Transfers from/to Bogotá

El Dorado International Airport is the largest airport in Colombia, one of the most important in the region as a connection site and also one of the most visited, so it is not surprising that it offers several alternatives to reach the hotel zone of Bogota. In addition, it is located about 13 kilometers from the center of the Colombian capital, so you will also have many urban alternatives available.

From a private minivan transfer to a shuttle bus ride, you will find options by cab, public transport bus and rented car, but whatever alternative you finally choose, it will be the first decision you will have to sort out once you are at the airport of the Colombian capital to enjoy the best activities in Bogota.

A private transfer from El Dorado International Airport to your accommodation in Bogota will be the most complete option you can find to make this tour. These alternatives, which you can hire in advance and, in some cases, also once you are in the city, will allow you to reach the center of the Colombian capital in a comfortable and safe way, and without worrying about the itinerary.

In general, these minivan transfers will be ideal if you plan to visit Bogota in a group, with your family or with a lot of luggage. It is also a perfect alternative if you are going to tour the city with children, since public transportation options can be a bit uncomfortable in those cases. In any case, if you hire the service in advance, the professional driver will be waiting for you at the arrival hall upon your arrival at the airport.

During the tour, which extends for about 13 kilometers from the airport to the city center, you can get information about the best tours of Bogota and visit some of the neighborhoods that are protagonists in these experiences, such as Fontibon and Teusaquillo, two intermediate districts between the two points of the Colombian capital.

Also note that in the case of private transfers you can delegate the organization and planning of the journey, allowing you to relax from your first moment in the city and immerse yourself in the local spirit as soon as you arrive at the airport.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 14 euros per person.
• Duration of the tour: about 15 minutes.
• How to book this method: you can book online before your arrival in the city or at the airport offices.
• Advantages of using this method: it is a comfortable, complete and relaxing alternative, because you can derive all the organization of the journey.
• Recommended if... you are planning to travel in a group, with your family, with a lot of luggage or with children and you are looking for an organized alternative.

If you are looking for an economical option to get to the center of Bogota from the airport, you can opt for a transfer by public transport bus. This alternative has an initial cost of approximately 1 euro per leg and is substantially cheaper than the rest of the variants, although you must take into account that you will have to make a combination and that it will take approximately 35 minutes, more than twice as long as with other direct transfers.

To get to the city center from El Dorado International Airport you can take the K16 and K43 buses to Portal El Dorado and from there you will have to combine with the option that best suits your route based on the location of your accommodation, although in general you will have to combine with the K86, K309, K315, K321, K903 and P500 lines.

Please note that the frequency of these services is highly variable and in some cases, between each of the buses, it can take between 30 minutes and 1 hour. Also, public transport buses operate 24 hours a day, but are not the safest option if you plan to arrive in Bogota during the night.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 1 euro per leg per person.
• Travel time: about 35 minutes, not counting the waits between each of the combinations.
• How to book this method: you can book it as soon as you get on the bus.
• Advantages of using this method: it is the most economical alternative among those available to get to Bogota from the airport.
• Recommended if... you have a limited budget and want to opt for the most affordable option.

If you want to opt for a safe shared alternative or are looking for a last minute hire you can opt for the shuttle bus, a private transportation service that will take you from the airport arrivals area to downtown Bogota, including several stops along the way at the most prominent sites of the Colombian capital.

There are many companies that provide this service, but some of the most prominent and reliable are Azula and Transfer Colombia. Tickets have an initial cost of approximately 12 euros per person, but the buses have a very good frequency and are available 24 hours a day, which is not usually the case with private minivan transfers that were not contracted in advance.

In addition, shuttle buses are an ideal alternative for tourists who are looking for an option in this means of transportation but do not have time to wait for or combine public buses. Therefore, if you are planning a short stay in the capital or plan to visit Bogota in 3 days or less, these alternatives will allow you to hire at the last minute and link the airport with the center, at any time, in 20 minutes.

Also, these services often include discounts on other transfer services in the city, such as hop on-hop off buses in Bogota or buses that offer night tours of the main attractions of the city.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 12 euros per person.
• Duration of the tour: about 20 minutes.
• How to book this method: you can book in advance online or hire it once you are in the city at the commercial offices of the providers.
• Advantages of using this method: it is an ideal option for last minute bookings and to get to the city quickly.
• Recommended yes... if you do not have a service contracted in advance and you cannot waste time in a traditional bus transfer.

