Lexi Webster
The closest airport to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia is Uyuni Airport (IATA: UYU, ICAO: SLUY), also known as Joya Andina Airport. It is located just 12.6 miles from the salt flats and is served by the airline Boliviana de Aviacion, which offers regular flights to and from La Paz and Cochabamba. Uyuni Airport is situated at an extremely high elevation in the southwestern Potosí Department of Bolivia. It features a paved runway that is 4,000 metres long and 45 metres wide, making it the airport with Bolivia's second-longest runway.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Uyuni Airport (IATA: UYU, ICAO: SLUY) |
| Other Names | Joya Andina Airport |
| Location | Just northwest of Uyuni, in the southwestern Potosí Department of Bolivia |
| Distance from Salar de Uyuni | 12.6 miles |
| Elevation | Extremely high |
| Runway Length | 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) |
| Runway Width | 45 metres (148 ft) |
| Runway Type | Paved |
| Airlines | Boliviana de Aviacion |
| Airline Destinations | La Paz, Cochabamba |
What You'll Learn
- The closest airport to the Salar de Uyuni is Uyuni Airport, 12.6 miles away
- You can fly to Uyuni from La Paz, the third-largest city in Bolivia
- Airline Amazonas operates flights from La Paz to Uyuni, departing at 7:15 AM and 7:30 PM
- You can also take a bus from La Paz to Uyuni, which takes 10-12 hours
- It's possible to take a train from La Paz to Uyuni, but it involves taking a bus to Oruro and then a train to Uyuni
The closest airport to the Salar de Uyuni is Uyuni Airport, 12.6 miles away
The closest airport to the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia's heavenly salt flats, is Uyuni Airport, also known as Joya Andina Airport. It is located just 12.6 miles from the Salar de Uyuni. This airport is served by the airline Boliviana de Aviacion, which operates regular flights to and from La Paz and Cochabamba.
Uyuni Airport is situated at an extremely high elevation in the southwestern Potosí Department of Bolivia. It features a 4,000-metre-long and 45-metre-wide paved runway, making it the airport with Bolivia's second-longest runway. The airport was opened by Bolivian President Evo Morales on July 11, 2011.
There are several ways to get to the Uyuni salt flats from the airport. You can take a bus, a train, or opt for private transportation. The distance from Uyuni Airport to the salt flats is approximately 12.6 miles, making it a convenient option for those looking to experience the breathtaking scenery of the world's largest salt flats, which span over 4,000 miles.
The Salar de Uyuni offers a unique and otherworldly experience with its mirror-like surface during the wet season and geometric salt patterns during the dry season. It is a once-in-a-lifetime travel destination that can be visited as a day trip or a multi-day tour, with lengthier tours venturing towards the Chilean border.
Whether you are coming from a bordering country like Chile or Argentina or from another city in Bolivia, Uyuni Airport is a convenient gateway to the stunning Uyuni salt flats.
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You can fly to Uyuni from La Paz, the third-largest city in Bolivia
The closest airport to the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia's heavenly salt flats, is Uyuni Airport (IATA: UYU, ICAO: SLUY), also known as Joya Andina Airport. It is located just 12.6 miles from the salt flats and is served by the airline Boliviana de Aviacion, which offers regular flights to and from La Paz and Cochabamba. La Paz is the third-largest city in Bolivia, and if you are arriving in the country from abroad, you will most likely fly into La Paz first.
From La Paz, you can reach Uyuni by flight, train, bus, or private transport. There are daily local flights from La Paz to Uyuni, with prices starting at around $115+ USD. Airline Amazonas operates flights daily from La Paz to Uyuni departing at 7:15 AM (arriving at 8:00 AM) and 7:30 PM (arriving at 8:15 PM). Boliviano de Aviacion also operates flights daily, departing at 8:05 AM (arriving at 9:05 AM) and 7:10 PM (arriving at 8:10 PM).
If you prefer a more scenic route, you can opt for the bus or train. Several overnight sleeper buses operate between La Paz and Uyuni, covering a distance of 569 km on a paved road. The journey takes approximately 10 hours, with buses departing La Paz at 9:00 PM and arriving in Uyuni around 7:00 AM. Alternatively, you can take a public bus from La Paz to Oruro, followed by 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 the most convenient.
For those who prefer a more comfortable journey, private transport is also an option. This allows you to travel during the day and enjoy the views along the way.
Uyuni is the closest city to the Salar de Uyuni and is the starting point for most journeys to the salt flats. It is worth noting that Uyuni is located at a high elevation, positioned at 12,000 feet (3,660 meters) above sea level. Altitude sickness is common, so it is recommended to give yourself a few days to acclimatize and stay well hydrated. The temperatures can also vary, with warm and sunny days and cold nights, so be sure to pack accordingly.
