How to get from Cali to Bogota

Why visit Bogota?

Bogota is the capital of Colombia and the centre of most economic, political, and cultural activities. It sits 2600 metres (8530 ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest capitals in the world. Here, you can enjoy a temperate climate all year round.

Modernity and culture collide in this vibrant city, where you will find skyscrapers alongside colonial architecture. Every other guide to Bogota will tell you it is home to some of the most incredible street art in the world. And we totally agree! You will also be spoilt for choice when it comes to museums, art galleries and food.

There are 4 ways to travel the 463 kilometre (288 miles) distance from Cali to Bogota. 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 86,000 COP ($22.50).

If you’re up for travelling by bus from Cali to Bogota, get ready for a long ride. The journey takes around 11 hours 30 minutes to 13 hours 30 minutes, including the time it takes to get to and from the bus terminals. It does save you some cash, though, compared to taking a flight.

We recommend taking an overnight bus — you can save a night on accommodation, and spend most of the trip sleeping. If you prefer to travel during the day, bring water, snacks, and something to keep you entertained, like a book or a playlist.

All buses depart from Cali’s Bus Terminal, about 3 km from the city centre. An Uber ride takes about 15 minutes and prices start at 18,000 COP ($4.60), though rates may rise during rush hour.

For a cheaper option, take Cali’s Bus Rapid Transit system, MIO (Masivo Integrado de Occidente). From Plaza de Cayzedo, the city’s main square, it’s just a 5-minute walk to San Pedro Station. From there, you’ll find several MIO bus lines heading to Terminal de Transporte Cali. The fare is 2,000 COP ($0.50).

The main bus companies operating on this route are Expreso Palmira, Expreso Bolivariano and Flota La Macarena.

Buses usually come with reclining seats, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a toilet. Some newer ones also have individual screens and charging ports.

You can book your tickets online or buy them 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 ticket prices start at 81,000 COP ($21) and travel time is 10h 30m - 12h.

IMPORTANT: If you booked your tickets online, check the instructions carefully. Some bus companies require you to print your ticket or check in at their counter at the bus terminal before you can get on the bus. For more info, check our Colombia Transport Guide.

The bus will arrive at Terminal Salitre in Bogota. From there, the fastest way to get to the city centre is via a 30-minute taxi or Uber.

Uber (or other apps like DiDi) operates in Bogota, with fares starting from 30,000 COP ($7.80). Taxis can be cheaper, starting at around 15,000 COP ($3.90). But they’re also more likely to overcharge, especially if you don’t speak Spanish.

If you’re looking to save money, walk to the closest TransMilenio metrobus 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 ($0.80).

A minivan ride from Cali to Bogota costs around 91,000 COP ($23.50). The minivan journey takes about 12 hours, depending on traffic.

Flota Magdalena operates on this route.

Like the bus, minivans depart from Terminal de Transporte Cali and arrive at Terminal de Transporte Salitre in Bogota.

A flight is definitely the fastest option when travelling from Cali to Bogota. It only takes 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 5 minutes, including transfers to and from the airport.

Combined fares start from 152,000 COP ($39.50).

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

Flights to Bogota depart from Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO), about 25 km outside of Cali.

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

Uber

The ride to the airport takes about 35 minutes and usually costs around 70,000 COP ($18.10), but the final price can vary depending on traffic and time of day.

Uber + Bus

If you want to save some money, you can go to Cali’s main bus terminal by Uber for around 18,000 COP ($4.60). From there take a bus with the company Rapido Aeropuerto, which goes directly to the airport.

These buses depart every 20 minutes from the bus terminal, and the ticket costs 13,000 COP ($3.40).

MIO + Bus

If you’re travelling light and want the cheapest option, you can use Cali’s public transport system, MIO.

From Plaza de Cayzedo, walk 5 minutes to San Pedro Station and take the MIO bus going to Terminal de Transporte Cali. The fare is 2,000 COP ($0.50). From the terminal, hop on a Rápido Aeropuerto bus to the airport.

This option takes a bit more time and isn’t ideal if you’ve got heavy bags — it involves some walking to and from MIO stations.

There are 6 airlines covering this route; Avianca, Latam, Wingo, JetSmart, Clic and APG. They all offer a cabin-luggage-only fare. If you’re travelling light, you can save some money here.

Flights are frequent, with departures every hour from 04:24 to 23:51, giving you loads of flexibility.

The flight takes around 1h 5m, and ticket prices start at 134,000 COP ($34.50). The earlier you book, the better the rates!

Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is within the city and connected to the TransMilenio bus system, with bus stops just outside the airport.

TransMilenio costs 3,000 COP ($0.80), and you’ll need a TuLlave card to pay — cash isn’t accepted. It’s cheap, but usually crowded and often requires a transfer. Not ideal if you’re carrying heavy bags.

For a more comfortable ride, private transport gets you to the city in around 30 minutes, though expect delays during rush hour (16:30–19:30). Below are your options:

• Taxi-hailing apps: 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).
• Pre-booked ride via BookAway: You can get a private car from 47,000 COP ($12.30) for 2 persons. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport.
• Taxi Imperial (the official airport taxi provider): This tends to be the most expensive, and often comes with additional hidden fees. Yellow metered taxis cost about 80,000 COP ($20.50), while prepaid white cars are around 95,000 COP ($24.50).

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

A private transfer from Cali to Bogota is quite expensive with rates from 2,397,000 COP ($620) for a 3-seater. That’s about 799,000 COP ($205) each when you split the cost.

It’s worth noting that you don’t get to save much time with a private transfer. If you’re looking for convenience, it would be more cost-efficient to take a flight.

Travel time with a private transport takes 9 hours 30 minutes to 10 hours. On the bright side, you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation or the airport — no need to worry about extra transfers.