How to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva (and back)
Why visit Villa de Leyva?
Villa de Leyva is a beautiful heritage village northeast of Bogota. Popular for its well-preserved colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, this laidback village is a goldmine for history and culture buffs.
Its vast main square, Plaza Mayor, is one of the largest in Latin America. Nearby is the magnificent Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, built in 1604. Walking around town makes you feel like you have travelled back in time.
Beyond its whitewashed building, mountains surround Villa de Leyva. There are plenty of hiking routes that you can do. Our favourite is the Las Carcavas Trail — it leads you to a desert landscape that looks just like Mars!
What are the 3 ways to travel from Bogota to Villa de Leyva?
There are 3 ways to travel the 165 kilometre (103 miles) distance 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 30 minutes and the quickest way is by bus. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 32,000 COP ($8.60).
Bogota to Villa de Leyva by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva.
There are four bus companies operating on this route: Omega, Flota Valle de Tenza, Expreso Gaviota and Coflonorte. You can buy tickets directly at the bus station or book in advance for 32,000 COP ($8.60).
Buses depart from Terminal Salitre or Terminal del Norte in Bogota.
Buses from Terminal del Norte are great for getting to Villa de Leyva. They’re already on the way out of the city, so you avoid cross-city traffic. Still, it’s usually best to leave from the terminal closest to your hotel. That way, you skip long taxi rides and unnecessary detours just to reach the station.
Departure stations
If you’re carrying luggage or want a comfortable ride to the bus station, Uber is the best choice. Expect to pay about 30,000 COP ($8.20) for the 40-minute trip to Terminal Salitre or 52,000 COP ($14.20) for the 50-minute journey to Terminal del Norte.
Taxis are usually cheaper than Uber, with fares starting at 15,000 COP ($4.10) to Terminal Salitre or 23,000 COP ($6.30) to Terminal del Norte. But prepare to haggle. Many drivers try to overcharge, especially tourists who don’t speak Spanish.
On a strict budget? You can also reach the bus stations using Bogotá’s TransMilenio bus system. When heading to Terminal del Norte from the city centre, start at Universidades Station. Take Line 6 until Calle 45-American School, then transfer to Line 8 or B18 and get off at the last stop Terminal. The fare costs 3,000 COP ($0.90).
If you decide to go from Terminal Salitre, you can also use TransMilenio. At the station Universidades take Line 1 towards Portal El Dorado and get off at the station El Tiempo – Cámara de Comercio.
Bus schedules from Bogota to Villa de Leyva
Arrival station
The bus will drop you off at Terminal de Villa de Leyva. Most hotels and hostels are within walking distance of this bus station. The main square is also only a 5-minute walk. In case you’re staying outside of town, you’ll find taxis waiting at the terminal to take you straight there.
Bogota to Villa de Leyva by Bus (the way back)
When travelling back from Villa de Leyva to Bogota, you’ll need to go to Villa de Leyva Bus Terminal, which is within walking distance of most parts of town.
You can buy tickets at the bus station or pre-book via BookAway for 32,000 COP ($8.60).
Bus schedules from Villa de Leyva to Bogota
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When arriving in Bogota, you can choose to get off in front of Terminal del Norte (the bus will not enter the terminal) or you can continue to Terminal Salitre.
Reaching the city centre is easy from both terminals. However, it is closer to Terminal Salitre.
From Terminal del Norte to the city centre
To get to the city centre from Terminal del Norte, you can book an Uber for around 52,000 COP ($14.20). Taxis are cheaper, around 23,000 COP ($6.30). Just be sure to agree on the price before you hop in.
If you’re travelling on a budget, you can take the TransMilenio. Head to the TransMilenio station called Terminal, take Line Line 8 or L18 to Calle 45 American School, and from there switch to Line 6 towards Universidades. The fare costs 3,000 COP ($0.90).
From Terminal Salitre to the city centre
If you end up staying on the bus until Terminal Salitre, you can take a taxi or Uber to the city centre.
Uber fares can be higher, starting from 30,000 COP ($8.20), but it’s well worth the convenience and peace of mind. Taxi fares usually start from 15,000 COP ($4.10). Just like at Terminal del Norte, confirm the fare first to avoid surprises.
Another option is to walk to the closest TransMilenio stop called El Tiempo – Cámara de Comercio. From there you can take Line 1 in the direction of Universidades and get off at this station too. A ticket costs 3,000 COP ($0.90).
Bogota to Villa de Leyva by Private Transport
A private transfer from Bogota to Villa de Leyva is the easiest and most convenient option when travelling in a group from Bogota to Villa de Leyva. The journey takes 2 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at 595,000 COP ($160) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 149,000 COP ($40.50) each. Travel time is 2 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours.
Private Transport options from Bogota to Villa de Leyva
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva. 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 Bogota to Villa de Leyva
What is the distance from Bogota to Villa de Leyva?
The distance from Bogota to Villa de Leyva is 165 kilometre (103 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva?
The fastest way to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva is by bus and takes 2 hours 30 minutes.
What is the cheapest way to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva?
The cheapest way to get from Bogota to Villa de Leyva is by bus with ticket costs starting from 32,000 COP ($8.60).
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.
Faye is a writer and full-time mom. She loves planning trips to the beach, tasting new cuisines and discovering gems in the Philippines. But if she had to choose, London is her favourite place in the world and she can't wait to travel there again with her hubby and baby!
