Recently, after completing their trips to Iguazu Falls and Los Glaciares National Park, some travellers asked Summer how to get from Buenos Aires to the Uyuni Salt Flats.
Option 1: Fly from Buenos Aires to La Paz first, then take a bus or a flight to Uyuni. However, there are no direct flights from Buenos Aires to La Paz, so a stopover in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, is required. The specific route is: Buenos Aires – Santa Cruz – La Paz.
Once you arrive in La Paz, you have two options:
- Take an overnight bus from La Paz to Uyuni.
- Fly directly to Uyuni.
Sounds like quite a journey, right? Bolivia is one of only two landlocked countries in South America! Traveling deep into the inland region is no easy task.
When Summer joined a sunset tour at the Uyuni Salt Flats, there were three Chilean guys in the group. At one point, the guide said something to them in Spanish, and they all burst into laughter—clearly, Summer didn’t understand a single word!
Summer asked them what was so funny. One of the guys explained in English: “The guide pointed at the water in the salt flats and said, ‘This is our Bolivian sea!’”
Savage!
There’s no direct flight from Argentina’s capital to Bolivia’s capital—can you believe it? And La Paz isn’t even the final destination! You still have to transfer again to reach Uyuni.
Is there an easier way to get from Buenos Aires to Uyuni?
Actually, yes! Fly from Buenos Aires to Salta, a major city in northern Argentina, and then take a bus from Salta to Uyuni.
How to Get from Salta to Uyuni?
First, take a bus from Salta to the border town of La Quiaca. After crossing the border and clearing customs, take another bus from La Quiaca to Uyuni.
Although crossing the border is required, the journey is quite manageable because:
- There are plenty of bus options from Salta to La Quiaca.
- Even more buses run from La Quiaca to Uyuni, and you don’t necessarily need to book in advance.
- If it’s late and you don’t have enough time to reach Uyuni after crossing the border, there’s another option—Tupiza!
What is Tupiza?
Tupiza is a small town located between La Quiaca and Uyuni, making it the perfect place for a stopover.
When Summer traveled from Salta to Uyuni, she took a break in Tupiza, spending a night there before continuing the journey to Uyuni at a relaxed pace the next day.
Curious how Summer discovered this route from Salta to Uyuni? Well, it all started when she bought a second-hand car in Chile to road trip across South America. But after purchasing the car, she was hit with an unexpected issue—foreigners driving a Chilean-plated car couldn’t exit Chile into Peru! So, to find a workaround, she ended up in Salta, Argentina.
And what a surprise that turned out to be! Before visiting, she had no idea what awaited her. But once she arrived, she was blown away—Northern Argentina is just as stunning as the famous Atacama Desert next door! And honestly? It even rivals the world-famous Iguazu Falls!
Traveling north from Salta, a route resembling a grasshopper’s leap connects Salta, Jujuy, and Purmamarca, among other stunning destinations. Finally, you’ll reach La Quiaca, the last stop before the border. Once you cross into Bolivia, the first major stop is Tupiza, and from there, it’s on to the legendary Uyuni!
Other Ways to Get from Salta to Uyuni
If you don’t want to take the bus, what are the alternatives?
Just like the popular multi-day tours from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, there are 5-day tours from Salta to Uyuni as well. These tours, similar to those from Atacama, are all-inclusive—meals, transportation, accommodation, and all sightseeing activities are covered.
This is the perfect option for travelers who want to see all the breathtaking landscapes along the way without worrying about logistics!
If you’ve finished exploring the Atacama Desert and are considering a visit to Salta, you can take a direct bus from Atacama to Salta.
Some travelers find the altitude on the way from Atacama to Uyuni to be quite strenuous, so they prefer to first head to Salta. From Salta to Uyuni, the altitude increase is more gradual, making the journey more comfortable.
Salta in Argentina, Atacama in Chile, and Uyuni in Bolivia are all must-visit destinations for travelers!
If you need more advice on routes combining Salta, Uyuni, and Atacama, feel free to reach out to Summer!
I’m Summer, an outdoor-loving backpacker.
I only recommend the most exciting destinations for your adventures.
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