How much does a trip to Salta & Patagonia cost from South Africa?
About R40 308 for 7 days, solo
Or R33 798 each for two people sharing a room. Saving for a trip a year from now means about R3 360 a month.
Estimates from Johannesburg, booked 3 to 6 months ahead, including a 20% buffer and the visa fee. Prices checked Sep 2026.
Join the waitlistRed-rock canyons and high vineyards in the north, glaciers and granite spires in the south, and steak and Malbec in between.
Cost by trip length and style (solo)
| Length | Tourist | Blend | Niche |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 days | R34 620 | R37 323 | R38 733 |
| 7 days | R40 308 | R42 652 | R43 666 |
| 14 days | R60 216 | R61 304 | R60 932 |
Tourist covers the famous sights. Niche swaps them for places locals love, usually with cheaper stays but more travel between them. Blend mixes both. Two people sharing pay less each, because the room is split.
Where the money goes (7 days, Tourist, solo)
| Return flight from Johannesburg | R17 000 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 7 nights | R10 850 |
| Food, local transport and activities | R5 740 |
| 20% buffer for surprises | R6 718 |
| Visa and entry fees | None |
| Total | R40 308 |
Visa for South Africans
No visa needed No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Argentina.
Nothing to arrange.
Reconfirm before you book. This rule relies on secondary sources or changed recently. Check the official source.
When to go
| Best time | Oct–Apr |
|---|---|
| Cheapest time | May–Sep |
| Currency | Argentine peso (ARS) |
Book 4–5 months out; internal flights are long, so fly rather than bus.
Know before you go
| Getting there | About 14 to 18 hours via São Paulo (LATAM, SAA) to Buenos Aires. |
|---|---|
| Health | Argentina's north-east (Iguazú) is on the WHO yellow fever list, so South Africa may ask for a certificate when you return; ask a travel clinic before you go. |
| Money | Prices in rand rose sharply after 2024. Foreign cards now get close to the market rate, so you no longer need the old cash-exchange workaround. |
A 7-day plan that mixes both
- Day 1 Arrive, check in and find dinner nearby
- Day 2 San Telmo and La Boca in Buenos Aires
- Day 3 Salta's colonial centre
- Day 4 A tango show
- Day 5 Rainbow hills of the Quebrada de Humahuaca
- Day 6 Recoleta Cemetery
- Day 7 Final morning, then fly home
The classics
- San Telmo and La Boca in Buenos Aires
- A tango show
- Recoleta Cemetery
- Perito Moreno Glacier from El Calafate
- Laguna de los Tres hike in El Chaltén
- Iguazú Falls
- Malbec tasting in Mendoza
- Steak at a parrilla
Where locals go
- Salta's colonial centre
- Rainbow hills of the Quebrada de Humahuaca
- Salinas Grandes salt flats
- High-altitude wineries in Cafayate
- Hill of Seven Colours at Purmamarca
- A closed-door restaurant in Palermo
- Tigre delta by boat
- Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel
Ready to book?
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Quick answers
How much does a trip to Salta & Patagonia cost from South Africa?
About R40 308 per person for 7 days travelling solo, or R33 798 each for two people sharing a room, booked 3 to 6 months ahead. That includes return flights from Johannesburg, mid-range accommodation, daily spending, the visa fee and a 20% buffer. These are estimates checked in Sep 2026.
Do South Africans need a visa for Argentina?
No. South African passport holders don't need a visa for Argentina. Nothing to arrange.
When is the best time to visit Salta & Patagonia?
The best time is Oct–Apr. The cheapest time is usually May–Sep.
How long is the flight from Johannesburg?
About 14 to 18 hours via São Paulo (LATAM, SAA) to Buenos Aires.
Sources
Checked Sep 2026.