Last checked: November 2026
Safety notice: The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department, including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24, because of gang-related violent crime. The US State Department rates Bolivia Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution and lists Chapare Province as Level 4: Do Not Travel. Protests, road blockades and fuel shortages have disrupted travel in 2026. Read both advisories in full and check them again before you travel. See the full Bolivia travel guide for more.
How do you get around Bolivia?
The best way to get around Bolivia depends on distance, season and your tolerance for long road journeys. Fly between far-apart cities, take buses on most routes between Andean cities, and use taxis, minibuses or the cable cars inside cities. Blockades, fuel shortages and weather can change plans quickly, so keep a spare day and a second option.
For airport arrivals and transfers, see our guide to flights to Bolivia. This page covers travel inside the country only.
What transport options exist inside Bolivia?
Domestic flights
Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) is the main domestic carrier and links La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Sucre, Tarija, Uyuni, Rurrenabaque and other cities. EcoJet also flies some routes, including to Sucre, according to local news in October 2026. In August 2026 BoA cancelled La Paz to Uyuni flights because of weather and runway conditions, so treat small-airport flights as less certain. Check schedules on the BoA website.
Intercity buses
Buses are the backbone of travel between cities, and most long routes run overnight. Companies range from basic services to sleeper buses with reclining seats. The FCDO says accidents on long-distance buses are common, that drivers often work longer hours than UK rules allow, and that tourist-oriented companies tend to have better standards, including seatbelts. Fuel shortages can cancel services at short notice.
Trains
Passenger rail is limited. Empresa Ferroviaria Andina runs the southwestern line from Oruro through Uyuni and Tupiza to Villazon on the Argentine border, and its 2024 annual report mentions a Ferrobus service with two weekly frequencies on that route. Schedules change, so confirm on the Empresa Ferroviaria Andina website before you plan around a train. Cochabamba also has a commuter train, the Tren Metropolitano.
Boats and ferries
Boats run from Copacabana to Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca. The road from La Paz to Copacabana also crosses the Strait of Tiquina, where passengers and vehicles cross separately. The FCDO says boats on the lake and on jungle rivers are often basic, so check that life jackets are provided.
Car rental and driving
Traffic drives on the right. The FCDO says UK drivers need both a 1949 international driving permit and their UK licence in the car, and other visitors should check the rules for their own licence with a Bolivian embassy. Most roads are unpaved, four-wheel drive is often needed in the rainy season, and broken-down vehicles without warning lights are a hazard at night. Fuel shortages can strand drivers for days, and you should never try to cross a blockade in a vehicle. The Bolivian Roads Administration publishes a road status map, although the FCDO notes it can be reached only from within Bolivia.
Taxis and ride-hailing apps
The FCDO reports an increase in robberies of people taking taxis in Santa Cruz, La Paz and Rurrenabaque. It advises using established companies, ordering radio taxis by phone, checking for a registration sticker on the windscreen and never getting into a taxi that already carries other passengers. Bolivia’s telecommunications and transport regulator, the ATT, has required ride-hailing apps to register, and the legal status of individual apps has been disputed, so ask your hotel which service it trusts. Save your destination address in Spanish.
City public transport
La Paz and El Alto are linked by Mi Teleferico, a network of ten cable-car lines that doubles as everyday public transport. Check lines, hours and fares on the Mi Teleferico website, because lines close for maintenance from time to time. Cities also rely on minibuses, shared taxis and municipal buses, which are cheap but crowded. Keep your bag in front of you on public transport.
How long do journeys between main cities take?
| Route | By air | By road or rail | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Paz to Santa Cruz | About 1 hour | About 15 to 18 hours by bus | The flight saves a full night on the road. |
| La Paz to Sucre | About 50 minutes | About 12 to 14 hours by bus | Overnight buses are common. |
| La Paz to Uyuni | About 1 hour | About 9 to 12 hours by bus | Night buses arrive early in the morning. Flights can be cancelled in bad weather. |
| La Paz to Copacabana | No flights | About 3.5 to 4 hours by bus | Includes the Strait of Tiquina crossing. |
| La Paz to Oruro | No flights | About 3.5 to 4 hours by bus | Oruro is the starting point of the southwestern train line. |
| Oruro to Uyuni | No flights | About 7 hours by train | Only when the train is running. |
| Sucre to Potosi | No flights | About 3 to 4 hours by bus | Daytime buses run several times a day. |
| Potosi to Uyuni | No flights | About 4 hours or more by bus | Road conditions vary. |
| La Paz to Rurrenabaque | About 35 to 40 minutes | 18 hours or more by road | Most visitors fly. |
These times come from travel operators and guides. They are typical, not guaranteed, and blockades, snow, rain and roadworks add hours.
Which option should you choose? A decision guide
- Choose a flight if you want the fastest option from La Paz to Santa Cruz, Sucre or Rurrenabaque, or if you want to avoid a night on a bus at altitude.
- Choose an overnight bus if you want the cheapest option from La Paz to Uyuni or Sucre and can sleep on the road. Pick a company with sleeper seats and seatbelts.
- Choose the train if scenery matters more than speed between Oruro and Uyuni, and only after you confirm the timetable.
- Choose a daytime bus for the best road views on routes such as La Paz to Copacabana and Sucre to Potosi.
- Choose a private driver or tour for Tiwanaku, the Salar de Uyuni and other remote places.
What are the common mistakes?
- Hailing an unmarked taxi at a bus terminal instead of ordering a registered radio taxi.
- Treating timetables as fixed. Train, bus and flight schedules change.
- Booking a tight onward connection without a spare day for blockades or cancelled flights.
- Leaving valuables on view or in an overhead rack on a night bus.
- Trying to pass a blockade in a vehicle.
Getting around Bolivia: checklist
- Check the news for blockades, strikes and fuel supply before every long journey.
- Book flights with flexible terms where possible.
- Carry water, snacks and warm clothes on long road trips, and keep a copy of your passport photo page.
- Use a money belt for documents on night buses.
- Match your route to the plans in our Bolivia itineraries and the seasons in the best time to visit guide.
Getting around Bolivia FAQs
Is it safe to take long-distance buses in Bolivia?
Many travellers use them, but accidents are common, according to the FCDO. Choose a company with seatbelts and sleeper seats, avoid travelling during reported blockades, and keep valuables on you. Some people fly the longest routes, such as La Paz to Santa Cruz.
Can tourists drive in Bolivia?
Yes, but conditions are demanding. The FCDO says UK drivers need a 1949 international driving permit as well as their licence, and other visitors should check their own rules. Roads are often unpaved, fuel can be scarce and blockades close routes, so many visitors hire a driver instead.
Are there trains for tourists in Bolivia?
Passenger rail is limited to the southwest, between Oruro, Uyuni, Tupiza and Villazon. Services are infrequent and timetables change, so confirm with Empresa Ferroviaria Andina before you plan around a train. Most visitors use buses and flights instead.
Do ride apps work in Bolivia?
Some do, mainly in large cities, but their legal status has been disputed and foreign cards can fail. Ask your hotel to recommend a trusted app or radio taxi, and confirm the plate and price before you get in.