Exploring Bolivia: Uyuni Salt Flat Adventure

The Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat, covering over 10,000 square kilometres of the Altiplano in South America. It is shared between Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Argentina, but only Bolivia boasts the world's largest mirror, created when rainfall generates a mirror effect. The closest city to the Salar de Uyuni is Uyuni, which is the starting point for most journeys to the salt flats. Travellers can reach Uyuni by plane, train or bus.

Getting to Uyuni from La Paz

The journey from La Paz to Uyuni is a popular route for thousands of visitors each year, who come to see the magical Uyuni Salt Flats. There are several ways to make the trip, each with pros and cons to consider.

By Plane

The most efficient way to get to Uyuni from La Paz is by plane, with a flight duration of less than one hour. Two airlines offer this internal route: Amaszonas and Boliviana de Aviación. The upfront flight cost is affordable at under $100 USD, but additional costs can add up, including a taxi from La Paz to El Alto Airport and a pre-booked private transfer from Joya Andina Airport to Uyuni. There may also be an additional night's accommodation cost in La Paz if you take an early morning flight. Flights are not daily and prices fluctuate between $50 and $150.

By Bus

The overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni is the most popular way to travel to the salt flats. The bus leaves La Paz at 9:00 or 10:30 pm and arrives in Uyuni at around 7:00 am the next morning. The journey takes approximately 9 to 10 hours, covering a distance of 569 to 731 km. There are several bus companies that operate this route, including Cruz Del Norte, Trans Titicaca, Todo Turismo, and Cruz del Norte. Tickets can be purchased online or in person, and prices range from 110 Bolivianos to 250 Bolivianos. Meals and blankets are often included, and there is a toilet on board.

By Train

It is possible to travel from La Paz to Uyuni by train, but it is not a direct route. The journey involves taking a bus from La Paz to Oruro, which takes about 4 hours, and then taking a train from Oruro to Uyuni. The train is clean and punctual, but it does not run daily, and the arrival time in Uyuni may not be convenient. There are two train companies that operate this route: Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara del Sur. A first-class seat costs around $9 to $15 USD.

Luxury Door-to-Door Tour

For those short on time or who don't speak Spanish, a luxury door-to-door tour may be the best option. This option includes private transportation from your accommodation in La Paz to El Alto Airport, a flight to Uyuni, and an English-speaking driver waiting for you upon arrival. The tour includes breakfast, a drive through the Uyuni Salt Flats, a visit to Incahuasi Island, lunch, and a sunset drink on the Flats. You then fly back to La Paz, with private transportation waiting for you at El Alto Airport. This is the most expensive option.

Getting to Uyuni from Santa Cruz or Cochabamba

There are a few different ways to get to Uyuni from Santa Cruz or Cochabamba. Here is some information to help you plan your trip:

Santa Cruz to Uyuni

The distance between Santa Cruz and Uyuni is around 840 km, and there is no direct route by bus or train. The most efficient way to travel between these two places is with a stopover in Potosí. You can also take a bus from Santa Cruz to Sucre, and then another bus from Sucre to Uyuni. This journey will take around 17 hours, including transfers. Alternatively, you can fly from Santa Cruz to Uyuni, which is the quickest option, taking around 4 hours and 15 minutes.

Cochabamba to Uyuni

Cochabamba is a central hub for buses going in all directions in Bolivia, so it is a good starting point for travelling to Uyuni. The bus from Cochabamba to Uyuni takes between 10 and 12 hours, depending on the source. There is one direct bus service that leaves at 8 pm every night and arrives in Uyuni the next morning. The bus ticket costs $31 and includes a full-cama ride, meaning the seats lay flat for sleeping. You can also book tickets in advance online.

Getting to Uyuni from Sucre or Potosi

There are several ways to get to Uyuni from Sucre or Potosi. Here is some information to help you plan your journey:

Getting to Uyuni from Sucre

The most direct way to get to Uyuni from Sucre is by taking a direct bus. The trip takes approximately 8 hours, and buses leave from the bus terminal on Avenida Ostria Gutierrez in Sucre at 21:00. The bus companies that provide this service are 6 de Octubre and Autobuses Emperador, and the price ranges from $12 to $15 USD. This trip passes through the city of Potosi, a beautiful colonial city full of history, which you can visit before continuing to Uyuni. Alternatively, you can take a shared taxi from Sucre to Potosi, which takes a couple of hours, and then take a bus from Potosi to Uyuni.

