Getting to and away

Bus or Jeep

The bus terminal is on Avenida Pedro Arraya, a few blocks from the center of town. It is possible to catch a taxi to or from the station, but it is within walking distance of most hotels.

There are a variety of companies at the terminal that sell tickets to numerous destinations. Many buses to not have heating, so journeys are cold as well as long. It is worth taking some extra clothes or a blanket.

Some companies have morning departures to Potosí. Although considering the journey is seven to nine hours, many travelers opt for the companies with evening departures ($5). Connections to Sucre, Cochabamba, Oruro and La Paz are made via Potosí. There is one direct bus to La Paz a day that usually leaves in the evening.

There are several buses a day that depart for Villazón, three hours away, and Tarija, eight hours away ($4).

There are regular services to Uyuni, but keep in mind that this journey can be unbearably cold and bumpy. Many people opt for traveling via train, the more comfortable option. There are only two buses a week, on Monday and Thursdays, but micros leave daily and are a quicker alternative to the bus.

Additionally, there are daily 4x4 services to Uyuni that leave in the morning. The journey takes around seven hours ($7). An alternative is to hire a jeep  from one of the agencies in town.

Train

The train station is three blocks east of the main plaza, on Avenida Serrudo. The train is a comfortable and faster alternative to taking the bus. Tickets sell out fast, especially for first class, so it is advised to purchase them a day in advance. Tupiza Tours also sell train tickets if you don’t want to wait at the station.

The Expreso del Sur service leaves from Oruro at 3:30 p.m. and from Uyuni at 10:20 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, and arrives in Tupiza at 3:15 a.m. the following morning, continuing on to Villazón 15 minutes later. Trains from Villazón leave at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and arrive at 6:10 p.m. in Tupiza. They depart again for Uyuni and Oruro at 6:40 p.m. An executive class ticket between Oruro and Tupiza costs $19. Less comfortable seats go for half the price. Services between Villazón and Tupiza cost between $2 to $5.

The Wara Wara del Sur line has connections to Tupiza from Oruro and Uyuni on Sundays and Wednesdays that Oruro at 7 p.m. and arrive in Tupiza at 8 a.m. on Thursday. Oruro bound trains depart Villazón on Mondays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., and arrive three hours later in Tupiza. The Wara Wara service is cheaper, though the service is slower. The most expensive ticket between Oruro and Tupiza costs $14 and the cheapest is $6.