Colombia captivates visitors with its incredible diversity, from Caribbean beaches and Andean peaks to Amazon rainforest and colonial cities. Experience vibrant culture, world-class coffee, salsa dancing, and warm hospitality in South America's most biodiverse nation.
- Public
- Excellent public transit in Medellín (metro + cable cars), decent in Bogotá (TransMilenio BRT) and Cali (MIO). Cartagena relies on taxis and buses with no metro.
- Taxi
- Available via apps (Uber, Cabify, InDriver, DiDi) — significantly safer than hailing street taxis, especially at night. Yellow registered taxis exist but app-based is strongly recommended.
- Rental
- Useful for Coffee Triangle, Pacific coast, and rural exploration. International chains (Hertz, Avis, Budget) reliable. Mountain roads require care. Don't drive in major city centers.
- Walking
- Historic centers of Cartagena, Bogotá's La Candelaria, Medellín's El Poblado, and Salento are all highly walkable. Excellent conditions for pedestrian exploration in tourist areas.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- TransMilenio bus to center - $1 (1 hour)
- Shuttle
- Official taxi - $15-20 (30-45 min depending on traffic)
- Bus
- Uber/Cabify - $10-15 (30-45 min)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
{'description': 'Extensive local bus networks in all cities. Fares typically $0.50-1.00. Can be crowded and confusing for tourists. Watch belongings carefully.', 'intercity': 'Buses connect all major cities. Modern buses with AC on main routes. Prices vary by distance and comfort level.'}
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bicycle
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- $1.50-2.00
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Flights
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
El Dorado International Airport
From centre: 15 km to downtown Bogotá
Options: TransMilenio bus to center - $1 (1 hour); Official taxi - $15-20 (30-45 min depending on traffic); Uber/Cabify - $10-15 (30-45 min); Private transfer - $25-35
José María Córdova International Airport
From centre: 35 km to Medellín (near Rionegro)
Options: Airport shuttle bus - $8-10 (1 hour to El Poblado); Official taxi - $35-45 (45-60 min); Uber - $25-35 (not always available at airport); Colectivo shared van - $10 (1 hour)
Rafael Núñez International Airport
From centre: 3 km to Cartagena old town
Options: Official taxi - $8-12 (15 min); Uber/InDriver - $5-8 (15 min); Hotel shuttle (often included) - Free to $10; Bus to city - $0.50 (30 min)
Simón Bolívar International Airport
From centre: 16 km to Santa Marta
Options: Taxi - $15-20 (20-25 min); Shared shuttle - $8-10; Bus to city center - $2 (30-40 min); Private transfer to Tayrona - $40-50
Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport
From centre: 20 km to Cali
Options: Airport bus - $2 (45 min to Terminal); Official taxi - $20-25 (30-40 min); Uber - $15-20 (30-40 min); Hotel shuttle - $10-15
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Most widely used ride-hailing app. Technically unauthorized but widely available in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. Best for safety over street taxis.
InDriver
Popular alternative to Uber where you negotiate the price. Very widely used in Cartagena and smaller cities where Uber has less coverage.
Cabify
Legal ride-hailing alternative to Uber with professional drivers. Available in major cities and often preferred for business travel.
DiDi
Chinese ride-hailing app growing rapidly in Colombian cities. Competitive pricing and good availability in Bogotá and Medellín.
Pinbus / RedBus
Intercity bus booking apps allowing advance purchase of seats on major routes between Colombian cities. Saves queueing at bus terminals.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Never hail a street taxi at night in any Colombian city — always use registered apps (Uber, InDriver, Cabify) for safety
Buy a rechargeable Tullave card for TransMilenio in Bogotá or Civica card for Medellín Metro — cheaper than single tickets and more convenient
Medellín's Metro is the pride of the city — clean, safe, and efficient with cable cars extending to hilltop comunas and Parque Arví nature reserve
Book intercity bus tickets at terminals or via Pinbus.com and RedBus.co for main routes — always choose ejecutivo (executive) class for overnight journeys
The tourist train Bogotá-Zipaquirá runs only on weekends and is a charming way to visit the Salt Cathedral — departs Bogotá's Sabana Station
Domestic flights between Bogotá-Medellín, Bogotá-Cartagena, and Bogotá-Santa Marta are often only $50-100 and save many hours versus bus — check Viva and Wingo for deals