Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Colombia.

National Trains [Ferrocarril]

Colombia has very limited passenger rail service; most long-distance travel uses buses instead. The main tourist train is the Steam Train (Tren de la Sabana) near Bogotá, which runs weekends only and books up quickly.
Book ahead — Reserve tickets through official websites or authorized travel agencies weeks in advance, especially for weekend departures. Prices are moderate but availability is extremely limited.
Strikes (paros) affecting national rail are common and can be announced with little notice. Check local news before planning a train journey.

Bogotá TransMilenio — Use the red bus rapid transit system with dedicated lanes. Load a rechargeable card at stations; a single trip costs around 3,000 COP. It's efficient but extremely crowded during rush hours.
Medellín Metro — The modern metro system is clean and safe, with a card-based payment system. A single journey is approximately 3,200 COP; consider a 10-trip card for savings.
Pickpocketing is common on crowded buses and metro systems, especially during peak hours. Keep valuables secure and avoid displaying phones, cameras, or jewelry.
Other cities — Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena have local bus systems, but routes can be confusing for visitors. Ask your hotel or hostel staff for directions or use Google Maps offline.

Official taxis — Use registered white taxis with visible meters (taxímetro) or call a radio taxi company. Always insist the driver turns on the meter; rates are affordable, usually 3,000–15,000 COP for city trips.
Uber & Beat — Both apps operate in major cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Cartagena). Rates are transparent and payment is cashless, making them safer than street hails for tourists.
Avoid unmarked taxis and never hail cabs on the street at night. Robbery and kidnapping of taxi passengers, though rare for tourists, do occur; use apps or hotel-arranged transport after dark.
Fake taxis operating without meters are common at airports and bus stations. Use airport-authorized taxi stands or pre-book through your hotel.
Colectivos — Shared minibuses (colectivos) follow set routes and are very cheap (1,000–3,000 COP) but can be confusing for newcomers. Ask locals or your hotel for directions.

Road conditions vary widely; many highways and mountain roads are poorly maintained, lack street lights, and have unpredictable traffic. Driving at night outside major cities is dangerous and not recommended.
License & documents — Carry your passport, international driving permit (IDP), and car rental contract at all times. Colombian police conduct frequent stops and will fine you for missing documents.
Speed cameras and traffic fines (multas) are common; fines can exceed 1 million COP for speeding or running red lights. Payments are often issued on the spot.
Car rental — Book through international agencies (Hertz, Avis, Budget) for better insurance and support. Local rentals are cheaper but often lack roadside assistance.
Carjacking and highway robbery occur on certain routes, especially near Bogotá, Medellín, and coastal regions. Research your route and avoid remote areas.

Major hubs — El Dorado (BOG) in Bogotá, José María Córdova (MDE) in Medellín, and Rafaél Núñez (CTG) in Cartagena are the largest airports. Flights connect to most major cities.
Domestic airlines — Avianca, LATAM, Viva Air, and Wingo operate most flights. Book online; prices are reasonable and advance purchase offers discounts.
Taxi scams are rampant at airports; use official pre-paid taxi stands inside the terminal or arrange pickup through your hotel. Never negotiate with drivers outside the terminal.
Arrival tax — A departure tax of approximately 40,000 COP per domestic flight is included in most tickets, but check your booking. International departures usually include it as well.
Security lines — Arrive 2–3 hours early for domestic flights and 3–4 hours for international flights. Security can be slow during peak times.

Bus companies — Major operators include BlaBlaCar, Greyhound (acquired operations), and regional lines like Flota Magdalena and Expreso Brasilia. Book online or at ticket offices to avoid scams.
Bus theft is a significant risk; do not check luggage, keep valuables in a body bag, and stay alert during stops. Long-distance night buses are common but higher risk—consider flights for safety.
Comfort options — Premium buses (cama or semi-cama) offer reclining seats, toilets, and snacks. Standard buses are cheaper but cramped; expect journeys of 6–15+ hours.
Bus terminal areas are known for theft and robbery. Keep bags close, avoid displaying valuables, and use registered taxis or apps to leave the terminal.
Booking — Use Busbud, Despegar, or operator websites to compare prices and book in advance. Fares are very affordable, typically 50,000–150,000 COP for cross-country trips.

Caribbean ferries — Regular ferries connect Caribbean islands (San Andrés, Providencia) to the mainland through operators like Oceanair and Transportes Acuáticos Nacionales. Book online or through travel agencies.
Amazon & river tours — Tourist boats operate in Leticia on the Amazon, with organized tours to river villages and wildlife reserves. Book through licensed operators, as unlicensed boats lack safety standards.
River travel in remote areas can be unsafe; avoid traveling alone or with unverified operators. Always use established tour companies with good reviews.
Cartagena boats — Day trips to the Rosario Islands depart from Cartagena harbor; negotiate prices at the dock or book through hotels. Tours typically cost 80,000–150,000 COP.

Transit cards — Most cities use rechargeable cards (tarjeta): TransMilenio card in Bogotá, Civica in Medellín. Load them at authorized shops or vending machines; no single-ticket purchases.
Tourist passes — Medellín offers the Civica Turística card with unlimited metro and cable car rides for 1–3 days. Bogotá has limited tourist passes; buying individual TransMilenio cards is usually better.
Buy transit cards only from official stations or authorized vendors. Counterfeit cards sold by street vendors will be rejected at gates.
Long-distance tickets — Book buses and flights online through Busbud, Despegar, or airline sites to lock in prices and avoid terminal scams. Print or save digital confirmation.

Local carriers — Movistar, Claro, and WOM are the major networks with good coverage. Buy prepaid SIM cards at airports, convenience stores, or carrier shops for around 5,000–15,000 COP.
Data plans — Prepaid plans offer excellent value: 10 GB for 30,000–50,000 COP lasts most visitors 1–2 weeks. Recharge online through the carrier app or at authorized retailers.
eSIMs — Some carriers support eSIMs; request activation at retail shops if your phone supports it. International roaming from your home carrier is very expensive—buy a local SIM instead.
WiFi — Free WiFi is common in hotels, cafés, malls, and some buses. Speeds vary; consider a local SIM for reliable connectivity while traveling between cities.
Public WiFi networks can be insecure; avoid banking or entering sensitive credentials on open networks. Use a VPN if available.