With the rising popularity of the Uyuni Salt Flats and Eduardo Avaroa Reserve in Bolivia’s southwest, it is no surprise that more and more travelers make their way to Uyuni (town) every year to join an organized trip to get to know this region.

Since the large majority of travelers will start their Bolivia trip in the city of La Paz, many wonder what the best way to get from La Paz to Uyuni is. We will cover the different options available as well as their pros and cons in this article.

MOST POPULAR OPTION: OVERNIGHT BUS

Buses from La Paz to Uyuni leave daily starting at 7 PM (latest leaves at 9:00 PM). This is the option that most travelers choose not because of its comfort or length of travel, (9 – 12 hrs. travel time) but because of its relatively low cost. The most popular bus company is undoubtedly “Todo Turismo”. They own a fleet of buses with comfortable seats (semi-bed), onboard entertainment, meals and an extrovert host who makes sure passengers have a pleasant trip. It is also fairly reliable (delays are not uncommon as with most bus companies in Bolivia) and has one of the shortest travel times because they take the direct road La Paz to Uyuni via Oruro (or vice versa).

Two other companies that are also popular are Trans Omar and Panasur, with lower prices but less amenities. It is worth noting that Trans Omar has a three-row, full-bed bus (known as Leito in Bolivia) that is very comfortable as it allows you to fully stretch during the night drive taking the less direct route via Potosi with the added advantage of driving through a fully paved, smooth road (unlike the semi-bed buses that take the more direct route via Oruro which is not 100% paved yet). All buses have a basic toilet for the night drive.

In terms of safety, all three companies have a good safety record but none is exempt from past accidents on the road.

SECOND MOST POPULAR OPTION: FLYING

Uyuni’s tiny airport is relatively new and the airline Amaszonas has several daily flights. Prices are around $165 USD one-way. The flight takes around 45mins. and the planes are jet type, comfortable two-row seats. However, it is one of the most expensive domestic flights since Amaszonas has total monopoly on this route.

THIRD MOST POPULAR OPTION: TRAIN

Bolivia has some of the least developed rail infrastructure. However, Ferroviaria Occidental (Western Railway) has regular services to the larger towns of Uyuni, Tupiza and Villazon in Bolivia’s southwest. All services start in the city of Oruro (La Paz no longer has a train station) so in order to catch a southbound train you will have to board a 3-hour bus drive to Oruro through a modern, paved highway and catch a train from there. Services do not run daily (see schedule here) and thus, there are almost always available seats which can be purchased at the station in Oruro, but it is naturally advisable to do so in La Paz (find the address here).

OUR SUGGESTED OPTION: OVERLAND 4X4 TOUR LA PAZ TO UYUNI VIA SAJAMA NATIONAL PARK

We wholeheartedly suggest our newest tour to get from La Paz to Uyuni via Sajama National Park. It has countless advantages such as:

  • Our tour starts in La Paz which eliminates the need to take an overnight bus to Uyuni
  • Starting in La Paz, there is no need to take an expensive flight to Uyuni either, helping you save
  • Besides being more economical for you, it includes you two or more days (on top of the traditional 3-day tour) of touring the country with inclusions such as meals, accommodation and great sightseeing through some of the most pristine, remote and untouched areas of the Bolivian Altiplano (Highlands)
  • You get to visit Sajama National Park
  • Safety is our top priority. The roads we use are almost deserted and our drivers highly experienced. The risk is a lot lower than driving on busy highways for longer periods of time

We provide five, six and seven day tours starting in La Paz. Our most popular tour is the five-day one. Following is an example itinerary:

  • Day 1 – La Paz to Sajama National Park. See archaeological sites, geysers, hot springs, wildlife and Bolivia’s highest peak
  • Day 2 – Sajama to Uyuni. View lagoons, more wildlife, Salar de Coipasa (second largest salt flats)
  • Day 3 – Salar de Uyuni. Spend a full day in the world’s largest and most famous salt flats
  • Day 4 – Eduardo Avaroa Reserve. Photograph flamingos, more wildlife, colored deserts, lagoons, volcanoes
  • Day 5 – Uyuni or San Pedro de Atacama. Final day of viewing impressive landscapes, Laguna Verde, Desierto de Siloli, hot springs and geysers. End in Uyuni town or San Pedro de Atacama
View more details about our tours here