Medellin to Salento in 2-8 hours (2026)

Salento is a small coffee-country town in Colombia's Zona Cafetera, about 179 kilometres (111 miles) south of Medellin. It's the usual base for hiking the Cocora Valley and its towering wax palms. Flying is the quickest way to get from Medellin to Salento, taking 1h 50m - 3h 25m. The bus is the overland option at $30 (96,000 COP), though it is a long ride at 7h 50m.

DISTANCE

Distance from Medellin to Salento

Medellin and Salento are about 179 km (111 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 272 km by road. The quickest way to get from Medellin to Salento is by taking the flight, which takes around 1h 50m - 3h 25m.

~179 km

Straight-line distance

~272 km

Route distance

1h 50m

Fastest

Travelling the other way?Salento to Medellin→

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2 ways to travel from Medellin to Salento

There are two ways to travel from Medellin to Salento. The journey takes 1h 50m–7h 50m and the quickest way is by flight. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $30 (96,000 COP).

TransportDurationPrice

The bus is an affordable way to get from Medellin to Salento. Bus fares start from $30 (96,000 COP), and the journey takes around 7h 50m.

Step 1: City Centre to Medellin Bus Terminal

15m$3.80 (12,000 COP)

Buses to Salento leave from Terminal del Sur, Medellín’s southern bus terminal. It’s about 4km from the city centre.

Uber is available in Medellin, with fares starting from around $4.70 (15,000 COP). It’s only a bit more expensive than a regular taxi, but well worth it for the convenience, upfront pricing and peace of mind.

Taxi rates start from $3.80 (12,000 COP), but drivers often overcharge tourists — especially if you don’t speak Spanish. If you do take a taxi, agree on the fare before the ride or make sure the meter is running.

If you’re on a tight budget, the cheapest way to get from Medellín city centre to Terminal del Sur is by Metro for $1.10 (3,450 COP). Note that you need a Cívica card to pay. Hop off at Poblado Station, from where it’s about a 20-minute walk to the bus terminal. The walk is generally fine during the day, but we don't recommend it at night or if you’re carrying bulky luggage.

Top Tip: Medellín uses the Cívica card, a rechargeable pass valid on the Metro, buses, trams, and cable cars. You can buy one at any Metro station. To learn more about using public transport in Colombia, check our Colombia transport guide.

Step 2: Medellin to Salento by Bus

7h 30m$24 (76,000 COP)

Flota Occidental is the only company operating direct buses between Medellin and Salento. The journey takes around 7h 30m.

Most buses have reclining seats and air conditioning. They don’t always have a toilet on board, but the driver makes a few short stops during the journey for bathroom breaks and snacks.

You can book online in advance through Bookaway to secure your seat. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to swap your Bookaway voucher for a paper ticket at the Flota Occidental counter in the terminal before boarding.

7h30mFlota OccidentalPrincipe StarTerminal del Sur MedellinTerminal de Buses de Salento00:3009:0011:0014:00$2476,000 COPTickets

Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.

Step 3: Salento Bus Terminal to the Town Centre

5m$3.80 (12,000 COP)

Salento is a small town. Many accommodations are within walking distance of Terminal de Buses de Salento. But if yours is a bit further out, you can take a taxi with rates starting from $3.80 (12,000 COP).

Salento

To get from Medellin to Salento to Salento by plane, you’ll need to fly into Pereira. The nearest airport is Matecaña International Airport (PEI), located about 40 km from Salento.

The flight alone takes just around 50 minutes. After landing, you’ll continue by road to reach Salento. Including land transfers, the total journey can take up to 1h 50m - 3h 25m.

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

Step 1: City Centre to Medellin Airport

20 - 35m$4.10 - $38 (13,000 - 120,000 COP)

There are two airports in Medellin — Jose Maria Cordova Airport and Olaya Herrera Airport — so make sure to double-check your departure point.

To Jose Maria Cordova Airport

The bus is the cheapest way to get to Jose María Cordova International Airport. Operated by Combuses, a ticket costs $5.30 (17,000 COP) 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 $8.80 (28,000 COP) 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 $33 (106,000 COP) for a 4-seater
BookAway – private transfers from $38 (120,000 COP) 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.

To Olaya Herrera Airport

Olaya Herrera Airport is within the city. We recommend taking an Uber for upfront fares starting from $5.30 (17,000 COP) — no need to negotiate.