The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat on Earth, spanning over 10,500 square kilometres (4,000+ miles). It offers a unique and otherworldly experience, with mirror-like surfaces during the wet season and geometric salt patterns during the dry season. Whether you choose to fly, take the bus, or opt for the train, a visit to the Uyuni salt flats is truly a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
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Airline Amazonas operates flights from La Paz to Uyuni, departing at 7:15 AM and 7:30 PM
The closest airport to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia is Uyuni Airport (UYU), which is 12.6 miles away. However, it is recommended that you fly to Cochabamba (CBB) Airport instead, which is 215.9 miles away from the salt flats, as Uyuni is a small airport.
If you are flying into Bolivia from another country, you will most likely arrive in La Paz first. From La Paz, you can reach Uyuni by plane, train, or bus. Airline Amazonas and Boliviano de Aviacion are the main airlines that fly between La Paz and Uyuni. Airline Amazonas operates flights daily from La Paz to Uyuni departing at 7:15 AM (arriving at 8:00 AM) and 7:30 PM (arriving at 8:15 PM). The airline was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in La Paz, Bolivia. It offers scheduled and chartered short-haul passenger flights throughout the northern and northeastern regions of the country, as well as to neighbouring countries.
Prices for Airline Amazonas flights from La Paz to Uyuni start at $115 USD. Boliviano de Aviacion flights start at $170 USD. It is recommended to book in advance to secure a good price, as this route is fairly limited.
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You can also take a bus from La Paz to Uyuni, which takes 10-12 hours
The closest airport to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia is Uyuni Airport, which is 12.6 miles away. However, it is recommended that you fly into Cochabamba Airport, which is 215.9 miles away, and take a bus to Uyuni. The bus from Cochabamba to Uyuni takes 12 hours and 35 minutes.
If you are already in Bolivia, you can take a bus from La Paz to Uyuni, which takes 10-12 hours. There are several overnight sleeper buses that cover the 569km distance on a paved road. These buses depart La Paz every evening and there are no daytime services. Buses leave La Paz at 9 pm and arrive in Uyuni at around 7 am the following morning. The bus companies that provide this service include Trans Titicaca, Cruz del Norte, Panasur, El Cisne, and Trans Omar. Tickets can be booked online or bought in person at the bus station in La Paz on Uruguay Avenue.
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It's possible to take a train from La Paz to Uyuni, but it involves taking a bus to Oruro and then a train to Uyuni
The closest airport to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia is Uyuni Airport (UYU), which is 12.6 miles away. However, it is recommended that you fly to Cochabamba (CBB) Airport instead, which is 215.9 miles away. This is because it only takes 12 and a half hours to get from Cochabamba to Uyuni, whereas it takes nearly 13 hours to get from Uyuni Airport to Uyuni.
If you're happy to take a train or bus, you can get to Uyuni from La Paz. There are several ways to do this:
- By plane. Airlines such as BoA and Ecojet offer flights to Uyuni from La Paz, as well as connections from other Bolivian cities via La Paz.
- By overnight sleeper bus. These buses cover a distance of 569km on a paved road and take approximately 10 hours. They depart La Paz at 9 pm and arrive in Uyuni at 7 am.
- By private transport. The advantage of this option is that you can travel during the day and enjoy the views.
- By public transport. You can take a bus from La Paz to Oruro, followed by a train from Oruro to Uyuni. This option involves taking a taxi from the bus station to the train station in Oruro. The train is clean and punctual, but it doesn't run every day, and you won't arrive in Uyuni at the most convenient time.
- By private transport from La Paz to Oruro, followed by a train to Uyuni. This option is more comfortable than taking a bus to Oruro, as you'll be dropped off directly at the train station.
Uyuni is the closest city to the Salar de Uyuni, and it's the starting point for most journeys to the salt flats.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport closest to the Salar de Uyuni salt flats is Uyuni Airport (IATA: UYU, ICAO: SLUY), also known as Joya Andina Airport. It is located just 12.6 miles from the salt flats.
There are several ways to get to Uyuni Airport. The fastest way is to fly from La Paz with Boliviana de Aviación, which offers regular flights to Uyuni. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Cochabamba to Uyuni, which takes approximately 9 hours.
It is important to keep in mind that the Salar de Uyuni is located at a high elevation of 12,000 feet. Visitors should give themselves a few days to acclimatize and be prepared for potential altitude sickness. The temperature can vary significantly between day and night, so it is essential to pack layers and be prepared for cold nights.
