A Travel Price Comparison for Argentina Salta vs. Cordoba for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salta or Cordoba?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Salta and Cordoba can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Salta or Cordoba?

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.

Cordoba

Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, The Best Budget Tours to Argentina, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Cordoba or Salta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Salta is $56, while the average daily cost in Cordoba is $76. 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 Salta and Cordoba in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salta $39
    Cordoba $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salta $78
    Cordoba $122
Compare Hotels in Salta and Cordoba

Looking for a hotel in Salta or Cordoba? 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.

Hotels in Salta


Hotels in Cordoba


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: Salta Hotel Prices and Cordoba Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salta $3.90
    Cordoba $3.56

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta

Also for Salta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Train to the Clouds Experience with Transfers from Salta Hotels: $268
  • Saver Combo: Cafayate, Cachi, Salt Fields, Transfers and Walking: $184
  • Combo: Cafayate, Cachi and Humahuaca, transfers and walking tour: $177
  • Humahuaca, 7-color Hill & round trip transfers airport - hotel in Salta: $167
  • Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $117
  • Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
  • From Salinas and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $99
  • From Cafayate and Hornocal 2-Day Tour with Transfer: $88
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $56
  • Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $45
  • Shared Transfer from Downtown Hotels in Salta to Airport: $12
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $8.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba

Also for Cordoba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cordoba Airport Private Transfer: $42

Is it cheaper to fly into Salta or Cordoba?

Prices for flights to both Cordoba and Salta 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Salta $6.73
    Cordoba $8.23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salta $33
    Cordoba $21

Tours and Activities in Salta

For Salta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • From City Tour and San Lorenzo on a half-day tour: $26
  • Full-Day Tour to Salinas Grandes and Purmamarca From Salta: $40
  • 2 Day Tour from Salta to Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $69
  • 2-Day Tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $57
  • 3 Day Tour from Salta to Cachi, Humahuaca and Salinas Grandes: $89
  • 4 Day Tour to Cafayat Cachi Salinas and Humahuaca: $119
  • 4-Day Tour of Salta Cafayate and Humahuaca: $693
  • Adventure in the North: Pack of 4 Excursions + Hornocal: $150
  • Best of Guided City Tour: $45
  • Cachi Full Day Tour with Los Cardones National Park: $34
  • Cafayate, Vineyards and Calchaquies Valleys Tour from Salta: $40
  • Exclusive day-long private tour of Cafayate vineyards: $279

Tours and Activities in Cordoba

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cordoba.

  • Alta Gracia: Unveiling Cordoba's Cultural Heritage Tour: $70
  • Córdoba: Villa Carlos Paz Tour: $84
  • Cordoba City Tour: $74
  • Cordoba City Tour with Optional Jesuitic Square: $78
  • Cordoba Cumbrecita Tour with Spanish Speaking Guide: $122
  • Cumbrecita Tour: $122
  • Exploring Villa Carlos Paz: Guided Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • Full Day Jesuit Legacy Tour from Cordoba: $110
  • Full Day Tour to Punilla Valley from Cordoba: $106
  • La Cumbrecita & Villa General Belgrano - Full day tour: $135
  • La Cumbrecita and Villa General Belgrano Full Day Tour: $106
  • PRIVATE TOUR: Alta Gracia with Che Guevara´s house: $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salta $6.84
    Cordoba $8.65

Sample the Local Flavors in Salta

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:

  • From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
  • Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $32
  • Cafayate: Full-day tour of wineries and wine tasting: $39
  • From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
  • Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $147

Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cordoba:

  • Wine Tour to Colonia Caroya, Cordoba - Half Day: $117
  • Wine Tour Privado a Colonia Caroya, Córdoba - Argentina: $175
  • Wine Tour Privado a Calamuchita, Córdoba - Argentina: $175
  • Full-Day Private Colonia Caroya Wine Tour from Córdoba: $275


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salta and Cordoba, we can see that Cordoba 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 Cordoba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cordoba 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 Salta Expensive? and Is Cordoba Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salta or Cordoba?

Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Salta. When comparing the sizes of Salta and Cordoba, 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.