Bus from La Paz to Uyuni: The Ultimate 10-Hour Journey Guide

Introduction

When we started planning our trip to the Uyuni Salt Flats, the first thing we had to figure out was how to actually get to Uyuni from La Paz (Actually from Copacabana to La Paz and then La Paz to Uyuni). Almost all Uyuni tours start around 10 a.m., so timing really matters, and we didn’t want to risk missing anything.

We considered all the options, from taxis to trains to planes. A taxi was immediately out; way too expensive for such a long journey. The train sounded like a fun old-school adventure, but Bolivia’s railway system is tiny. To even catch the Uyuni train, we would’ve needed to take a bus to Oruro first, and trains don’t run every day, so that plan died quickly.

So in the end, it came down to two choices: fly or take the bus from La Paz to Uyuni.

Flying from La Paz to Uyuni is definitely the quickest and most comfortable, but it’s also pretty expensive, and you still have to deal with airport transfers and schedules. The bus, on the other hand, is cheap, leaves every day, and actually saves you a night of accommodation, but of course, it’s a 10-hour ride, and some travelers talk about breakdowns or delays.

After thinking it through, we went for the night bus from La Paz to Uyuni, mostly because it fit our budget and our itinerary perfectly. And honestly, it ended up being a good decision — cheaper, surprisingly comfortable, and part of the adventure in its own way.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how the journey works, what to expect, and how to make it smooth so you arrive in Uyuni ready for your Salt Flats tour.

Double-decker Todo Turismo bus parked on a street in Uyuni under a bright blue sky. — Double-decker Todo Turismo bus parked on a street in Uyuni

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Collage-style Pinterest image showing the La Paz to Uyuni overnight bus in Bolivia. Includes a double-decker Todo Turismo bus at sunset in the desert, a close-up of a bus seat with blanket and water bottle, a bright blue and red Uyuni bus parked in town, and two smiling travelers sitting inside the bus during their journey.

Which Company to Choose for the Bus from La Paz to Uyuni

When it came to choosing a bus company for the La Paz–Uyuni route, we didn’t want to take any risks. Ten hours on the road is long, and after a few uncomfortable bus rides elsewhere in South America (hello broken seats and surprise delays), we promised ourselves we’d pick the safest and most reliable option this time.

So we did what every traveler does — grabbed our phones, checked reviews, compared companies, asked other backpackers… and honestly, one name kept coming back over and over: Todo Turismo.

It’s the company most travelers praise for safety, comfort, and professionalism. Their buses from La Paz to Uyuni are modern, the seats actually recline, the blankets are warm, and the whole experience feels a bit more organized compared to some others you’ll find around La Paz’s chaotic bus terminal.

So we didn’t hesitate long. We booked our tickets with Todo Turismo for the 9 p.m. night bus from La Paz to Uyuni, which would get us there early in the morning, just in time for our Salt Flats tour. It felt like the safest and most comfortable choice — and looking back, it absolutely was.

Pillow, blanket, and water bottle arranged on a reclining seat inside a Todo Turismo night bus to Uyuni.

Check all your bus options on Busbud — it’s simple to compare routes, prices, and book your tickets in advance.

Booking Your Ticket

Booking the bus from La Paz to Uyuni is super straightforward. You can reserve your seat directly on Todo Turismo’s official website, which is what most travelers do, or you can book through Busbud, a reliable platform that lists all available schedules and lets you pay with international cards without any headaches.

Prices are the same on both platforms, but booking early is always a good idea — Todo Turismo is the most popular company on this route, and seats do sell out, especially in high season.

Whichever platform you choose, the process is simple: pick your date, choose your seat, pay, and you’re good to go. You’ll receive a confirmation by email, and that’s all you need to show on the day of departure.

Couple sitting inside a Todo Turismo bus at night, smiling and ready for the overnight trip to Uyuni. — Todo Turismo bus at night

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The Journey from la Paz to Uyuni

Bus Terminal

We reached the Todo Turismo office around 8:20 pm, just next to La Paz’s main bus terminal. They recommend arriving about 30 minutes before departure, which is exactly what we did. At the entrance, they quickly checked our e-ticket, took our backpacks, and sent us upstairs to the waiting room for check-in.

