Travel information by train from Villazón to Uyuni and Oruro

If you are looking for updated information on train travel on the Villazón - Oruro route (passing through Tupiza and Uyuni), you should know that there have been important changes to the itineraries and service type. Currently, the company Ferroviaria Andina operates this route under the service named FERROBUS - Expreso del Sur.

Unlike previous years where there were multiple departures, the itinerary is now more specific. Below, we detail the exact departure times, stop times at intermediate stations, and the official current fares in Bolivianos (Bs).

    ⚠️ Frequency Change: Please note that currently there is only one weekly departure from Villazón and one from Oruro. Plan your connection in advance.

Itinerary: Villazón ➔ Oruro (Northbound)

This is the service used by those entering from Argentina. The train departs on Thursdays.

Route / Station	Day	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Notes
Villazón - Tupiza	Thursday	14:30 Hrs	17:20 Hrs	50 min stop in Tupiza.
Tupiza - Atocha	Thursday	18:10 Hrs	21:40 Hrs	15 min stop in Atocha.
Atocha - Uyuni	Thursday	21:55 Hrs	00:03 Hrs (Friday)	57 min stop in Uyuni.
Uyuni - Oruro	Friday	01:00 Hrs	07:55 Hrs	Final arrival.

    ℹ️ Fares from Villazón:    

       
• To Tupiza: 25 Bs
       
• To Atocha: 51 Bs
       
• To Uyuni: 72 Bs
       
• To Oruro (Final): 126 Bs
   

Itinerary: Oruro ➔ Villazón (Southbound)

For those traveling from the north of the country towards the border. The service departs on Monday nights.

   

Route / Station	Day	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Notes
Oruro - Uyuni	Monday	21:30 Hrs	04:23 Hrs (Tuesday)	Long stop of 97 min in Uyuni.
Uyuni - Atocha	Tuesday	06:00 Hrs	08:08 Hrs	20 min stop in Atocha.
Atocha - Tupiza	Tuesday	08:28 Hrs	11:43 Hrs	Long stop of 100 min in Tupiza.
Tupiza - Villazón	Tuesday	13:23 Hrs	16:30 Hrs	Arrival at border.

    ℹ️ Fares from Oruro:    

       
• To Uyuni: 60 Bs
       
• To Atocha: 81 Bs
       
• To Tupiza: 107 Bs
       
• To Villazón (Final): 126 Bs
   

Ferrobus Service Details

The current service combines the speed of the Ferrobus with the classic comfort of the Expreso del Sur. It is important to note the stop times:

   
• On the southbound route (Oruro to Villazón), the train stops for 1 hour and 40 minutes in Tupiza and over an hour and a half in Uyuni. This allows passengers to briefly step off, stretch their legs, and buy local food.
   
• The complete trip from end to end costs 126 Bolivianos.

    💡 Recommendation: Since the train leaves Uyuni at 1:00 AM (heading to Oruro) or arrives at 4:23 AM (from Oruro), we suggest having your accommodation or transport coordinated in advance, as these are early morning hours with very low temperatures.