By Air
El Salvador International Airport (SAL), also known as Comalapa Airport, is the only international airport. It sits about 50 km southeast of San Salvador, near the coast. Most visitors fly in via the US. American, Delta, United, and Spirit all fly direct from multiple US cities including Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, and Atlanta. Avianca (formerly TACA) operates regional connections throughout Central America and to several South American cities. From Europe, connections are usually through Miami or Bogotá.
The airport is small and straightforward. Immigration queues can be long on busy days. On arrival you will be issued a tourist card for US $12, which covers entry to El Salvador as well as Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua under the CA-4 border agreement — this allows free movement between these four countries for 90 days.
From the airport to San Salvador: Uber is the easiest option and costs around $15-20. Official taxis from the rank charge more. Public bus #138 runs to San Salvador's eastern terminal for under $1, but it is slow and not practical with luggage.
By Bus (Overland)
El Salvador is well connected by bus to Guatemala and Honduras. International buses run from San Salvador to Guatemala City, Tegucigalpa, and onward. Tica Bus and King Quality operate comfortable coach services. Budget travelers often use local buses to cross at the borders, which is slower but significantly cheaper.
The main land borders are: - El Amatillo — to Honduras (east) - El Poy — to Honduras (north) - Las Chinamas / Valle Nuevo — to Guatemala (west) - San Cristóbal — to Guatemala (northwest, busiest crossing)