Uyuni Airport, among the world's highest at over 3,600 metres altitude, serves the Bolivian city and gateway to Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, approximately 2 km from the city centre.
The Salar, a perfect mirror during the rainy season, is among the most photographed destinations in South America.
How to get to Uyuni Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to UYU
Parking near Uyuni Airport
The parking is small and situated directly opposite the terminal.
Parking prices remain average, not steep.
How to get to Uyuni from UYU
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Uyuni Airport
Car rental options are very limited; the vast majority of visitors explore the Salar on organized 4×4 tours with a driver.
Have your driver's license, passport, and credit card ready.
Hotels near Uyuni Airport
Uyuni Town Centre
About 3-4 km from the airport, 10-15 minutes by taxi booked in advance: there are no bus lines or a fixed taxi queue on arrival.
Best for: Travelers arriving or departing the same day who want to stay close to the station and the agencies organizing Salar tours, without relying on uncertain transfers.
- Plaza Arce, the Clock Tower and the railway station reachable on foot from most accommodations
- The highest concentration of agencies organizing tours to the Salar de Uyuni and the Train Cemetery
- No public transport to and from the airport: a taxi always has to be arranged beforehand
- The actual Salar remains 18-20 km away, reachable with a tour or a rented vehicle
Recommended hotels
- Hotel Jardines de Uyuni On Av. Potosí, 10 minutes' walk from Plaza Arce and the Clock Tower; indoor pool and a restaurant rated above the town average according to reviews. View availability
- Hotel Rosario Uyuni Collection On Av. Arce, a few minutes' walk from Plaza Arce and about 4 minutes by car from the airport: among the accommodations closest to the terminal while still being right in the centre. View availability
- Onkel Inn Wagon Sleepbox Uyuni Rooms built inside authentic railway carriages, one minute's walk from the station and a few steps from Plaza Arce; a budget-friendly and unusual option rather than a luxurious one. View availability
On the edge of the Salar, toward Colchani
About 25 km and 30-40 minutes by car from Uyuni airport, passing through the village of Colchani; it can't be reached by a passing taxi, it has to be arranged as part of the tour or with a private transfer.
Best for: Travelers who want one special night inside a salt hotel, right on the edge of the Salar, before or after the organized tour.
- Rooms, walls and even part of the furniture built from salt blocks from the Salar
- Hillside location on the edge of the Salar de Uyuni, a few minutes from the access point for sunrise excursions
- Isolated from the town of Uyuni: no restaurant or service outside the property
- It has to be booked together with the tour or a private transfer, it's not a last-minute option
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is small, befitting its location among the world's highest airports.
The recommended advance time before flights is 1.5–2 hours.
Map of Uyuni Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the Salar de Uyuni?
The largest salt flat in the world, over 10,000 km²: during the rainy season (December–April) it turns into a perfect natural mirror, creating one of the most photographed sights in South America.
Q. Is it worth flying to Uyuni?
Yes, for those short on time: the flight avoids the long overland journey from La Paz or Sucre, which can take many hours on dirt roads.
Q. Should I worry about the altitude in Uyuni?
The altitude of over 3,600 meters can cause mild altitude sickness: stay well hydrated and avoid excessive exertion in the first hours after arrival.
Q. How are tours to the Salar organized?
Almost all visitors book organized 4x4 tours with a driver, often including pickup directly from the airport.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
