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Getting from El Alto Airport to La Paz City Centre

Nestled in the Andes mountains of Bolivia at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, La Paz offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. This colourful and vibrant city mixes traditional Andean culture and modern urban life. Packed with rich history and culture, it is known as “Nuestra Señora de La Paz” (Our Lady of Peace) where travellers can enjoy lively street markets, delicious local cuisine, fantastic museums, galleries and friendly locals.

Depending on your time and budget, there are two different options to transport from La Paz Airport to the city; via taxi or bus. The bus from El Alto airport to La Paz is the cheapest option as it only costs €0.70 (BOB 5.00) per person for a one-way ticket and takes about 50 minutes, excluding waiting times. The taxi from La Paz Airport to the city centre is the fastest and most convenient option, which comes at the cost of around €22 (BOB 160) and usually takes from 30 up to 40 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to La Paz 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 €22 40min 24/7
Bus €1.40 50min 05:00–22:00

Taxi from La Paz Airport to the city centre

For those who desire greater comfort and privacy, the best transportation option for transferring from La Paz Airport to the city centre is by taxi. Although more costly than travelling by bus, the benefits of using a taxi in La Paz are always appreciated by travellers. A taxi or private transfer is faster and gives you more flexibility to discover this amazing city thanks to the convenient door-to-door ride and 24/7 availability.

Prices for a taxi from La Paz Airport to the city centre

Airport taxis in La Paz, Bolivia, do not always offer set-rate fees or use taximeters. Instead, drivers may decide on the fee based on your precise pickup or drop-off location. To avoid surprises, it is important to agree on a price before beginning your journey. The typical cost for a La Paz airport to city transfer is around €22 (BOB 160), regardless of the time of day. The ride usually takes around 40 minutes.

However, keep in mind that the final price is usually at the driver’s discretion, while additional costs, such as the number of passengers, late-night travel, and drop-offs at luxury hotels, may apply depending on the service provider. For the peace of mind a set-rate fee offers, we recommend booking your taxi in advance. That way, you get an on-time pickup guarantee, a personalised door-to-door ride and assurance of the absence of hidden fees seeing as your trip is pre-paid!

Cost

€22

Trip Duration

40 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at El Alto Airport (LPB).

Where do I get a taxi from?

In order to get a taxi from El Alto airport to La Paz, you can easily find the taxi rank just outside the main terminal hall. Taxi services at the airport are readily available and operate 24/7. Many taxi drivers will come to you to offer their services but to ensure a safe and secure journey, it is recommended to use only official and authorised taxi services, so that you can fully appreciate your initial moments arriving in the city.

Convenience

Although more expensive than taking the bus from La Paz Airport to the city, taxis are by far the most convenient option for anyone wishing to travel to their accommodation in a comfortable, spacious, air-conditioned vehicle.

In comparison with the public transportation options, using a taxi will save you time and effort in navigating the city and also provide you with flexibility if you land or depart at unusual hours. Unlike buses which are crowded and make multiple stops, a taxi ride from El Alto airport to La Paz provides a comfortable, direct and stress-free travel experience.

Editor’s Note

Make sure to always carry cash on you as most taxis in La Paz do not accept card payments.

Useful Tips

Use radio taxis whenever possible, as they are safer and more reliable than regular taxis. Look for the bubble sign indicating that the taxi belongs to a registered company.
Be wary of unmarked taxis, as they can be unsafe. Stick to official taxis or use the Welcome pickup app, which allows you to manage your booking effortlessly and communicate with your driver in real time.
Always confirm the destination and the cost of the ride with the driver before starting the journey. Consider negotiating the fare upfront to avoid any misunderstandings.

Bus from El Alto Airport to La Paz city centre

Bus 212 from El Alto Airport to La Paz city centre is the cheapest option and departs every 15 minutes from 5.00 to 22.00, except on weekends. Bus 212 runs from the airport parking sector to the main bus station and Plaza Isabel La Católica, in the city centre. Some of the 37 intermediate stops are; Plaza Juana Padilla, Transit Battalion, Technological Institute, Cemetery, Plaza 14 de Septiembre, and Mercado Lanza. The trip should take around 50 minutes depending on traffic conditions and your final stop.

How much is a bus ticket from El Alto airport to La Paz city centre?

Taking Bus 212 is definitely the cheapest option for those travelling on a tight budget, with a one-way ticket costing less than a euro; €0,70 (BOB 5.00). You can purchase tickets from the driver directly using cash.

Cost

€0.70

Trip Duration

50 Min.

*Bus 212 runs every 15 minutes from Monday to Friday.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The bus is available daily between 05:00 and 22:00, except for weekends.

Where do I get the bus from?

It is easy to locate the public bus 212 which runs from La Paz Airport to the city centre. Upon exiting the main airport hall, you can cross the street and find a sign that displays the bus tariffs. It is typical to observe a sizable queue of local people waiting to board the bus.

Convenience

In terms of convenience, using the Bus from La Paz Airport to the city centre is not the best way as it usually fills up very quickly and can be a rather stressful transportation option if you carry heavy luggage or have children. However, if you travel alone and are not bound to a tight schedule, using the bus will definitely be a great option to immerse yourself in the local population and travel in the most cost-effective manner.

Editor’s Note

To find out where and when exactly the bus will arrive, it is recommended to download an app like GoogleMaps or Moovit.

Useful Tips

Know your route before boarding; La Paz has an extensive bus network, and it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors to navigate. You can ask for assistance from locals or bus station attendants.
When taking the bus in La Paz, carrying small denominations of the Bolivian currency is advisable, as drivers often do not have change for larger bills.
Pickpocketing can be a problem on public buses in La Paz, especially during peak hours when buses are crowded. Keep your belongings close and be vigilant of your surroundings.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from La Paz Airport to the city?

Different means of transport from El Alto Airport to La Paz city centre are available; you can cover the route by taxi or a shared bus. If you choose to take a cab your travel time will be around 35 minutes. This is the only available option on weekends. The cheapest option for your transport from La Paz Airport to the city is via Bus 212 which goes from the airport to the city in approximately 50 minutes.

What’s the cost of a taxi from La Paz Airport to the city?

For a more convenient transfer option, a taxi from La Paz Airport to the city centre will cost on average €22,00 (BOB 160.00) for a 40-minute trip, regardless of the time of the day.

You can also pre-book a trusted local driver with Welcome, to pick you up and introduce you to the city at a competitive set fee with no hidden fees!

Is there public transportation from El Alto Airport to La Paz?

Yes, the public transportation services from El Alto Airport to La Paz can be found right outside the airport terminal in the airport parking area. Bus services are available on weekdays only and run every 15 minutes. Alternatively, for a more comfortable and convenient option, you could pre-book your private La Paz airport taxi transfer with Welcome!

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