There are 3 ways to get from San Salvador to Costa Rica by plane, bus, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Cuscatlán International Airport (SAL) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)plane SAL - SJO
4h 9m$250–600Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San Josébus Terminal San Carlos – Terminal San José
19h 30m$60–100Drive 903.8 km
- Drive from San Salvador to San Josécar 903.8 km
13h 37m$145–210
San Salvador to Costa Rica by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from San Salvador to Costa Rica is to bus which costs $60 - $100 and takes 19h 30m.
The fastest way to get from San Salvador to Costa Rica is to fly which takes 4h 9m and costs $250 - $600.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador and arriving at Terminal Tica Bus San José. Services depart once daily, and operate Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The journey takes approximately 19h 30m.
The distance between San Salvador and Costa Rica is 697 km. The road distance is 903.8 km.
The best way to get from San Salvador to Costa Rica without a car is to bus which takes 19h 30m and costs $60 - $100.
It takes approximately 4h 9m to get from San Salvador to Costa Rica, including transfers.
San Salvador to Costa Rica bus services, operated by Tica Bus, depart from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador station.
The best way to get from San Salvador to Costa Rica is to fly which takes 4h 9m and costs $250 - $600. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $60 - $100 and takes 19h 30m.
San Salvador to Costa Rica bus services, operated by Tica Bus, arrive at Terminal Tica Bus San José station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Salvador to Costa Rica is 904 km. It takes approximately 13h 37m to drive from San Salvador to Costa Rica.
What companies run services between San Salvador, El Salvador and Costa Rica?
Avianca - Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A. flies from Cuscatlán International Airport (SAL) to Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) 4 times a day. Alternatively, Tica Bus operates a bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San José 3 times a week. Tickets cost $60–90 and the journey takes 19h 30m. Two other operators also service this route.
- Website
- avianca.com
Flights from Cuscatlán International Airport to Juan Santamaría International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $200–550
- Phone
- +52 962 625 2435
- [email protected]
- Website
- Tica Bus
Bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San José
- Ave. Duration
- 19h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $60–90
- Website
- Tica Bus
Bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San José
- Ave. Duration
- 20h
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $70–100
- Schedules at
- Cristóbal Colón Autobuses (Línea Dorada y Trans Galgos Inter)
- Road
- $70–100
- Phone
- +503 7841 5688
- [email protected]
- Website
- Transporte del SOL
Bus from Terminal Tica Bus San Salvador to Terminal Tica Bus San José
- Ave. Duration
- 23h
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $60
- Schedules at
- Transporte del SOL
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How to get from London to Edinburgh, Heading to Europe? Read this before you buy a Eurail Pass, and What are the different types of Renfe trains in Spain? - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Booking & Getting There
There are 738+ hotels available in Costa Rica.