With our Salta travel cost guide you'll get a better idea of how much your trip may cost and how to plan your budget wisely. This Salta trip cost calculator is based on average expenses from thousands of past travelers, including hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing expenses, and transportation information. Salta is a cultural destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities, so don't miss out because you didn't plan a proper budget.
How much does it cost to travel to Salta?
A typical traveler spends $47 (AR$66,134) per day on a trip to Salta. This is the average daily price for a vacation in Salta based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $5.66 (AR$7,989) on meals
- $3.28 (AR$4,627) on local transportation
- $65 (AR$91,787) on hotels
A one-week trip to Salta for two people costs, on average, $656 (AR$925,876). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from thousands of other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
In recent years, the Argentine Peso has been very unstable. Therefore, travel cost estimates can sometimes be inaccurate for this country.
-
One Week
Per person
$328
AR$462,938
-
2 Weeks
Per person
$656
AR$925,876
-
One Month
Per person
$1,405
AR$1,984,020
-
One Week
For a couple
$656
AR$925,876
-
2 Weeks
For a couple
$1,311
AR$1,851,752
-
One Month
For a couple
$2,809
AR$3,968,040
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Salta cost?
A one week trip to Salta usually costs around $328 (AR$462,938) for one person and $656 (AR$925,876) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
A two week trip to Salta on average costs around $656 (AR$925,876) for one person and $1,311 (AR$1,851,752) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Salta will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
A one month trip to Salta on average costs around $1,405 (AR$1,984,020) for one person and $2,809 (AR$3,968,040) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.
Is Salta expensive to visit?
In Salta, budget travelers spend $21 (AR$28,933) per day on average, mid-range travelers spend $47 (AR$66,134) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $90 (AR$126,375) per day. These costs are calculated from the reported expenses of previous travelers to Salta.
Salta is a smaller destination that charms visitors with a variety of travel styles, expenditure habits, and budgetary considerations. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to mid-range hotels to high-end luxury properties.
Salta can certainly rack up expenses, but there are strategies to minimize costs, including looking for discounts and coupons.
Within South America, Salta is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in South America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as Salta.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Salta Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Salta?
The average Salta trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Salta travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Salta cost?
Salta on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$14
(AR$20,078)
|
$32
(AR$45,893)
|
$62
(AR$87,697)
|
|
Local Transportation1
|
$1
(AR$2,024)
|
$3
(AR$4,627)
|
$6
(AR$8,842)
|
|
Food2
|
$2
(AR$3,495)
|
$6
(AR$7,989)
|
$11
(AR$15,265)
|
|
Entertainment1
|
$12
(AR$17,393)
|
$28
(AR$39,755)
|
$54
(AR$75,968)
|
|
Alcohol2
|
$1-4
(AR$1,776-5,329)
|
$3-9
(AR$4,061-12,182)
|
$5-16
(AR$7,759-23,278)
|
Accommodation Budget in Salta
Hotel prices in Salta can really fluctuate, especially between budget and luxury options. Expect higher costs during peak season, when rates climb from an off-season average of $70 up to around $131. From $43 for budget options to $224 for luxury hotels, there's something for everyone. Hostels, particularly dorms, are typically cheaper. Book early or travel in the low season for better prices.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Salta for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $65 (AR$91,787). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $32 (AR$45,893) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Salta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Salta include:
- Solar De La Plaza starting at $123
- Design Suites Salta starting at $142
- Casa Real Hotel Salta starting at $132
- Hotel Almeria Salta starting at $121
- Ayres De Salta Hotel starting at $112
If you plan your trip outside of and during the low or shoulder season, you'll find better accommodation rates and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $3.28 (AR$4,627) per person, per day, on local transportation in Salta. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Salta is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$3.28
AR$4,627
Many backpackers like to discover the region around Salta with a car. Renting a car is a very good idea not only because it gives you greater autonomy but also simply because the roads in the Northwest region of Argentina are incredibly beautiful and spectacular. Travelers rarely spend more than two days in Salta because most activities and sights are found in between cities and towns and there is no better way to discover the region than by doing a fun road trip through it! To reach Salta, there are many bus companies coming from big cities such as Buenos Aires, Cordoba but also smaller towns including Cafayate, Pumamarca, La Rioja. You can also travel by plane to the airport Martin Miguel de Guemes, which is not too far from Salta's center.
