Driving from Salta to Calama
Calama lies 442 km (275 mi) north-west of Salta, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
Driving takes about 6 h 45 min without stops, over roughly 540 km (335 mi) of road; add breaks, fuel and any border.
| Salta | Calama | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Argentina | Chile |
| Population | 520,683 | 166,334 |
| Elevation | 1,054 m (3,458 ft) | 2,275 m (7,464 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-3 (America/Argentina/Salta) | UTC-3 (America/Santiago) |
| Postal codes | 4400 | 1390000 |
What changes when you arrive in Calama
Crossing from Argentina into Chile: money changes from the Peso to the Peso (CLP); sockets are Euro, Type L; the dialling code becomes +56; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648813 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648847.
Where to book car hire from Salta to Calama
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Calama
Live rooms and prices for Calama are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Calama
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Calama from Salta?
442 km (275 mi) in a straight line, north-west of Salta; by road roughly 540 km (335 mi).
How long does it take to get from Salta to Calama by car?
About 6 h 45 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Salta and Calama?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Calama?
The Peso (CLP).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.