If you’re planning a journey from Salta to Buenos Aires, you’ve got several options to choose from, and each comes with its own perks and challenges. I travelled through Argentina last year and took quite an epic (in both good ways and bad) bus journey from Salta to Buenos Aires. My goodness, that was a LONG journey, but read on to find out how I survived it and what I’d recommend for your trip!
Salta is one of Argentina’s most underrated gems and absolutely deserves a spot in your Argentina itinerary. Salta has a population of around 650,000 people, and sits in the northwest of Argentina serving as the perfect gateway to some of Argentina’s most dramatic landscapes. From stunning Spanish architecture to it’s proximity to the otherworldly Quebrada de Humahuaca and wine regions of Cafayate, from Salta you’ll see a completely different side of Argentina compared to the bustling capital or southern Patagonia.
Many travellers find themselves making the journey from Salta to Buenos Aires for various reasons. If you’re doing a big South American adventure, you might enter Argentina from the north (perhaps from Bolivia or Chile) and work your way down to Buenos Aires. Alternatively, you could be doing a round loop that takes you all the way around Argentina and then back to your starting point (Buenos Aires is where most international flights arrive and depart).
How to Get from Salta to Buenos Aires by Bus
This is the option I took, and it wasn’t easy by any means. I chose the bus mostly because it was by far the cheapest option for me at the time and I was budget backpacking. Honestly, I’m not really sure if I would do it again, but it was certainly an experience I’ll never forget.
The journey is supposed to take 22.5 hours, but mine ended up being over 24 hours; I got on the bus at 10am and was due to arrive at 8:30am the next morning in Buenos Aires. However, because we got stuck in traffic in the city and went the long way around to drop some people at a terminal outside of the city, we didn’t arrive until around 10:30am.
The cheapest seats on the bus cost around AR$100,000 (€50), whilst the upgraded seats usually cost around AR$160,000 (€80). Prices depend on the day, the company, how far in advance you book, and current exchange rates.
Remember that the views, sunsets, and landscapes from the bus are genuinely incredible! Whilst it can feel like you’re losing a whole day, you’re actually gaining a completely new adventure as you watch Argentina’s diverse scenery unfold outside your window.
How to Survive the 24-Hour Bus Ride from Salta to Buenos Aires
Choose your seat wisely. I took what I usually refer to as a “downstairs seat” – these are HUGE reclining seats that are like giant armchairs and almost fully recline. They’re usually found on the lower deck of long-distance buses (hence why I call them downstairs seats), but on this bus both decks contained bigger seats. Regular seats are the normal kind you’d get on a European coach, like FlixBus, and you can still get them on this journey if you’re on a major budget, but a lot of companies running this route have downstairs seats only. The difference downstairs seats make to your comfort is enormous, so if you can afford to upgrade, I highly recommend it. They’re usually 30-50% more expensive but are worth more than double the comfort.
Find a level of acceptance that you’re going to be on this bus for a very long time. This might sound a bit weird and oddly spiritual, but the ride will be horrendous if you spend your whole bus ride counting down the hours until you arrive. Sit back, relax, load up your Kindle, do a face mask, watch some Netflix – treat it as your rest day and try to forget you’re on a bus.
Take SNACKS – and with those capital letters I mean unhealthy amounts of snacks. Let the diet go out the window for surviving this ride! We only made one stop on the whole journey and it was only for about half an hour, at a rest stop in the middle of nowhere that had maybe a few snacks and mediocre sandwiches. I was transitioning out of being vegetarian at the time and there was no vegetarian food there – I had a cheese and salami sandwich with the salami picked out because I was worried it would give me food poisoning… Talk about bleak! The next time I did a long haul bus ride like this I took all my meals on board: snacks, packed lunch, packed dinner, and something for breakfast the next morning.
Sleep early. When I was taking overnight buses like this, I’d lie back and start dozing off around 9pm. You generally won’t get sleep quality as good as a regular bed, so you might want to sleep longer than normal. The sun will likely wake you up early – I usually wake at sunrise, watch it from the bus, then chill with my book or podcast for a few more hours.
