowest, and runs only a few times a week.
How to get to Uyuni from La Paz: your options at a glance
There are four realistic ways to make the trip. Each one ends in the same small desert town at about 3,650 m, the gateway to the Salar. What changes is time, comfort and price.
- Fly from El Alto International Airport (LPB) to Uyuni’s Joya Andina airport (UYU). About 1 hour in the air.
- Overnight bus from La Paz. About 10-12 hours, leaving in the evening and arriving early the next morning.
- Bus plus train: bus from La Paz to Oruro (3-4 hours), then the Expreso del Sur or Wara Wara del Sur train to Uyuni (about 7 hours).
- A multi-day tour that combines the transport with the Salar itself, for example a 4-day package that starts in Uyuni and finishes in La Paz.
If you are still deciding when to go, read our guide on when to see the mirror effect before you book any transport. In the rainy season (roughly December to April) road conditions and flight demand both change, and that affects which option makes sense.
Option 1: Flying from La Paz to Uyuni
Flying is the option we recommend most often to visitors with limited vacation days. You leave La Paz in the morning, land in Uyuni an hour later and can be on the salt flat the same day.
Which airlines fly La Paz to Uyuni
At the time of writing, the nonstop route between La Paz El Alto (LPB) and Uyuni (UYU) is operated by Boliviana de Aviación (BoA), the national carrier. Flight schedule databases show around one flight per day, typically departing in the early morning (around 7:00) and arriving about an hour later, on a Boeing 737. Other Bolivian airlines have operated the route in past seasons, and frequencies can increase in high season, so always check current options before you commit.
The easiest way to see every option side by side is a flight search engine. We use Skyscanner to compare dates, because a difference of one day can change the fare a lot on a route with only one daily departure.
Flight time and the real door-to-door time
The flight itself is roughly 1 hour. Door to door, plan on 3-4 hours. The airport is in El Alto, above La Paz, and the taxi from the south zone or downtown can take 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure for a domestic flight. In Uyuni the airport is only a few kilometers from the center, and a taxi into town takes about 10 minutes.
Booking tips
- Book early for peak dates. Fares have typically ranged from roughly US$100 to US$200 one way, and they rise quickly around Carnival, Easter, the July-August holidays and the Christmas to New Year period.
- Fly in, bus out (or the reverse). Many travelers save money by flying one way and taking the overnight bus the other.
- Book the flight before the tour. With one main daily flight, it is easier to fit a tour around your flight than the other way around.
- Keep a buffer day. Weather and operational changes do happen. Do not book an international connection out of La Paz on the same day you fly back from Uyuni.
Baggage on domestic flights
BoA economy fares on domestic routes have generally included a checked bag plus a small carry-on, but allowances depend on the fare type and change from time to time, so confirm on your ticket. If you are carrying camera gear, tripods or drones for the mirror effect, keep batteries in your carry-on. If you are not sure what to bring for the cold nights, our Salar de Uyuni packing list covers it item by item.
An altitude note for flyers
El Alto airport sits at about 4,050 m, one of the highest international airports in the world. If you land in La Paz from sea level, you will feel it at the airport before you feel it anywhere else. Flying to Uyuni does not add altitude, since Uyuni is at about 3,650 m, but flying the morning after you arrive in Bolivia does not give your body any time to adjust. We cover acclimatization in detail below.
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If your flight is delayed or cancelled
Short domestic flights in the Andes are sometimes delayed by weather or rescheduled. If your trip to Bolivia also includes international flights from the United States or Europe, it is worth knowing your rights. Services like AirHelp check whether a delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight qualifies for compensation under rules such as EU261, which can apply to flights departing from the EU or operated by EU airlines.
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Option 2: The overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni
The overnight bus is how most backpackers and a lot of Bolivian families make the trip. You leave La Paz in the evening, sleep (or try to) on a reclining seat and arrive in Uyuni around dawn. You save a night of accommodation and a full day of travel.
Bus companies and seat types
Several companies run the route every night. The ones travelers mention most are:
- Todo Turismo: the tourist-oriented option, with heating, an onboard toilet, a simple dinner and breakfast, blankets and staff used to foreign travelers. It costs noticeably more than the regular companies.
