Home/Editorial Guides/La Paz Mi Teleferico Guide 2026: Fares, Transfers, Hours, Lines, and Passenger Rules

Travel Guide

La Paz Mi Teleferico Guide 2026: Fares, Transfers, Hours, Lines, and Passenger Rules

Mi Teleferico is not only a viewpoint ride above La Paz. It is the public cable-car network that links La Paz and El Alto, so the same trip can be a cheap city transfer, a practical commute, or a scenic route over steep neighborhoods.

ByMomentBook EditorialPublishedMay 11, 2026

This guide is for travelers who want to use the system without guessing at the fare gate. The important constraint is simple: plan by line and transfer, then check official notices on the day you ride, because hours, maintenance, and holiday operations can change.

What to know first

The official normal hours are Monday to Saturday from 06:30 to 22:30, and Sundays and public holidays from 07:00 to 21:00.
The general family fare is Bs 3 for the first line and Bs 2 for each transfer; preferential and student fares are lower but require eligibility.
The network has 10 metropolitan lines: Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Orange, White, Sky Blue, Purple, Brown, and Silver.
A single line can be short. The Brown Line is listed at about 4 minutes, while the Blue Line is listed at about 20 minutes.
Eating, drinking, alcoholic drinks, smoking, and entry while intoxicated are restricted in stations, cabins, or operating areas.
Light, small baggage is allowed only when it does not occupy another seat and can fit under seats or be handled without help.
Programmed maintenance can interrupt a line, so do not build an airport, bus, or tour connection on the last possible cable-car ride.

Mi Teleferico cabin above La Paz, Bolivia

Source: Wikimedia Commons / Parallelepiped09, CC0.

Fare and payment choice

The fare logic is friendly if you remember that a route is priced by first entry and transfers. The Ministry of Public Works says the family fare remains Bs 3 on the first line and Bs 2 on transfer. It also lists student and preferential fares of Bs 1.50 on the first line and Bs 1 on transfer, but those lower fares are not the default tourist price.

For a visitor, the safest assumption is to budget the normal Bs 3 plus Bs 2 for each connected line you add. If your route uses Red plus Silver plus Yellow, for example, count one first line and two transfers. The transfer discount matters because the scenic value of the network often comes from combining several colors rather than riding one line out and back.

If you will ride only once or twice, a single ticket is enough. If you will use Mi Teleferico across several days, ask at a station cash desk about the current smart-card option. The official Aqui Nos Vemos FAQ says the card can be bought in station cash desks, costs Bs 30 with Bs 10 initial credit, uses the normal Bs 3 and Bs 2 transfer fares, and can be recharged in stations, smartpoints, card booths, and the Yala app. Because that FAQ is tied to a named card programme, confirm the card name and current conditions before you buy.

Hours and line-status checks

Use 06:30 to 22:30 from Monday to Saturday as the normal planning window. Use 07:00 to 21:00 for Sundays and public holidays. A government holiday notice in January 2026 repeated those usual hours, and a February 2026 Carnaval notice also used the same Saturday and Sunday/holiday pattern.

Those hours are still not a promise that every line is always available. Official notices can announce special operations, holiday timetables, or programmed maintenance. A 2026 Ministry notice, for example, announced a temporary interruption on the Red Line for maintenance and said service would resume afterward during the usual hours.

Build a small buffer into your route. Mi Teleferico is fast once you are on the platform, but line closures, queues at transfer stations, or a holiday crowd can turn a simple ride into a longer movement. If you need to catch an intercity bus, flight, organized tour, or timed museum entry, check the current notice first.

Line choice and route planning

The official route list is useful because it gives stations and estimated ride times. The Red Line links Estacion Central, Cementerio, and 16 de Julio in about 11 minutes. The Yellow Line runs Mirador, Buenos Aires, Sopocachi, and Libertador in about 17 minutes. The Green Line continues from Libertador through Alto Obrajes and Obrajes to Irpavi in about 16 minutes.

For El Alto and the high plateau side, the Blue Line links Rio Seco, UPEA, Plaza La Paz, Libertad, and 16 de Julio in about 20 minutes. The Silver Line links 16 de Julio, Faro Murillo, and Mirador in about 12 minutes. The Purple Line links 6 de Marzo, Faro Murillo, and San Jose in about 16 minutes. These lines are helpful when you want the city-to-city feeling of the network.

For central La Paz connections, the Orange Line links Estacion Central, Armentia, Periferica, and Plaza Villarroel in about 11 minutes. The White Line links Plaza Villarroel, Monumento Busch, Plaza Triangular, and Avenida Poeta in about 11 minutes. The Sky Blue Line links Prado, Teatro al Aire Libre, Avenida Poeta, and Libertad in about 10 minutes. The Brown Line is short, linking Monumento Busch and Estacion de las Villas in about 4 minutes.

Rules that change the ride

Mi Teleferico is public transport, not a private sightseeing cabin. The passenger rules ask users to follow staff instructions, stay behind the yellow line until indicated, use valid payment media, and use the emergency intercom only when necessary.

The practical food rule is strict. Official notices and regulations prohibit consuming food and drinks in cabins, and Carnival guidance also reminded users that alcoholic drinks and entry by people in a state of drunkenness or with alcoholic breath can be restricted in stations, cabins, and operating areas. Treat the cabin as a no-meal, no-drink space.

Baggage must stay small and manageable. The luggage regulation allows light, low-volume baggage that does not occupy an additional place, can be placed below seats, and can be handled without help. The user rules also warn not to put bundles, suitcases, or other items on the seats.

Common mistakes

The first mistake is thinking of the network as one flat ride. It is better to think in colors. Each transfer changes the fare and the time you need, even when the stations connect smoothly.

The second mistake is arriving with food, alcohol, or large luggage and assuming staff will ignore it because tourists use the system for views. The rules are written for daily public transport. Staff can restrict access when passengers do not comply.

The third mistake is using old blog hours. Hours have been extended temporarily during strikes or adjusted during holidays, but normal posted hours are different from emergency or event operations. Check official notices, especially around Carnaval, public holidays, and maintenance periods.

Who should choose which option

Choose a single-line ride if you only want one viewpoint and have limited time.
Choose a multi-line route if you want to understand how La Paz and El Alto connect across altitude and neighborhoods.
Choose the normal fare if you are a short-stay visitor without local fare eligibility.
Ask about the smart card if you will make several rides or stay near a station.
Avoid peak commuter times if you are riding mainly for photos and do not need to arrive anywhere at a fixed time.
Use taxis or arranged transport for late-night connections after the Sunday or holiday 21:00 close.

What to check before you go

Check the Ministry of Public Works or Mi Teleferico channels for the current line status. This is especially important for the Red Line, 16 de Julio transfers, and any route that depends on one specific color.

Check the fare before loading a card or buying multiple tickets. The official public notices list Bs 3 for the first general line and Bs 2 for transfer, but promotions, card names, or preferential rules can change.

Check the rules if you are carrying luggage, food, drinks, bicycles, or special equipment. For a smooth ride, keep bags compact, finish snacks before entering, and treat the cabin as shared public space.