How to Get from Salta to Buenos Aires by Plane
The flight from Salta to Buenos Aires takes about two hours and is probably the fastest and most convenient option for this route.
Flight prices can be as low as AR$50,000 (€25) if you’re flexible with dates and times and book well in advance, but they can reach over AR$300,000 (€150) for one-way tickets. Remember to factor in travel to and from the airport, plus the additional cost of luggage, which adds up quickly with these low-cost airlines.
Airlines that fly this route include JetSmart, Aerolineas Argentinas, and Flybondi. Most flights depart from Salta’s Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport and arrive at either Jorge Newbery Airport (closer to Buenos Aires centre) or Ministro Pistarini Airport (further out but with more international connections).
Personally, I think this is the best option as long as you can be flexible with your travel dates to get the best deals! The time saved makes it worth the extra cost for most travellers.
How to Get from Salta to Buenos Aires by Bus & Train
This route is for adventurous travellers who want to get off the beaten track. It’s quite a long journey, but the views from these cross-country Argentinian train journeys can be absolutely epic.
The first step involves taking a bus from Salta to Tucumán, where you can either stay overnight or wait to catch the train the same day, depending on the schedule.
The second step is the cross-country train journey itself. Trains depart twice a week at 22:30 from Tucumán, and arrive at 6am TWO days later – so you’re on the train for about 31 hours. However, it’s a completely different vibe from taking a long-distance bus, with proper sleeping berths and dining facilities.
This is definitely the most adventurous option and perfect if you’re not in a rush and want to see Argentina from a completely different perspective.
How to Get from Salta to Buenos Aires by Renting a Car
Overall, it’s safe to rent a car in Argentina, although I’d only recommend it for confident drivers who can adapt quickly to new local customs and driving styles. I personally probably wouldn’t do it because they drive on the wrong side of the road for me!
Car rental isn’t too expensive, especially if you’re travelling in a group, but costs depend on how far you’re going and how long you’re renting for. Expect to pay around AR$50,000-80,000 (25-40) per day for a basic car.
Be aware that there are LONG stretches where you’ll find absolutely nothing in between – it’s not like Europe where the nearest city is only ever a couple of hours away! Make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water, snacks, fuel, and alertness before you leave.
The drive takes approximately 20-24 hours of actual driving time, so you’d want to break it up over at least two days with an overnight stop somewhere like Tucumán or Córdoba.
FAQs About the Trip from Salta to Buenos Aires
How do I get from Salta to Buenos Aires?
You can travel from Salta to Buenos Aires by bus (22-24 hours), plane (2 hours), a combination of bus and train (2-3 days), or by renting a car (2-3 days with stops). The plane is fastest and most convenient, whilst the bus is typically the cheapest option.
Is Salta, Argentina worth visiting?
Absolutely! Salta is one of Argentina’s most beautiful colonial cities and serves as an excellent base for exploring northwestern Argentina. It’s particularly worth visiting for its stunning architecture, proximity to Quebrada de Humahuaca, the wine regions of Cafayate, and as a gateway to some of Argentina’s most dramatic landscapes.
How long should I spend in Salta, Argentina?
I’d recommend spending at least 3-4 days in Salta to properly explore the city and take day trips to nearby attractions like Cafayate or Quebrada de Humahuaca. If you want to do longer excursions or really soak up the atmosphere, a week would be even better.
Conclusion
You have several options for travelling from Salta to Buenos Aires depending on your budget, time constraints, and appetite for adventure. Whilst my 24-hour bus journey was certainly memorable (and budget-friendly), I’d probably opt for a flight next time for the convenience factor (planning in advance to get a good deal if possible). However, if you’re on a tight budget or want to see more of Argentina’s incredible landscapes, the bus journey does offer its own rewards – just make sure you’re prepared with plenty of snacks and entertainment!
