Monseñor Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL) is located in Comalapa, approximately 40 km southeast of San Salvador city center. The journey takes 30-50 minutes by car along the modern CA-4 highway, passing through rural Salvadoran landscape.

About San Salvador City Center

San Salvador, the compact capital of El Salvador, sits in a valley surrounded by volcanoes — the San Salvador volcano (Boquerón) looms to the west with a crater you can hike to the rim, while the smaller Cerro San Jacinto to the south has a cable car offering panoramic city views. The city center revolves around the Metropolitan Cathedral, where Archbishop Óscar Romero was assassinated in 1980, and the adjacent Plaza Libertad.

The historic center has a gritty authenticity that rewards exploration — the National Palace (now a museum), the baroque Iglesia El Rosario with its modernist rainbow interior, and the bustling Mercado Central where vendors sell pupusas (El Salvador's national dish of stuffed corn tortillas), fresh produce, and household goods. The recently renovated Centro Histórico area is seeing new investment in cafes and cultural spaces.

Modern San Salvador extends west to the upscale Zona Rosa and Colonia Escalón neighborhoods, where international restaurants, shopping malls (Multiplaza, La Gran Vía), and tree-lined boulevards offer a more polished experience. The Museo de Arte de El Salvador (MARTE) and the Museo Nacional de Antropología David J. Guzmán provide cultural depth. The city is increasingly recognized for its vibrant street food scene and coffee culture, reflecting El Salvador's position as a specialty coffee origin country.

Nearby Landmarks

Metropolitan Cathedral National Palace Zona Rosa Boquerón Volcano MARTE Museum

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost Varies by traffic
Time 20-40 min

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Exit SAL arrivals and find the taxi or shuttle service counter in the terminal
2. Purchase a taxi ticket at the official counter ($25-35 to San Salvador center)
3. Alternatively, book an Uber from the pickup area ($20-30)
4. The drive follows the CA-4/Carretera al Aeropuerto to the city (30-50 min)
5. Specify your hotel or neighborhood — Zona Rosa, Centro Histórico, or Escalón

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi Varies by traffic 20-40 min Convenience, groups, heavy luggage

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Taxis and ride-hailing (Uber operates in San Salvador) are available 24 hours. A taxi from the airport to city center costs $25-35 USD (fixed rate). Hugo ride-hailing is a local alternative. There are no public buses from the airport to the city after dark. Pre-arranged hotel transfers are recommended for late arrivals.

Luggage Tips

Airport taxis and Uber easily accommodate luggage. There are no trains or metro in San Salvador. Some shared shuttle services (Pullmantur) operate between the airport and city with luggage compartments. San Salvador's city center has mixed sidewalk conditions — Zona Rosa is better maintained for wheeled bags.

Accessibility

SAL airport has basic wheelchair assistance. San Salvador's accessibility infrastructure is limited — sidewalks are often uneven, cracked, or obstructed. Modern malls and upscale hotels meet accessibility standards. The historic center is more challenging. Taxi/Uber is the most accessible transport option.