The Most Famous Train in South America
So without a doubt, the "Death Train" has to be the most famous train in South America - largely due to its name and the mystery surrounding the reason for ths name. This lense covers the death train, and other means of train transport in Bolivia including to Chile, Argentina and Uyuni.
Please rate my lense if you found it useful and leave your Bolivian train stories in the guestbook!
Train between Santa Cruz and Brazil - the facts
This train starts in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and ends at the Bolivian border town of Puerto Quijarro.
There are three different trains that leave on different days which effectively means that a train leaves everyday from Santa Cruz, and everyday from Quijarro for its end destination.
There are no "cama" or "sleeper" services available, but the most comfortable train (and obviously the most expensive)is the FERROBUS service. This train leave Santa Cruz Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
The train to have caution catching is the REGIONAL which leaves Monday to Saturday, is long and will test your patience.
The trains on this line also stop at San Jose, Robore and Rivero Torrez. A stope in the Robore region, particularly for a visit to Santiago de Chiquitos (20mins drive from the Robore station) is highly recommended
There are three different trains that leave on different days which effectively means that a train leaves everyday from Santa Cruz, and everyday from Quijarro for its end destination.
There are no "cama" or "sleeper" services available, but the most comfortable train (and obviously the most expensive)is the FERROBUS service. This train leave Santa Cruz Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
The train to have caution catching is the REGIONAL which leaves Monday to Saturday, is long and will test your patience.
The trains on this line also stop at San Jose, Robore and Rivero Torrez. A stope in the Robore region, particularly for a visit to Santiago de Chiquitos (20mins drive from the Robore station) is highly recommended
Why call it the "DEATH TRAIN"
Who died and will you???
Many people think its called the Death Train because its cold, uncomfortable, bumpy and prone to derailing. Or that you can fall out of the doors and end up underneath the carriage. Really this train (well, the FERROBUS service) is one of the better quality train services in Bolivia. And truly, the train is sometimes so slow you could jump out and run along side it.
The train is called the death train because early on in the last century, when the region of Santa Cruz was suffering an epidemic of yellow fever, this train line was the line used to transport the dead bodies out of Santa Cruz and into quarantine areas. Hence Death Train.
The train is called the death train because early on in the last century, when the region of Santa Cruz was suffering an epidemic of yellow fever, this train line was the line used to transport the dead bodies out of Santa Cruz and into quarantine areas. Hence Death Train.
Train to Uyuni
Well from Villazon to Oruro, but Uyuni is what most people are interested in.
This train is very popular with travelers heading up from Salta and the north of Argentina into Bolivia. The train line starts in the town of Villazon, Bolivia. The Argentinian border town is Puerto Quijarro here you must get your exit stamps before crossing to Villazon.
The train stops include Tupiza, Atocha, Uyuni then Oruro. While most people head straight to Uyuni, many clever people discover that getting out at Tupiza and doing the Uyuni tour from here will ofeten save time and allow them to see many more interesting things
The train stops include Tupiza, Atocha, Uyuni then Oruro. While most people head straight to Uyuni, many clever people discover that getting out at Tupiza and doing the Uyuni tour from here will ofeten save time and allow them to see many more interesting things
Is there a train between Oruro and La Paz?
The short answer is YES, I know there is because when I was there and got off the Uyuni-Oruro train there were people waiting - but these were my very first hours in Bolivia (all those years ago) and I wasn´t sure I could trust the transport system (you still never know but I have more faith now). I am working hard to find out the details for you as soon as I can. If you know something - post a message in the guest book.
Train Timetables
- The Death Train Timetable
- The offical "Death Train" site - find out timetables for the train between Brazil and Bolivia, and well as between Santa Cruz and Yacuiba (Argetine border). Site is available in English and Spanish
- Ferroviaria Andina
- Train timetables for the Villazon (Argentine Border) and Oruro. This includes the Uyuni stop as well as the train from Uyuni to Chile (Avaroa or Calama)
Don´t forget to pack your Guidebok
While you will always need to keep up to date via the internet and local information during your travel, we recommend you travel with a guidebook such as Rough Guide to help give you an overview of each place you visit. We do not recommend lonely planet - particularly not for Bolivia because as locals and tourism advisors we have found the information incorrect or very misleading!
The Rough Guide to Bolivia
Amazon Price: (as of 07/11/2009) 
The Rough Guide to Brazil 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Amazon Price: $20.51 (as of 07/11/2009)
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by Bolivia_Blogger
I am a perpetual Bolivia traveller, based in Santa Cruz fascinated with this beautiful and interesting country - my aim is to make...
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