Another option is to fly from Sucre to Uyuni. Amaszonas offers a 40-minute flight between these two cities twice a day.

Getting to Uyuni from Potosi

The distance between Potosi and Uyuni is approximately 204 km, and the trip takes about 3 to 4 hours by bus. Buses from Potosi to Uyuni leave from the "old" bus terminal on Avenida Universitaria daily at 9:30 am, 4:30 pm, and 5:30 pm, and they arrive in Uyuni at the bus stop on Avenida Cabrera. The bus company that operates this route is Expreso 11 de Julio.

Additional Information

When planning your trip, keep in mind that Uyuni is located in a remote area near the Bolivia-Chile border and the Bolivia-Argentina border. The best time to visit the Uyuni Salt Flat depends on your preferences. The dry season, from April to October, is recommended by most tour operators as you can fully appreciate the octagonal salt formations and access all the attractions in the area. However, during the rainy season, from November to March, the salt flat becomes a huge mirror reflecting the sky, creating a unique and amazing landscape.

Getting to Uyuni from Salta, Argentina

Salta to La Quiaca

Take a bus from Salta to the Argentinian border town of La Quiaca. There are no direct buses from Salta to Uyuni, so this is the first step in your journey. There are daily buses from Salta to La Quiaca, so you have some flexibility in choosing a departure time.

La Quiaca to Villazón

Once you arrive in La Quiaca, you will need to cross the border into Bolivia. The border is a short walk or taxi ride away from the bus station. After crossing the border, you will arrive in Villazón, the Bolivian border town. Remember to bring any necessary travel documents and vaccinations, such as a yellow fever certificate.

Villazón to Uyuni

From Villazón, you have a few options to get to Uyuni. You can take a train or a bus to Uyuni. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Tupiza and then another bus to Uyuni. The train option may be more convenient, as the bus from Villazón to Uyuni can be slow and uncomfortable. However, the train does not run every day, so check the schedule before departing.

Some agencies offer five or nine-day tours from Salta to Uyuni, which include transport, food, and accommodation. This can be a hassle-free option if you want everything organised for you.

Uyuni Salt Flats

Once you arrive in Uyuni, you can explore the famous salt flats. You can choose from a one-day or three-day tour of the salt flats, depending on your budget and time constraints. The tours usually include accommodation pick-up and drop-off, making it convenient for travellers.

Getting to Uyuni from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

The distance between San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, and Uyuni, Bolivia, is 520 km, and the trip by bus between these cities takes around 12 hours. There are several ways to make this journey.

By Bus

The bus company Cruz del Norte offers transportation to Uyuni from Calama, Chile, daily at 5:30 am, and from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni daily at 3:00 am. Tickets Bolivia offers one bus travel option for this journey: a direct trip. Buses leave from Avenida Cabrera, where the bus agencies are located. The journey takes between 11 and 12 hours. There are two bus companies doing this route every day: Cruz del Norte (bus semi lie-flat) leaves at 3:00 am and Trans Salvador (bus semi lie-flat), leaves at 9:45 am. Buses stop in Calama before arriving in San Pedro de Atacama.

By Plane

If you are short on time, you can fly to Uyuni from La Paz. BoA and Ecojet have flights to Uyuni from La Paz, and connections from other Bolivian cities via La Paz. As the Uyuni salt flat tours start around 10 am, you can catch a morning flight from La Paz to Uyuni and start the trip the same day if you have a reservation already.

By Train

You can travel from La Paz to Oruro by public bus (approx. 4 hours) and then take the train from Oruro to Uyuni. You do have to take a taxi from the bus station to the train station in Oruro. The train is clean and leaves on time. Keep in mind that the train does not go every day and that you don’t arrive in Uyuni at the most convenient hour. The FCA (Empresa Ferroviaria Andina) is the railway company transporting passengers to Uyuni. There are 2 trains. There is the Expreso Sur with departures on Tuesdays and Fridays at 3:30 pm and the Wara Wara with departures on Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:00 pm.

By Private Transport

The advantage of this option is that you travel during the day so you can enjoy the views. You can travel from La Paz to Oruro (approx. 4 hours) by private transport and then take the train from Oruro to Uyuni. The difference with the previous option is that you travel from La Paz to Uyuni with private transport instead of a public bus, which is more comfortable. You will also be dropped off directly at the train station in Oruro.

Frequently asked questions