Photo: Train in Palala, near Tupiza
Time table of trains from and to Tupiza
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| Thursday (rail co: Wara Wara del Sur) |
As you see, the railway company Expreso del Sur rides every Saturday and Tuesday. On Sunday and Thursday we have the new railway line Wara Wara del Sur. There are no trains on Monday, Wednesday nor Friday. For prices click here or scroll down this page.
The above photos show the trains to ride around Tupiza. These pics where taken in July 2001 by people of the Grace United Methodist Church. There are many more beautiful photos at their website .
International trains
The international line goes to Calama, Chile. You can either take this train at Avaroa or Uyuni. Avaroa is south of Tupiza. Please ask for advice at the reception of Hostal Valle Hermoso to learn which route is most suitable in your particular situation. Off course you can reserve your tickets at Hostal Valle Hermoso.Sunday
3.00 a.m.: departure from Uyuni
7.30 a.m.: arrival at Avaroa Thursday
9.00 a.m.: departure from Avaroa
1.30 p.m.: arrival at Uyuni
Ticket prices of Tupiza and international trains
| Expreso del Sur | Ejecutivo (Executive class) | Premier (Business class) | Salón (First class) |
| Tupiza to Oruro | 136 bs | 106 bs | 68 bs |
| Tupiza to Uyuni | 65 bs | 52 bs | 28 bs |
| Tupiza to Villazón | 33 bs | 26 bs | 15 bs |
| Wara Wara del Sur | Ejecutivo (Executive class) | Salón (First class) | Populár (Economy class) |
| Tupiza to Oruro | 99 bs | 49 bs | 43 bs |
| Tupiza to Uyuni | 42 bs | 23 bs | 19 bs |
| Tupiza to Villazón | 25 bs | 12 bs | 11 bs |
| Tren internacionál | Populár (Economy class) |
| Uyuni to Avaroa | 32 bs |
| Uyuni to Calama | 91 bs |
About travelling by train in Bolivia
The railway company that connects Villazón with Oruro (via Tupiza, Uyuni and Río Mulatos) is modern and well-equipped, as you may have guessed from looking at the above photos. Unfortunately, some of the older travel guide books still give old information about passenger trains in Bolivia being either not reliable or even non-existant. That kind of info is outdated and NOT TRUE. The on-line version of Lonely Planet is also sadly inadequate in this respect. The outdated stories of unreliable railways in Bolivia stem from the pre-1995 era, when the railways where owned by the state (ENFE). In 1995 the railways were privatized and splitted in FCA (Andes region) and FCO (oriental region, from Santa Cruz to Brazil and Argentina).
The truth is that nowadays railway passenger transport in the Andes region of Bolivia is handled by one major Chilean company called La Empresa Ferroviaria Andina S.A. (FCA). They have to lines: Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara del Sur. They connect Villazón, at the border with Argentina, with Oruro about 850 km / 530 mls). Both lines have modern trains, equipped with everything you need for comfortable long-distance travelling. The seats are adjustable, there's video and music, heating and a restaurant service. Both Expreso del Sur and Wara Wara have three classes, yet Expreso is more luxurous and faster than Wara. Even in economy class, you'll have a reserved seat and there's a waiter who serves pollo. At night they show two films in a row. These videos are mostly secondrate North-American fighting movies or comedies, but however corny the movies might be, you'll still bound to smile at the enthusiasm of the locals, who cheer and laugh and explain every joke to their neighbours. It's quite a funny experience. Most films are in English with Spanish subtitles, so it's also a great opportunity to learn some Spanish (this is how I picked up my knowledge of Spanish four letter words - which have more letters in castellano, but you know what I mean). The conductor constantly makes his rounds, also at night, which makes it a pretty safe place. The majority of your fellow travellers will probably be tourists, more so in the more expensive classes.
Taking the train is a pretty fast way to get from Tupiza to La Paz. For instance, if you take the 6.20 p.m. at Saturday, you'll be in La Paz the next morning at around 10.00 a.m. In Oruro you'll have to take a taxi from the train station to the bus terminal. The bus from Oruro makes for a fast connection with La Paz, using an asphalted road without corners on the Altiplano. Big chance you'll already start to miss Tupiza and its lovely climate as soon as you hit the cold Altiplano!
The Tupiza railway station
The address is Hostal Valle Hermoso, Avenida Pedro Arraya 478, Tupiza, Bolivia.
It's close to the railway station (estación F.C.A.) and bus terminal. Coming out of the station, go to the left, cross Calle Florida and you're there. The Hostal and the attached "tienda" (shop) are at your left hand.
Any questions?
Please ask at the reception of Hostal Valle Hermoso or mail me.
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