As in many other cities around the world, the cab transfer from the airport is one of the most traditional in the Colombian capital. In general, this option is usually required for last minute hires, if you did not have time to book another transfer service or if your flight arrives at your destination during the night hours in Bogota.

However, you should take into account some considerations for your cab ride from the airport to your accommodation to be completely successful. As a first step do not forget that in Colombia, in general, and in Bogota in particular the custom of bargaining prices is deeply rooted among locals, and it is a tradition also with visitors.

This is why I advise you to agree on the fare with the driver before getting into the cab to avoid problems at the time of payment and also be clear about the location of the accommodation, because the price will depend largely on the distance traveled. Also consider that the cab can be an economical option if you plan to travel in a group, although if you have a lot of luggage you should choose a vehicle with enough space.

The cab ride along Avenida El Dorado will last approximately 15 minutes and the fare will be around 6 euros, although the final cost will depend on the location of your accommodation and your ability to bargain with the driver, although you can take this cost as a reference.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 6 euros per vehicle.
• Duration of the tour: about 15 minutes.
• How to book this method: you can hire it in advance, although as a general rule you can board it at the airport entrance.
• Advantages of using this method: it is a traditional alternative for last minute bookings.
• Recommended if... your flight arrives at the airport at night and you do not have a service booked in advance.

Although renting a car in Colombia is not a very common alternative, this option is also available to get to the city center or to your accommodation from the Bogota airport. In addition, it is a comfortable and flexible way to start your trip from the very first moment of your trip.

For safety reasons and to avoid the tumultuous and chaotic traffic that characterizes Colombian routes, it is usually not advisable for tourists to rent vehicles during the tour, but if you finally opt for this alternative you can reach the city center in about 15 minutes along Avenida El Dorado.

This option will also give you the opportunity to participate with greater flexibility in the best excursions around Bogota, such as visits to the Sumapaz National Park, the town of Villa de Leyva or the Chingaza Natural Park, because they can put together the itinerary that most interests you, at your own pace and managing your time.

Note, however, that it is not usually an economical option, because the daily rental of a car in Bogota is around 38 euros per day. To this amount you will have to add the costs of fuel and tolls, in addition to the differences in rates that depend on the insurance chosen and the age of the hirers.

Interesting details

• Price: renting a car in Bogota has a starting rate of approximately 38 euros per day.
• Duration of the tour: about 15 minutes.
• How to book this method: you can book the car in advance online or hire it once you are at the airport.
• Advantages of using this method: it will give you more flexibility during your trip and you will be able to count on the vehicle once you arrive at the airport.
• Recommended if... you plan to visit the attractions around Bogota.

The answer depends on many factors. On the one hand, if you hire a vehicle from applications such as Uber, which work perfectly in Colombia, you will be able to know the driver's personal data in advance and you will also have information about the vehicle, which makes a substantial difference with the cab service. However, these vehicles are not authorized to operate at the Bogota airport.

Therefore, if you want to opt for a transfer in an Uber vehicle, you will have to reach the airport gate, which could be uncomfortable and even dangerous if you plan to arrive in Bogota during the night. This is why rides in app cars are not usually recommended for these cases.

Likewise, you can also mitigate the risk of cab service by hiring vehicles through the Telecoper and Taxis Libres websites, which are very popular in Colombia. With this modality, which makes cab rides safer, the alternative of an Uber ride loses some sense.

Bogota is a very big city and can be disconcerting at first glance, so if you plan to choose a transfer that is not organized, analyze well the information of the route and have at hand the address of your accommodation and directions to get there. This way, you will be able to fend for yourself, which will be more comfortable and safer.

On the other hand, take into account the time of arrival at the airport to choose the means of transportation. If your arrival time is during the night, consider being extremely careful and not using the alternatives that require a combination or leaving the airport. Also, have information about various options, since some tourist offices are not open 24 hours a day.

If you plan to use cabs, remember to negotiate the fare in advance. The custom of haggling is very present in Colombia and agreeing on a price in advance will allow you to avoid bad moments or conflicts at the time of payment due to exorbitant costs. However, if you want to avoid this negotiation, use cab services contracted by internet in pages like Telecoper and Taxis Libres.

The answer will depend on your travel conditions. If you have no budget limitations, the ideal is to opt for a comfortable and safe alternative, such as the one offered by private minivan transfers. This tour is also ideal if you plan to visit Bogota in a group, with family or children, because they can have an exclusive means of transportation.

However, if you have a limited budget, consider that you will find much less expensive alternatives, but that will require more planning and also more time. In this case, you can choose the public transport bus and its combinations, although their frequencies are better and safer during the day.