Getting There & Around

Getting to Uyuni and the Salt Flats

By Bus

From La Paz it takes about 12 hours to get to Uyuni. Buses usually pass through or stop in Oruro. There are daily departures to and from Oruro, which is about 4 hours from Uyuni. The ride can get cold in the winter, so bring warm clothes.

From Potosi it takes about about 7 hours. The road isn't too bad. Buses leave daily in both directions. Always try and buy your ticket in advance.

When leaving Uyuni, buses depart from Avenida Cabrera (see Uyuni map), located three blocks north of the train station, just above the mercado. There is no actual bus terminal, just a grouping of buses and vendors that offer connections to other cities from Uyuni. There are departures to La Paz, Oruro, Potosi, Sucre, Tupiza and other destinations.

By Train

The train station in Uyuni is located at the southern end of town (see Uyuni map). Currently, the ticket office opens only around the times that trains are passing through and tickets can be purchased only the day before and on the day of travel, but that could change in the future.

Train travel is run by a company from Chile called Empresa Ferroviaria Andina S.A. (http://www.fca.com.bo). The train is a more comfortable alternative to travel compared to taking a bus along bumpy roads.

There are two types of trains: the more comfortable and faster Expreso del Sur and the cheaper but slower Wara Wara del Sur.

Expresso del Sur offers first-class cabins, bar, waiters and food. The Wara Wara del Sur has three different classes of carriage and services of varying cost and comfort, ranging from $3-$20 depending on class and distance traveled.

There are a couple weekly connection between Oruro and Uyuni that run in both directions. Trains also run south to Villazon on the Argentinian border, stopping in Tupiza and Atocha.

By Air

Líneas Aéreas Canedo (in codeshare with Aerosur) flys to the small airport in Uyuni typically on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Cochabamba's Jorge Wilstermann Intnational Airport. Líneas Aéreas Canedo uses historic Douglas DC-3 aircrafts, which are neat to fly in. Flights take about 90 minutes, and land at a salt runway, near the town of Uyuni (1km northwest). Ticket prices typically cost $150 USD for one way. More information can be found at Líneas Aéreas Canedo office in Cochabamba's Airport or in any Aerosur office. As of 2008, flights have been suspended for airport runway work in Uyuni.

By Vehicle

If you like to be independent and want to travel to and around Salar de Uyuni without a tour company then renting a car is an option. But, for those traveling in their own 4WD vehicles you should bring survival supplies, extra gasoline, and other useful items that can come in handy when out it the remote areas. You can rent a car in La Paz and drive south to reach Uyuni. Make sure it is a 4x4 vehicle. Also, know where you are going because signs are limited or hire a travel guide.

If you plan on going to Chile after, you can get the tour agency to drop you off at Chile or the other way around(pick you up), which makes this trip a good option for moving on further along your route. Travel agency can arrange transportation from Laguna Verde to San Pedro de Atacama. Remember to get an exit stamp in Immigration Office in Uyuni (the date on the stamp is the expected exit day, so you may get Chilean entry stamp with earlier date).

Other Related Pages:

• Uyuni main page
• Attractions in Uyuni
• Salar de Uyuni
• Hotels in Uyuni
• Restaurants in Uyuni
• Map of Uyuni
• Uyuni Forums