- Panasur, Trans Omar, Trans Titicaca and Cruz del Norte: regular Bolivian companies that offer semi-cama (partly reclining) and cama (deep-reclining) seats at lower prices.
Ask specifically for cama if you want to sleep. The seat reclines much further and has a leg rest. Recent published fares for the regular companies were roughly Bs 70-95 for a normal seat, Bs 100-140 for semi-cama and Bs 150-200 for cama. Tourist services cost more, often in the range of US$35-60. Prices change with season and fuel costs, so use these only as a guide and check on the day.
Duration and departure times
Most buses leave between about 19:00 and 22:00 and arrive in Uyuni between about 6:00 and 8:00. Expect 10-12 hours on the road for the roughly 550 km route, longer if there are roadworks, blockades or heavy rain. Road blockades (bloqueos) are part of life in Bolivia. Check local news the day before you travel.
Where the buses leave from
The main La Paz bus terminal (Terminal de Buses) is at Plaza Antofagasta, about a 15 minute walk or a short taxi ride from the center. Some tourist companies depart from their own offices near the terminal rather than from the main platforms, so read your ticket carefully and confirm the departure point when you buy it. Arrive 30-45 minutes early and expect to pay a small terminal fee (tasa de uso) in cash.
Safety tips for the night bus
- Choose an established company. Very cheap tickets from unknown operators often mean older buses and a single driver.
- Keep your passport, phone, cash and cards on your body or in a small bag on your lap. Do not put valuables in the overhead rack or under your seat.
- Your large bag goes under the bus. You get a claim ticket; keep it safe.
- Take a registered radio taxi to the terminal at night, and in Uyuni walk only a few blocks to your hotel or tour office in the early morning.
- Wear your seatbelt if the bus has one.
What to bring on the bus
Even buses with heating can get very cold before dawn on the altiplano. Bring a warm layer, a hat, thick socks, a neck pillow, an eye mask, earplugs, water, snacks and toilet paper. If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual remedy before departure. Most people arrive in Uyuni around sunrise, when temperatures can be well below freezing in June to August, so keep your jacket within reach rather than packed under the bus.
Arriving at 7:00 is ideal if you already have a tour booked: most Salar tours leave Uyuni around 10:00 to 10:30, so you have time for breakfast and a coffee. Our comparison of 1-day vs 3-day vs 4-day tours will help you decide which one to book for that morning.
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Option 3: The train via Oruro
There is no passenger train from La Paz itself. The passenger service in the south of Bolivia is run by Ferroviaria Andina (FCA) on the line from Oruro south to Uyuni, Tupiza and Villazón on the Argentine border. If you have time and like slow travel, it is the most comfortable way to cross the altiplano, with views of lakes, llama herds and the plain at sunset.
Getting from La Paz to Oruro
Buses from the main La Paz terminal to Oruro run very frequently through the day, roughly every 30 minutes on busy days, and take about 3-4 hours. Tickets are inexpensive and you can usually buy them on the spot. Leave La Paz in the morning so you have a comfortable margin before an afternoon or evening train. The Oruro train station is a short taxi ride from the Oruro bus terminal.
Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara del Sur
FCA runs two services on this line:
- Expreso del Sur: the faster and more punctual service, with Ejecutivo and Salón classes. Recently it left Oruro on Tuesdays and Fridays around 14:30 and reached Uyuni around 21:20, about 7 hours.
- Wara Wara del Sur: the slower and cheaper service, with Ejecutivo, Salón and Popular classes. Recently it left Oruro on Wednesdays and Sundays around 19:00 and reached Uyuni around 2:30 the next morning, about 7.5 hours.
Schedules have changed several times over the years, and services are sometimes suspended for maintenance or weather. Confirm the current timetable directly with FCA or at the station before you build your itinerary around a specific train. Ejecutivo class tickets sell out first in high season, so buy them a few days in advance if you can.
Is the train worth it?
The Expreso del Sur is a lovely ride, and arriving in Uyuni in the evening means you can sleep in a hotel bed before your tour. The Wara Wara arrival in the middle of the night is less pleasant: you need a hotel booked in advance with someone ready to let you in. Overall, with the bus to Oruro, the trip takes most of a day. It is best for travelers with flexible schedules who want a comfortable, scenic journey and are lucky with the day of the week.
