How to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva (and back)

There are 3 ways to travel the 165 kilometers (103 miles) from Bogota to Villa de Leyva. You can choose between the bus, private transport and bus (the way back). The journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 28,000 COP ($6.50).

To get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva, you can take a bus departing from Terminal Salitre or Terminal del Norte in Bogota.

It is recommended to take the buses departing from Terminal del Norte, which is conveniently located near the exit to Villa de Leyva. You will be able to avoid getting stuck in traffic whilst crossing the city from Terminal Salitre.

The Terminal del Norte can be easily reached with the metrobus system called Transmilenio by taking any line starting with the letter B. If you are departing from the city centre, go to the station ‘Universidades’ and take the B74 until the last stop ‘Terminal’. The ticket costs 2,000 COP ($0.60).

If you decide to go from Terminal Salitre, you can also use the Transmilenio. At the station ‘Universidades’ take line 1 towards Portal Eldorado and get off at the station ‘El Tiempo-Maloka’

Buses operating from Bogota to Villa de Leyva depart every 30-60 minutes from 06:00 to 16:45. The main bus companies are Flota Valle de Tenza, whose buses depart from both terminals, and Omega, which only departs from Terminal Salitre. Both are very similar in terms of quality, but Valle de Tenza offers more frequent departures.

You can buy the tickets directly at the bus station for 28,000 COP ($6.50).

When travelling back from Villa de Leyva to Bogota, you’ll need to go to the main bus terminal in Villa de Leyva. It’s easy getting to this bus terminal because it’s within walking distance from most parts in town.

Buses to Bogota depart every half hour from 04:30 to 18:00. You can buy the tickets at the bus station; the price is 28,000 COP ($6.50).

Terminal de Transporte Villa de Leyva

Buseta Deluxe

Terminal de Transporte del Norte

06:30

2h 55m

09:25

06:30

3h 55m

10:25

13:30

3h

16:30

13:30

4h

17:30

Omega

From 40,000 COP ($9.20)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

40,000 COP ($9.20)

06:30

2h 55m

09:25

13:30

3h

16:30

Check on BookAway

Redbus

43,000 COP ($10)

06:30

3h 55m

10:25

13:30

4h

17:30

Check on Redbus

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Bogota to Villa de Leyva.

Rates start from 495,000 COP ($115) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 165,000 COP ($38) per person. Travel time is around 2 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours.