Transportation

The main gateway is Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL), about a 40–50 minute drive south of San Salvador. Options into the city include airport taxis, hotel shuttles and ride-hailing apps such as Uber. Agree the fare or use an app so the price is clear, as there is no rail link.

El Salvador does not have a nationwide contactless transit card like those in some big cities. On most buses and microbuses you simply pay the fare in cash to the driver or conductor, so keep small change handy. For city travel, ride-hailing apps let you pay by card in the app instead.

Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and InDrive operate in San Salvador and are a convenient, transparent option since the fare is shown in advance. Regular taxis often lack meters, so agree the fare before getting in. For safety and clarity, many visitors prefer booking through an app rather than hailing on the street.

The country is small, so intercity travel is mostly by road. Long-distance buses link San Salvador with other towns and cities, and there are also cross-border services to neighbouring Central American countries. For comfort and flexibility, some travellers use rental cars or private shuttles between popular destinations.

El Salvador is small, so there is essentially no scheduled domestic flight network; travel within the country is by road. The main airport, SAL, focuses on international routes. For getting around the country, plan on buses, rental cars or private shuttles rather than flying.

Keep small cash in US dollars, which is the currency, for bus fares and small purchases. Use ride-hailing apps in the city for clear pricing, and prefer travelling by daylight on intercity routes. Allow extra time for busy traffic in San Salvador, and confirm pickup points with your driver when using apps.