$195 Find Cheap Flights to El Salvador - Compare and Save

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Price, demand and travel trends for flights to El Salvador

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

Are flights to El Salvador cheaper or more expensive than last year?

Fares to El Salvador are running about 16% higher than they were around this time last year, averaging $492 round-trip.

What are the cheapest fares to El Salvador right now?

The cheapest fare to El Salvador in the last week was $411 round-trip to San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL).

What's the cheapest month to fly to El Salvador?

February is the cheapest month to fly to El Salvador, with round-trip fares averaging $389. The most expensive months are December and July, when average round-trip fares rise to $716 and $620, respectively.

When's the best time to book a flight to El Salvador?

The best time to book is 26 weeks before departure. Drawing on 12 months of KAYAK data, fares booked in this window have averaged 16% lower than last-minute bookings (within 2 weeks of departure).

How do fares to each airport in El Salvador compare?

San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL) is the only airport serving flights to El Salvador. Round-trip fares average about $527.

How do fares to El Salvador vary across the week?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly to El Salvador and Sunday is the most expensive. Looking at KAYAK data from the past 12 months, Wednesday prices run 5% lower than Sunday.

What time of day is cheapest to fly to El Salvador?

On average, afternoon flights are the cheapest, at around $514. Morning flights are the most expensive to El Salvador, with tickets averaging $589.

Key details for flights to El Salvador

Low season

October

Cheapest flight

$194
Beat the crowds with an average 25% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 22% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Houston George Bush Intcntl Airport to San Salvador

Your questions about flights to El Salvador, answered

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

  • Is now a good time to book a flight to El Salvador?

    Fares to El Salvador are around their usual level right now. A round-trip under $389 would still be a good deal, so it's worth keeping an eye out, or setting a Price Alert to catch a dip.

  • How much should I budget for a flight to El Salvador?

    You can typically expect round-trip fares to El Salvador to cost from $389 to $704, based on KAYAK data from the past 12 months.

  • What are the main airports serving El Salvador?

    Flights to El Salvador use two main airports, San Salvador Ilopango (ILS) and San Salvador El Salvador Intl (SAL).

  • What airlines fly nonstop to El Salvador?

    Based on the flight schedule for the next 3 months, 6 airlines operate nonstop flights to El Salvador on a regular basis:

    • Avianca
    • United Airlines
    • Volaris El Salvador
    • American Airlines
    • Delta
    • Frontier

  • Is it cheaper to fly with a layover to El Salvador?

    Yes. Based on KAYAK data, flights to El Salvador with a layover can cost less than nonstop flights. The most affordable connecting airports are:

    • San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) from $275
    • Ontario (ONT) from $428
    • Fort Lauderdale (FLL) from $452

  • How often are flights to El Salvador delayed, and by how long?

    Around 15% of flights to El Salvador are delayed by at least 15 minutes. Delays last 2h 18m on average.

  • What cabin classes are available on flights to El Salvador?

    On flights to El Salvador you can book Economy Class, Premium Economy Class, Business Class or First Class.

  • Is it possible to find direct flights to El Salvador?

    Traveling from the United States, it’s possible to find nonstop routes to the Central American country of El Salvador. These direct flights arrive at El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN) in San Salvador, the country’s capital. There are year-round nonstop flights with Avianca Airline and others, from Los Angeles Airport (LAX), San Francisco Airport (SFO), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington DC, among others.

  • Do you need a visa to travel to El Salvador?

    As a U.S. citizen, you are not required to obtain a tourist visa prior to your trip to El Salvador as long as your visit does not exceed 90 days. However, all U.S. citizens not born in El Salvador must purchase a tourist card upon their arrival at El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN) in San Salvador. You can expect to pay about $12 for the tourist card.

  • Which airport should I arrive at to visit Cerro Verde National Park?

    Cerro Verde National Park is a large park known for housing three volcanoes. El Salvador, in general, is known as the land of volcanoes and this fact attracts plenty of visitors. The closest commercial airport to Cerro Verde National Park is El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN) in San Salvador. The popular park is just about a 2h drive from the airport.

  • What child seat laws exist in El Salvador?

