Which place is cheaper, Salta or Buenos Aires, Argentina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Argentina, and The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina.
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Buenos Aires, Argentina Prices
Argentina PricesSalta Prices
Argentina Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $56Salta $44
The average daily cost (per person) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is $56, while the average daily cost in Salta is $44. 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 $40Salta $31
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBuenos Aires, Argentina $80Salta $62
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $2.07Salta $3.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Port to Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE): $72
- Transfer from Buenos Aires Int Airport (EZE) to Buenos Aires Port: $72
- Transfer Buenos Aires International Airport (EZE) to Downtown Hotel: $115
- Transfer Buenos Aires Downtown Hotel to Domestic (AEP) or Cruise Terminal: $62
- Transfer Airports-Cruise Port: $190
- Tango Show in El Querandí With Transfers: $96
- Small group local Tango milonga with lesson and transfers: $102
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (EZE): $53
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Buenos Aires Airport (AEP): $30
- Rojo Tango Show with Optional Private Transfers in Buenos Aires: $265
- Rojo Tango Show Including Private Transfers: $260
- River Plate Museum and Full Stadium with Transfers: $92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta
Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $110
- Combo: Cafayate, Cachi and Humahuaca, transfers and walking tour: $172
- From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
- From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
- Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167
- Private Transfer from Salta Airport: $20
- Private Transfer from Salta Airport to Cafayate: $190
- Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $60
- Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $15
- Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
- Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $180
- Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $37
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 $7.49Salta $5.33
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.
- Argentine Cooking, Wine & Beef Tasting at Argentine Experience: $30
- Piazzolla Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $35
- Tango Show at Tango Porteño with Optional Dinner: $37
- Tango Porteño Show or Dinner Show with Barra Libre Buenos Aires: $38
- Madero Tango Dance Show with Dinner on Demand: $42
- Buenos Aires Family Empanada Cooking Class Kids Take the Lead: $44
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $44
- Tango Porteño Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- Señor Tango Show with Optional Dinner in Buenos Aires: $45
- Early Tango Dinner Show with Optional Traditional Bus Transfer: $46
- Tango Dinner-Show at El Aljibe with Optional Classic Bus Transfer: $48
- Tango Dinner Show Homero Manzi menu Sur: $49
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Buenos Aires, Argentina $30Salta $27
Tours and Activities in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here are a few actual costs in Buenos Aires, Argentina for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Único tour sobre la Historia del Tango (sin mitos): $60
- "SAILING TOUR: Tango and Choripan (typical Argentine food): $300
- 1-Hour Catamaran Cruise in the Tiger Delta: $22
- 2 Hour Tour in Buenos Aires Parisina: $43
- 2 hrs. Walking Tour in San Telmo & Market: $13
- 3 hours Private La Boca Street Art Walking Tour: $160
- 5 Stops Walking Tour of Buenos Aires hidden Wineries: $82
- Argentina Polo Experience by La Guapeada Polo: $267
- Argentine Asado by Maru. Private experience in Buenos Aires: $140
- Argentine Lower League Football Match Day Experience: $107
- Argentine Women Bike Tour: $45
- Argentinian Cocktail Experience in Palermo to Mix and Connect: $54
Tours and Activities in Salta
For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Salta sightseeing tour: $12
- Salta City Half Day Tour: $20
- From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $20
- 4-Hour Guided Highlights City Tour: $24
- Cultural Experience – Alpaca and Leather Workshop + Traditional Mate: $25
- From City Tour and San Lorenzo on a half-day tour: $28
- From Full-day tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $29
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $29
- Tour to Cafayate from Salta: $29
- Cachi: Scenic Route and Local Experience from Salta: $29
- Tour to Cachi from Salta: $30
- From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBuenos Aires, Argentina $9.13Salta $5.42
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:
- Argentine Wine Tasting in Caminito with Appetizers Included: $45
- Buenos Aires Small-Group Wine Tasting: $54
- BA: Small Group Wine Tasting and Blending in Palermo: $54
- Wine Tasting and Tapas with Expert Sommelier in Buenos Aires: $65
- Wine Tasting in Palermo, City of Buenos Aires.: $65
- Malbec Wine Tasting in Buenos Aires Private Experience: $92
- Private Malbec Wine Tasting Experience in Buenos Aires: $95
- Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Tour: $129
- Buenos Aires Premium Wine Tasting & Gastronomy Experience: $134
- Upscale Asado & Wine Tasting Experience (BBQ): $150
- Private Buenos Aires Wine Tasting Experience: $160
- Buenos Aires Bodega Gamboa Wine Tasting Tour & Lunch: $169
Sample the Local Flavors in Salta
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:
- Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $29
- Cafayate: Full-day winery tour and wine tasting: $29
- From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
- From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
- Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Salta, we can see that Buenos Aires, Argentina is more expensive. And not only is Salta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salta and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Buenos Aires, Argentina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Buenos Aires, Argentina than you might in Salta.
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.