Getting From Bogotá Airport To City Center
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Bogotá is a versatile and cosmopolitan city where both modern and colonial streets coexist in perfect harmony. Its museums, historical monuments, plazas and colonial neighborhoods attract millions of tourists every year.
The first thing you'll want to know when visiting Bogotá, is how to get from El Dorado Airport to downtown Bogotá (La Candelaria). Here's a complete guide on how to do it by different means of transport.
El Dorado International Airport (BOG) is the main international airport in Colombia, which means that if you're visiting this country you'll probably stop at this airport. It is located about 15 km from downtown Bogotá, pretty accessible, right?
This airport has 2 terminals: Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for national flights. Both terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus running from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Now, let's take a look at the options we have to get from the airport to the city center!
Transmilenio
The 'Transmilenio' is the public rapid transit system of buses for Bogotá. The system opened in 2000 and as of 2019, it has 12 lines throughout the city serving 148 stations.
The line you're interested in is the 'K86', which is the one connecting the airport and downtown Bogotá (La Candelaria).
In order to use this transport system, you'll first have to purchase a rechargeable card called 'TuLlave'. The price for the card is 5,000 COP (1.5 USD / 162 JPY). The price from the airport to city center is 2,400 COP (0.70 USD / 77 JPY).
The airport free shuttle bus will take you to the 'Transmilenio' stop at the airport. The name of the stop is 'Portal El Dorado'. The shuttle bus can be taken from the main entrance on Terminal 1 or the exit on Terminal 2. Once you're at the 'Portal El Dorado' stop, take line K86 and get off at 'Universidades' (last stop). The journey can take about 1 hour depending on traffic.
Things to bear in mind when using the 'Transmilenio':
- The buses can be filled with people during rush hours, making it difficult to travel if you have big luggage.
- Schedule: From Monday to Friday between 4:30 a.m and 11:00 p.m; on Saturdays from 5:00 a.m to 11:00 p.m; on Sundays and holidays from 5:30 a.m to 10:00 p.m.
- Buses come every 20 minutes.
Summary
- Price: Rechargeable Card + Bus Ticket = 5,000 COP + 2,400 COP = 7,400 COP (2.2 USD / 240 JPY).
- Journey Duration: 1 hour (depending on traffic).
Buses Urbanos
These buses are smaller than the 'Transmilenio' buses. You can recognize them due to their blue color. This type of buses connect the airport and downtown Bogotá. They're slightly cheaper than the 'Transmilenio' buses. The price for a one-way ticket from the airport to city center is 2,200 COP (0.65 USD / 71 JPY). To use these buses you'll also have to buy the 'TuLlave' rechargeable card for 5,000 COP (1.5 USD / 162 JPY).
The bus you'll want to take is line P500. Just exit the arrivals zone at Terminal 1 and you'll find the bus stop.
The journey from the airport to La Candelaria (downtown Bogotá) takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes depending on traffic. These buses operate from Monday to Saturday between 4:00 a.m and 11:00 p.m; on Sundays and holidays from 5:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m.
Summary
- Price: Rechargeable Card + Bus Ticket = 7,200 COP (2 USD / 233 JPY)
- Journey Duration: 1 hour and a half (depending on traffic)
Taxi
If you happen to have big luggage and want a more comfortable ride to your hotel, taking a taxi is a good option.
Official taxis can be found on the exit of Terminal 1. Before getting into a taxi, visit one of the taxi service counters where they'll give you a ticket with the name of your final destination and the cost of the journey (you'll pay to the taxi driver at your final destination).
A one-way journey to La Candelaria (downtown Bogotá) costs around 35,000 COP (10 USD / 1,135 JPY). The trip takes about 30 minutes.
Summary
- Price: 35,000 COP (10 USD / 1,135 JPY)
- Journey Duration: 30 minutes
Private Transport
Probably the easiest and most efficient way of getting from the airport to downtown Bogotá is booking your own private transport. A driver will be waiting for you at the terminal holding a poster with your name on it. No need to wait in line to get a taxi, just straight to your hotel!
This option is great if you're travelling with family or with a group of friends. A car for 3 people costs 91,500 COP (27 UDS / 2,900 JPY); a car for 5 people costs 139,100 COP (41 USD / 4,500 JPY) and a minivan for up to 8 people costs 164,700 COP (48 USD / 5,300 JPY).
Summary
- Price: please refer to the different options mentioned aboved
- Journey Duration: 30 minutes
Click on the link below to book your private transport:
Still don't know what to do in Bogotá? Just take a look at the following article:
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