Airport Hubs:
LPB → La Paz (Centro & Sopocachi) Updated for 2026

How to Get from La Paz El Alto Airport (LPB) to Centro & Sopocachi

Distance 13 km
Fastest 25 min
From 3.00 - 6.00 BOB (~$0.50 - $0.90)
Top Pick Official Radio Taxi / Mi Teleférico Cable Car System
Quick 10-Second Verdict:

El Alto Airport (LPB) sits at 4,061m altitude above La Paz. For travelers with luggage adjusting to the altitude, an official radio taxi (*Taxi Aeropuerto*) takes 25-35 minutes for 60 - 80 BOB (~$9 - $12 USD) descending directly into central La Paz or Sopocachi. Adventurous travelers can take a 5-minute taxi to the Mi Teleférico cable car network (Línea Plateada / Morada) and glide down into downtown in 16 minutes for 3.00 - 6.00 BOB (~$0.50 - $0.90 USD) with spectacular Andean vistas.

El Alto International Airport (LPB) is one of the highest commercial airports in the world. Landing on the Altiplano plateau and descending into the dramatic mountain bowl of La Paz offers one of global travel's most unforgettable arrival experiences.

All Transfer Options Compared (2026 Fares)

Transport Option Typical Time 2026 Fare Frequency Best For Booking / Info
Official Radio Taxi (Taxi Aeropuerto) Best Overall
25–35 min
60 - 80 BOB
~$9 - $12 / €8 - €11
 Continuous queue All travelers—safest, avoids altitude strain, and direct hotel delivery Book La Paz Transfer
Airport Minibus & Mi Teleférico Cable Car (Línea Morada) Best Overall
25–35 min
8.00 BOB
~$1.15 / €1.05
 Continuous cable cars Travelers wanting breathtaking Andean aerial views while bypassing road jams Explore La Paz Tours

Detailed Step-by-Step Transfer Options

Option #1 Best Overall

Official Radio Taxi (Taxi Aeropuerto)

60 - 80 BOB ~$9 - $12 / €8 - €11
Travel time 25–35 min
Frequency Continuous queue
Operating hours 24/7 continuous
Where to buy tickets Authorized desk inside terminal or official rank outside exit.
Main advantage: Direct doorstep drop-off; official fixed price; driver assists with luggage; heated vehicles.
Keep in mind: Traffic congestion along the Autopista during evening rush hour.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Exit the baggage claim area to the official radio taxi counter.
  2. Confirm the fixed rate (60 BOB to Centro, 70 BOB to Sopocachi).
  3. Descend the scenic Autopista La Paz-El Alto with views of the entire city basin.
  4. Direct drop-off at your hotel lobby.
Book La Paz Transfer
Option #2 Best Overall

Airport Minibus & Mi Teleférico Cable Car (Línea Morada)

8.00 BOB ~$1.15 / €1.05
Travel time 25–35 min
Frequency Continuous cable cars
Operating hours 06:00 - 23:00 daily
Where to buy tickets Minibus fare paid in cash (2 BOB); Teleférico token purchased at station ticket window (3 BOB per line).
Main advantage: Spectacular views over the canyon and Illimani snowpeak; immune to steep mountain traffic jams; modern Austrian Doppelmayr cabins.
Keep in mind: Requires short 5-minute minibus ride from terminal to 6 de Marzo / Teleférico station; large trunks awkward in cabins.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Board airport minibus Line 212 outside arrivals to Avenida 6 de Marzo (5 min, 2 BOB).
  2. Enter the Mi Teleférico 6 de Marzo station and purchase a ticket (3 BOB) for Línea Morada (Purple Line).
  3. Glide smoothly over the canyon edge directly down into downtown La Paz (Obelisco / Prado station) in just 16 minutes.
Explore La Paz Tours
ARRIVAL CONNECTIVITY & RIDE-HAILING TIP

Need Mobile Data at the Terminal for InDrive / Uber & Maps?

Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where InDrive / Uber pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.

Get Bolivia eSIM on Airalo →Compare Bolivia Airport eSIM on Klook →
STRESS-FREE DOOR-TO-DOOR OPTION

Prefer a Driver Waiting at La Paz (LPB) Arrivals?

Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.

Check La Paz Transfers & Rail Passes on Klook →View Airport & City Hotels on Klook →

Tickets, Luggage & Late-Night Arrivals

How Tickets & Payments Work

Official airport taxis have a desk inside arrivals with fixed prices posted by zone (Centro, Sopocachi, Zona Sur). Pay cash in Bolivian Bolivianos. For the Teleférico, buy tokens or tap a rechargeable card at the cable car station.

Traveling with Suitcases

Due to the thin air at 4,000m, avoid rushing or lifting heavy luggage vigorously immediately upon landing. Drink coca tea (*mate de coca*) available at the terminal.

Arriving After Midnight

Night temperatures on the Altiplano frequently drop below freezing. Official radio taxis operate 24/7 with heated cars.

Common Mistakes & Airport Scams to Avoid

  • Hailing informal unmarked taxis outside the airport gates—only use authorized airport radio taxis with official rooftop call signs.
  • Over-exerting yourself—allow a taxi driver to load and unload your suitcases to prevent acute mountain sickness (*soroche*).
  • Take only official radio taxis (*Taxi Aeropuerto*) parked in the authorized lane outside terminal doors with company roof signs. Fares into downtown La Paz or Sopocachi are fixed at 60–80 BOB (~$9–$12 USD).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much is a taxi from El Alto Airport to central La Paz?

The official fixed rate is 60 to 80 BOB (~$9 to $12 USD) depending on your destination neighborhood.

Can you take the Teleférico from the airport?

The cable car does not enter the runway terminal directly; you take a 5-minute taxi to 6 de Marzo station and ride the scenic Línea Morada down into downtown.