Arriving from Chile, Sucre or Potosí
Not everyone comes from La Paz. Uyuni sits at the crossroads of several popular routes, and it is common to arrive from the south or east and leave toward La Paz afterward.
From San Pedro de Atacama (Chile)
The classic way to arrive from Chile is a 3-day tour from San Pedro de Atacama that crosses into Bolivia at the Hito Cajón border post, visits Laguna Verde, the Sol de Mañana geysers, Laguna Colorada and the stone tree, and ends on the Salar and in Uyuni on the third day. This is the reverse of the usual 3-day tour from Uyuni. It is a smart choice if you are already in northern Chile, because the transport and the sightseeing are the same trip.
Keep in mind that San Pedro sits at about 2,400 m and the route climbs above 4,500 m on the first day, which is a big jump. If you can, spend a few days in San Pedro first. Direct buses from Calama or San Pedro to Uyuni also exist, but they run less often and the border crossing adds time.
From Sucre and Potosí
Many travelers do a loop: La Paz, then Sucre, then Potosí, then Uyuni, then back to La Paz or on to Chile. Buses from Sucre to Potosí take about 3 hours, and from Potosí to Uyuni about 4 hours on a paved road through high, empty country. Potosí itself is at about 4,000 m, so it is a good acclimatization stop before the Salar. There are also direct buses from Sucre to Uyuni, usually overnight.
From Tupiza and the Argentine border
From the south, Tupiza is a common starting point for 4-day tours that finish in Uyuni, and the FCA trains also run north from Villazón and Tupiza to Uyuni. This is a good route if you are coming from Salta or Jujuy in Argentina.
Option 4: A multi-day tour that ends in La Paz
If you want to avoid organizing the return trip yourself, look for a multi-day tour that combines the Salar with the transport back to La Paz. The 4-day Uyuni tour that ends in La Paz is a good example: it covers the salt flat and the high-altitude lagoons and then delivers you back in La Paz, so you only need to solve one leg of the journey.
This works especially well if you fly or take the bus to Uyuni at the start. It also saves the mental energy of comparing bus companies after three days of early mornings and dusty roads. Read the itinerary on the booking page carefully to see exactly how the return leg is made, what meals and accommodation are included and whether park entrance fees are paid separately in cash.
If you prefer to travel back on your own terms, the classic 3-day Salar and deserts tour returns to Uyuni, and you can then fly or take the bus to La Paz. Our tour comparison explains the differences in more depth.
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La Paz to Uyuni comparison table
Here is how the options compare side by side. Prices are approximate ranges based on recently published fares and change often, especially in high season, so always confirm before you book.
| Option | Travel time | Typical cost (one way) | Comfort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight (BoA, LPB to UYU) | ~1 h flight, 3-4 h door to door | ~US$100-200 | High | Short trips, families, anyone who sleeps badly on buses |
| Tourist bus (e.g. Todo Turismo) | 10-12 h overnight | ~US$35-60 | Good: heating, toilet, meals, cama seats | First-time visitors who want comfort on a budget |
| Regular bus, cama seat | 10-12 h overnight | ~Bs 150-200 | Fair to good | Budget travelers who still want to sleep |
| Regular bus, normal seat | 10-12 h overnight | ~Bs 70-95 | Basic | Tight budgets, short trips with little luggage |
| Bus to Oruro + Expreso del Sur | 3-4 h bus + ~7 h train | Low (bus plus train ticket, varies by class) | Good, roomy seats and views | Slow travelers with a Tuesday or Friday free |
| Bus to Oruro + Wara Wara del Sur | 3-4 h bus + ~7.5 h train | Lowest train option | Fair, arrives around 2:30 am | Rail fans on a budget with a hotel booked |
| Multi-day tour ending in La Paz | 4 days including sightseeing | Varies by package | Good, everything organized | Travelers who want one booking for the Salar and the return |
| From San Pedro de Atacama (3-day tour) | 3 days including sightseeing | Varies by operator | Fair, rustic lodges | Travelers coming from Chile |
Altitude sickness: how to plan the trip so it does not ruin your Salar
Altitude is the factor that most visitors underestimate. Central La Paz is at about 3,600 m, El Alto at about 4,050 m and Uyuni at about 3,650 m. A 3-day tour from Uyuni climbs higher still, with the lagoons and geysers at roughly 4,300-4,900 m. The journey from La Paz to Uyuni does not add much altitude, but the timing of your trip can make a big difference.
