Does anyone knows how can I get from Uyuni, Bolivia to Salta, Argentina by bus? And what the approximate cost/time will be to get there?
asked Apr 29, 2013 at 0:52
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You've asked a few questions in one there, and asking how much in this September it might cost will probably make it too localised for this site. I've removed that part of your question and reworded, hope that's ok. Will proide an answer shortly too.– Mark MayoCommented Apr 29, 2013 at 2:11
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Also I'm assuming you'll have finished a tour in Uyuni? Because if not, you could do a salt flats tour through to San Pedro and then bus over to Salta...– Mark MayoCommented Apr 29, 2013 at 2:13
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1 Answer
So there are two options.
1) You're planning on doing a Salt Flats tour, if you're going to Uyuni? Most of these run from Uyuni to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile, or vice versa, and take 3ish days. It's well worth it and you should consider that if you haven't already, as it'll make the next part really easy. Once you're in San Pedro, there are buses over the Andes to Salta, and it takes approximately 11 hours.
2) If however, you're set on going direct from Uyuni to Salta (perhaps you're only doing a day tour in Uyuni, which would be a shame but understandable if time restricted), then it's important to realise there are no direct buses from Uyuni to Salta. You'll need to complete two stages - first from Uyuni to the border town of Villazon, and then down to Salta in Argentina. Buses tend to go via Tupiz to Villazon, and are not that regular - so if you're doing a tour you'll want to check before hand what time the buses are and whether they can book you a ticket beforehand.
Then you cross the border into La Quiaca (it's like the same town, just other side of the border, different time zone too), and catch a new bus down to Salta, which takes about 7-8 hours. You walk across the border, and there are several bus companies at regular intervals down to Salta - that's the easy part of the trip - Argentine buses are also much more comfortable :)
As for cost, it varies dramatically by bus company, level of comfort, time, day of week and with the current crazy fluctuations in the $ARS, I'd be guessing. From talking to some Argentine folk in the hostel here the other day, it sounds like everything's varying tons at present. But in general, coming from overseas you will find them pretty reasonable - especially the very cheap Bolivian buses.
answered Apr 29, 2013 at 2:23
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One price I found from La Quiaca to Salta was 150 pesos a person with Andesmar, current as at Feb 2013. If that helps. Commented Apr 29, 2013 at 2:25
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thanks a lot for your advices! What would you personally recommend in terms of easier/comfortable route - go through San Pedro or through Villazon? Also I have almost no Spanish, if it may affect your answer somehow... Commented May 6, 2013 at 5:03
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Well if you're doing the Salt flats tour, you'd be doing the route we did through San Pedro - which is also an awesome town with lots to do. It's more common too. Only met a couple of people who went the Villazon route, so I'd say if you have the time, go San Pedro. Commented May 6, 2013 at 5:28
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Yeah, we're definitely about to see Salt flats in Uyuni. Just read your blog post - very interesting. Did you have altitude sickness as well as others? How did you manage it? (Looks like this is another good question for the community) Commented May 6, 2013 at 6:01
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Best to ask as a different question, it's getting chatty. I only got a headache, nothing bad, but it can be different each time. Commented May 6, 2013 at 6:04