Colombia Barranquilla

How to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla

In this in-depth route guide, you can compare the best ways to travel the 104 kilometers (65 miles) from Santa Marta to Barranquilla. 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 Writer

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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.

What are the 3 ways to travel from Santa Marta to Barranquilla?

There are 3 ways to travel the 104 kilometers (65 miles) from Santa Marta to Barranquilla. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 2 to 8 hours and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by minivan with tickets starting at 39,000 COP ($9.30).

Transport

Duration

Pricing

Transport Options

Minivan

2h - 2h 15m

From 39,000 COP ($9.30)

Book Tickets

Bus

2h 15m - 8h

From 42,000 COP ($9.90)

Book Tickets

Private Transport

2h - 2h 30m

From 367,000 COP ($87)

Book Tickets

Where to stay in Barranquilla?

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

Santa Marta to Barranquilla by Minivan

Duration: 2h - 2h 15m

Costs: 39,000 COP ($9.30)

Duration: 2h - 2h 15m

Costs: 39,000 COP ($9.30)

There are a number of different companies offering the service from Santa Marta to Barranquilla, but the most popular ones are Marsol, Caribe Vans, Pro Tours and Coche express. They all have set departures every 2 hours, from 06:00-18:00.

You can check the availability and book a minivan with Marsol through BookAway, providing pick-up and drop-off addresses. We recommend booking in advance, preferably the day before travelling and wait for their confirmation.

Expect to pay around 39,000 COP ($9.30) to Barranquilla. Prices can increase by around 25% during the carnival and holiday seasons.

You’ll be picked up at the address you provided, before beginning the journey to your drop-off address, which takes around 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes. The time may vary slightly depending on traffic and rest breaks, but effectively all you have to do is sit back and relax the entire way.

Minivan schedule from Santa Marta to Barranquilla

Marsol Transportes Santa Marta

Tourist

Marsol Transportes Barranquilla

04:45

06:45

05:15

07:15

06:15

08:15

07:15

09:15

08:15

10:15

09:15

11:15

10:15

12:15

11:15

13:15

12:15

14:15

13:15

15:15

14:15

16:15

15:15

17:15

16:15

18:15

17:15

19:15

18:15

20:15

Marsol Transportes

39,000 COP ($9.30)

Get Your Tickets

Santa Marta - Any hotel

Shuttle

Barranquilla - Any hotel

08:00

10:00

12:00

14:00

Destino Colombia

377,000 COP ($90)

Get Your Tickets

Santa Marta - Any hotel

Shuttle

Barranquilla Airport (BAQ)

00:00

02:00

01:00

03:00

02:00

04:00

03:00

05:00

04:00

06:00

05:00

07:00

06:00

08:00

07:00

09:00

08:00

10:00

09:00

11:00

10:00

12:00

11:00

13:00

12:00

14:00

13:00

15:00

14:00

16:00

15:00

17:00

16:00

18:00

17:00

19:00

18:00

20:00

19:00

21:00

20:00

22:00

21:00

23:00

22:00

00:00

23:00

01:00

Destino Colombia

From 439,000 COP ($105)

Santa Marta - Any hotel

Standard

Barranquilla - Any hotel

04:00

2h 15m

06:15

08:00

2h 15m

10:15

12:00

2h 15m

14:15

Viajando por el Caribe

1,054,000 COP ($250)

Get Your Tickets

Santa Marta to Barranquilla by Bus

Duration: 2h 15m - 8h

Costs: 42,000 COP ($9.90)

Duration: 2h 15m - 8h

Costs: 42,000 COP ($9.90)

The bus is an affordable way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla. Bus fares start from 42,000 COP ($9.90) and the journey takes around 2 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours.

You can choose from six bus companies operating on this route: Rapido Ochoa, Expreso Almirante Padilla, Expreso Brasilia, Unitransco, Copetran and Flota La Macarena.