    For those traveling to El Salvador with children who plan on renting a vehicle, it may be best to bring a child seat with you from the United States. In El Salvador, there aren’t any defined laws as to child restraints or seats, only that children under the age of 12 cannot sit in the front seats. Nonetheless, travelers can check beforehand with their car rental agency to see if they have child seats available.

  • What are the common stopover options for flights from the US to El Salvador?

    Most flights from the US to El Salvador have one or two layovers en route. The layover options for these flights vary depending on your departure city and airline. If you’re flying from New York (JFK) to SAL with American Airlines, you will have your stop in Miami (MIA) while those flying with Delta should expect a stop in Atlanta (ATL). Other airlines flying this route have a common layover in Tocumen Panama City (PTY). Most airlines flying from San Francisco (SFO) have common stops in Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), PTY, and San Jose (SJO).

  • Is Salvador Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport accessible?

    Yes, El Salvador International Airport is an accessible facility. All airlines flying through the airport run their wheelchair assistance program. You can request wheelchair assistance services from your airline by visiting its check-in counters or using any airport assistance phone to call them. The airport also offers accessible restrooms, stair-free options, and accessible ground transportation options to ensure passengers with reduced mobility get equal and easy travel through the airport. We recommend reserving these special assistance services at least 48 hours before your travel to avoid any inconveniences.

  • What is the best way to San Luis Talpa city center from El Salvador International Airport?

    The distance from El Salvador Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport to San Luis Talpa city center is just about 3.5 miles. One of the most recommended options for getting to the city center from El Salvador Airport is using a taxi. Taxis are available 24/7 and are a great option if you're traveling with lots of luggage. Alternatively, you can get a rental car from the airport.

  • What is the best airport to fly into El Salvador for flights from the US?

    El Salvador International Airport and Ilopango International Airport are the two airports that serve most of the international flights to El Salvador. Of the two airports, consider flying into El Salvador Airport as the other airport serves fewer commercial flights and majorly serves as a military base. Flying into SAL will give you more flight options, including direct flights from various cities in the US.

Your guide to booking flights to El Salvador

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If you can plan ahead, the sweet spot for booking your flight is 26 weeks before your trip. KAYAK data shows fares in this window are around 16% lower than last-minute bookings (made within 2 weeks of departure). Not ready to commit? Set a Price Alert and we'll let you know when prices change.
  • If your dates are flexible, February usually has the best deals, while December tends to be the priciest. The best-time-to-travel chart on this page shows how prices move across the year.
  • Wednesday is usually the cheapest day to fly, about 5% cheaper than Sunday, the priciest day. If your dates are flexible, that's an easy way to save. If not, try nearby airports or a layover instead.
  • If arriving on time matters more than price, consider flying with one of the most punctual airlines flying to El Salvador: Avianca, Volaris, Delta, United Airlines or Frontier.
  • San Salvador is the most popular destination in El Salvador. Start your trip here and then check out these other places KAYAK travelers love: Acajutla, La Libertad and La Herradura.
  • Consider a layover to El Salvador, it can cost less than flying nonstop. San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) is typically the cheapest place to connect.
  • When looking to book tickets to visit El Salvador, you’ll want to look for flights arriving at El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN) in San Salvador. This is the commercial airport serving the whole country.
  • To find more affordable flights to El Salvador, look for tickets with a layover in between. There are cheaper routes, for instance, stopping in Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) and operated by Spirit Airlines.
  • If you wish to rent a car during your visit to El Salvador, the airport has car rental agencies onsite. This way you won’t need to worry about finding a ride to pick up your car rental.
  • Fly into the main El Salvador Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAN), southeast of San Salvador, and you’ll be near some of the top attractions in the country. The airport is near the coast and just a half-hour away from the popular Costa del Sol Beach.
  • All U.S. citizens must travel to El Salvador with a valid passport with at least one blank page for any entry or exit stamps.
  • Most flights from the US to El Salvador usually land at Salvador Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport (SAL). It has a massive, single terminal that serves both international and domestic flights. Getting around the airport is quite easy.
  • If you're looking for a free space where you can relax upon arrival at Salvador Airport, we recommend trying the Observation Deck on the Third Floor. This spot is usually peaceful and quiet and has chairs fitted with armrests.
  • Ilopango International Airport (ILS) was the main international airport that served the city of San Salvador until it was replaced by the more modern SAL. Whenever you find flights from the US to ILS, consider them as this will help you avoid the long queues at SAL.
  • If you’re planning to travel with your pet or service animal, you will be happy to learn that Salvador Airport is a pet-friendly facility. You can travel with your pet through the airport provided you keep it in a pet carrier when within the airport.
  • Ilopango Airport is ideal for exploring Lake Ilopango, a volcanic caldera located on the borders of La Paz, San Salvador, and Cuscatlán. You can fly from the US to SAL and then connect using a domestic carrier to this airport.

