How to get from Salento to Medellin
Why visit Medellin?
Medellin is a vibrant city that overcame its dark and violent past to become a symbol of innovation and growth. Its colourful history alone attracts millions of tourists every year. And with a wide array of attractions and things to do, Medellin is bustling with activity from day ’til night.
A huge plus: the city enjoys temperate weather all year round, no wonder it’s called the ‘city of eternal spring’. Surrounded on all sides by the Andes, you’ll get a stunning view no matter where you are in Medellin!
What are the 2 ways to travel from Salento to Medellin?
There are 2 ways to travel the 250 kilometre (155 miles) distance from Salento to Medellin. You can choose between the bus and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes to 7 hours 50 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 104,000 COP ($28).
Where to stay in Medellin?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Medellin.
Salento to Medellin by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Salento to Medellin. Bus fares start from 104,000 COP ($28), and the journey takes around 7 hours 50 minutes.
The main bus operator for this route is Flota Occidental.
Step 1: How to get to Salento Bus Terminal
Buses to Medellin depart from Terminal de Buses Salento, right in the town centre.
If you’re staying in town, you can walk to the terminal — most hotels and hostels are less than 1 km away. If your place is a bit further out, you can grab a taxi, with fares starting from 12,000 COP ($3.20).
Step 2: Bus from Salento to Medellin
Flota Occidental runs direct buses from Salento to Medellin. Tickets cost around 89,000 COP ($24), and the journey takes about 7h 30m.
You can take either a day or overnight bus to Medellín. The overnight option saves you a night’s accommodation, but some reviews mention that drivers can go too fast, making it hard to sleep.
Buses have reclining seats and air conditioning, but most don’t have toilets on board. The driver usually makes one or two short stops along the way for bathroom breaks and snacks.
If you book your ticket through BookAway, make sure to arrive a bit early. You’ll need to exchange your BookAway voucher for a paper ticket at the Flota Occidental counter in the terminal before boarding.
Step 3: Medellin Bus Terminal to the City Centre
Buses arrive at Medellin Terminal del Sur. From there, you can take an Uber, hop in a taxi, or connect to the Metro.
We recommend taking an Uber. There’s no need to negotiate the rates, and rides to the city centre typically start from 17,000 COP ($4.60). You’ll be downtown in about 15 minutes.
If you’re travelling on a budget, you can take the Metro, but this option involves some walking. The nearest Metro stop, Poblado Station, is 1.6 km away. A Metro ticket costs 3,000 COP ($0.90) when using a Cívica card.
Top Tip: Medellín uses the Cívica card, a rechargeable pass valid on the Metro, buses, trams, and cable cars. You can buy one at any Metro station. To learn more about using public transport in Colombia, check our Colombia transport guide.
Salento to Medellin by Flight
If you’re short on time, flying is the fastest way to get from Salento to Medellin. There are no direct flights, though. You’ll first need to travel to Pereira Airport, which is about 40 km from Salento.
Combined fares start from 186,000 COP ($50) and the journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes to 3 hours 25 minutes, including airport transfers.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: How to get from Salento to Pereira Airport
There are two ways to get to Pereira Airport from Salento: by taxi or by bus. The choice depends on your budget and preference for travel time.
Option 1: Salento to Pereira Airport by Taxi
The fastest way is to take a taxi that will drop you off directly at Matecaña International Airport(PEI). The ride takes about 45 minutes, but it can be a little expensive, with prices starting at around 150,000 COP ($40.50).
You can usually find taxis at Plaza de Bolivar in Salento, or arrange a transfer directly through your hotel/hostel.
Option 2: Salento to Pereira Airport by Bus + Taxi
A cheaper alternative is to take a bus from Salento to Pereira, then hop in a taxi or Uber to the airport.
Buses to Pereira Transportation Terminal depart every 30 minutes from Salento Bus Terminal, which is within walking distance of most accommodations in town. Buses run daily from 06:30 to 18:30 and are operated by Expreso Alcalá. Tickets cost 13,000 COP ($3.40), which you pay directly to the driver.
From Pereira Transportation Terminal, it’s about a 25-minute taxi ride to the airport. Taxi fares start from 12,000 COP ($3.20).
There’s also the option of using Pereira’s Megabús system, but we don’t recommend it. The bus ride from Pereira Bus Station to Pereira Airport involves three transfers and requires a Tarjeta Megabús card, which you’ll likely only use for this one trip. Cash isn’t accepted.
Step 2: Flight from Pereira to Medellín
There are a few daily flights from Pereira to Medellín, operated by Clic Air (formerly EasyFly), Avianca, and LATAM.
Clic Air flies into Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) and offers 2 to 4 flights a day.
Avianca and LATAM operate 1 to 2 daily flights to José María Córdova Airport (MDE).
The flight takes around 45-50 minutes, with prices starting from 148,000 COP ($40).
Step 3: Medellin Airport to City Centre
There are two airports in Medellín — José María Córdova Airport and Olaya Herrera Airport — so it’s good to know where you’ll be arriving.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Salento to Medellin. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions about Salento to Medellin
What is the distance from Salento to Medellin?
The distance from Salento to Medellin is 250 kilometre (155 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Salento to Medellin?
The fastest way to get from Salento to Medellin is by flight and takes 1 hour 50 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Salento to Medellin?
The cheapest way to get from Salento to Medellin is by bus with ticket costs starting from 104,000 COP ($28).
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From José María Córdova Airport (MDE)
Most airlines arrive at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), about 20 km from the city centre.
The cheapest way to reach the city is by airport bus, operated by Combuses. They run every 15–20 minutes for 17,000 COP ($4.60). The ride takes about 35 minutes and drops you off at either San Diego Mall or Exposiciones Metro Station. Both are fairly central, but you’ll likely need a quick Uber or taxi to reach hotels in El Poblado, Laureles or nearby areas.
You can also take a colectivo (shared taxi) for about 28,000 COP ($7.40) per person. Colectivos carry up to four passengers and go directly to San Diego Mall in the city centre.
For more convenience, Uber prices start from 105,000 COP ($28.50), while official airport taxis charge a flat rate of 110,000 COP ($29.50) to anywhere in the city centre.
Prefer to book ahead? BookAway offers:
Check out our Medellín Airport Guide for the full breakdown of transport options.
From Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH)
If you arrive at Olaya Herrera Airport, you’re already in Medellín — the airport is right in the city.
Uber is a great option to get to your hotel, with fares to the city centre starting from 17,000 COP ($4.60). You can also get a taxi for around 13,000 COP ($3.50). Most use the meter, but beware that some drivers might try to overcharge tourists.