Step 1: Santa Marta to Barranquilla

Duration: 1h 45m - 7h 30m

Costs: 22,000 COP ($5.20)

Duration: 1h 45m - 7h 30m

Costs: 22,000 COP ($5.20)

There are three major bus companies that will take you from Santa Marta to Barranquilla: Expreso Brasilia/Unitransco, Rapido Ochoa and Copetran. Every day there are buses leaving from Santa Marta Bus Terminal (Terminal de Buses) at various times.

The buses are quite comfortable, with reclining seats, AC, a toilet and the newer buses tend to have individual tvs and charging ports.

Expreso Brasilia is considered to be ahead in terms of services and amenities, but there’s only one bus covering this route a day.

Meanwhile, Rapido Ochoa and Copetran may be more convenient (and usually a bit cheaper) as they offer 5-6 departures a day, every 3-4 hours.

You can book your tickets online (make sure to print your ticket in advance though) or directly at the bus terminal. Day buses don’t tend to sell out as quickly as night ones, so it’s possible to get a ticket at the bus terminal.

To get to Santa Marta bus terminal take a yellow cab and indicate you are going to the “Terminal de buses”. The fare should be around 8,000 COP ($1.90) from Santa Marta city centre, where most hotels are. If you are staying in the El Rodadero area, that fare will increase to around 22,000 COP ($5.20).

Terminal de Santa Marta

Rey Dorado Lo Maximo

Terminal de Barranquilla

08:00

2h 30m

10:30

15:30

7h 30m

23:00

19:00

7h 30m

02:30

21:00

7h 30m

04:30

22:00

7h 30m

05:30

22:00

00:00

Rapido Ochoa

From 22,000 COP ($5.20)

Terminal de Santa Marta

Standard

Terminal de Barranquilla

12:00

2h 20m

14:20

13:00

2h 50m

15:50

14:00

2h 20m

16:20

Expreso Almirante Padilla

26,000 COP ($6.20)

Get Your Tickets

Terminal de Santa Marta

Gaviota Preferencial

Terminal de Barranquilla

06:15

2h 30m

08:45

07:30

2h 30m

10:00

10:45

2h 30m

13:15

11:00

2h 30m

13:30

13:00

2h 30m

15:30

13:40

15:40

15:30

2h 30m

18:00

16:00

2h 30m

18:30

19:00

2h 30m

21:30

Expreso Brasilia

28,000 COP ($6.70)

Get Your Tickets

Terminal de Santa Marta

Premium Plus

Terminal de Barranquilla

08:00

2h 30m

10:30

11:30

2h 30m

14:00

12:00

2h 30m

14:30

13:45

15:45

Expreso Brasilia

28,000 COP ($6.70)

Get Your Tickets

Terminal de Santa Marta

Premium

Terminal de Barranquilla

07:30

09:30

08:30

2h 30m

11:00

14:45

2h 30m

17:15

15:30

2h 30m

18:00

Expreso Brasilia

28,000 COP ($6.70)

Get Your Tickets

Terminal de Santa Marta

Gaviota Diamante

Terminal de Barranquilla

13:15

15:15

17:30

2h 30m

20:00

18:45

2h 30m

21:15

Expreso Brasilia

28,000 COP ($6.70)

Terminal de Santa Marta

Caribe Express

Terminal de Barranquilla

09:00

11:00

09:30

11:30

13:30

12:30

14:30

13:30

2h 30m

16:00

16:45

18:45

17:30

2h 30m

20:00

20:30

22:30

20:45

22:45

Unitransco

28,000 COP ($6.70)

Get Your Tickets

Terminal de Santa Marta

Servicio Preferencial

Terminal de Barranquilla

10:00

12:00

11:45

13:45

14:00

16:00

14:15

16:15

14:30

2h 30m

17:00

15:00

17:00

15:45

17:45

16:15

18:15

16:30

18:30

17:00

2h 30m

19:30

17:45

2h 30m

20:15

18:30

2h 30m

21:00

19:30

21:30

20:00

22:00

Unitransco

28,000 COP ($6.70)