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Transfer from Salta Airport for $9 details
- Private Transfer from Salta Airport for $20 details
- Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer for $17 details
How much does it cost to go to Salta? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Salta will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Salta
Cuisine is one of the main reasons people travel, so don't miss out on the local fare.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Salta can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Salta is $5.66 (AR$7,989) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$5.66
AR$7,989
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Salta is around $6 (AR$7989) per person, with previous travelers spending from $2 to $11. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Salta are as follows:
- Breakfast: $1 to $2
- Lunch: $1 to $2
- Dinner: $2 to $4
- Coffee: $0
- Fast Food or Street Food: $1
While Salta is fast growing as people from all over Argentina and the world flock to visit for hiking, wine tasting, and exploring the surrounding countryside, Salta takes food and tradition very seriously. With its roots in local Andean culture and a touch of the Spanish colonial influence, the regional palate is slow to accept change. The region's specialty is the Saltena empanada, small and crispy usually filled with beef, but you can also find them filled with cheese, chicken, or ham. Most ingredients that you will find on your plate are grown in the region. The climate of Salta province stretches to extremes, allowing for a wide range of locally grown foods. Mangoes and tropical fruits grow in the north, quinoa and chili peppers are found in the dry desert and vegetables and wine in the more temperate middle of the province. While Salta may not be known for an extensive variety of dishes, what it lacks in diversity, it makes up in the quality of the ingredients.
Many accommodations feature breakfast in their rates, while some may charge additional fees for it. The cost and quality can vary significantly from one hotel to another. Knowing this information ahead of time helps you decide if you need to spend extra money. A tasty hotel buffet could be worth the expense, or a nearby bakery or cafe might offer a more affordable choice.
Bring a water bottle along to avoid the need to buy drinks. It's also good for Mother Earth.
When planning a tour, don't forget to look into which meals are covered. You may be responsible for some of your own food, which could impact your budget significantly.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Salta typically cost an average of $28 (AR$39,755) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$28
AR$39,755
Salta's historic center revolves around the Plaza 9 de Julio, the city's main square, where immense palm trees and magnolias have been planted to create what is now thought as the most beautiful square of all Northwestern cities of Argentina. As you walk around the square, and perhaps even stop at one of its little cafes, you will see the city's famous pink and golden cathedral. Do not hesitate to take a peek at the richly decorated interior, which is opened every day from 6h30 to 12h30 and 16h30 to 20h30. Another important sight in Salta, is the Iglesia San Francisco. This red, white and golden church also has a museum opened Tuesday to Friday from 10h30 to 12h30 and 16h30 to 18h30. Near the church is also the Convento San Bernardo, which is one of the oldest building of the city, worth stopping by if you have time. Only the church allows visitors inside, from 6h30 to 8h30 on Monday to Saturday. Many travellers come to Salta to climb up (40 min to 1 hour walk), or simply take the cable car (every day from 10h to 19h, USD$6.50) up to the Cerro San Bernardo, which has been converted into a small natural reserve with a cafeteria. This legendary sight is on a hill of about 250 m that dominates the city and offers a stunning panoramic view on Salta. You can also access the sight by car. At the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo is the Monumento al general Martin Miguel de Guemes, which celebrates this icone of Salta during the Independence Wars. His army of gauchos wore black and red ponchos and also became a symbol of the city.
In terms of activities, Salta is mostly known for its many museums. You will find the Museo Historico del Norte, which explains the cultural and historical evolution of the province.
The Museo de Arqueologia de Alta Montana recounts the story of the expedition led in 1999 that permitted the discovery of three mummified children on the Volcano Llullaillaco at 6 739m of altitude. As its name explains, The Museo de la Ciudad, is a museum about the city of Salta. It was set in the Casa de Hernandez, a fabulous neo-colonial house built in the 1870. The Museo Folklorico Pajarito Velarde is a sort of house-museum, with only one room, owned by an art amateur and sponsor. The fascinating explanations and commentaries made around the pieces of art, music, paintings, literature, singing,... compensate with the place's modesty. The Museo Uriburu, dedicated to the colonial era, bears the name of two Argentine presidents born in Salta, Jose Felix Uriburu and Jose Evaristo Uriburu. The XIX century house and its beautiful corbelled balcony holds a fantastic collection of furniture, paintings, religious and other objects of the colonial era.
