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 (a stop of the Expreso del Sur – Ferrobús). 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.
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 – Ferrobús climbs the Altiplano up to Uyuni’s 3,656 m.
Getting there from the corridor
| Starting point | Train route |
|---|---|
| From Oruro | Expreso del Sur – Ferrobús · 6 h 53 min (Monday 21:30 → Tuesday 04:23) · Bs 60, then 4×4 tour to the salt flat |
| From Tupiza | Expreso del Sur – Ferrobús · 5 h 53 min (Thursday 18:10 → Friday 00:03) · Bs 47 (sum of legs), then 4×4 tour to the salt flat |
| From Villazón | Expreso del Sur – Ferrobús · 9 h 33 min (Thursday 14:30 → Friday 00:03) · Bs 72 (sum of legs), then 4×4 tour to the salt flat |
Step by step
Take the Expreso del Sur – Ferrobús 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?
One fare per leg, no classes: Oruro–Uyuni Bs 60, Uyuni–Atocha Bs 22, Atocha–Tupiza Bs 25 and Tupiza–Villazón Bs 25; longer journeys add up the legs (Oruro–Villazón: Bs 132). More on the fares page.
What days does the train run?
Once a week in each direction: the Expreso del Sur – Ferrobús leaves Oruro on Monday at 21:30 and Villazón on Thursday at 14:30. Always check the schedule before you travel.
How long does it take from Oruro?
From Oruro to Uyuni is 6 h 53 min on the Ferrobús, 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.
Contents
Updated: October 2026