What to expect when visiting Cartagena
Cartagena is known as Colombia’s jewel on the Caribbean coast. Unlike the rest of the country, it has been a tourist hub for quite a while because it’s a common stop for cruise ships sailing the Caribbean.
Its attraction lies in the almost intact and colourful, colonial-style mansions in the walled old city. Inside these walls, you’ll be transported back in time and into a foodie’s paradise. A tip when exploring Cartagena: for safety, stay out of the city’s outskirts! The tourist centre is generally safe.
3 ways to get from Bogota to Cartagena
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 1061 kilometers (659 miles) from Bogota to Cartagena by bus (2 hours to 1 day 5 hours), private Transport (19 hours) and flight (1 hour 50 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour 50 minutes to 1 day 5 hours and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 93,000 COP ($22) for the flight.Where to stay in Cartagena?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Cartagena.
Bogota to Cartagena by Flight
Flying from Bogota to Cartagena is the better option since travel time is a lot shorter at 1 hour 50 minutes, compared to a 22-hour bus ride. It’s also cheaper because airfares start at 93,000 COP ($22).
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: Bogota to Cartagena
Flights from Bogota to Cartagena depart from El Dorado Airport (BOG). Departures are frequent, every 1 – 2 hours from 06:00 to 23:00, with a flight time of approximately 1.5 hours.
There are 4 airlines covering the Bogota to Cartagena route; Avianca, Latam, Viva Air and Wingo. They all offer a cabin luggage-only fare so, if you’re travelling light, you can save some money here.
In terms of service, Avianca is a bigger airline and their service is superior. They offer refreshments and most planes have an individual tv and charging port. Latam is a good second choice, offering a fairly good service too.
Wingo is a low-cost airline providing a basic service, but it does the job pretty well and you can save some money rather than using the big carriers.
Viva Air, on the other hand, is a low-cost airline that charges extra for everything, even checking in at the airport. Most of the time their service is poor so, unless the price difference with the other airlines is significant (which is not often the case), we don’t really recommend it.
Step 2: Cartagena Airport to city centre
There are 3 ways to get from the airport to the city centre: bus, taxi or private transfer.
Buses are a good option if you don’t have a lot of luggage but keep in mind that drop-off stations can sometimes be a 15-minute walk away from most hostels/hotels. Therefore, the most comfortable way is to take a taxi.
Option 1: Cartagena Airport by Transcaribe Bus
The orange and white buses run by Transcaribe, line T102, run frequently from just outside of the airport. This service passes by the city centre and runs from 05:30-21:00 every day. The ride takes about 20 minutes, depending on traffic.
The bus stop is on Calle 70 and Carrera 4, one block from the airport. The only Transcaribe line stopping there is the T102 so you won’t get lost. The bus rate is 3,000 COP ($0.60).
There are 2 stops equally close to the city centre, one is called ‘Parque Apolo’ and the other one is ‘Boquete San Diego’. Don’t be afraid of the long names, you can just ask for ‘Centro’ or ‘San Diego’ and the driver or other passengers will help you to get off at the right stop.
Option 2: Cartagena Airport by Taxi
The taxi service runs 24 hours a day and is available from just outside of the arrivals gate.
Taxi prices are fixed depending on your destination area. Follow the signs to the taxi counter right outside the arrivals gate and indicate the area or neighbourhood where you are going. They will hand you a ticket with the price printed on it. You should give this ticket to the driver at the end of the ride along with your payment.
An average price for a ride to most hotel areas is 15,000 COP ($3.50), but it can be slightly more or less depending on the distance.
Option 3: Cartagena Airport by Private Transfer
Unlike other countries, Colombia’s taxi service is relatively poor; most vehicles are small and drivers are often rude. If you prefer comfort and good customer service, the best option is to hire a private transfer.
Multiple companies offer transfer services between the airport and the city centre. The driver usually waits for you outside the terminal.
You can book the type of car, and most will offer amenities, such as water bottles, AC and music.
The price of a private transfer for 2 people starts from 50,000 COP ($11.80) and it’s a set price to any location within the urban area. You can book online via BookAway.
Bogota to Cartagena by Bus
When travelling from Bogota to Cartagena by bus, be prepared to be on the road for an entire day — around 2 hours to 1 day 5 hours. Aside from being time-consuming, the bus ride also costs more compared to flying. Bus ticket prices start from 134,000 COP ($32).
But if you still prefer taking the bus from Bogota to Cartagena, below are your options.
Step 1: Bogota to Cartagena by Bus
Buses from Bogota to Cartagena depart from Module 3 of Terminal Salitre in Bogota. The companies covering this route are Expreso Brasilia, Copetran and Berlinas del Fonce.
Berlinas del Fonce has a superior service but only offers 3 departures a day, while Expreso Brasilia offers 10, so it can be more convenient.
All buses are equipped with a toilet, AC and reclining seats, whilst the premium ones will offer more comfortable seats, charging ports and individual TVs.
- 24/7 customer support
Step 2: Cartagena Bus Terminal to the city centre
Cartagena Bus Terminal is quite far from the city centre. There are 2 ways to connect from there: a 1-hour bus or a 30-minute taxi ride.
Cartagena Bus Terminal to city centre by Transcaribe Bus
The bus terminal is well connected by Transcaribe buses that take you to Cartagena city centre and the popular neighbourhoods of Getsemani and San Diego. You can find these buses just outside the bus terminal and they run once every 30 minutes. The line that takes you to the city centre is X104.
You should get off at the last stop, ‘La Bodeguita’, for the old city, or the one before called ‘Centro’ if you’re going to the Getsemani and San Diego areas.
A bus ticket costs 3,000 COP ($0.60) and the journey takes around 1 hour.
Cartagena Bus Terminal to city centre by Taxi
Taxis can be found right outside the bus terminal. Expect to pay 18,000 COP ($4.20) for a 30-minute ride to the old city. Taxi rates are regulated by the local government. Nevertheless, as a general rule in Cartagena, it is better to agree on the price before stepping in.
Uber does not really work in Cartagena, but if you prefer using an app, locals use InDriver, which allows you to bid the rate you want to pay and drivers will accept or decline it.
Bogota to Cartagena by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Bogota to Cartagena.
Rates start from 2,957,000 COP ($700) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 986,000 COP ($235) per person. Travel time is around 19 hours.
Private Transport options from Bogota to Cartagena
Frequently Asked Questions about Bogota to Cartagena
What is the distance from Bogota to Cartagena?
The distance from Bogota to Cartagena is 1061 kilometers (659 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Bogota to Cartagena?
The fastest way to get from Bogota to Cartagena is by flight and takes 1 hour 50 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Bogota to Cartagena?
The cheapest way to get from Bogota to Cartagena is by flight with ticket costs starting from 93,000 COP ($22).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Bogota to Cartagena. 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!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
