SAL - SJO

$161 Find Cheap Flights from San Salvador to San José - Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$321
Typical prices: $185-$286
Copa Airlines
Tue 9/18Fri 9/28
SAL - SJO • 1 stop
Cheapest non-stop
$327
Typical prices: $180-$280
Avianca
Sat 9/22Sat 9/29
SAL - SJO • Non-stop
Nonstop flights
You can fly direct with Avianca. Average duration is 1h 16m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 95% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 26 weeks in advance save around 13% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 17% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Cheapest • Avg $262 (round-trip)
Shortest trip • 5h 57m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Salvador to San José (SAL-SJO)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from San Salvador to San José

Wed, Sep 23 - Wed, Sep 30
Copa Airlines Logo
4:54 am - 10:58 amSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 04m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
6:17 pm - 11:34 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
5h 17m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
$322Copa Airlines
Thu, Sep 10 - Tue, Sep 15
Copa Airlines Logo
4:54 am - 10:58 amSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 04m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
5:55 pm - 12:39 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
18h 44m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
$322Copa Airlines
Fri, Oct 30 - Fri, Oct 30
Avianca Logo
7:35 am - 8:50 amSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 15mnonstop
Avianca Logo
12:40 pm - 9:45 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
9h 05m2 stops Panama City Tocumen Intl Bogotá El Dorado
$322Avianca
Mon, Oct 5 - Fri, Oct 9
Copa Airlines Logo
7:30 am - 1:52 pmSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
6h 22m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
5:55 pm - 11:35 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
5h 40m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
$322Copa Airlines
Fri, Sep 18 - Sat, Oct 3
Copa Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 7:10 amSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
22h 40m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Copa Airlines Logo
10:03 am - 8:32 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
10h 29m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
$322Copa Airlines
Sun, Dec 13 - Fri, Dec 18
Avianca Logo
10:25 pm - 11:40 pmSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 15mnonstop
Avianca Logo
3:10 pm - 4:30 pmSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
1h 20mnonstop
$327Avianca
Fri, Sep 25 - Tue, Sep 29
Avianca Logo
10:10 am - 11:30 amSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
1h 20mnonstop
Avianca Logo
5:05 am - 6:25 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
1h 20mnonstop
$327Avianca
Wed, Sep 30 - Fri, Oct 16
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 1:52 pmSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
5h 22m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:40 am - 10:55 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
1h 15mnonstop
$352Multiple Airlines
Wed, Sep 30 - Thu, Oct 15
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 1:52 pmSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
5h 22m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:40 am - 10:55 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
1h 15mnonstop
$352Multiple Airlines
Tue, Sep 8 - Sun, Sep 13
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:30 am - 1:52 pmSAL  San Salvador El Salvador Intl-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl
5h 22m1 stop Panama City Tocumen Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:40 am - 10:55 amSJO  San José Juan Santamaria Intl-SAL San Salvador El Salvador Intl
1h 15mnonstop
$352Multiple Airlines
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for San Salvador to San José flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from San Salvador to San José with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from San Salvador to San José?

Round-trip flights from San Salvador to San José start at $321. Prices are above average for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $185 to $286. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $321 on Copa Airlines.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Salvador to San José?

Sunday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Salvador to San José, it is 4% cheaper than the average day. Tuesday is the most expensive day with flight prices 5% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Salvador to San José?

  • February is the cheapest month to fly from San Salvador to San José at $177 round-trip.
  • July ($336) and June ($303) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 89% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from San Salvador to San José the cheapest?

Flights from San Salvador to San José are cheapest 26 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 13% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Key details for San Salvador to San José flights

Low season

June

Cheapest flight

$161
Best time to beat the crowds but there is an average 42% increase in price.
Most popular time to fly and prices are also 5% lower on average.
Flight from San Salvador to San José

When to book flights from San Salvador to San José

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Salvador to San José based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your San Salvador to San José flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking questions.

