Air ticket cost to Salta

[mbw]

We are going to Salta (from BsAs) in a couple of weeks. The airline ticket prices seem high - around $450USD for round trip. Does anyone know of a cheaper option?

 

[MizzMarr]

Take the bus? You can get a semi-cama seat for around $800 pesos, and an ejecutivo/suite for around $1000. Movies, comfy seats, it's really not a bad option.

 

[Damiancho]

http://www.despegar.com.ar/pasajes/vuelos-a-salta-desde-buenos+aires-bue-sla


Buenos Aires (AEP) a Salta (SLA)
Mié 8 de Dic 2010
Vie 10 de Dic 2010
Sáb 11 de Dic 2010
Lun 13 de Dic 2010
VUELTA:
Salta (SLA) a Buenos Aires (AEP)
Jue 16 de Dic 2010
Tarifa por adulto
$ 867 pesos
Tarifas:
1 Adulto $ 867
Imp. y tasas$ 159
Cargos$ 0
Total$ 1.026

 

[MizzMarr]

Those are good prices, Damiancho! However, they're not valid for foreigners and you need a DNI to get them (says on the website 'tarifas no valídas para extranjeros'). I did a quick search just to check AEP to SLA with USA as country of residence, and fares are closer to $400 usd.

 

[Damiancho]

mizzmarr, you're right. You need to show your DNI and:

When boarding, the passenger will be asked to provide documentation confirming his or her residency. A passenger with a ticket for this class will not be boarded if her or she fails to provide said documentation.

In http://www.transporte.gov.ar/aero/usuarios/tarifas.html there is a chapter TARIFAS PARA RESIDENTES.

In short: There goverment fixes for each route a min and max fare/tariff (related with the bus costs). These fares are relatevely low, and the companies receives compensations.

There explains than the min fares are not always profitable and the companies muest offer the 20% off the seat at the MINIMUM fare, only for nationales. So foriners pays the full price.

But just one remark: this is not only same ticket with different price, there are differenets fares:

Examples:
Changes before departure:
Locals: (Tarifa BASE) $100ars fee
Flexible: Allowed (free)

Changes after departure_
Locales: Not allowed
Flexible: $100

Refunds:
Local: $150 fee
Flexible: $100 fee

Milleage programs:
Locals 25%
Flexible 125%

I hope to be usefull for you

 

[Damiancho]

Just another datum:
BsAs to Salta: Minimum=416 Max=790. (plus taxes)

Full list:
http://www.transporte.gov.ar/aero/usuarios/cuadro.html

 

[jimdepalermo]

A local friend, médico, with family in Salta provincia always takes the overnight deluxe, full-cama bus when he goes to visit family. Says it's more reliable, more comfortable, and a fraction of the price.

 

[comidaparapensar]

Bus tickets will be going up by 10% starting December 1... Not sure if it applies to tickets purchased before December 1 or not, though

http://voiceofbuenosaires.com/2010/11/22/long-distance-bus-fares-to-increase-by-10/