Get Your Tickets

Terminal de Santa Marta

Preferencial Mas

Terminal de Barranquilla

16:00

18:00

16:30

2h 55m

19:25

18:15

1h 45m

20:00

19:30

2h 55m

22:25

21:00

2h 55m

23:55

Copetran

32,000 COP ($7.50)

Terminal de Transportes Santa Marta

Tourist

Terminal Metropolitana de Transportes de Barranquilla

11:30

14:30

13:30

16:30

22:00

01:00

Flota La Macarena

43,000 COP ($10.20)

Get Your Tickets

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Step 2: Barranquilla Bus Terminal to the city centre

Duration: 30 minutes

Costs: 20,000 COP ($4.70)

Duration: 30 minutes

Costs: 20,000 COP ($4.70)

Barranquilla bus terminal is located in the southern district of Soledad, pretty close to the airport. It is not the best or safest area, though.

Therefore, it is best to take a taxi that will typically cost between 20,000 COP ($4.70) to 26,000 COP ($6.20) to get to the city centre or 15,000 COP ($3.60) to the airport. The journey to the city centre and most tourist areas will take around 30 minutes.

It is possible to walk 15 minutes to the metrobus station “Pacho Galan” and take the line R1 towards the city. To access the system you need to buy a card for 5,000 COP ($1.20) and then a ticket for 2,000 COP ($0.60).

However, we don’t really recommend taking the metrobus, since the area is not the best for walking, plus the bus service is poor and tends to be crowded.

Santa Marta to Barranquilla by Private Transport

Duration: 2h - 2h 30m

Costs: 367,000 COP ($87)

Duration: 2h - 2h 30m

Costs: 367,000 COP ($87)

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Santa Marta to Barranquilla.

Rates start from 367,000 COP ($87) for a 6-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 61,000 COP ($14.50) per person. Travel time is around 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.

Private Transport options from Santa Marta to Barranquilla

Standard

Standard Minivan 6 PAX

Price per person = 61,000 COP ($14.50)

Marsol Transportes

367,000 COP ($87)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 2 PAX

Price per person = 236,000 COP ($56)

Agencia Operadora de Viajes

472,000 COP ($110)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 163,000 COP ($38.50)

Go Colombia

489,000 COP ($115)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 6 PAX

Price per person = 88,000 COP ($21)

Marsol Transportes

527,000 COP ($125)

Get Your Tickets

SUV

SUV Car 4 PAX

Price per person = 136,000 COP ($32.50)

Go Colombia

544,000 COP ($130)

Get Your Tickets

Tourist

Tourist Minivan 19 PAX

Price per person = 33,000 COP ($7.80)

Marsol Transportes

624,000 COP ($150)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Car 3 PAX

Price per person = 211,000 COP ($50)

Magic Tour Colombia

633,000 COP ($150)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 6 PAX

Price per person = 109,000 COP ($26)

Agencia Operadora de Viajes

654,000 COP ($155)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 6 PAX

Price per person = 116,000 COP ($27.50)

Magic Tour Colombia

696,000 COP ($165)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 7 PAX

Price per person = 106,000 COP ($25)

Go Colombia

742,000 COP ($175)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 12 PAX

Price per person = 72,000 COP ($17.20)

Agencia Operadora de Viajes

869,000 COP ($205)

Get Your Tickets

Standard

Standard Minivan 15 PAX

Price per person = 60,000 COP ($14.10)

Go Colombia

894,000 COP ($210)

Get Your Tickets

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Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Marta to Barranquilla

What is the distance from Santa Marta to Barranquilla?

The distance from Santa Marta to Barranquilla is 104 kilometers (65 miles).

What is the fastest way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla?

The fastest way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla is by minivan and takes 2 hours.

What is the cheapest way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla?

The cheapest way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla is by minivan with ticket costs starting from 39,000 COP ($9.30).

Rounding it up

We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla. 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!

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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.