Reviews of the top 5 airlines flying to El Salvador

 
Need help choosing which airline to fly with from the United States to El Salvador? KAYAK airline reviews give an overall score for each airline based on loads of factors, including comfort, boarding, in-flight entertainment and more, to make your decision easier. See airline scores according to verified KAYAK customer reviews.
7.4
Volaris El SalvadorOverall score based on 29 reviews
7.1Comfort
7.5Boarding
6.1Food
7.7Crew
5.7Entertainment
Airline reviews

This airline always trick us so we end up paying again for the luggage’s. This airline is worthless and take advantage of travelers .

4.0 Okayjaime, Feb 2026
Read more Volaris El Salvador reviews

This airline always trick us so we end up paying again for the luggage’s. This airline is worthless and take advantage of travelers .

Now days most airlines flying to Central America have a really poor service, but if you buy first class they will treat you better. I miss those days when flying was fun.

Friendly staff at all very easy check in and organize process

Horrible airline, upgraded to sit on seats made of stone. Staff were rude and on top of it they charge an arm and a leg for luggage 🧳 never again

The seats are the worst I upgraded to premium big mistake and it seems like no one likes there job very unpleasant

they don’t have TV Seat to Type in space

Stored my cloth purse under seat in front off me as instructed. When I retrieved it, half of it was soaked, along with everything inside it. I don’t really know how that could have been prevented because the area did not look wet, but I was not happy about it.

Seats needs to be wirer and food is very poor

Seats are uncomfortable and left me in pain in my tailbone area. I got about one hour of sleep.

Phx - ORD was nice 737 with starlink and the ORD - grr was ancient bare bones airbus with not even a power port lol

No white linens in premium economy . Salad was literally frozen. Food was terrible. No snacks. Ran out of food. I asked a flight attendant for snack on hour 8!of 16 hour flight and she said they don’t offer snacks and called me crazy for not having my own snacks for the flight.

It was easy to board, and the staff was friendly and helpful. What could have been better is that I shouldn't have to pay extra for a seat that doesn't recline.

Was on the plane sitting longer than the actual flight in air was, boarded at 5:45p and didn't take off until 6:50p flight was only about 30 minutes long. Just was poor experience will booking more with American Airlines.

Pretty much the exact same comments for this flight, there was crazy weather!

The guy in front of me was talking constantly, even when the pilot was making announcements. I found this very disrespectful to the pilot and to others.

The couple in front of me were constantly talking over the announcement from the captain and this was annoying me.

Wheel Chair Access sucked. I had a guy from Bangaldesh drop me off without taking me to the gate

The amount of gate changes and delays is completely unacceptable. This has happened on 3 of 4 trips between Chicago and Dallas in 2026.

I didn't like anything about this flight. The only reason anyone drinks Jack is because you ran out of Woodford. You should know to stock more Woodford. When you wait of first class hand and foot from the minute they get on the plane 5 feet from me but then start service from the rear of the plane so main cabin plus gets the scraps, that's how you get people to stop flying your airline.

American Airlines was horrible! The layover flight to DFW was delayed with no clear communication and for us having to stay the whole day which led to staying a night in Dallas was comped with 2 $12 dollar vouchers and a crappy hotel. We missed a whole day in Tokyo for our honeymoon and stressed the whole 24 hours. We were supposed to leave at the same time the following day, but that was delayed hours again. And instead of letting the delayed flight go first, they let the flight that was scheduled ahead of us. American should refund us the day wasted in Dallas that should have been in Tokyo! We had lost out on paid events that we can’t get refunded. When we finally did leave, it was a good flight. You would think that was the only issue with American but we from the LAX layover, we were delayed 6 hours and were given a $12 dollar voucher that covered a drink only. The only communication we were given then was that because they were delayed in a prior flight we were delayed again. I don’t understand why it was only with American that we had such a bad time with! They have definitely left a sour taste in our mouths for our honeymoon! And then they did send an email saying we could have 2K miles…. For what? To be delayed into another day and miss our flight again?

