Getting Around Salta: An Overview
Salta is a compact, largely walkable city whose main sights cluster around the historic centre, but a visitor will also want to use buses, taxis, and ride-hailing to reach the airport, the bus terminal, and attractions like San Bernardo Hill. There is no metro or tram system in the city — public transport is built around a bus network, supplemented by taxis, remises, and ride-hailing apps.
Walking the City
The historic centre around Plaza 9 de Julio is very pedestrian-friendly, with colonial architecture and a compact layout that makes most central sights reachable on foot. The plaza is almost completely surrounded by a gallery, and within walking distance you'll find the Saint Francis Church and the city's three pedestrian streets: Alberdi, Florida, and Caseros. Peatonal Florida is the pedestrian-only shopping street, a smaller version of Calle Florida in Buenos Aires.
Parque San Martín is also good for walking, and it sits close to the bus terminal. Guided walking tours are available, including tip-based free tours, and tourist offices provide self-guided maps.
- Main sights are centred on Plaza 9 de Julio and are within walking distance of it.
- Drivers are notoriously inattentive to pedestrians, so take care at crossings.
- Avoid walking alone in dimly lit or deserted areas at night, and watch for pickpocketing in crowded spots such as Mercado San Miguel.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Salta has no metro or tram system. While intercity trains are slowly making a comeback in Argentina, they have not reached Salta yet. Trenes Argentinos operates only a limited commuter service from the nearby city of General Güemes and westwards to Campo Quijano via Rosario de Lerma. The Salta railway station (Estación Salta) is on Ameghino 650.
The famous Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) is an organized excursion rather than point-to-point transit, and it requires advance booking. It runs as a seasonal service with departures from Salta station, and the round trip takes most of a day.
Buses and Public Transport
Salta's public transport is a bus network operated by SAETA (Sociedad Anónima de Transporte Automotor). Route maps are available on the SAETA website and app, and the main hubs are Plaza 9 de Julio and the central Bus Terminal (Terminal de Ómnibus). Buses generally run from early morning until around midnight, with frequency varying by route and time of day.
A transit card is required to ride. SAETA requires its own card, and unlike many cities in Argentina, SUBE cards do not work here. Cards can be purchased and loaded at kiosks or designated points. If you don't have a card, it is common practice to get on and ask another passenger if you can give them the cash and swipe their card — the driver and passengers will be unfazed. The SAETA app provides real-time bus locations and route planning, and Google Maps also gives bus route info.
- Fares vary slightly by time of day.
- Newer SAETA buses often have ramps; older ones may not, so accessibility is inconsistent.
- Buses get crowded at peak hours.
Taxis, Remises and Ride-Hailing
Licensed taxis are yellow and black with a roof "TAXI" light and use a meter. They can be hailed on the street or picked up at "paradas de taxi"; a radio taxi or app is recommended at night. Remises are private unmetered cars, often white or green, with fixed rates — they are not cheaper than taxis. Cash in Argentine pesos is the main payment method, and small bills are preferred.
Uber operates but acceptance varies, and Cabify is more frequently accepted by local drivers; Didi may also be available. Drivers are generally reliable, and taxis use the meter. For long-distance buses, higher classes (such as cama) are more comfortable.
Arriving by Air: The Airport to the City
The city's commercial airline needs are served by Aeropuerto Internacional Martín Miguel de Güemes (SLA), located south of the city centre. It is served by Aerolíneas Argentinas (Argentina's largest domestic and international air carrier), low-cost airline Flybondi, and JetSmart, with flights from Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Puerto Iguazú, and Rosario. Aerolíneas Argentinas also has a weekly flight from São Paulo, and there are international connections from other carriers. Aerolíneas Argentinas has an office at Caseros 475.
To reach the city from the airport, you have two main options:
- Bus: Bus 8A runs between the airport and the bus terminal downtown. The airport bus stop is about a half-kilometre from the terminal — walk along the street that the cars are taking to leave the airport, and you'll get to it. A bus card (SAETA) is required, and payment by debit card is also accepted.
- Taxi: Taxis are reliable and use the meter, with drivers waiting just outside arrivals. Uber and Didi are other reliable options.
Arriving by Long-Distance Bus
There are connections to all major cities in Argentina. The bus station is just one block from Parque San Martín, or about eight blocks from the main plaza. Agree on the price before leaving the bus terminal and get the meter docket from the driver. The terminal has no locker service, but paid baggage storage is available in maximum six-hour intervals.
Daily connections include Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Tucumán, Santiago del Estero, Resistencia, Posadas, Puerto Iguazú, Mendoza, and Jujuy, plus transfers from other parts of the country. From Jujuy it's also possible to take a combi (shared taxi), but take care — combis are not legal transportation.
Other Ways to Get Around
Car rental is available from companies including Hertz, Avis, Europcar, and Budget; requirements include a valid national driver's license plus an International Driving Permit, passport, and major credit card for deposit, and it's wise to book ahead in high season. Motorcycle and scooter rentals are limited and require a valid motorcycle license, while bicycles are available from private shops for recreation or tours — dedicated cycling infrastructure in the city is limited, though cycling tours are popular in the Calchaquí Valleys.
For sightseeing, a red double-decker hop-on-hop-off bus tours the main attractions on a 24-hour ticket. Full-day tours from Salta to Cafayate, Cachi, and the Humahuaca Gorge are often the most practical option without a rental car, since transport and guide are included. The Teleférico San Bernardo is a cable car running from Parque San Martín in the city centre to the Cerro San Bernardo summit, offering panoramic views of the city and the Lerma Valley — the summit can also be reached by car or stairway.