Simple rules we follow
- Spend at least 2 nights in La Paz before going on to Uyuni, and more if you are doing a 3-day or 4-day tour.
- Go slow on day one. Walk slowly, rest in the afternoon and avoid big meals.
- Drink water regularly, and limit alcohol for the first few days.
- Try coca tea (mate de coca), which is widely served in Bolivia and many people find helpful for mild symptoms.
- Talk to your doctor before the trip about whether altitude medication is right for you, especially if you have heart or lung conditions or are traveling with children.
- Descend if symptoms get worse. A headache that does not go away with rest, confusion, shortness of breath at rest or loss of coordination are reasons to seek medical help and lower altitude right away.
Travel insurance that covers medical care at high altitude is worth having in Bolivia. Hospitals in Uyuni are basic, and serious cases are usually transferred to larger cities. We suggest a plan like SafetyWing, and as always read the policy wording to see what is covered for your activities and destinations.
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Sample 3-4 day itinerary from La Paz to the Salar
This plan gives your body time to adjust and gets you onto the Salar rested. It works for both the flight and the bus. If you only have a few days in Bolivia, follow days 1-3 and fly back on day 4.
| Day | Where you sleep (altitude) | Plan | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | La Paz (~3,600 m) | Arrive at El Alto. Taxi down to the city. Rest, light dinner, coca tea. | Your body starts adjusting while you do very little. |
| Day 2 | La Paz (~3,600 m) | Easy sightseeing: cable cars (Mi Teleférico), markets, a short walk. Evening bus to Uyuni, or sleep in La Paz and fly next morning. | Second night at a similar altitude to Uyuni. |
| Day 3 | Uyuni (~3,650 m) | Arrive early by bus or morning flight. Breakfast, then a full-day Salar tour (around 10:00 to sunset). | You reach the Salar acclimatized and with a full day of light. |
| Day 4 | La Paz or tour lodge | Fly back to La Paz, take the night bus, or start a 3-day tour toward the lagoons (or a 4-day tour that returns to La Paz). | Flexible ending depending on your time and budget. |
If your plan includes a 3-day tour, extend the stay in La Paz by one night, because the second day of that tour reaches the highest altitudes of the whole trip.
Arriving in Uyuni: what to know
Uyuni is a small, windy town of wide streets, tour offices and train history. It is not a beautiful place in itself, but it has everything you need for a day or two: hotels, restaurants, pharmacies, laundries and dozens of tour agencies. For the basics of the region, including the weather, what to wear and money, see our guide to where the Salar is.
Getting around town
The center is compact and walkable. Most bus companies drop passengers in the streets around the center, the train station is in town and the airport is a short taxi ride away. Taxis are cheap; agree the fare before you get in.
ATMs and money
There are several ATMs in the center, but they can run dry on weekends and holidays, and some foreign cards are rejected. Bring enough bolivianos (BOB) from La Paz to cover tour extras, the park entrance fees for the southwest circuit, meals, bathrooms (small fees are common) and tips. Carry some clean, untorn US dollars as a backup. Card payments are accepted in some hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is king on the tours.
Where to stay
Uyuni has simple hostels, comfortable mid-range hotels and, outside town near Colchani, the famous salt hotels built largely from salt blocks. If you arrive on the night bus at dawn, ask your hotel about early check-in or at least a place to leave your bags. You can compare places to stay in Uyuni and Colchani on Booking.com, and our list of salt hotels near the Salar covers the best of them.
Booking your tour
You can book tours on arrival from the many agencies in town, but in high season (July-August and the peak mirror weeks of January-March) the better operators fill up, and comparing agencies on a cold morning after a night bus is not fun. Booking ahead means you can step off the bus or plane knowing exactly where to go. Browse the options in our tours section, and if you visit between May and November, read our notes on the dry season on the Salar to know what to expect.
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Which option should you choose?
After many trips between La Paz and Uyuni, this is the advice we give friends and family:
- One week or less in Bolivia: fly at least one way. Losing a night to a bus and a day to recovering from it hurts on a short trip.
- Traveling on a budget: take a cama seat on a reputable company and spend the money you save on a better tour.
