Lyla Lindsey
Sitting at 4060 metres above sea level, Potosi is a city in southern Bolivia, easily reachable by bus from either the north or the south. The closest airport to Potosi is Sucre (SRE) Airport, which is 49.8 miles away. However, it is recommended to fly to Santa Cruz (VVI) Airport and take a bus to Potosi. From nearby cities, you can also take shared taxis to get to Potosi. The town itself is located on the steep hillside of Cerro Ricco, the hill that funded the Spanish Empire for centuries.
What You'll Learn
Getting to Potosi by bus
The best way to get to Potosi from any city in Bolivia is by bus. There are two bus terminals in Potosi: the new terminal, located in the north-east of the city, and the old terminal, which is a 30-minute uphill walk from the city centre. The new terminal has services for national and international travellers, including public toilets, restaurants, tourist information, an ATT office, currency exchange, and luggage storage. Most long-distance buses leave from the new terminal.
From La Paz, the bus takes around 9-10 hours and costs $10-18, depending on the company and seat type. The distance between the two cities is 538km, and the journey takes you through the Bolivian Highlands. Buses leave La Paz at 8:30 pm and 9 pm and arrive early the next morning at the new bus terminal in Potosi.
From Sucre, the trip takes around 3-4 hours and costs around 20 Bolivianos. There are 13 daily departures, with buses leaving between 6 am and 7 pm from the new bus terminal in Sucre, located on Avenida Ostria Gutierrez, and arriving at the new terminal in Potosi on Avenida Las Banderas.
From Oruro, the journey takes approximately 6 hours by bus, with several daily buses available. Ticket prices range from 33 to 70 Bolivianos.
From Tupiza, the trip takes about 5-7 hours and costs around 50 Bolivianos. There are morning and evening buses available, with departures at 9 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2:30 pm, 10 pm, and 11 pm.
From Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the journey takes about 23 hours, with a 3-hour stop in Cochabamba. Ticket prices range from $19 to $25.
From Uyuni, the trip takes about 3-4 hours on a road in good condition, and the price is around 50 Bolivianos. Buses to Uyuni depart from the old terminal in Potosi.
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Getting to Potosi by plane
Potosi is one of the most popular destinations in Bolivia, and its airport is the largest in the country, receiving both national and international flights.
If you are travelling to Potosi by plane, you have the option of direct travel or stopover trips. Direct travel means you can fly directly to Potosi from international destinations such as Madrid, Miami, and Buenos Aires, to name a few. Within Bolivia, you can fly directly from cities like La Paz, Trinidad, and Santa Cruz.
If your departure city is not one of the direct destinations, you can opt for a stopover trip. This involves making a connection with cities that have direct departures to Potosi. You will need to change planes and wait at the airport during the stopover.
The fastest way to get from La Paz to Potosi is to combine flying and driving. This option takes approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes and costs between $75 and $190.
Flights from La Paz to Sucre, for example, take approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes and are served by Boliviana de Aviación. These flights usually operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Once you arrive at the airport in Potosi, you can take a bus or cab to your final destination in the city.
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Getting to Potosi by car
Getting to Potosí by Car
The best way to get to Potosí is by bus, but it is possible to get there by car. The roads between Potosí and Sucre are paved and pleasant, and the journey takes around 3-4 hours. The road trip from Uyuni to Potosí takes around 3 hours on well-maintained roads.
If you're travelling from Sucre, you can catch a bus from the bus station with a short taxi ride from the centre. This will cost around 4 Bolivianos per person. In Potosí, you can catch the bus from the new terminal (Nueva Terminal), which is located about a 20-minute taxi ride from the town centre, costing around 5 Bolivianos per person.
The bus costs around 21 Bolivianos, with more expensive semi-cama (half-bed) and full cama (full-bed) options available. Two of the best operators on this route are Trans Emperador and El Dorado. There is also a 2 Bolivianos "uso de terminal" departure tax to be paid at the bus station.
While tickets can be purchased on the day, it is recommended to book your bus tickets in advance from Tickets Bolivia as seats do sell out due to the popularity of the route.
Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi (called trufis) from the bus station, which costs about 45 Bolivianos per person. A taxi off the street will cost more, at about 60 Bolivianos per person. If you're staying in a hotel or hostel, you may be able to get the owner to organise one for you at a cost of 50 Bolivianos per person.
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Getting to Potosi from La Paz
The distance between La Paz and Potosi is 362 miles (538 km) and there are several ways to get from one city to the other. Here are some options for making the journey:
By Bus
The bus is a popular option for travelling from La Paz to Potosi, with several companies covering the route. The journey takes approximately 9-10 hours, with buses usually departing La Paz between 20:30 and 22:00 and arriving in Potosi early the next morning. The price of tickets ranges from $10 to $18, depending on the company and the type of seat selected. It is recommended to book with companies such as El Dorado or Trans Copacabana. The bus from La Paz to Potosi departs from the main bus station on Avenida Peru and arrives at the new bus terminal in Potosi on Avenida Las Banderas.
By Plane and Car
For those seeking a faster journey, it is possible to fly from La Paz to Sucre and then drive to Potosi. This option takes approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes and costs between $75 and $190.
By Car
Driving is another option for those who prefer more flexibility. The driving distance between La Paz and Potosi is approximately 336 miles, and the journey takes around 7 hours and 43 minutes. However, it is important to consider the potential challenges of driving in a new area, such as navigating unfamiliar roads and the physical demands of a long drive.
By Colectivo Cab
"Colectivo cabs" or shared taxis are also available for travel between La Paz and Potosi. These are cars that offer transportation to Potosi for a set price and tend to be faster than buses. However, they only depart once they are full with 4 passengers, so there is no set departure time. The cost for this option is typically around 40 bolivianos.
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Getting to Potosi from Sucre
The distance between Sucre and Potosi is 156 kilometres, and the trip takes around 3 hours. Buses are available all day between 6:00 and 20:00, and depart every four hours. The bus fare is around 20 bolivianos, and buses leave from the main bus terminal in Sucre, located on Avenida Ostria Gutierrez. Buses arrive in Potosi at the new bus terminal on Avenida Las Banderas. The bus company El Dorado provides this service.
The best way to get to Potosi from any city in Bolivia is by bus. However, from nearby cities, you can also take shared taxis, which are faster than buses.
The quickest way to get from Sucre to Potosi is to drive, which takes around 2 hours and 14 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to get to Potosi from any city in Bolivia is by bus. The town is reachable by bus from either the north or the south. The main bus terminal for Potosi is located about 2 km away from the city centre.
The bus from La Paz to Potosi takes about 9-10 hours and costs between $8 and $29. There are several companies that cover this route, including El Dorado and Trans Copacabana.
The bus from Sucre to Potosi takes about 3-4 hours and costs around 17-21 BOB. Buses leave from the main bus terminal in Sucre, located on Avenida Ostria Gutierrez, and arrive at the new bus terminal in Potosi, on Avenida Las Banderas.
