Colombia Cartagena

How to get fromCartagena Airport to the city centre

In this in-depth route guide, you can compare the best ways to travel the 6 kilometers (4 miles) from Cartagena Airport to the city centre. Our team of indpendent travel experts researched each route — breaking down each option by travel time, price, and comfort. Plus, we’ll share the best booking options to help you get the best deal.

Written by Ela - Senior Travel WriterReviewed by Kate - Travel Writer & Digital NomadLast updated: September 19, 2024

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Why visit 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.

What are the 3 ways to travel from Cartagena Airport to the city centre?

There are 3 ways to travel the 6 kilometers (4 miles) from Cartagena Airport to the city centre. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transfer. The journey takes 10 minutes - 1 hour and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 22,000 COP ($5.30).

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Bus

15m

From 22,000 COP ($5.30)

Book Tickets

Minivan

10-40m

From 23,000 COP ($5.60)

Private Transfer

20m - 1h

From 54,000 COP ($13)

Book Tickets

Where to stay in Cartagena?

Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Cartagena.

Cartagena Airport to the city centre by Bus

Duration: 15m

Costs: 22,000 COP ($5.30)

Duration: 15m

Costs: 22,000 COP ($5.30)

The orange and white buses run by Transcaribe, line T102, run frequently from just outside Cartagena 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 ‘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.

Airport bus from Cartagena Airport

You also have the option to pre-book a bus that will take you from the airport to your hotel — no need to find your way to and from the bus stops. Plan Tours offers several trips daily with rates from 22,000 COP ($5.30).

Bus schedule from Cartagena Airport to the City Centre

Drugstore La Rebaja (next to Cartagena Airport CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel

08:00

0h 15m

08:15

09:00

0h 15m

09:15

10:00

0h 15m

10:15

11:00

0h 15m

11:15

12:00

0h 15m

12:15

13:00

0h 15m

13:15

14:00

0h 15m

14:15

15:00

0h 15m

15:15

16:00

0h 15m

16:15

17:00

0h 15m

17:15

Plan Tours

22,000 COP ($5.30)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport to the city centre by Minivan

Duration: 10m - 40m

Costs: 23,000 COP ($5.60)

Duration: 10m - 40m

Costs: 23,000 COP ($5.60)

A minivan ride from Cartagena Airport to the city centre costs around 23,000 COP ($5.60). The minivan journey takes about 10 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

There are three companies operating on this route: Corona Tours, Transturismo Cartagena and Destino Colombia.

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel in La Boquilla

00:00

0h 10m

00:10

01:00

0h 10m

01:10

02:00

0h 10m

02:10

03:00

0h 10m

03:10

04:00

0h 10m

04:10

05:00

0h 10m

05:10

06:00

0h 10m

06:10

07:00

0h 10m

07:10

08:00

0h 10m

08:10

09:00

0h 10m

09:10

10:00

0h 10m

10:10

11:00

0h 10m

11:10

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0h 10m

12:10

13:00

0h 10m

13:10

14:00

0h 10m

14:10

Corona Tours

23,000 COP ($5.60)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel in Getsemani

19:00

0h 40m

19:40

Transturismo Cartagena

28,000 COP ($6.90)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel in Centro

19:00

0h 40m

19:40

Transturismo Cartagena

28,000 COP ($6.90)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel in La Boquilla

14:30

0h 30m

15:00

Transturismo Cartagena

30,000 COP ($7.20)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel in Marbella

09:00

0h 30m

09:30

Transturismo Cartagena

30,000 COP ($7.20)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel in Crespo

09:00

0h 30m

09:30

14:30

0h 30m

15:00

Transturismo Cartagena

30,000 COP ($7.20)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel in El Laguito

09:00

0h 30m

09:30

Transturismo Cartagena

30,000 COP ($7.20)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Standard

Cartagena - Any hotel in Castillogrande

09:00

0h 30m

09:30

Transturismo Cartagena

30,000 COP ($7.20)

Get Your Tickets

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

Shuttle

Cartagena - Any hotel

00:00

0h 15m

00:15

01:00

0h 15m

01:15

02:00

0h 15m

02:15

03:00

0h 15m

03:15

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0h 15m

04:15

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0h 15m

05:15

06:00

0h 15m

06:15

07:00

0h 15m

07:15

08:00

0h 15m

08:15

09:00

0h 15m

09:15

10:00

0h 15m

10:15

11:00

0h 15m

11:15

12:00

0h 15m

12:15

13:00

0h 15m

13:15

14:00

0h 15m

14:15

15:00

0h 15m

15:15

16:00

0h 15m

16:15

17:00

0h 15m

17:15

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0h 15m

18:15

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0h 15m

19:15

20:00

0h 15m

20:15

21:00

0h 15m

21:15

22:00

0h 15m

22:15

23:00

0h 15m

23:15

Destino Colombia

From 54,000 COP ($13.10)