The first thing we noticed? Everyone there was a foreigner. It felt like we definitely picked the right company. We used the time to stock up on water, charge our phones, and visit the bathroom before boarding.

Read: What to Expect On an EPIC 3 Day Uyuni Salt Flat Tour in Bolivia

Boarding the Bus from La Paz to Uyuni

We boarded the bus from La Paz to Uyuni around 8:50 pm, and honestly… the bus exceeded our expectations. It was brand new, a double-decker with:

Cama seats (full recline) on the lower deck
Semi-cama seats on the upper deck

Both layouts are 2+1, so every row feels spacious — the only real difference is how far the seat reclines. Since we booked only a day before, all cama seats were gone, but our semi-cama seats were still incredibly comfortable.

At booking, you can also choose your meal preference (vegan, vegetarian, etc.). We selected vegan but skipped dinner since it was already late. Upstairs, our seats were huge, with a blanket, pillow, and bottle of water waiting for each passenger. Honestly, it felt way more comfortable than any economy airline seat.

Colorful desert sunset seen along the La Paz–Uyuni route, with wide open landscapes and mountains. — Colorful desert sunset seen along the La Paz–Uyuni route

Check all your bus options on Busbud — it’s simple to compare routes, prices, and book your tickets in advance.

On the Road

The bus from La Paz to Uyuni made a few stops during the night — we have no idea what most of them were for — but the last one at 6:30 am lasted 45 minutes instead of 15. Probably due to driving-hour regulations (similar to Europe). We took the opportunity to stretch our legs, grab a small snack, and enjoy the sunrise.

Inside the bus from La Paz to Uyuni, you get:

USB plugs
A bottle holder
Individual reading lights
A foldable window next to seats 14 and 15, which we really appreciated

One downside: after about 1h30 on the road, it got a bit warm and stuffy, but not unbearable.

Quiet street in Uyuni town with trees, restaurants, and morning sunlight casting long shadows. — Quiet street in Uyuni

Read: What to Expect On an EPIC 3 Day Uyuni Salt Flat Tour in Bolivia

There’s also a toilet onboard, but they ask passengers to only urinate to reduce maintenance. Since the bus was new, the chemical tank was still fresh and nearly full — so if you truly can’t wait, you can use it. And if not, Todo Turismo’s Uyuni office has proper bathrooms when you arrive.

We pulled into Uyuni at around 8:00 am, with about one hour delay, but nothing that impacted our Salt Flats tour.

Our Favorite Hotels in Uyuni

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A bright Uyuni hotel room with high wooden beams, vibrant red Andean textiles, and a small sitting area with rustic chairs by large windows.

Hotel Nido del Flamenco

A spacious salt–brick hotel room with two large beds, white floors, warm ceiling panels, and a carved condor design on the wall.

Casa de Sal – Salt Hotel

A cozy hotel room featuring a king bed with striped Andean-style bedding, warm wooden floors, and textured salt-block walls.

Hotel de Sal Atipax

Large Todo Turismo double-decker bus parked in the desert at sunrise during the journey from la paz to uyuni

See all available hotels in Uyuni

About the authors

We are Alex and Tina, a French-Serbian couple who met in China back in 2014. We spent three incredible years there before making France our home. Our shared passion for travel has been the heartbeat of our relationship for over 12 years, taking us across 44 countries and counting.

We launched TheDailyPackers in 2019 as a way to document our adventures. In 2026, we reached a major milestone by officially turning our blog into our full-time job. While we are still growing toward financial independence through this platform, every article we write is fueled by our mission to make your voyages easier through in-depth guides, honest advice, and the lessons we’ve learned from our own mistakes.

Our journey has not been without its storms. In 2023, our world changed forever when our first son, Poppy, was stillborn on November 25th. It was, and remains, the hardest chapter of our lives. In 2025, we were blessed with our second little boy, Milo. He has since joined our traveling tribe, and you’ll be seeing him—and the reality of traveling with a little one-on the blog more and more.

We hope to inspire you to explore the world with curiosity and resilience. Thank you for being part of our story.