Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
La Paz is served by El Alto International (LPB), one of the world's highest airports at around 4,000m, sitting on the plateau above the city; La Paz itself lies in a bowl-shaped valley below. Options into town are taxis, ride-hailing apps and airport buses. Santa Cruz uses Viru Viru (VVI). Take it slow on arrival to adjust to the altitude.
- La Paz
- El Alto (LPB), ~4,000m
- Into town
- Taxi, ride-hailing, airport bus
- Santa Cruz
- Viru Viru (VVI)
- Rest and hydrate to adjust to the altitude
- Agree taxi fares or use an app
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
La Paz is famous for Mi Teleférico, one of the world's largest urban cable-car networks, whose colour-coded lines link La Paz with the high plateau city of El Alto and double as everyday transit with great views. On the streets, minibuses, micros, shared trufis and the PumaKatari city buses fill in the network. Have small change ready and confirm the route with the driver.
- Signature
- Mi Teleférico cable cars
- Streets
- Minibus, micro, trufi, PumaKatari
- Tip
- Carry small change
- Cable-car lines are colour-coded and link La Paz and El Alto
- Confirm the route with the driver before boarding
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
There is no unified nationwide transit card in Bolivia. The Mi Teleférico cable-car network uses its own rechargeable card, which you top up at stations, while minibuses, micros and trufis are paid in cash to the driver. Carry small notes and coins, as change for large notes is often limited.
- Nationwide card
- None unified
- Cable car
- Own rechargeable card
- Buses/trufis
- Cash to the driver
- Top up the cable-car card at stations
- Carry small notes and coins for fares
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Bolivia drives on the right. Driving demands real care: high-altitude mountain passes, rough roads and infamous stretches such as the Yungas "death road" call for caution, and a 4WD is often needed off the main routes. Many travellers hire a car with a local driver or join tours, for example for the Uyuni salt flats. Fuel stations can be sparse in remote areas.
- Drives on
- The right
- Terrain
- Passes, rough roads, 4WD
- Common
- Driver hire or tours
- Take care on mountain passes and rough roads
- Fuel stations can be sparse in remote areas
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Long-distance buses (flotas) are the backbone of intercity travel, linking cities such as La Paz, Uyuni, Oruro, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, with overnight services and different comfort classes. Rail is limited, though some tourist and regional lines run, for example toward Uyuni. Journeys can be long over mountain terrain, so allow extra time and dress warmly for cold night buses.
- Main mode
- Long-distance buses (flotas)
- Rail
- Limited, some regional lines
- Tip
- Warm clothes for night buses
- Choose a higher comfort class for long routes
- Journeys can be long over mountain terrain
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Domestic flights save a lot of time over Bolivia's long, mountainous overland routes. Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) and other carriers link airports such as La Paz (LPB), Santa Cruz (VVI) and Uyuni (UYU), among others. Flying is especially useful between the highlands and the lowlands. Book ahead in peak season and allow buffer time, as weather can affect high-altitude schedules.
- Carriers
- BoA and others
- Airports
- LPB, VVI, UYU
- Worth it
- Highlands to lowlands
- Flights save time over long mountain routes
- Weather can affect high-altitude schedules
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
Carry small notes and coins, as most street transport is cash-only and change for large notes is limited. Give yourself time to acclimatise to La Paz's altitude before long journeys, and dress warmly for cold night buses and high passes. The Mi Teleférico cable car is a scenic and practical way to get around, and agreeing taxi fares in advance avoids surprises.
- Cash
- Small notes and coins
- Altitude
- Acclimatise before travel
- Cable car
- Scenic and practical
- Most street transport is cash-only
- Agree taxi fares in advance