By Bus
Public buses are the main way most Salvadorans travel, and they cover the country extensively. They are mostly old US school buses, colorfully painted, usually crowded, and very cheap — fares rarely exceed $1 for city routes and $1–5 for intercity trips. The downside is that journey times can be long and departure schedules unpredictable. Terminal del Occidente and Terminal del Oriente in San Salvador are the main hubs for long-distance buses.
For the Pacific coast and tourist areas, microbuses (smaller minibuses) fill in gaps and are often faster than the big buses.
By Car
Renting a car gives you flexibility that public transport cannot. The road network is decent and distances are small — you can drive across the entire country in about three hours. An international driving permit is useful but a US or European license is usually accepted. Driving at night is inadvisable outside major urban areas.
Car rentals are available at the airport and in San Salvador. All the major international companies have desks at SAL Airport. Expect to pay around $40–70 per day for a compact.
By Taxi and Ride-Hailing
Uber operates in San Salvador and the main tourist areas and is reliable and cheap. It is generally the safest option for getting around the capital. Official yellow taxis are more expensive; always negotiate the price before getting in if there is no meter.
By Shuttle
Tourist shuttle services connect the main destinations (San Salvador, La Libertad, El Tunco, Suchitoto, Santa Ana) and are convenient if you are on a backpacker circuit. They are more expensive than public buses but much faster and door-to-door.