Show 4 more operator(s)

From the City Centre to Cartagena Airport

Cartagena - Any hotel

Shuttle

Cartagena Airport (CTG)

00:00

0h 15m

00:15

01:00

0h 15m

01:15

02:00

0h 15m

02:15

03:00

0h 15m

03:15

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

13:15

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

16:15

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

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0h 15m

19:15

20:00

0h 15m

20:15

21:00

0h 15m

21:15

22:00

0h 15m

22:15

23:00

0h 15m

23:15

Destino Colombia

From 54,000 COP ($13.10)

Cartagena Airport to the city centre by Private Transfer

Duration: 20m - 1h

Costs: 54,000 COP ($13)

Duration: 20m - 1h

Costs: 54,000 COP ($13)

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 you want, and most will offer amenities such as water bottles, AC, and music.

The price of a private transfer for 4 people starts from 54,000 COP ($13) and it’s a set price to any location within the urban area. You can book online via BookAway.

Taking a taxi from Cartagena Airport to the city centre

The taxi service at Cartagena Airport runs 24 hours a day and is available from just outside the arrivals gate.

Taxi prices are fixed depending on the area of your destination. Follow the signs to the taxi counter right outside the arrivals gate and indicate the area or neighbourhood where you’re going to. They will hand you a ticket with the price printed on it, which you should give to the driver at the end of the ride along with your payment.

An average price for a ride to most hotel areas is 35,000 COP ($8.50), but it can be slightly more or less depending on the distance.

Private Transport options from Cartagena Airport to the City Centre

SUV

SUV Car 4 PAX

Price per person = 13,000 COP ($3.30)

Corona Tours

54,000 COP ($13)

Get Your Tickets

Comfort

Comfort Car 2 PAX

Price per person = 34,000 COP ($8.20)

Colombia Travel Tours

68,000 COP ($16.40)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 23,000 COP ($5.60)

Cartagena Mobility

69,000 COP ($16.80)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 2 PAX

Price per person = 37,000 COP ($9)

Transportes MSG

74,000 COP ($18)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 8 PAX

Price per person = 11,000 COP ($2.60)

Corona Tours

85,000 COP ($21)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 2 PAX

Price per person = 44,000 COP ($10.80)

Transportes MSG

89,000 COP ($22)

Get Your Tickets

SUV

SUV Car 2 PAX

Price per person = 44,000 COP ($10.80)

Transglobal Ejecutivos

89,000 COP ($22)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 33,000 COP ($8)

VIP Taxi Service

99,000 COP ($24)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 8 PAX

Price per person = 17,000 COP ($4.10)

Cartagena Mobility

134,000 COP ($33)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 6 PAX

Price per person = 34,000 COP ($8.20)

Marsol Transportes

203,000 COP ($49)

Get Your Tickets

Show 5 more operator(s)

From the City Centre to Cartagena Airport

Comfort

Comfort Car 2 PAX

Price per person = 34,000 COP ($8.20)

Colombia Travel Tours

68,000 COP ($16.40)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 23,000 COP ($5.60)

Cartagena Mobility

69,000 COP ($16.80)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 2 PAX

Price per person = 37,000 COP ($9)

Transportes MSG

74,000 COP ($18)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 2 PAX

Price per person = 44,000 COP ($10.80)

Transportes MSG

89,000 COP ($22)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 33,000 COP ($8)

VIP Taxi Service

99,000 COP ($24)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 8 PAX

Price per person = 17,000 COP ($4.10)

Cartagena Mobility

134,000 COP ($33)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 6 PAX

Price per person = 34,000 COP ($8.20)

Marsol Transportes

203,000 COP ($49)

Get Your Tickets

Show 2 more operator(s)

Frequently Asked Questions about Cartagena Airport to the city centre

What is the distance from Cartagena Airport to the city centre?

The distance from Cartagena Airport to the city centre is 6 kilometers (4 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Cartagena Airport to the city centre?

The fastest way to get from Cartagena Airport to the city centre is by minivan and takes 10 minutes.

What is the cheapest way to get from Cartagena Airport to the city centre?

The cheapest way to get from Cartagena Airport to the city centre is by bus with ticket costs starting from 22,000 COP ($5.30).

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Cartagena Airport to the city centre. 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!

About the author(s)

Ela

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.

Kate

Kate is a writer, (ex)Management Consultant and avid traveller. She recently returned from a 2-year career break exploring the world and decided corporate life wasn’t for her. She’ll soon be testing life as a digital nomad. She’s visited over 40 countries and fell in love with Latin America in particular. Her travelling has inspired a passion for yoga, salsa, hiking and Spanish.

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