The Museo de Bellas Artes is placed in a french-style house of the XIX century and presents the art of Argentinean and European artists by time periods, pre-hispanic, revolutionary, XIX and XX century. Finally the Museo de Arte etnico Americano Pajcha holds six little rooms and a space for exhibitions about the Indian traditions since the pre-columbian era until today. If you are spending a few days around Salta, you can also leave on an excursion on the Tren de Las Nubes (Cloud Train). Be prepared for a 434 km trip (about 15h to 16h hours) from Salta to La Polvorilla viaduct. After crossing 29 bridges, 13 viaducts, 21 tunnels, and numerous quebradas (ravine), you will literally have the heads in the clouds! If you are travelling with children or if you have a more restricted budget, you can also do half of the trip by train and the other half by bus, which is a quicker option, or a major part of the journey can also be discovered by car.
A nice way to explore destinations in Salta is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards for $277 details
- Humahuaca Quebrada Full Day Tour for $34 details
- From Two full-day tours of Cafayate and Salinas Grandes for $64 details
Nightlife Budget in Salta
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $5.75 (AR$8,121) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Salta per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$5.75
AR$8,121
While nightlife can be a blast, skipping a few rounds can significantly lower your travel expenses.
Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Salta. A few favorites from other travelers include:
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta for $29 details
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta for $147 details
- Cafayate: Full-day tour of wineries and wine tasting for $29 details
Travel cost data last updated: Apr 30, 2026
Traveling in Salta
Salta, Argentina
Located in the heart of the famous Northwest region of Argentina, at 1200m of elevation and at the foot of the Cerro San Bernardo, Salta is the largest city of the region and perhaps the most beautiful colonial city of Argentina. Founded in 1582 by the Spanish, Salta was an important stop for merchants who followed the usual trade road through Bolivia and Peru. Argentines call this city nestled in the foothills of the Andes and surrounded by mountains, of just over half a million inhabitants, Salta La Linda (Salta the Beautiful) and it's easy to see why. Young and traditional at the same time, Salta and its renowned museums, plaza side cafes and live musica folklorica of its bustling penas, is a sophisticated and lively city day and night.
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's essential to keep realistic expectations for your travel budget. Many people think they can visit Salta cheaply, but most travelers aren't comfortable with an extreme "shoestring" budget. Consider what you truly enjoy on vacation. Do you prefer resorts, vacation homes, or hostels? Is experiencing attractions and dining important to you? Your budget and itinerary will depend on your answers to these questions.
Who Exactly is a Budget Traveler?
You might consider yourself a budget traveler, but if you're not ready to give up some comforts, prepare to spend a lot more than the $21 per day that younger budget travelers manage.
Backpackers will usually stick to this shoestring budget by staying in hostel dorms, dining at the cheapest spots such as fast food places, using public transit, and mostly visiting free attractions.
Fortunately, you can find plenty of hostels in Salta, including Prisamata, Ferienhaus Hostel Salta, and Trotamundos Hostel Salta. These hostels offer inexpensive dorm lodging and a lively social scene, but amenities are often minimal.
Is Your Travel Style Average?
If you're traveling for leisure as a couple or family, you'll probably prefer a mid-range hotel, dine at well-known restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions that charge entry fees. Those traveling to Salta often aim to see the major attractions, museums, and noteworthy landmarks. Remember, most activities come with a cost. Therefore, it's reasonable to anticipate that your daily budget will be around $47 per person, per day.
Salta boasts a wide array of hotels and vacation rentals. When traveling with others, you can share accommodations with a partner, friend, or children, thus reducing your expenses. Families should prioritize hotels and restaurants that are geared toward kids. Solar De La Plaza is an excellent family-friendly option, while Kkala Boutique Hotel is also superb. You can find additional family and couple-friendly hotels in our hotel guide for Salta here.
Want to Experience a Luxurious Trip?
If you envision a trip that covers everything with high-end amenities and top-tier service, be ready for a daily expense near $90. Enjoying nicer hotels, dining at acclaimed restaurants, participating in extravagant activities, and using taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination will require a premium budget. Many high-end visitors also prefer unique experiences such as Full Day Trip to Salinas Grandes with Purmamarca - offered by Viator.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