  • Which airlines fly between San Salvador (SAL) and San José (SJO) and have lenient rules regarding checked baggage?

    Several airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Aeromexico, and Copa Airlines, have eased their baggage regulations for flights from San Salvador to San José. Passengers on these airlines are allowed to bring one carry-on bag free of charge, as long as it does not exceed a weight of 22 pounds. Additionally, these carriers offer discounted rates for checked baggage that weighs under fifty pounds.

  • Which airlines fly between San Salvador (SAL) and San José (SJO)with pets?

    Several airlines, including Copa Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Aeromexico, permit flyers to carry their pets on flights from San Salvador to San José. You must make reservations as soon as you can, though, as there are limits on the overall number of pets that each airline will accept. If the total weight of your pet and its container is less than 20 lbs, it will be considered a carry-on item.

  • Which airline route offers the San Salvador to San José flights at the lowest prices?

    If you're looking to save money, opting for a connecting flight instead of a direct ticket could be a more economical choice when traveling from San Salvador (SAL) to San José (SJO). Several airlines, including United Airlines, Aeromexico, Copa Airlines, and Avianca, offer connecting flights along this route. These airlines have layovers in Bogotá, Panama City, Mexico City, and Newark, respectively.

  • What is the most economical means of transportation for traveling from San Salvador's downtown area to the El Salvador International Airport (SAL)?

    The cheapest way to get from San Salvador's city center to the airport (SAL) is frequently by bus. There are public buses and shuttle services that run between the city's core and the airport. Locals regularly ride public buses like the Route 400 or Route 138 since they are convenient and affordable.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on San Salvador to San José flights?

    Among airlines operating San Salvador to San José flights:

    • Avianca: offers extra legroom; offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • What airlines are available from San Salvador to San José?

    Only Avianca operates flights between San Salvador and San José.

  • Which airports can I use when flying from San Salvador to San José?

    Flights from San Salvador to San José usually depart from San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) and arrive at San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on San Salvador to San José flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • Avianca: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy Class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route and airline, so travelers should check the fare details before booking.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from San Salvador to San José?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from San Salvador to San José:

    • Economy Class
    • Business Class

  • How much can I save by taking a layover when flying from San Salvador to San José?

    On this route, nonstop flights are cheaper than layover options on average. Nonstop fares average $207 round-trip, compared to $262 via a layover through Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA).

  • What is the standard checked-bag allowance on flights from San Salvador to San José?

    There is no standard. Checked-bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge $68–$100 for the first checked bag in economy. Premium fares and elite-status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from San Salvador to San José?

    The Airbus A320-100/200 family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Avianca. Other aircraft seen on the route include Airbus A320neo variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from San Salvador to San José pass through?

    One-stop flights from San Salvador to San José most commonly connect through:

    • Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) - 94% of one-stop connections
    • Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) - 5% of one-stop connections
    • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - 1% of one-stop connections
    • Mexico City Benito Juarez (MEX) - 0% of one-stop connections

    Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Salvador to San José?

    On the San Salvador to San José route, being flexible with your departure day can save you up to 9%. Sunday is the cheapest day at $205 round-trip on average, while Tuesday is the most expensive at $224: a $19 difference. Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed from San Salvador to San José?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the San Salvador to San José route, 5% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from San Salvador to San José spread across the day?

    Morning is the busiest departure period on San Salvador to San José flights, with 50% of flights leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 25%, night flights for 25%, and afternoon flights for 0%.

  • What popular places can I visit in San José?

    Some of the most popular sights in San José are Parque Metropolitano La Sabana, Barrio Amón and Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. These are among the most viewed places in San José on KAYAK.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from San Salvador to San José?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from San Salvador to San José:

    • Earliest: departs at 7:30 am and lands at 8:46 am
    • Latest: departs at 10:25 pm and lands at 11:41 pm.

    The flight takes about 1h 16m.

  • How expensive are last-minute San Salvador to San José flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route - booked within 2 weeks of departure - run 7% above the route average of $213. Book 26 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from San Salvador to San José?

