Which place is cheaper, Salta or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Buenos Aires, Argentina or Salta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Salta can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Buenos Aires, Argentina or Salta?
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, federal capital of Argentina, also known as "The City of Tango", is best known for its energetic and unpredictable character. Like a restless child, Buenos Aires is a dynamic and modern city full of surprises. While its French-style palaces, rooftop restaurants, wide avenues and green plazas resemble European-style architecture, Buenos Aires preserves its musical, literary and culinary traditions. You can't miss dining in front of a Tango show, walking around the colourful streets of La Boca and visiting the renowned Recoleta Cemetery, designed by Argentina's most important architects and home to hundreds of illustrious corpses.
Salta
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Argentina, The Best Photography Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $10Salta $9.62
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $10, while the average daily cost in Salta is $9.62. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Buenos Aires, Argentina and Salta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBuenos Aires, Argentina $4.13Salta $3.47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $8.26Salta $6.94
Compare Hotels in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Salta
Looking for a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina or Salta? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Buenos Aires, Argentina Hotel Prices and Salta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $1.58Salta $4.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Taxi from Airport$0.13
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Local Bus$0.00
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Metro Ride$0.00
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Taxi to airport$0.03
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Taxi$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Buenos Aires APT-HTL (EZA): $36
- Transfers from or to the airport In Argentina Your Best Choice: $83
- Transfer from Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Cruise Terminal: $80
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Cruise Terminal to International Airport (EZE): $80
- Transfer between airports (EZE-AEP): $70
- Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $68
- Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel transfer to International Airport (EZE): $68
- Transfer Airports-City Tours-Connections between airports-Airport Transfers //: $110
- Tango Show in Tango Porteño - no transfers - : $62
- Tango Show La Ventana only show exclusive with transfer: $76
- Tango Porteño Show With Private Transfers From Port & Hotels In Buenos Aires: $70
- Skip the line Boca Juniors & River Plate Stadium and Museum tour with transfer: $196
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salta
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Salta are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$0.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
- Full Day Tour Cafayate + Humahuaca + Transfer in/out: $169
- Round Trip Shared Transfer Salta Airport/Downtown Hotel: $13
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $20
- Salta Airport Private Transfer: $47
- One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
- Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $5.50
- Train to the Clouds Experience with Transfers from Salta Hotels: $265
- Yungas : full day with gauchos - transfer inc. from Salta: $189
Is it cheaper to fly into Buenos Aires, Argentina or Salta?
Prices for flights to both Salta and Buenos Aires, Argentina change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $3.25Salta $3.27
Typical Food Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
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Lunch$0.03
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Cup of Coffee$0.01
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Empandas$0.02
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Espresso$0.01
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Dinner (Pizza)$0.02
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Ice Cream$0.01
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Breakfast at Airport$0.04
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Dinner (Sandwiches)$0.01
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Sweets$0.01
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Hot Dog$0.01
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Breakfast (Take-Away)$0.01
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Lunch for 2$0.16
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Cake and Coffee$0.53
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Dinner$1.88
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Powerade$0.12
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Lunch$0.83
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Dinner$1.21
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Chocolate$3.12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Small-Group Empanadas Cooking Class: $35
- Tango Show and Optional Dinner at Esquina Homero Manzi: $37
- Esquina Homero Manzi Tango Show Ticket Including Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $39
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner and Tango Class: $43
- Private tour Argentinian Flavours food tours on foot : $46
- Premium Empanadas & Alfajores Cooking Experience in Buenos Aires: $47
- Skip the Line Ticket for Tango Porteño Show with Dinner : $53
- Tango Porteño Show with Private Transfers (with optional dinner): $54
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $54
- Aljibe Earlier Tango Show Skip the Line Ticket W/Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $55
- Argentine Cooking Experience in Palermo: $55
- Catulo Tango: Tango Show & Folklore with Optional Dinner: $57
Typical Food Prices in Salta
For Salta, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Emplanadas$0.01
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Ice Cream$0.01
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Lunch$0.67
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Coffee$0.14
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $3.34Salta $3.40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few typical costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Japanese Gardens (for 2)$0.04
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Movie Ticket$0.02
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Tango Class$0.03
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Bar entrance$0.58
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the Night of Buenos Aires with electric bikes: $59
- Private Full Day City Tour by Iconic Buenos Aires: $290
- Small Group Walking Tour: Urban Art Palermo: $50
- 100% Gaucho Experience in a Traditional Estancia: $239
- 2 Hours Football and Street Art Walking Tour in Buenos Aires : $30
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market : $10
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $127
- 3-Hour Private Street Art Tour in La Boca and Barraca: $45
- 3-Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisian: $45
- 5hs Premium Small Group City Tour of Buenos Aires: $55
- 8 Hours Guided Bike Tour in Delta El Tigre: $140
- 8-Hour Tour of the South Bank of the Río de la Plata: $200
Typical Entertainment Prices in Salta
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Salta's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Gondola Ride$0.02
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Pool$0.06
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Wine and Cheese night$4.15
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Guided Highlights City Tour: $15
- From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $18
- Salta City Half Day Tour: $20
- From City Tour and San Lorenzo on a half-day tour: $20
- Andes Mountain Half or Full Day Trekking Tour: $22
- Best of Guided City Tour: $27
- Guided Half-Day City Tour with Cathedral and Museum: $27
- Half-Day City Tour of Salta: $27
- From Full-day tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $30
- Full-Day Tour Cafayate Calchaqui Valleys with Wine: $32
- From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $1.81Salta $1.37
Typical Alcohol Prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Buenos Aires, Argentina from other travelers:
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Beer$0.01
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Beer (0.66L)$0.02
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Cocktail$0.03
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Alcohol$0.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also in Buenos Aires, Argentina, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine tasting at the Barolo Palace: $35
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $38
- Wine Tasting of Argentina's Most Classic and Popular Wines: $42
- Unique Wine Tasting in a Boutique Hotel : $45
- Wine Tasting at Downtown Buenos Aires Ego Experience: $53
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $55
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting: $58
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $60
- Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $65
- Upscale Asado & Wine Tasting (BBQ): $70
- Argentinian Private Premium Wine Tasting Live+Guided Walking tour: $76
- Premium Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires: $79
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salta
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Salta are as follows:
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Beer$0.01
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Alcohol$0.35
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $30
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $33
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $122
- Full-Day Private Calchaquí Valley & Cafayate Wine Tour from Salta: $200
When comparing the travel costs between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Salta, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Buenos Aires, Argentina Expensive? and Is Salta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Buenos Aires, Argentina or Salta?
Buenos Aires, Argentina has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Salta. When comparing the sizes of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Salta, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.