A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salvador vs. Salta for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Salvador or Salta?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador or Salta, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Salvador or Salta?

Salvador

Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.

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 Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Salta or Salvador?

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 Salvador is $51, while the average daily cost in Salta is $45. 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 Salvador and Salta in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Salvador $23
    Salta $31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Salvador $46
    Salta $62
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Salta

Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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.

Hotels in Salvador


Hotels in Salta


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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Salta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Salvador $5.78
    Salta $3.13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:


  • Bus from Airport
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Salvador HTL-APT(SSA): $66
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Salvador APT-HTL(SSA): $66
  • Transfers between Salvador and Barra Grande Maraú: $272
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Praia do Forte/Guarajuba: $58
  • Transfer: Salvador to/from Boipeba Island: $146
  • Transfer to Sauipe Iberostar Palladium and Galé: $48
  • Transfer to Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte or Waves Bahia: $42
  • Transfer roundtrip in Salvador with Historical City Tour: $62
  • Transfer in Salvador: $172
  • Transfer and return from DE Airport to Hotels in Salvador: $54
  • Transfer Vila Galé Mares (Guarajuba) - Executive Van - Private: $97
  • Transfer Vila Galé Marés (Guarajuba) - Private: $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salta

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

  • Combo: Cafayate, Cachi and Humahuaca, transfers and walking tour: $177
  • Combo: Cafayate Tour + Cachi + Transfers + Free Walking Tour: $117
  • 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
  • Salta Airport One-Way or Round-Trip Transfers: $45
  • Salta Airport Shuttle Transfer: $15
  • Salta City Tour & Round Trip Transfers airport - hotel: $109
  • Cafayate Wine Tour with Tastings and Transfers: $150
  • One-Way or Round Trip Airport Transfer: $5.50
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $56
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip SLA Airport Transfer: $8.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Salvador or Salta?

Prices for flights to both Salta and Salvador 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
    Salvador $21
    Salta $5.41
Typical Food Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:


  • Dinner for 2
    $1.31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.

  • Bahia Noite - Folkloric Show and Dinner, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $68
  • Cooking class in Salvador, an authentic dinning experience: $85
  • Folklore Tour with Buffet Dinner: $91
  • Hands-On Bahian Cooking Class with Caipirinhas in Salvador: $95
  • Bahia Noite - Folklore and Dinner Show, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $95
  • Folk Show - Bahia Night (Dinner Included) by Salvador Receptivo: $110
  • Private Bahian Cooking Class - An Amazing Experience!: $140
  • Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $146
  • Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $170
  • Authentic Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $175
  • Culinary Afro-Brazilian Delights & Churrascaria dinner.: $179
  • Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Salvador $5.45
    Salta $27

Tours and Activities in Salvador

Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Afro-Brazilian Roots city Tour in Salvador with lunch at Favela: $140
  • "Memories of Salvador" a 6 hour city tour thru times : $143
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Salvador Capital Afro-Brazilian: $110
  • Afro Tour Walking - Walking : $39
  • Afro-Brazilian Roots Private City Tour in Salvador: $146
  • Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
  • Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim Salvador Private Walking Tour: $90
  • Brazil Tropical Fruit Tour in Salvador local farmer's market: $49
  • Brazilian Tasting experience Amazing Foods of Salvador da Bahia: $75
  • Cachoeira Countryside Flavor Private Tour from Salvador: $190
  • City Tour in Salvador - Half Day: $19
  • City Tour in Salvador to meet Brazil’s first capital: $174

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: $16
  • Salta Private Tour with a Photojournalist : $18
  • Salta City Half Day Tour: $20
  • From City Tour of the city on a half-day ride: $20
  • Guided City Tour: $26
  • From Full-Day Scenic Tour to Cachi: $30
  • From Cachi and Los Cardones National Park Tour: $30
  • From Full-day tour to Cachi and Los Cardones National Park: $31
  • From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate, Land of Wines: $31
  • Tour to Cafayate from Salta : $31
  • Half-Day City Tour: Salta and San Lorenzo: $32
  • Full-Day Tour Cafayate Calchaqui Valleys with Wine: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Salvador $5.17
    Salta $5.50
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:


  • Beers for 2
    $1.31
  • Drinks
    $2.63

Sample the Local Flavors in Salta

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Salta:

  • Cafayate: Full-day tour of wineries and wine tasting: $29
  • Full-day Cafayate, Lerma Valley, and Wine Tasting from Salta: $30
  • From Full-Day Tour to Cafayate with Wine Tasting: $30
  • From Cafayate Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $40
  • Half Day Wine Tasting in Salta: $147


When comparing the travel costs between Salvador and Salta, we can see that Salvador 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 Salvador Expensive? and Is Salta Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Salvador or Salta?

Salvador has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Salta. When comparing the sizes of Salvador 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.