Taxi rates start from $4.10 (13,000 COP), but drivers often overcharge tourists. If you do take a taxi, agree on the fare before the ride or make sure the meter is running.

Step 2: Medellin to Pereira by Flight

45 - 50m$47 (150,000 COP)

Several airlines operate direct flights from Medellín to Pereira.

From José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), Avianca and LATAM fly nonstop to Matecaña International Airport (PEI) in Pereira.

If you're departing from Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), Clic Air (formerly EasyFly) also offers 3-4 daily flights.

The flight takes around 45 - 50 minutes, with prices starting from $47 (150,000 COP).

Check Flights with Skyscanner

Step 3: Pereira Airport to Salento by Bus or Taxi

45m - 2h$7.70 (24,600 COP) – $88 (280,000 COP)

From Matecaña Airport, you can continue to Salento either by bus or taxi. The choice depends on your budget and preference for travel time.

Option 1: Pereira Airport to Salento by Taxi

45m$47 (150,000 COP)

The easiest and fastest way to reach Salento from Pereira Airport is by taxi.

The journey takes around 45m, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers. Fares start at around $47 (150,000 COP), and you’ll find taxis waiting just outside the airport.

If you prefer to book in advance, you can arrange a private transfer through BookAway. They’re very reliable but come with a higher price tag, starting at $88 (280,000 COP).

45mTaxiStandardPereiraSalento$47150,000 COPNo Online Tickets

45mCartagena Toures y ExcursionesStandardPereira Airport (PEISalento - Any hotel$88280,000 COPTickets

Private transport tickets are available on Bookaway.

Option 2: Pereira Airport to Salento by Bus

1h 30m - 2h$7.70 (24,600 COP)

The bus is a cheaper way to get from Pereira to Salento. There are no direct buses from the airport, though.

First, you’ll need to get to Pereira Transportation Terminal. The easiest option is to take a taxi. The ride takes about 25 minutes, and rates start from $3.80 (12,000 COP). Make sure the driver starts the meter at the beginning of the ride to avoid overpaying.

Pereira’s local bus network, the Megabús, can also take you from the airport to the bus station, but we don't recommend it. The fare is only around $0.90 (2,950 COP), but it takes about 45 minutes and requires three transfers. You’ll also need to buy a Tarjeta Megabús card (cash isn’t accepted), which you’ll likely only use this one time.

Pereira Bus Station to Salento

Buses to Salento depart every 30 minutes to 1 hour from the Pereira Transportation Terminal. Service runs daily from 06:30 to 18:30.

The company covering this route is called Expreso Alcalá, and a ticket costs $3.90 (12,600 COP). The journey takes about 1 hour, depending on traffic. You can buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal. Note that buses can fill up quickly, so try to get there early.

Once you arrive in Salento, most hotels and hostels are within walking distance of Salento Bus Terminal. If you're staying a bit outside town, taxis are usually available nearby.

Salento

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Where to StayWhere we'd stay in Salento4 places we've picked out, for every budget

ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION

Why Visit Salento?

Salento is a charming and colourful town within the mountains and in the heart of Colombia's coffee region. Despite its small size, it exudes beauty everywhere you go — so much so that the town even inspired aspects of the Disney movie Encanto!

There are two things you must do when in Salento: visit a coffee plantation and hike to the beautiful Cocora Valley, home to the tallest palm trees in the world. Whether you are a coffee lover or a nature lover, Salento is a great place to go.

Rounding it up

That's the full picture for getting from Medellin to Salento, roughly 179 kilometres (111 miles) apart. In all, there are 2 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $30 (96,000 COP). The quickest trip takes 1h 50m.

Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Medellin to Salento?

The distance from Medellin to Salento is 179 kilometres (111 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Medellin to Salento?

The fastest way to get from Medellin to Salento is by flight and takes 1h 50m - 3h 25m.

What is the cheapest way to get from Medellin to Salento?

The cheapest way to get from Medellin to Salento is by bus with ticket costs starting from 96,000 COP.

About the Authors

Ela

Senior Travel Writer

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.

SeleneReviewer

Travel Writer

Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.

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How to Get From Medellin to Salento

Distance from Medellin to Salento

2 ways to travel from Medellin to Salento