Although El Salvador is a tiny country, getting around it can be a bit tricky. The country is definitely not yet ready to receive many tourists and transportation options in El Salvador are limited and getting from point A to point B using the famous chicken buses requires a lot of time.
In this guide, we’ll explore 3 different transportation options in El Salvador for all budgets and travel styles.
Main transportation options in El Salvador:
-Public buses: very cheap, but long trips
-Tourist shuttles: more expensive but you can cover most routes in less than 2 hours
-Private transportation: fast and convenient door-to-door service. Affordable if there are at least 2 people traveling
Don’t forget to check this incredible one-week itinerary in El Salvador!
| Advantages | Recommended for | |
| Chicken Bus | Very cheap | Backpackers traveling slowly |
| Shuttles | Good price-time balance | Solo travelers who want to save time |
| Private Transportation | Fast door-to-door service. Cheaper than a shuttle when traveling with other people | Groups of at least 2 people |
Understanding the Chicken Bus Phenomenon
I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about the chicken buses. This is another name for public buses.
Chicken buses are a very famous transportation option in El Salvador among backpackers because they are extremely cheap; you can pay less than 2 dollars to cross half the country. But there are also some drawbacks.
Drawbacks of Traveling by Chicken Bus
Although their low prices might be tempting, traveling by chicken bus implies spending many hours on transportation.
There are no chicken buses covering the most popular routes for tourists, so it’s necessary to take at least two buses to get anywhere.
That is completely worth it if you are in the country for many days and don’t mind spending a whole day just traveling instead of doing something else. But for shorter trips, shuttles and private cars might be a more convenient option in terms of time.
Chicken Buses Payment Method
Chicken buses accept cash as the primary form of payment, and it’s advisable to carry coins and small bills. It’s important to have small change ready, as exact fare is often required and change may not be readily available.
Tips for Traveling by Chicken Bus:
- Keep your belongings secure at all times by using a cross-body bag or money belt to prevent theft.
- Start your trip early in the morning. Chicken buses tend to be delayed, and it’s better if you arrive at your destination during daylight.
- Check at your hotel reception for the specific route you are traveling and take notes on the bus numbers and the location of the bus stops.
- Tell the driver where you are going so they can tell you when to hop off.
- Always have small change with you; it’s even better if you have coins.
- Be aware of the time of the day when buses stop running. Most bus services stop around 5 or 6 PM.
Is Traveling by Chicken Bus Safe?
Rest assured, traveling by chicken bus in El Salvador is very safe! Some years ago, it was not recommended for tourists to travel by public transportation in El Salvador, but things have changed.
The country is very safe now and all the locals are very welcoming and ready to help tourists whenever they need it.
That being said, it’s still advisable to keep an eye on your belongings and carry money and important documents in a safe place.
Some Popular Chicken Bus Routes
- San Salvador to El Tunco: bus 102A
- San Salvador to Suchitoto: bus 129
- San Salvador to Santa Ana: bus 201 from Terminal de Buses de Occidente in El Salvador
- Santa Ana town to Santa Ana volcano: bus 248 at 7:30 AM from La Vencedora Bus Station to Cerro Verde or El Tibet
- Lake Coatepeque to Santa Ana volcano: chicken bus 242 at 7:30 AM to El Congo. Chicken bus 248 at 8:30 AM to Cerro Verde or El Tibet
- Lake Coatepeque to San Salvador: bus 242 to El Congo, then bus 201 or 202 to San Salvador
- Santa Ana to Ruta de las Flores: from Terminal Francisco Lara Pineda, take bus 238 to Juayua
If you are visiting Santa Ana volcano (as you should), in this guide you’ll find everything you need to know to get to this impressive volcano by chicken bus.
Tourist Shuttles
Tourist shuttles are a great option if you are looking to save some time. Although it’s more expensive than taking the chicken buses, you can travel in a third of the time.
Most shuttles are around $30-$40 per person, depending on the route. This is the best option for solo travelers who don’t want to venture into the craziness of the chicken bus system and arrive fast to their destination.
To book it, just contact your hotel or hostel reception and they’ll make all the arrangements for you. In most cases, this will be a door-to-door service; sometimes the drop-off point will be at a centric spot in your destination.
Private Transportation in El Salvador
Taking private transportation in El Salvador is definitely my favorite transportation option if you are traveling with at least another person. You’ll have to pay around $50-$60 per trip, but when you divide the amount among 2 or more people, it’s actually cheaper than taking a shuttle.
Also, you decide the pick-up time, meaning you can even travel after sunset and not miss a single hour of the day traveling.
To book it, contact your hotel or hostel and they’ll be able to make all the arrangements for you. This is advisable, as they know trusted companies that are safe for tourists.
Advantages of booking private transportation:
-Fast, door-to-door service
-Cheaper than a shuttle if you are traveling with other people
-You decide the pick-up time
Conclusion to Transportation in El Salvador
El Salvador is an amazing country with many natural wonders to discover. Right now, the public transportation options are limited and very daunting, but traveling by chicken bus is still an experience you need to try at least once.
If you have many days in the country and have a very low budget, then it’s definitely possible to cover the whole country by bus.
On the other hand, if you are looking to have a more relaxed trip and want to save plenty of time, taking shuttles or private transportation is definitely the best option. It’ll allow you to save time and, anyhow, the price of these options is still affordable.
You might also like:
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.