- Traveling with children or older relatives: fly, and add an extra night in La Paz for acclimatization.
- Coming from Chile: do the 3-day tour from San Pedro de Atacama and continue to La Paz by flight or bus.
- Want one booking and no logistics: choose a multi-day tour that ends in La Paz.
- Love trains and have a flexible week: take the Expreso del Sur from Oruro.
Whatever you choose, keep a buffer day at the end of your trip. Blockades, weather and schedule changes happen in Bolivia, and a buffer day protects your international flight home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get from La Paz to Uyuni?
The direct flight takes about 1 hour in the air, roughly 3-4 hours door to door once you add the airport transfers and check-in. The overnight tourist bus takes about 10-12 hours. The train route takes most of a day, because you need a 3-4 hour bus from La Paz to Oruro and then about 7 hours on the train from Oruro to Uyuni.
What is the cheapest way to get from La Paz to Uyuni?
A standard overnight bus is the cheapest option. Regular seats have recently cost roughly Bs 70-100 and full-recline cama seats roughly Bs 150-200 with the regular companies, while tourist services such as Todo Turismo cost more. Prices change with the season and fuel costs, so treat these as a guide only.
Is there a direct flight from La Paz to Uyuni?
Yes. Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) flies nonstop from El Alto International Airport (LPB) to Uyuni’s Joya Andina airport (UYU), usually once a day in the morning, with a flight time of about 1 hour. Schedules can change, so compare dates on a flight search engine before you plan around a specific departure.
Is the overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni safe?
Thousands of travelers use it every month, and the tourist-oriented companies with newer buses and two drivers are the safest choice. Keep valuables on your body, not in the overhead rack, avoid unlicensed companies with very low prices, and choose a company with good recent reviews. Road conditions and weather can cause delays, especially in the rainy season.
Can I take the train directly from La Paz to Uyuni?
No. There is no passenger train from La Paz. The passenger line run by Ferroviaria Andina (FCA) starts in Oruro, so you take a bus from La Paz to Oruro (about 3-4 hours) and then the Expreso del Sur or the Wara Wara del Sur to Uyuni (about 7 hours). Each train runs only twice a week.
Should I fly or take the bus to Uyuni?
Fly if your time is short, you sleep badly on buses, or you are traveling with children or older relatives. Take the bus if you are on a budget and want to save a night of accommodation. Many travelers mix both: bus one way and flight the other.
Will I get altitude sickness going from La Paz to Uyuni?
Uyuni sits at about 3,650 m, almost the same altitude as central La Paz, so the trip itself does not add much altitude. The risk comes from arriving in Bolivia and going straight to the high lagoons of a 3-day tour, which climb above 4,500 m. Spend at least 2 nights in La Paz first, drink water and go easy on alcohol.
Can I book a tour that starts in Uyuni and ends in La Paz?
Yes. Some multi-day tours cover the Salar and the southwest lagoons and then return you to La Paz at the end, which saves you from booking the return trip yourself. Check the exact itinerary, the transport used for the return leg and what is included before you book.
Are there ATMs in Uyuni?
Yes, there are several ATMs in the center of Uyuni, but they can run out of cash on busy weekends and holidays, and some foreign cards are declined. Bring enough bolivianos from La Paz for tour extras, the park entrance fees and meals, and carry some US dollars in good condition as a backup.
Can I get to Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile?
Yes. The most common way is a 3-day tour that starts in San Pedro de Atacama, crosses into Bolivia at the Hito Cajón border post and visits the lagoons and the Salar before ending in Uyuni. Direct buses between San Pedro or Calama and Uyuni also exist, but they run less often.
Conclusion: plan the journey, then enjoy the Salar
Getting from La Paz to Uyuni is easier than it looks once you know the trade-offs. The flight buys you time, the overnight bus saves money, the train via Oruro offers the best views and a multi-day tour ending in La Paz removes the logistics. Choose the one that fits your days and budget, give yourself at least two nights in La Paz to adjust to the altitude, and book your Salar tour before you arrive so you can step straight onto the salt.
Ready to plan? Compare flights on Skyscanner, look at the 4-day tour that finishes in La Paz or the full-day Salar excursion, and if you have a question about your specific dates, send us a message on WhatsApp. You can also read more about our family and why we started this guide.