South America > Argentina > Salta (SLA)
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Salta can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Salta ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Salta ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Salta?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
📍 Getting Around Salta — the Reality
Salta city is compact, colonial, and walkable.
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Historic centre is small and flat
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Major sights cluster around the central plaza
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Traffic exists but is manageable
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Parking in the centre can be awkward
For a city break, a car adds little value.
🚶♂️ Walkability and Local Transport
Central Salta works very well on foot.
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Cathedral, museums, cafés, and plazas are close together
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Walking is pleasant and safe in the core areas
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Taxis and ride-hailing are inexpensive and plentiful
Most visitors can handle city sightseeing without driving at all.
🚠 Cerro San Bernardo and City Views
One of Salta’s highlights is Cerro San Bernardo.
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Easily reached by cable car from near the city centre
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Offers panoramic views over Salta and the Lerma Valley
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No car required
This reinforces how accessible the city itself is without private transport.
🚆 Train of the Clouds – Salta’s Ultimate High-Altitude Experience ☁️
The Train of the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes) is one of Argentina’s most unforgettable adventures, and it’s inseparable from the identity of Salta 🏔️. This legendary railway climbs deep into the high Andes, reaching more than 4,200 metres above sea level, where vast plateaus, distant volcanoes, and thin mountain air create a sense of scale you simply don’t get elsewhere 😮💨✨. It’s not just a scenic ride—it’s a journey through extremes, where engineering, geography, and atmosphere come together in dramatic fashion.
🌄 Why It’s Essential from Salta
Salta is the natural starting point, both historically and practically, making the Train of the Clouds the essential excursion from the city 🚉. The route reveals the Andean heart of north-west Argentina, culminating in the breathtaking crossing of the Viaducto La Polvorilla, a soaring steel bridge suspended above the desert floor ☁️🚂. Whether you’re drawn by iconic rail journeys, raw landscapes, or once-in-a-lifetime experiences, this excursion distils Salta’s wild geography into a single, unforgettable day—placing it firmly among the great travel highlights of South America 🌍💛.
🚗 Why a Car Becomes Important Beyond the City
Salta is a gateway to Argentina’s northwest, where distances grow quickly and public transport thins out.
A rental car is extremely useful for:
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Quebrada de Humahuaca
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Cafayate and its wine region
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Salt flats and high-altitude landscapes
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Small villages and scenic routes
These trips are possible by bus or tour, but a car offers far more flexibility.
🚐 Tours vs Self-Drive
Many visitors choose organised excursions.
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No need to navigate mountain roads
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Easy logistics
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Fixed itineraries
A car suits travellers who want:
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Control over timing
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Stops at viewpoints
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Multi-day regional loops
Both approaches work well depending on confidence and schedule.
⚠️ Practical Considerations
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Mountain roads can be long and exposed
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Weather can change quickly at altitude
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Fuel planning is important outside towns
Driving is rewarding, but requires preparation.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Salta?
No for the city — yes for the northwest.
Salta itself is best explored on foot and by taxi, but the landscapes that define the region are much easier to reach with a car.
