How to get from Cartagena to Barranquilla

Why visit Barranquilla?

Barranquilla is a busy city in Colombia and is most popular for the iconic Carnival de Barranquilla — a vibrant celebration of dance and music. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people join this carnival, the 2nd largest in the world (next to the one in Rio de Janeiro)!

During the carnival (February-March), Barranquilla bustles with tourists and festivities. But beyond this time, there’s really not much to do in this seaport. If you find yourself here in the off-peak season, we recommend exploring the historic centre, enjoying the vibrant nightlife, and tasting the incredible cuisine in Barranquilla.

There are 3 ways to travel the 120 kilometre (75 miles) distance from Cartagena to Barranquilla. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 2 to 5 hours and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 36,000 COP ($9.70).

You can take a bus from Cartagena to Barranquilla. The bus ride itself is cheap, starting at 29,000 COP ($7.90), but the bus terminals are both outside the city centres, so you will have to take extra transfers.

Total travel time is around 2 hours 40 minutes to 5 hours.

You can choose from six companies: Ruta Dorada Exalpa, Expreso Almirante Padilla, Copetran, Expreso Brasilia, Unitransco and Flota La Macarena.

Terminal de Transporte Cartagena is in the easternmost part of Cartagena. There are 3 ways you can get there from the city centre: by Uber, regular taxi, or Transcaribe bus.

From the Walled City to Cartagena Bus Terminal, Uber fares usually start from 44,000 COP ($12), although prices may vary depending on the time of day and overall demand.

You can also take a taxi for around 28,000 COP ($7.60). It’s common practice to agree on the price before getting in, especially in Cartagena, where meters aren’t always used.

We recommend asking locals beforehand for an estimate of taxi rates. If the taxi driver quotes something much higher, you’re probably better off sticking with Uber.

Transcaribe bus is cheaper, but it takes longer

If you’re looking for a cheaper option to travel to the bus terminal, take the Transcaribe bus for only 3,000 COP ($0.90). You’ll need a Transcaribe card to board — cash isn’t accepted.

The city centre, along with the popular neighbourhoods of Getsemaní and San Diego, is well connected to Cartagena Transporation Terminal with the Transcaribe buses. Just catch Line X104 from Centro B1 Bus Stop. Travel time by bus to the terminal is around 1 hour.

There are plenty of buses operating on the Cartagena to Barranquilla route daily, with departures from morning to night.

Ticket prices start from 29,000 COP ($7.90) and the journey takes around 1h 40m - 3h 30m.

Buses arrive at Barranquilla Bus Terminal in the southern district of Soledad. The terminal sits outside the city centre, a few kilometres from the airport.

The area around the terminal isn’t the safest, so it’s best to book an Uber straight to Barranquilla’s historic centre. The ride takes around 30 minutes and costs roughly 23,000 COP ($6.20).

Transmetro bus is a cheap alternative, but not as convenient 

It is also possible to take the Transmetro bus, but we don’t really recommend it, especially at night. You’ll need to walk a fair distance to the station. The metro bus is also usually crowded, which is not ideal if you’re carrying luggage.

From the bus terminal, it’s a 15-minute walk to Portal de Soledad Station, where you can take Transmetro Line R1 or R10 going to Joe Arroyo Station in Barranquilla city centre. The fare is 3,000 COP ($0.90).

If you’re heading to popular spots like the Gran Malecón or Zoológico de Barranquilla, you’ll need to switch at Joe Arroyo Station to another Transmetro line, like A8-1 or A8-2. You can check the latest routes and schedules on the official Transmetro website.

Travelling by minivan from Cartagena to Barranquilla is a convenient option for solo travellers looking for door-to-door transport.

There are three minivan operators for this route: Marsol Transportes, Beach Tayrona Park and Cartagena Toures y Excursiones.

Beach Tayrona Park and Cartagena Toures y Excursiones offer door-to-door service, so you’ll get picked up from your hotel in Cartagena and dropped off right at your accommodation in Barranquilla. Fares start from 90,000 COP ($24.50).

Marsol Transportes rates are cheaper at 43,000 COP ($11.70), but they depart and arrive at their own terminals in both cities. These are not within walking distance of the city centre, so you’ll need an extra ride to and from your hotel.

Travel time by minivan from Cartagena to Barranquilla is 2 hours to 2 hours 20 minutes.

A private transfer from Cartagena to Barranquilla is the easiest and most convenient option. The journey takes 2 hours to 2 hours 45 minutes, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.

If you prefer booking in advance, BookAway is a great choice. It’s reliable and easy to use, with prices from 330,000 COP ($90).

InDrive is another popular option because of its low prices, usually around 200,000 COP ($54). The app lets you suggest a fare, but drivers don’t always accept it, especially for long-distance trips like this. You might need to wait a bit or negotiate to get a ride.

You can also take a taxi, but it’s not the most reliable option for such a long trip, because drivers often overcharge. If you do want to take a taxi, it’s best to ask your hotel to book one or use a trusted company.