How to get from Santa Marta 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 227 kilometers (141 miles) from Santa Marta to Cartagena. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 58,000 COP ($13.70).

Getting from Santa Marta to Cartagena is a cheaper option than the minivan. The main journey might be even quicker, but this excludes the transfer time to/from the bus station.

The easiest way to travel to/from the bus stations would be to take a taxi. However, this will also be more expensive and if you add the taxi costs to the costs of the bus ticket, the final costs will be higher than the minivan.

Luckily it’s also possible to get to the bus station by public bus.

To get to Santa Marta bus terminal take a yellow cab and tell the driver that you want to go 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 significantly increase to around 25,000 COP ($5.90).

There are three major bus companies that will take you from Santa Marta to Cartagena: Unitransco, Expreso Brasilia and Copetran.

They have buses leaving from Santa Marta Bus Terminal (Terminal de Buses) at various times every day.

You can book your tickets online (make sure to print your ticket in advance), or directly at the bus terminal.

Terminal de Santa Marta

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Terminal de Cartagena

12:00

4h 30m

16:30

Expreso Brasilia

From 59,000 COP ($14.10)

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59,000 COP ($14.10)

12:00

4h 30m

16:30

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Redbus

65,000 COP ($15.40)

12:00

4h 30m

16:30

Check on Redbus

Cartagena bus terminal is quite far from the city centre. There are 2 ways to connect from there: a 30-minute taxi ride or a 1-hour bus ride.

Cartagena Bus Terminal to city centre by Taxi

Taxis can also be found right outside the bus terminal. Expect to pay 18,000 COP ($4.30) for a 30-minute during ride to the old city. Taxi rates are regulated by the local government, nevertheless, as a general rule in Cartagena, it is better to agree on the price before stepping in.

Uber does not really work in Cartagena, but if you prefer to use an app, locals use InDriver, which allows you to bid the rate you want to pay, and drivers will accept or decline it.

Cartagena Bus Terminal to city centre by Transcaribe Bus

Although taxi’s aren’t expensive for this journey, you can use an even cheaper option and travel to Cartagena’s city centre for only 3,000 COP ($0.60).

The bus terminal is well connected to the city centre of Cartagena, as well as the popular neighbourhoods of Getsemani and San Diego with the Transcaribe buses.

You can find these buses just outside the bus terminal. They run every 30 minutes and the line that takes you to the city centre is X104.

You should get off at the last stop ‘La Bodeguita’ for the old city, or the one before called ‘Centro’ if you are going to either the Getsemani or San Diego areas.

Taking a minivan from Santa Marta to Cartagena is an easy option as the vans leave from Santa Marta’s city centre and drop you off in the centre of Cartagena.

There are a number of different companies offering minivan service from Santa Marta to Cartagena, but the most popular ones are Marsol, Caribe Vans, Pro tours and Coche Express. They all used to operate every 2 hours, from 06:00-18:00.

Unfortunately, the other bus companies are currently not available for online bookings.

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

Rates start from 855,000 COP ($205) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 299,000 COP ($71) per person. Travel time is around 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours 40 minutes.