    A nonstop flight from San Salvador to San José takes 1h 16m, covering 405 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from San Salvador to San José?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • Have flight prices from San Salvador to San José changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $321 to $1,805. That means the highest observed fare was about 6x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from San Salvador to San José looking right now?

    One-way fares from San Salvador to San José are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $211, which is 59% above the typical average for this route.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from San Salvador to San José?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from San Salvador to San José?

    Flying via Panama City Tocumen Intl (PTY) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 5h 57m, compared with 7h 32m via Guatemala City La Aurora (GUA) and 10h 50m via Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

  • What car rental options are available at San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO)?

    San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport (SJO) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $1 for economy cars. Top options include:
    · Budget
    · Avis
    · Priceless
    · Routes Car & Truck Rentals
    · Payless

  • How much should I expect to pay for a San Salvador to San José flight?

    Round-trip flights from San Salvador to San José range from $185 to $286, with an average of $213 over the past 12 months. Anything below $185 counts as a good deal.

Your guide to booking San Salvador to San José flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Sunday departure instead of Tuesday. On this route, Sunday flights average $205 - about $19 less than Tuesday (8% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 26 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 13% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Salvador to San José trip for February. Fares historically average $177 round-trip in that month - typically $159 less than the most expensive month, which is July (based on the last 12 months).
  • If arriving on time is high on your priority list, Avianca is the strongest pick on this route. 95% of Avianca flights from San Salvador to San José arrived on time in the past 3 months, slightly above the route's average on-time arrival rate of 95%. When flights on this route do arrive late, the average delay is 1 hour 30 minutes, so choosing a carrier with strong on-time performance can make a difference on tight schedules.
  • The great majority of business travelers choose to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) when traveling from San Salvador (SAL) to San José. The airport is situated in close proximity to San José, the capital city of Costa Rica, and a significant business hub in Central America. This proximity reduces travel time and allows business travelers to quickly reach their destinations.
  • Flying with American Airlines, United Airlines, or Delta Air Lines can be a good idea if you want to go from San Salvador to San José in style. These airlines provide a unique bidding system that enables you to request an upgrade to a first-class cabin regardless of whether you initially bought a business or economy-class ticket.
  • If you want entertainment while you fly from San Salvador (SAL) to San José (SJO), think about utilizing American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, or United Airlines. Customers traveling on any of the aforementioned airlines are welcome to use the complimentary in-flight internet connectivity to watch their preferred television shows, listen to music, and enjoy children's cartoons.
  • Most environmentalists fly through El Salvador International Airport (SAL) from San Salvador to San José. This preference is due to SAL airport's greater reliance on renewable energy sources. The SAL airport has concentrated on building solar power-generating machinery to supply clean electricity. SAL has also built geothermal cooling and heating systems as part of its drive to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
  • If you intend to fly from San Salvador to San José in the morning, think about spending the night close to SAL airport. Due to how readily it can be reached from SAL airport, the Quality Hotel Real Aeropuerto is a convenient choice for overnight lodging.

Prefer to fly direct from San Salvador to San José?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from San Salvador El Salvador Intl Airport to San José Juan Santamaria Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

San Salvador El Salvador Intl to San José Juan Santamaria Intl

Monday

Avianca

Avianca

Tuesday

Avianca

Avianca

Wednesday

Avianca

Avianca

Thursday

Avianca

Avianca

Friday

Avianca

Avianca

Saturday

Avianca

Avianca

Sunday

Avianca

Avianca

See more direct flights

Direct returns

San José Juan Santamaria Intl to San Salvador El Salvador Intl

Monday

Avianca

Avianca

Tuesday

Avianca

Avianca

Wednesday

Avianca

Avianca

Thursday

Avianca

Avianca

Friday

Avianca

Avianca

Saturday

Avianca

Avianca

Sunday

Avianca

Avianca

See more direct flights

Everything you need to know for your flight from San Salvador to San José

Information on your arrival and departure airports