How to get from Medellin to Cartagena

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.

There are 3 ways to travel the 634 kilometre (394 miles) distance from Medellin to Cartagena. You can choose between the bus, private transport and flight. The journey takes 1 hour 50 minutes to 17 hours and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by flight with tickets starting at 112,000 COP ($30.50).

There are two airports in Medellin — Jose Maria Cordova Airport and Olaya Herrera Airport. However, all direct flights from Medellin to Cartagena depart from Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE), about 30 km from the city in Rionegro.

The flight takes a little over an hour. But with transfers, expect a total travel time of around 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes.

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

The bus is the cheapest way to get to Jose María Cordova International Airport. Operated by Combuses, a ticket costs 17,000 COP ($4.60) and the ride takes at least 35 minutes. They depart from:

• San Diego Mall – every 15 minutes, 24/7
• Exposiciones Metro Station – every 20 minutes, from 03:00–22:00. The bus also stops at Hotel Nutibara in the city centre

The colectivo (shared taxi) is another option at about 28,000 COP ($7.60) per person. They depart from San Diego Mall and wait until all four seats are filled before leaving.

For more convenience, you can book a private ride.

• Uber – from 105,000 COP ($28.50) for a 4-seater
• BookAway – private transfers from 119,000 COP ($32) for 2 people

We don’t recommend using yellow city taxis as they’re known to overcharge, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. Check out our Medellin Airport Guide for more details.

There are 4 airlines covering the Medellin to Cartagena route: Avianca, LATAM, JetSmart and Wingo. They all offer a cabin-luggage-only fare so, if you’re travelling light, you can save some money here.

There are multiple daily departures starting from 05:00, and the flight takes around 1h 15m. Ticket prices start at around 96,000 COP ($26) .

The easiest way to get from Rafael Núñez International Airport to the city centre is by airport taxi or Uber.

Airport taxis have fixed fares starting from 18,000 COP ($4.80). Grab a ticket from the yellow digital kiosk at the exit — this shows the official fare — then give it to the first driver in the taxi line.

You can also hail a ride via Uber with prices from 32,000 COP ($8.60) to the Walled City. We don’t recommend taking a regular taxi because they often try to overcharge tourists.

If you prefer to book in advance, BookAway offers shared and private transfers:

• • Shared minivan – 21,000 COP ($5.60) per seat
  • Private car – 64,000 COP ($17.20) for 2 people

On a tight budget? You can take the Transcaribe T102 bus for 3,000 COP ($0.90). It’s the cheapest choice, but the nearest bus stop is a block away from Cartagena Airport. Also note that you’ll need a Transcaribe card because cash isn’t accepted.

Check out our guide for Cartagena Airport for more details.

Buses run from Medellin to Cartagena, with the whole trip taking about 15 to 17 hours, transfers included. Combined prices start from 151,000 COP ($41).

If you don’t fancy spending that long on the road, flying from Medellín to Cartagena is a much quicker and often cheaper option.

Buses from Medellín to Cartagena leave from Terminal del Norte.

If you’re not travelling during rush hour, you can get to the terminal in less than 10 minutes with Uber. A taxi booked through the app usually costs between 15,000 COP ($4) and 20,000 COP ($5.40), while a standard Uber ride is around 24,000 COP ($6.40).

You can also take the Metro for just 3,000 COP ($0.90) if you’ve got a Cívica card – Medellín’s rechargeable public transport pass.

Hop off at Caribe Station, which is linked to the terminal by a pedestrian bridge.

Top Tip: When taking public transportation in Medellin, you need a Cívica card – it works on the Metro, buses, trams, and cable cars. You can buy one at any Metro station. For more travel tips, check out our Colombia transport guide.

Three main bus companies run from Medellín to Cartagena: Rápido Ochoa, Expreso Brasilia and Flota La Macarena.

They depart from Terminal del Norte in Medellin at various times daily. Buses scheduled between 16:30 and 22:30 are overnight buses, and perfect for arriving at your destination during the day. You can buy tickets at the bus terminal or book online in advance.

Fares start at 145,000 COP ($39), and the trip takes around 14h - 15h 30m.

If you book through Bookaway, some providers let you board directly with a voucher or e-ticket, but others might still require you to print your ticket or exchange it at the terminal. Always double-check the instructions in your confirmation email so you know what to expect.

Cartagena Bus Terminal is quite a distance from the city centre. Uber is the quickest option for getting into the Old Town. You’ll see the fare before you even hop in, so there’s no guesswork or bargaining involved. Rates usually start from 44,000 COP ($12), but prices can go up depending on traffic or peak hours.

There are also taxis waiting just outside the terminal, but we don’t really recommend them. Although fares are regulated in Cartagena, drivers often overcharge — especially when picking up travellers at the terminal.

Transcaribe bus is cheaper, but it takes longer

If you’re travelling on a tight budget, the Transcaribe bus is a good alternative. It’s not the fastest, but it’s definitely the cheapest, with fares from just 3,000 COP ($0.90). From the terminal, look for Line X104, which connects directly to the city centre and popular areas like Getsemaní and San Diego.

When going to the Walled City, ride all the way to the last stop, La Bodeguita. But if you’re staying in Getsemaní or San Diego, get off one stop earlier at Centro B1 Bus Stop.

You’ll need a Transcaribe card to ride the bus — cash isn’t accepted. These cards are available at all Transcaribe stations and authorised retailers like SuperGiros.

Private transport is an option if you’re travelling in a group from Medellín to Cartagena and want to take in the journey overland. Just keep in mind that it’s a long trip, taking around 13 hours.

It’s also the most expensive way to travel between the two cities.

Prices for private transfer start at 1,062,000 COP ($285) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about 265,000 COP ($72) each.