How to get to the Salar de Uyuni by train
Station, train, journey time and the final stretch — the complete guide.
Take the train to Uyuni station (served by both the Expreso del Sur and the Wara Wara del Sur). From there you reach the Salar de Uyuni with a 4×4 jeep tour that leaves from the town of Uyuni (the station is about a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the centre; the edge of the salt flat, at Colchani, is roughly 1 hour away by vehicle).
The salt flat is always visited on an organised tour or with a guide; there is no access on foot from the station.
Nearby station on the line: Atocha (Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara del Sur).
Why visit
The Salar de Uyuni is the largest salt flat on Earth —over 10,000 km²— and Bolivia’s most famous sight. The Ferroviaria Andina train does not cross the salt flat: the gateway is Uyuni station, right on the Oruro–Villazón corridor, and the 4×4 tours to Colchani, the salt eyes, Incahuasi Island and, in the rainy season, the mirror of water all set off from the town. Arriving by train is part of the journey: the Expreso del Sur and the Wara Wara del Sur climb the Altiplano up to Uyuni’s 3,656 m.
Getting there from the corridor
| Starting point | Train route |
|---|---|
| From Oruro | Expreso del Sur or Wara Wara del Sur · ~6 h 50 min journey, then 4×4 tour to the salt flat |
| From Tupiza | Expreso del Sur or Wara Wara del Sur · ~6 h journey, then 4×4 tour to the salt flat |
| From Villazón | Expreso del Sur or Wara Wara del Sur · ~8 h 15 min journey, then 4×4 tour to the salt flat |
Step by step
Take the Expreso del Sur or the Wara Wara del Sur and get off at Uyuni station.
As you leave the station, take a 4×4 tour from the town of Uyuni.
This brings you to the Salar de Uyuni.
Useful information
Frequently asked questions
How much is a train ticket?
Ferroviaria Andina fares range from about Bs 20 in Salón class for short legs up to around Bs 170 in Ejecutivo for the full Oruro–Villazón run. Confirm the current fare at the ticket office or on the fares page.
What days does the train run?
It is a long-distance train with few departures: the Expreso del Sur runs Oruro to Villazón on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the Wara Wara del Sur on Wednesdays and Sundays; the return directions run on other days. Always check the schedule before you travel.
How long does it take from Oruro?
From Oruro to Uyuni is about ~6 h 50 min by train, and then a 4×4 tour from the town of Uyuni to the Salar de Uyuni.
Can you walk to Salar de Uyuni from the station?
Not directly: you need a 4×4 tour from the town of Uyuni. The salt flat is always visited on an organised tour or with a guide; there is no access on foot from the station.
Where can I see more attractions on the corridor?
The what to see near the Bolivia Train guide lists every attraction by station.
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Updated: July 2026