The delay update was very late. I had a stressful short connection and RAN through Chicago to get to the next flight, only to find the plane wasn't at the gate yet an nobody was boarding. I would not have had to run if the delay was updated earlier.

comfy and spacious seats for premium economy, nice flight attendants. only problem was the wifi did not work, and my entertainment screen was locked in Arabic language and all kids shows with no way of seemingly changing it. but the flight was fine and I arrived with no issues

extremely tight seats. seating next to a large person makes the space very uncomfortable. The crew is not very friendly either.

The flight was 3 hours and 40 minutes late. The communication around the delays was awful. I fly this route regularly and it is always late. I don't understand it. The flight attendants were not friendly and were generally loud. This was an overall bad look for American Airlines.

It was a late flight; crew was invisible. Zero air flow - the tiny plane was a sauna; the left the lights on for 1/2 of the flight; there was no water. Never again.

We were delayed a long time. We waited for “catering”. We didn’t get any food or accommodation for our wait. It made us land well after dinner time at our destination.

The worst experience I've ever had because the "people" @ Avianca wouldn't let me fly because they said I needed a round trip ticket

Staff are the rudest in the industry … awful customer service … will never fly Avianca again

Did not fly with Pakistan International Airlines. Have never flown with Pakistan International Airlines.

Boarding, crew were excellent, food was ok and entertainment need to improve

There isn't much space in-between seats and even water needs to be paid for during the flight.

We were not aware carry-on bags cost extra until we arrived at the airport so, we were charged $240.00 for two small carry- on bags! There was a substantial fee for drinks and snacks. No wifi, or other entertainment was available. Waiting areas were crowded and uncomfortable.

Ok, but these people don’t give you nothing no snack no water

No water for a 5 hour flight entertainment not working seats with little room for knees when person in front of me reclined kept bumping my knees.

I don't think anyone actually reads these comments, so I won't spend much time on this submission. If you want to talk, you know how to reach me. The D/FW manager of Avianca (self-identified), Juan Calderon, insisted I buy an onward ticket from San Salvador even though I have diplomatic status in El Salvador and live here. It cost me $1,393 and Mr Calderon would not let me make the ticked flexible so I could get a refund. He went out of his way to be rude to me. He gave me seat 32K -- windowless window seat in the last row and did not offer to let me upgrade even though there were plenty of seats. I have flown well over a million miles in my life and this is the worst experience I have ever had. I would like a refund on the ticket I was forced to buy. Just awful!

There was no food or drink service, couldn’t even get a glass of water for free. It was a long and expensive flight to not offer food or beverage on the plane.

I booked tickets from San Diego to Cincinnati months in advance to attend my sister’s wedding, a wedding where I was serving as the officiant. At 10:00 PM the night before my 6:00 AM flight (just 8 hours before departure), I received an alert that my first leg to Denver was delayed, causing me to miss my connecting flight to Cincinnati. When I called Frontier customer service, they informed me that they couldn't get me on any other flight that would get me there in time for the Saturday wedding, let alone the rehearsal dinner. Because I had a critical role in the wedding, I was forced to buy a last-minute ticket on another airline for three times the original price, costing me well over $1,000 extra. Even with the emergency flight, I still missed the rehearsal dinner entirely. When I spoke with Frontier, they agreed to refund my original ticket, but showed zero care or accountability for the massive financial burden and distress they caused. Their "compensation" for causing me to spend an extra $1,000+ and miss an irreplaceable family event? A $75 Frontier voucher. Frontier completely dropped the ball. Their customer service showed zero empathy, and their reliability is non-existent. I will never fly Frontier again, and no one else should either if they actually need to get where they want to go. Tip for anyone flying from Denver to Cincinnati: Avoid Frontier connecting flights or layovers at all costs, especially for time-sensitive events. Book direct flights with an airline that actually offers reliable customer support and rebooking options when delays occur.

