How to get from Bogota to Cali

Why visit Cali?

Cali is a vibrant city in southwest Colombia, where residents literally dance the night away. Known as the world’s salsa capital, its streets are often filled with parties and locals dancing salsa.

Every year in the last week of December, the city celebrates Feria de Cali, a salsa carnival and cultural festival that attracts millions of visitors from around the world. Some travel guides to Cali will tell you it’s not safe, but just follow the advice of locals and you should be fine!

There are 4 ways to travel the 463 kilometre (288 miles) distance from Bogota to Cali. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, private transport and flight. The journey takes 2 hours 10 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 91,000 COP ($23.50).

Taking a flight from Bogota to Cali is the fastest way to complete this journey. It only takes 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes, including transfers to and from the airport.

TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.

Flights from Bogota to Cali depart from El Dorado International Airport (BOG), about 30 minutes from the city centre by private transport. If you’re flying in the evening, leave early. Rush hour traffic (16:30–19:30) can double travel time.

We recommend taxi-hailing apps like InDrive and Uber. InDrive fares start from 30,000 COP ($7.80), while Uber Taxi costs around 29,000 COP ($7.50) to 38,000 COP ($9.80).

If you prefer to book ahead, you can do so via BookAway:

• • Shared minivan – 38,000 COP ($10) per seat
  • Private car – 47,000 COP ($12.30) for 2 people

On a budget? The TransMilenio bus costs only 3,000 COP ($0.80), but you’ll need a TuLlave card — cash isn’t accepted. Also note that buses are often crowded and usually require a transfer.

Check out our page on Bogota Airport for a more detailed guide.

Flights from Bogota to Cali depart from El Dorado Airport (BOG). There are six airlines covering this route; Avianca, Latam, Wingo, Clic, APG and JetSmart. They all offer a cabin-luggage-only fare.

Flights depart frequently, about every hour, from 04:20 to 22:36. The flight takes around 1h 5m.

All flights will arrive in Cali’s International Airport, also called Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO), about 30 km away from the city.

There are three main ways to get from Cali Airport to the city centre: Uber, a combined ride of bus and Uber, or using public transport (bus + MIO).

Uber

The ride to the city takes about 35 minutes and usually costs around 70,000 COP ($18.20), but the final price can vary depending on traffic and time of day.

Bus + Uber

If you want to save some money, you can take a bus with the company Rápido Aeropuerto, which has a continuous and direct service between the airport and Cali’s main bus terminal.

Buses depart every 20 minutes from the airport’s first floor, right in front of the arrivals gate. The price is 13,000 COP ($3.40) and you must pay directly to the driver.

The bus will drop you at Cali’s main bus terminal. To get to the city centre from here, you can take Uber with rates from 18,000 COP ($4.70).

Bus + MIO

Travelling light and want the cheapest option? You can use Cali’s public transport system, MIO, for only 2,000 COP ($0.50).

From the airport, take the Rápido Aeropuerto bus to Cali’s main bus terminal. Once you arrive, walk about 8 minutes to the MIO stop at Av 3N entre Cl 31 y 30.

Catch Line P52D and ride it to Plaza de Cayzedo, right in the heart of the city. This option takes a bit longer and involves a few short walks, so it’s not ideal if you’re carrying too much luggage.

Taking the bus from Bogotá to Cali takes around 11 hours 30 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes, including transfers to and from the terminals. It’s a long ride, but if you travel overnight, you can spend most of the time sleeping.

With an overnight bus, you can also save a night on accommodation.

Buses operating from Bogota to Cali depart from Terminal Salitre. The fastest way to get here from the city centre is via a 30-minute taxi or Uber.

Uber fares start from 30,000 COP ($7.80), and it’s well worth the convenience and peace of mind. Taxis are usually cheaper at around 15,000 COP ($3.90), though there’s a risk of being overcharged, especially for tourists who don’t speak Spanish.

If you’re on a tighter budget, you can take Bogota’s metrobus system, TransMilenio. From Universidades Station, take Line 1 towards Portal El Dorado and get off at the station El Tiempo – Cámara de Comercio. The bus fare is 3,000 COP ($0.80), making this the cheapest way to reach the terminal.

The main bus companies operating from Bogota to Cali are Expreso Palmira, Expreso Bolivariano and Flota La Macarena. These buses have reclining seats and good legroom. They also make several stops along the way, so you can stretch your legs. Most buses have toilets on board and charging ports.

There are bus departures as early as 04:00 in the morning. But because this bus ride takes 10h 30m - 12h, we highly recommend taking one of the overnight buses.

You can book your tickets online or buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal. Keep in mind that night buses tend to sell out quickly, especially on weekends, so it is better to book ahead. Bus ticket prices start at 86,000 COP ($22.50)

IMPORTANT: If you booked your tickets online, make sure to read the instructions carefully. Some bus companies ask you to print your ticket or check in at their counter at the terminal before boarding. For more info, check our Colombia transport guide.

The bus will arrive at Terminal de Transporte Cali. To get to the city centre, you can take Uber for about 18,000 COP ($4.70).

For a cheaper ride, take Cali’s MIO (Masivo Integrado de Occidente) bus. Walk 10 minutes from Terminal de Cali to the nearest bus stop at Av 3N entre Cl 31 y 30, then hop on Line P52D. Get off at Plaza de Cayzedo (the main square). The fare is just 2,000 COP ($0.50).

The minivan ride from Bogota to Cali costs around 92,000 COP ($24). Travel time is about 11 to 12 hours, depending on traffic.

Like buses, minivans heading this route depart from Terminal de Transporte Salitre Bogota and arrive at Terminal de Transporte Cali. If you’re planning to leave very early in the morning, we recommend you take the bus instead. The earliest departure time for minivans is at 08:30. And the last one leaves at 21:00.

Minivans have A/C and even Wi-Fi, though availability can vary. They also have reclining seats but are not as spacious as the bus and may be uncomfortable for this long journey.

See below the schedule of Flota Magdalena for this route.

A private transfer from Bogota to Cali is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 9 hours 30 minutes to 10 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation or the airport — no need to worry about extra transfers.

Prices for private transfer start at 2,377,000 COP ($620) for a 3-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 792,000 COP ($205) each.

The companies that offer private transfers from Bogota to Cali are Viajes Imperial and Transfers & Tours.