El Alto International Airport ranks among the world's highest commercial airports at 4,061 meters elevation, located in El Alto city on the plateau above La Paz.
It serves La Paz, the seat of government and Bolivia's most visited city, reachable by descending approximately 400 meters into the valley below.
How to get to El Alto International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to LPB
Parking near El Alto International Airport
Official parking is a short walk from the terminal.
It is not staffed but monitored; rates are generally affordable, consistent with regional standards.
How to get to La Paz from LPB
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at El Alto International Airport
Major international and local car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for those wanting to explore beyond La Paz, including the Salar de Uyuni (more easily reached by internal flight or organised tour given the travel times).
Bring your licence, passport and credit card registered to the driver for the security deposit; an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally also required. The roads of La Paz are steep and winding: take extra care in your first moves.
Hotels near El Alto International Airport
Historic Centre and Sopocachi
30-50 minutes by taxi from El Alto airport (19-20 km, longer during peak hours 7-9 and 17-19); alternatively a minibus in 30-45 minutes or Mi Teleférico plus taxi in 60-90 minutes.
Best for: Travelers who want Plaza Murillo, the Mercado de las Brujas and the centre's museums within a short taxi ride or cable-car hop, with Sopocachi's cultural life just minutes away.
- Plaza Murillo, the Cathedral and the Mercado de las Brujas reachable on foot or within a few minutes by taxi
- Sopocachi, just steps away, offers galleries, theatres and the cafés of Plaza Abaroa and Avenida 20 de Octubre
- The streets are very steep: walking between the centre and Sopocachi means tackling demanding climbs at La Paz's altitude
- Peak-hour traffic significantly extends taxi times to and from the airport
Recommended hotels
- 1825 Hotel In the heart of the historic centre, on the corner of Loayza and Potosí, three minutes' walk from Plaza Murillo and the Cathedral; connected to a shopping centre, with a panoramic terrace and airport transfer service. View availability
- Anami Hotel Boutique A heritage house from 1920 restored in 2016, in Sopocachi: interior garden, restaurant and breakfast included, a few minutes from Plaza Murillo and the National Museum of Art. View availability
- Almudena Apart Hotel Apartments with views of the Cordillera Real in Sopocachi, near Plaza del Estudiante; the higher floors (301, 401, 501, 601) are the most requested according to reviews, for the view. View availability
Zona Sur and Calacoto
About 15 km south of central La Paz, at a lower altitude: the trip from El Alto airport often takes over an hour by taxi; the green line of the Mi Teleférico connects the Zona Sur to the rest of the city.
Best for: Travelers looking for the city's mildest climate, modern restaurants and bars, who accept a longer transfer from the airport.
- Noticeably warmer climate than the centre and El Alto, thanks to the Zona Sur's lower altitude
- Restaurants, cafés and boutiques of Calacoto, with the Irpavi cable-car station just steps from several accommodations
- The transfer from the airport is the longest of any zone in La Paz, often over an hour
- Evening life is more residential and less tied to the historic centre's tourist sites
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is compact in size but modern. From check-in to gate you generally walk 10-15 minutes; the altitude can make the effort more tiring than usual in the first few days.
During busier periods the checks get longer: for international flights it is wise to arrive 3 hours in advance.
Map of El Alto International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is altitude sickness a serious problem in La Paz?
It's common in the first 24-48 hours, since the airport sits at 4,061 metres: move slowly, avoid exertion and alcohol right after arrival, and try coca tea, a widely available traditional remedy.
Q. Do I need a visa for Bolivia?
As of December 2025, no for the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, for up to 90 days. However, free online migration pre-registration is mandatory for everyone within the 30 days before travel.
Q. How do you get to the centre of La Paz from the airport?
By taxi (25-35 minutes) or, as a scenic alternative, with a short taxi ride to the Mi Teleférico station and then a cable car to the centre, descending about 400 metres in elevation with views over the valley.
Q. Is it worth renting a car from El Alto for the Salar de Uyuni?
A domestic flight or an organized tour is more practical: the distances and road travel times are considerable, and the altitude (over 3,600 metres) still requires good acclimatization.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
