Getting There and Away

Colorful umbrellas decorate a bustling market street in La Paz, Bolivia.
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La Paz is primarily served by El Alto International Airport (LPB) for air travel. For ground transportation, the main bus terminal, Terminal Terrestre de La Paz, is centrally located on Plaza Antofagasta and Avenida Peru.

By Air (El Alto International Airport - LPB):

* **International Flights:** Most international journeys to La Paz involve layovers in major hubs like Miami, Panama City, Bogotá, or Madrid. Airlines such as Avianca, Copa Airlines, and LATAM commonly operate these routes. Flight durations vary; for example, a flight from Los Angeles to La Paz could take 10 to 12 hours, with round-trip tickets from the US generally costing between $600 and $900. From the UK, expect flights lasting 15 to 20 hours, with costs typically ranging from £500 to £1,000. * **Domestic Flights:** Direct flights are readily available from other Bolivian cities, including Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, Uyuni, Trinidad, and Tarija. A flight from Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI) to La Paz (LPB) typically takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes, with fares ranging from approximately $85 to $123. * **From Airport to City Center:** Taxis offer a direct route, taking 25-40 minutes and costing approximately Bs50-Bs80. Alternatively, public minibuses (Line 212 or GoTransTur) depart frequently from outside the airport, behind the taxis, from 6:15 am to 9 pm. This option costs around Bs5 and takes about 45 minutes to reach central areas like Plaza San Francisco or Plaza Isabel La Católica, though space for luggage may be limited, with bags often placed on the roof. Private transfers can also be pre-booked for a comfortable and secure journey directly to your hotel.

By Bus (Terminal Terrestre de La Paz):

* The main bus terminal, a striking yellow building reportedly designed by Gustave Eiffel, is situated on Plaza Antofagasta/Avenida Peru. A small terminal fee of Bs2 is typically required upon departure. * **Domestic Routes:** * **Santa Cruz de la Sierra:** Bus journeys are lengthy, lasting approximately 16 to 20 hours, with tickets costing between $33 and $40. * **Copacabana:** Direct buses depart from Plaza Sucre, taking around 4 hours and costing $6-$7. An additional Bs2 is needed for the Tiquina strait crossing. * **Uyuni:** Buses are available, with lie-flat options often starting around $16.06. * **International Routes:** * **Cusco (Peru):** Direct buses typically take about 14 hours, with fares starting from approximately $30.00 to $32 USD. * **Arica (Chile):** Buses generally take about 8 hours. * **Villazón (Argentina border):** The journey by bus takes approximately 18 hours. * **Bolivia Hop:** For travel between La Paz, Copacabana, and Peru, Bolivia Hop offers a hop-on/hop-off bus service with flexible scheduling, English-speaking hosts, and assistance at border crossings.