~4h 30mTotal estimate
~€51–173Rough fare per person
Flight to San José
San Salvador → San José · about ~1h 10m in the air · ~€50–170
Train to Alajuela
San José → Alajuela · about ~20m · ~€1–3
San Salvador → Alajuela
El Salvador to Costa Rica · 1 border · Where else can you go from San Salvador?
Your route
RecommendedChoose a line to change transport
Scroll for the full route →THE JOURNEY, STEP BY STEP
Your itinerary
About the trip from San Salvador to Alajuela
San Salvador (El Salvador) and Alajuela (Costa Rica) are 678 km (421 mi) apart in a straight line. The way we suggest is by flight and train, via San José: ~4h 30m door to door with 1 change, for ~€51–173 per person. Without flying, it takes ~19h 25m by bus and train, via Managua, Chinandega and San José. The trip crosses one border, so check what papers you need.
Step by step
- Flight from San Salvador to San José: ~1h 10m in the air, 695 km, ~€50–170
- Train from San José to Alajuela: ~20m, 17 km, ~€1–3
Every route we know
- Flight + Train, via San José: ~4h 30m, 1 change, ~€51–173
- Bus + Train, via Managua, Chinandega and San José: ~19h 25m, 3 changes, ~€58–134
Questions
How long does it take to get from San Salvador to Alajuela?
~4h 30m door to door by flight and train, via San José, including time for changes and airports.
How much does it cost to travel from San Salvador to Alajuela?
~€51–173 per person for the route we suggest. These are estimates from travel-guide prices and published tariffs, not quotes: check the operator for today's fare.
Can you get from San Salvador to Alajuela without flying?
Yes: by bus and train, via Managua, Chinandega and San José, in ~19h 25m, for ~€58–134.
Times are rough door-to-door times, with time to change and to get through airports included. A "~" marks a rough time worked out from the distance. We don't have timetables, and fares are rough estimates, not quotes: check Google Maps or the operator before you travel.