Getting There & Around

Oruro is easily reachable, located about 230 km (143 miles) south of La Paz on a paved road. You can take a bus or take the rail line south by train to other Bolivian towns.

By Bus

Almost all long distance buses arrive and depart from the Oruro bus terminal, except buses departing & arriving from Tarija, in which there is a stop on Avenida Ejercito at the east end of the city.

La Paz connections
Located about 230 km (143 miles) south of La Paz, the city of Oruro is easily reachable. There are numerous daily buses going both ways between La Paz and Oruro, that takes about 3 ½ hours, costing about $3 (23Bs).

Cochabamba connections
Daily buses to and from Cochabamba take 6 hours, costing about $4.

Potosi connections
Daily buses to and from Potosi take 12 hours, costing $7.

Sucre connections
Daily buses to and from Sucre take 16 hours, costing $8.

Santa Cruz connections
Daily buses to and from Santa Cruz take 20 hours and cost $11.

Uyuni connections
Daily buses to and from Uyuni take 9 hours, costing $5 or take the train (see below).

There are also daily buses connecting Oruro to Chile. Go to the bus terminal for information on connections to neighboring countries.

To get to Oruro's city center from the bus terminal you can take a Micro bus marked 'Plaza 10 de Febrero' or take a taxi from the bus terminal to the city center and should cost no more than 4 bolivianos. Another option you can just walk to the city center, which takes about 15 minutes.

By Train

Train travel is run by a company from Chile called Empresa Ferroviaria Andina S.A. (http://www.fca.com.bo). If heading south, such as to Salar de Uyuni, the train is a more comfortable alternative to travel compared to taking a bus along bumpy roads.

There are two types of trains: the more comfortable and faster Expreso del Sur and the cheaper but slower Wara Wara del Sur.

Expresso del Sur offers first-class cabins, bar, waiters and food. The Wara Wara del Sur has three different classes of carriage and services of varying cost and comfort, ranging from $3-$20 depending on class and distance traveled.

Currently, the company only sells train tickets the day before or on the day of travel. The lines to buy tickets can get long, so get there early to buy tickets or expect to wait a while in line. The train company takes reservations in advance, but you still have to wait in line to buy a ticket. (See Below for train ticket office hours.)

The train is popular to take among travelers connecting to the Uyuni salt desert. Trains run only south from Oruro to Uyuni and on to Tupiza and then to Villazon on the border with Argentina. See a Train Schedule

Train Ticket office hours in Oruro

Getting Around Oruro

The crowded micros or mini buses connect the city center with other areas. Their routes are designated by their letters, colors and signs. The bus system can be quite confusing in Oruro for tourists, so it is best to ask a local person who knows the routes.

To call a taxi, try Radio Taxi Oruro (527 3399)

Other Related Pages:

• Oruro main page
• Carnival in Oruro
• Oruro Attractions - Things to do
• Hotels in Oruro
• Places to Eat in Oruro
• Nightlife in Oruro
• Shopping - Markets in Oruro