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How to Get from Cochabamba Airport to the City Centre

Cochabamba is a Bolivian town with colonial architecture and a provincial atmosphere. It is situated about 380 km west of La Paz and is close to a stunning national park. Known as the ‘garden city’, Cochabamba is also home to the South American Parliament. The town is a great destination for travellers who want to explore an alternative side of Bolivia.

To get from Cochabamba Airport to the city centre, you have three options: taking a taxi or private transfer, a train, or a bus. While the bus is the cheapest option, it is also the least convenient. The way this type of transport is organised can be confusing for tourists. The light train is a budget-friendly choice, but due to the limited number of stops, it may not be suitable for your destination. A taxi is the most straightforward option, considering the short distance between Cochabamba Airport and the centre and only takes around 6 minutes. 

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Cochabamba at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €4.70 6min 24/7
Bus €0.60 6min 06:00–23:00
Train €1.10 5min 06:30–21:00

How to get from Cochabamba Airport to the centre by taxi

A taxi or private transfer provides a comfortable and hassle-free way to reach your destination without worrying about your luggage or arranging additional transportation. Not only is the ride fast, but it is also reasonably priced. Taxis are available 24/7 and can take you to the city centre in as little as 6 minutes in light traffic.

How much is a taxi from Cochabamba Airport to the city centre?

There is no fixed price for routes from Cochabamba Airport to the city centre. Taxis use a taximeter to calculate the fare. On average, a taxi ride to the city centre costs around €4.70 (BOB 35). Additional charges for luggage may apply depending on the taxi company.

To enjoy a fixed-rate fare, you can pre-book your Cochabamba Airport transfer with Welcome Pickups in less than 60 seconds.

Cost

€4.70 (BOB 35)

Trip Duration

6 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Cochabamba Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Cochabamba Airport is a relatively small airport with only one terminal. You will find the taxi rank outside the Arrivals Terminal on the ground floor. Taxis are generally available from Cochabamba Airport. However, waiting time at the taxi rank may be longer during peak hours. To avoid queuing and continue your journey without any delay, you can book your private transfer in advance. A driver will be waiting for you inside the airport, holding a sign with your name. You can then sit back, relax, and enjoy your ride to your desired destination.

Convenience

Cochabamba taxis are a convenient and affordable mode of transportation to reach the city centre. They are available 24/7, and the short distance between the airport and the city makes it a quick and budget-friendly trip. It is best to opt for a taxi if you carry heavy luggage, arrive early in the morning or late at night, or want to reach your hotel in no time.

Editor’s Note

Booking a taxi in advance or arranging a private transfer is best for those who don't speak Spanish well, as most taxi drivers at Cochabamba Airport do not speak English.

Useful Tips

Before starting your journey, confirm the fare with your driver.
Most taxi drivers in Cochabamba don’t accept card payments. Remember to carry some cash in local currency with you (small notes and coins).
Always ensure that you're taking an authorised Cochabamba taxi. The front window should display a taxi identification number.

How to get from Cochabamba Airport to Cochabamba by bus

Line 2, which runs from “Calle Capitán Luis Garcia” to “Calle Las Begonias”, stops near the airport. This route is operated by minibuses, locally referred to as “micros”, a very common mode of transport in Bolivian cities. These minibuses have two signs on the windscreen. One is the line identifier (a letter or a number), and the other indicates the route.

The bus ride in itself is short and usually lasts around 6 minutes, but you need to factor in the time it takes to walk to the bus stop from the airport and then to your destination, in addition to the waiting time.

Minibuses in Cochabamba are operated by different companies, some very small. Schedules and frequencies are relatively informal, and timetables are rarely available online. The airport’s information desk can provide information regarding bus departure times, but it’s best to have a backup plan, like a taxi, in case there are no more buses on that day.

How much is the bus from Cochabamba Airport to the city centre?

A bus ticket from Cochabamba Airport to the city centre costs €0.30 (BOB 1.90) for adults. Children under 5 travel for free. Tickets can be purchased on the bus.

Cost

€0.30 (BOB 1.90)

Trip Duration

6 Min.

Bus frequency varies and it is best to check up to date timetables prior to arrival.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Operational hours are not fixed and may vary from day to day.

Where do I get it from?

The bus stop is on the right-hand side of the airport on “Avenida Del Cabildo”, approximately 700 m away. The estimated walk time is 8 minutes. Please note that you will need to indicate to the driver when you want to get off the bus.

Convenience

The bus is not a convenient way to get from Cochabamba Airport to the city centre. It involves walking to the bus stop, and you might have to walk further to get to your destination. If you have heavy luggage, have just completed a long flight or do not know the city well, this option is not recommended. The bus schedules can also be unreliable, meaning that you may end up spending more time commuting than you had planned.

Editor’s Note

A municipal decree sets bus ticket prices in Cochabamba. However, drivers often round up the fare to the next peso.

Useful Tips

To make using public transport in Cochabamba easier, you can download the Trufi app to plan your routes and see different options.
Remember to carry some local currency to pay for the bus fare.
Always be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings while on the bus.

How to get from Cochabamba Airport to Cochabamba by train

Mi Tren is a light rail network that links Cochabamba with nearby neighbourhoods, with stops in the city centre. The Green Line connects Cochabamba Airport to the San Antonio train station. It is a fast and budget-friendly transport option, although depending on your destination address, you may need to arrange an additional transfer. While the journey takes just 5 minutes, the 30-minute interval between each tram can increase travel time.

How much is the train from Cochabamba Airport to the city centre?

A train ticket costs €0.55 (BOB 4) for adults and €0.15 (BOB 1) for children. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines at the airport.

Cost

€0.55 (BOB 4)

Trip Duration

5 Min.

The train departs every 30 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The train runs every day between 06:30 and 21:00.

Where do I get it from?

The Aeropuerto stop is just outside the airport. You need to take the tram toward Estación Central San Antonio.

Convenience

The train is a relatively comfortable option for getting to the centre of Cochabamba, provided your destination is close to one of the stops. However, it is far less convenient than a taxi because of the waiting time.

Editor’s Note

The light train network is accessible to people with reduced mobility and can be a good alternative to Cochabamba taxis, which are not.

Useful Tips

Vending machines may not accept card payments. Make sure you have some small change in local currency when purchasing your ticket.
Keep an eye at all times on your luggage, both at the stop and on the train.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Cochabamba Airport to Cochabamba?

There are three transportation options to get from Cochabamba Airport to Cochabamba. Taxis are the most convenient one. They are easily accessible, and the journey typically takes around 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can opt for a light train, but the journey may take longer due to waiting times. Lastly, there is a bus option, but it is not recommended due to the informal schedules that make this mode of transport unreliable.

How far is Cochabamba city centre from Cochabamba Airport?

Cochabamba Airport is located only 5 km away from Cochabamba city centre. It makes up for a quick taxi ride of about 6 minutes in light traffic.

How much is a taxi from Cochabamba Airport to Cochabamba?

Taxi fares at Cochabamba Airport are calculated by a taximeter based on the actual distance and the journey duration. For a ride to Cochabamba, you can expect to pay around €4.70 (BOB 35).

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