Quick answer
Can I pay for flights with Solana?
Yes, with native SOL. SatFares, a flight booking site paid only in crypto, accepts SOL on the Solana network to pay for flights, credited after 1 finalized confirmation. USDC and USDT on Solana are not accepted. Your top-up from $25 is converted to US dollars at the rate locked on the payment page. At checkout, the fare is held, not charged, until the e-ticket is issued.
SOL at SatFares
| Coin | SOL, the native coin of Solana |
|---|---|
| Accepted transfer | A plain SOL transfer to our address on Solana |
| Not accepted | USDC, USDT or any other token on Solana; SOL on other networks |
| Confirmations before credit | 1, finalized |
| Minimum top-up | $25, chosen in US dollars |
| Conversion | To US dollars, at the rate locked on the payment page |
| Base network fee | 5,000 lamports (0.000005 SOL) per signature, plus an optional priority fee |
| Refunds | In USDT or USDC, not in SOL |
Can I pay with USDC or USDT on Solana?
No, and this is the most common mistake with Solana. Our check accepts a plain SOL transfer only. USDC and USDT on Solana are tokens: they move through a different program, so they can't be credited as SOL. Tokens sent to our Solana address may be lost.
- For USDC, use USDC on Ethereum.
- For USDT, use USDT on Tron or USDT on Ethereum.
- Or swap your Solana tokens for SOL in your wallet, then top up with SOL.
Why does a SOL payment need only 1 confirmation?
Because our check waits for the transaction to be finalized on Solana, which counts as the confirmation we require. Your balance is credited once the transaction reaches that state. The payment page shows the progress, and your balance is updated in US dollars as soon as it is finalized.
How much SOL do I send for a $500 ticket?
You send $500 worth of SOL at the locked rate, plus a small network fee in SOL. The $500 is the price shown at checkout, which is the fare found live for all passengers, in US dollars, taxes included, with no fee added; the final total is confirmed before you are charged.
- Top up $500. The payment page shows the exact SOL amount: $500 divided by the SOL rate, rounded up, with a few unique units at the end.
- Send exactly that amount while the rate is locked. The page shows until when.
- Your wallet adds the network fee on top, paid in SOL.
- Once the transaction is finalized, your balance shows $500.
If the transaction is seen after the lock ends, its dollar value can differ from the amount you chose.
What is the network fee on Solana?
The Solana documentation states that every transaction requires a fee paid in SOL. The base fee is 5,000 lamports per signature, which is 0.000005 SOL. Half of it is burned and half goes to the validator. An optional priority fee can be added to make the transaction more likely to be processed first.
These are protocol rules, checked on October 12, 2026, not a fee we measured in US dollars. Measured fees will be published on the real cost of paying in crypto page.
How is a SOL payment converted, and how are refunds paid?
Your SOL is converted to US dollars at the rate locked on the payment page, and your balance stays in dollars after the credit. A drop in the price of SOL after that does not change what you can book.
Refunds are paid in stablecoins. If the airline cancels, you get a refund in USDT or USDC within 7 days, or a balance credit, as you choose. If you cancel yourself, the fare rules apply and any refund is credited to your balance.
Paying with SOL: common questions
Can I pay for flights with USDC on Solana?
No. SatFares accepts only native SOL on Solana. USDC on Solana is a token, not SOL, and it can't be credited at our Solana address. Pay with USDC on Ethereum (ERC-20), or swap your USDC for SOL first. Native SOL is credited after 1 finalized confirmation.
How fast is a SOL top-up credited?
After 1 confirmation: the transaction must be finalized on Solana. The payment page shows the progress. We don't publish a measured time yet, but Solana needs the fewest confirmations of all the options we accept. If you close the tab, the pending top-up stays under Billing in your account.
How much SOL do I need for the network fee?
Very little. The Solana base fee is 5,000 lamports, or 0.000005 SOL, per signature, plus any priority fee your wallet adds. Keep a small amount of SOL in your wallet on top of the amount shown on the payment page.
What if the price of SOL changes before my payment arrives?
While the rate is locked, the locked rate applies. The payment page shows how long the lock lasts. A transaction seen after the lock ends can be valued at a different rate. Don't send a second payment: keep your transaction ID (TXID) and follow the instructions on the payment page.
Can I get my refund in SOL?
No. Refunds are paid in USDT or USDC. If the airline cancels, you get a refund in USDT or USDC within 7 days, or a balance credit, as you choose. Your balance has been in US dollars since your SOL top-up was credited.
Can I send SOL from an exchange?
Yes, on the Solana network. Choose "Solana" or "SOL" as the withdrawal network. Some exchanges take their withdrawal fee from the amount you type: check that the SOL that arrives matches the exact amount on the payment page. If needed, add the exchange fee to the amount you type.
Is the price of the ticket different with SOL?
No. The price shown is the fare found live for all passengers, in US dollars, taxes included, with no fee added; the final total is confirmed before you are charged, whichever coin you use. The SOL amount depends only on the rate locked when you top up. The network fee is paid in SOL by your wallet, not to SatFares.
Sources (3)
- Transaction fees — Solana documentation (checked 2026-10-12)
- Multi-chain USDC — Circle (checked 2026-10-12)
- Supported protocols — Tether (checked 2026-10-12)