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How to get from Cali to Bogota
Bogota is the capital of Colombia and the centre of most economic, political, and cultural activities. It’s at the country’s geographical centre and the third highest capital in the world at 2600m (8530 ft) above sea level. The city has many museums and art galleries, as well as a very interesting food scene. Alongside this, Bogota is also considered a major spot to explore street art in the continent.
Cali to Bogota is a 463 km (287 miles) journey. The most popular ways to cover this distance are a 1-hour flight or an 11-hour bus ride. Fares range between $16.50 (77,000 COP) – $61 (280,000 COP).
2 ways to get from Cali to Bogota
Flying from Cali to Bogota is a more convenient option for those only visiting for a short amount of time. It takes a little more than one hour versus the 11 hours on the road. But keep in mind that transfers to and from airports may increase the total cost if you’re on a budget.
However, a night bus can be a good way to save money on accommodation while catching some sleep. Most buses for the Cali to Bogota route are very comfortable and offer different facilities, usually having more space than a plane. If you’re travelling during the day, you’ll also get some lovely views of Colombia’s stunning mountainous landscapes.
Another advantage of taking the bus is that it has a far lower carbon footprint than the flight. If you choose to fly, consider including a carbon compensation fee to help reduce your impact on the environment.
Cali to Bogota by Flight
A flight is definitely the fastest option when travelling from Cali to Bogota.
Step 1: Cali city centre to airport
Flights to Bogota depart from Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO), located 25 km outside of Cali.
There are two main ways to get to Cali airport from the city centre. The first one is by taxi and the second a combined ride of bus and taxi.
Taxis are available 24 hours and you can book them through apps like Easy Taxi and Cabify or directly through your accommodation.
Taxis will charge between $13 (60,000 COP) to $15 (70,000 COP) and take about 35 minutes.
If you want to save some money you can go to Cali’s main bus terminal by taxi for around $1.70 (8,000 COP) or Uber starting at $1.50 (7,000 COP), and from there take a bus with the company Expreso Aeropuerto which goes directly to the airport.
These buses depart every 20 minutes from the bus terminal’s second floor and cost $2.10 (10,000 COP).
Step 2: Cali to Bogota by flight
There are 4 airlines covering this 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. Departures are frequent, every 1 – 2 hours from 03:58 to 23:03 and flight time is approximately 1 hour.
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 ports. Latam is a good second choice though, also offering a fairly good service.
Wingo offers a basic service, but since the flight is so short, it does the job pretty well, however it only offers 1-2 departures a day.
Viva air, on the other hand, is a low-cost airline and they will charge 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 3: Bogota Airport to city centre
Bogota El Dorado Airport (BOG) is located within the city and is well connected to the public transportation system ‘Transmilenio’.
Bus stops are just outside the airport. You can either take a green bus ’16-14’ or a red bus ‘K86’ and get off at the big station ‘Portal El Dorado’. From there you’ll need to get on the #1 bus line until the last station, ‘Universidades’. It takes around 30 minutes and the ticket costs $0.50 (2,400 COP).
The only downside is that buses tend to be crowded, especially during rush hour, so it may not be very comfortable if you’re travelling with luggage. Also, be aware of pickpockets and ideally have everything where you can see it.
A much safer option is to take a yellow cab. The rate to the city centre is around $5 (25,000 COP). It takes 20-30 minutes, but that time can easily double if you arrive during rush hour, between 16:30 and 19:30.
Cali to Bogota by Bus
Travelling by bus from Cali to Bogota takes a lot of time, but also saves you a lot of money.
Step 1: Cali to Bogota
The buses depart from Cali’s bus terminal conveniently located 15 minutes from the city centre and easily reached by taxi or Uber.
The main bus companies going from Cali to Bogota are Expreso Bolivariano, Velotax, Flota Magdalena and Expreso Palmira. All companies are very similar in terms of quality and good service although Expreso Bolivariano is often considered the best.
The buses are comfortable as they usually include reclining seats, AC and a toilet. The newer buses will also have individual TVs and charging ports.
You can book your tickets online (showing them on mobile is not sufficient so make sure to print your ticket in advance!). You can also buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal, but keep in mind that night buses tend to sell out quickly, especially on weekends, so it is better to book ahead.
Bus schedule from Cali to Bogota
Step 2: Bogota Bus Terminal to the city centre
The bus will arrive at Terminal Salitre in Bogota. To get to the city centre, you can take a taxi for around $2.60 (12,000 COP) or an Uber starting at $1.70 (8,000 COP).
Another option is to walk 15 minutes to the closest ‘Transmilenio’ station (Bogota’s metrobus system) called ‘El Tiempo-Maloka’. From there you can take the #1 line in the direction of ‘Universidades’ and get off at this station too. A ticket costs $0.50 (2,400 COP).
Our favourite places to stay in Bogota
In Colombia’s capital, you’ll find plenty of stylish and clean hotels that offer great value for money. Location is important in Bogota because some areas aren’t recommended to stay in.
Top tip: Don’t spend too much time looking into accommodation in Bogota. The capital is somewhere you’ll probably only want to spend 1-2 nights anyways.
Here are our favourite places to stay in Bogota:
93 Luxury Suites Residences - Treat Yourself
Are you dreaming about sleeping on an extremely comfy bed after your long flight? 93 Luxury Suites will make you feel rejuvenated within a night.
The next morning you can go for a little workout in their in-house gym or watch a movie in their 17-seat cinema room. After staying here, you’ll be ready to start your Colombian adventure.
- Onsite restaurant and bar
- Gym facilities
- Clean and spacious rooms
- Great location
Double rooms $80+ per night
Apartamentos Plaza Suites - Mid Range
Apartamentos Plaza Suites is a great value for money pick, with extra amenities such as a gym, restaurant, bar, lounge and sun terrace.
With nearly perfect reviews, the immaculate and comfortable rooms offer an excellent sleep thanks to the high quality mattresses.
- Super comfortable bed
- Onsite resturant and bar
- Fitness centre
- Great location, close to a park
Double rooms between $40-$80 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Bogota Airport - Mid Range
If you have always wanted to stay at a Hilton hotel, but haven’t yet, this is your chance. In Bogota, you can stay at a Hilton Hotel for much less than normal.
The hotel has everything you could possibly need: sauna, hot tub, gym, an international restaurant and a terrace with amazing views of the city. All of the rooms are bright, modern and luxurious.
- Sauna and hot tub
- Great views of the city
- Close to the airport
- Buffet breakfast included
Double rooms between $40-$80 per night
Bog Urban - Budget Friendly
If you’re looking for somewhere stylish and modern, but without that luxury price tag, don’t look any further than Bog Urban.
Near Downtown Bogota, you’ll be in an excellent location. Close to everything, but without the noise. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, plus you can add a delicious breakfast for only $2.
- Comfortable and spacious rooms
- Excellent location
- Delicious and filling breakfast available
- Attentive and friendly staff
Double rooms between $20-$40 per night
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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.
