Expreso del Sur
The fast train of southern Bolivia. From Oruro to Villazón with stops at Río Mulato, Uyuni, Atocha and Tupiza. Ejecutivo and Salón carriages, southbound on Tuesday and Friday.
6
Stations
~650 km
Oruro – Villazón
12 h 28 min
Approx. running time
2 days/wk
Frequency per direction
Oruro ↔ Villazón
The Expreso del Sur (Southern Express) is the fast, most comfortable service of the Ferroviaria Andina (FCA) on the Oruro–Villazón corridor. It stops only at the main stations —Oruro, Río Mulato, Uyuni, Atocha, Tupiza and Villazón—, which shortens the journey compared with the Wara Wara del Sur.
It offers Ejecutivo carriages (more comfortable, reclining) and Salón, plus a dining car. It is the preferred choice for travellers heading to the Salar de Uyuni or continuing to the Argentine border at Villazón.
It runs twice a week in each direction: southbound (Oruro→Villazón) on Tuesday and Friday, and northbound (Villazón→Oruro) on Wednesday and Saturday. All its stops are also served by the Wara Wara del Sur. Times and fares are indicative; always confirm at the ticket office.
Times between stops
| From | To | Approx. time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oruro | → | Río Mulato | 3 h 45 min |
| Río Mulato | → | Uyuni | 1 h 18 min |
| Uyuni | → | Atocha | 2 h 10 min |
| Atocha | → | Tupiza | 2 h 45 min |
| Tupiza | → | Villazón | 2 h 30 min |
Approximate running times between stops. Oruro ↔ Villazón: 12 h 28 min of running time (the real trip includes stops).
Running days
Did you know…?
- The Expreso del Sur is the fastest train on the corridor: it skips six minor Altiplano stops.
- Its Ejecutivo carriages are reclining and heated, made for the cold nights of the puna.
- It is the favourite choice of tourists travelling to the Salar de Uyuni.
- It crosses the Altiplano at over 3,600 m before descending to the canyons of Tupiza.
Connections and links
The corridor connects with other forms of transport at its main stations. Oruro has a bus terminal with services to La Paz, Cochabamba, Potosí and Sucre. In Uyuni, agencies and minibuses link with the Salar de Uyuni, Potosí and the Chilean border. In Villazón, the crossing on foot to La Quiaca gives access to the railway and buses of northern Argentina.
Shared stations: Oruro, Río Mulato, Uyuni, Atocha, Tupiza and Villazón are served by both trains, so at those stations you can choose between the Expreso del Sur and the Wara Wara del Sur depending on the day and the class you prefer.
Schedule and fares
Check the full schedule in both directions, the running days and the indicative fares by leg and class.
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