I booked tickets from San Diego to Cincinnati months in advance to attend my sister’s wedding, a wedding where I was serving as the officiant. At 10:00 PM the night before my 6:00 AM flight (just 8 hours before departure), I received an alert that my first leg to Denver was delayed, causing me to miss my connecting flight to Cincinnati. When I called Frontier customer service, they informed me that they couldn't get me on any other flight that would get me there in time for the Saturday wedding, let alone the rehearsal dinner. Because I had a critical role in the wedding, I was forced to buy a last-minute ticket on another airline for three times the original price, it costing me well over $1,000 extra. Even with the emergency flight, I still missed the rehearsal dinner entirely. When I spoke with Frontier, they agreed to refund my original ticket, but showed zero care or accountability for the massive financial burden and distress they caused. Their "compensation” for causing me to spend an extra $1,000+ and miss an irreplaceable family event? A $75 Frontier voucher. Frontier completely dropped the ball. Their customer service showed zero empathy letting me know that it was Frontier who was the real victim by refunding my ticket price, and their reliability is non-existent. I will never fly Frontier again, and I strongly advise anyone who actually needs to arrive at their destination on time for an important event to book with literally any other airline.

Flight delayed and missed connection. Next available flight was a 10 hour delay.

It got me to my destination? However we were an hour delayed departing, and we never received any updates or notifications from staff. Poor communication and customer service.

Frontier didn’t give us enough notice that our flight had been delayed. I was just entering the airport when I received the notice, less than 2hrs before my scheduled flight. They delayed it 1hr 22min because another jet left late out of Vegas. Frontier needs better communication with customers because I could have eaten at home and had someone drive me instead of paying for an Uber.

Great flight, no problems. I wish they would increase the checked bag weight limit. Packing was very stressful.

My experience with Frontier was terrible. We were delayed for 2 hours. At one point during the wait at the gate I left to go get a sandwich - I was gone probably 15 minutes. In my absence, they decided to move our flight up, boarded and left. When I came back the two attendants were very rude and I unavoidably had to purchase another ticket on the next flight. During this whole time, the Frontier app did not update the departure time, so I was SOL.

Flight delayed 9 hours. On tarmac for over an hour after arrival. Will never book with Frontier under any circumstances ever again.

My ATL–CVG Frontier flight was disappointing due to both an operational issue and unprofessional customer service. After everyone had boarded and the aircraft had pushed back from the gate, we were delayed because the passenger count did not match the flight manifest. The crew counted passengers approximately six times before the aircraft returned to the gate and gate agents boarded to help resolve the discrepancy. We were ultimately advised that a family had been allowed to board but not all of their boarding passes had been properly scanned. This resulted in a departure delay of nearly an hour. I did appreciate that the pilot kept passengers informed and tried to reassure us that some of the delay could be recovered during the flight. My greater concern was the customer-service experience. I am a Frontier Elite Platinum member and was seated within the first five rows. When I boarded, the overhead bins near my seat were already closed. I opened two bins to see whether my small backpack would fit. A female flight attendant sharply told me that a closed bin meant it was full, although the second bin clearly had available space. When I tried to ask whether I could simply place my backpack in that available space, she ignored me. Later, while the gate agents were working to resolve the passenger-count problem, I heard the same flight attendant make jokes about how many gate agents it takes to count passengers. She then made unnecessary comments about the male gate agent doing the count, men thinking they can do things better than women, and women knowing better and outliving men. Later in the flight, she also commented that passengers should know that the first thing they need to do is always be nice to the flight attendants. Courtesy absolutely should go both ways. Flight attendants deserve respect from passengers, but passengers also deserve respectful and professional treatment from the crew. Joking about colleagues who were actively trying to correct an operational problem, making gender-based comments in front of passengers, and being dismissive toward a passenger asking a simple baggage question were unnecessary and unprofessional. I fly enough to understand that delays and mistakes happen. What determines the quality of the experience is how those situations are handled. Unfortunately, the customer-service attitude on this flight made an already frustrating operational delay considerably worse.

Did not get on the flight, they had a gate change and my app never updated me! Trying to get flight credit

More options for your flight to El Salvador

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