Bogota Airport Transfers

El Dorado International Airport is the largest airport in Colombia, one of the most important in the region as a connecting point and also one of the most visited, so it's not surprising that it offers several alternatives for getting to Bogotá's hotel zone. It is also located about 13 kilometres from the centre of the Colombian capital, so you will also have plenty of urban alternatives available.

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

A private transfer from El Dorado International Airport to your accommodation in Bogota will be the most complete option you can find for 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 centre of the Colombian capital in a comfortable and safe way, without worrying about the itinerary.

In general, these minivan transfers are ideal if you plan to visit Bogotá in a group, with your family or with a lot of luggage. It's also a perfect alternative if you're touring the city with children, as public transport options can be a bit cumbersome in such cases. Either way, if you hire the service in advance, a professional driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall upon your arrival at the airport.

During the tour, which extends for about 13 kilometres from the airport to the city centre, you will be able to get information on the best tours of Bogotá and visit some of the neighbourhoods that are the main focus of these experiences, such as Fontibón and Teusaquillo, two districts in between the two points of the Colombian capital.

Also note that in the case of private transfers you can delegate the organisation 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: around 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, as you will be able to organise the whole journey yourself.
• 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 organised alternative.

If you are looking for an economical option to get to the centre of Bogotá 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 other options, although you should bear in mind that you will have to make a combination and that it will take approximately 35 minutes, more than twice as long as other direct transfers.

To get to the city centre from El Dorado International Airport you can take buses K16 and K43 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 generally you will have to combine with lines K86, K309, K315, K321, K903 and P500.

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

Useful details

• Price: approximately 1 euro per leg per person.
• Journey time: about 35 minutes, not counting waiting time between each combination.
• 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 cheapest alternative available to get to Bogotá 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 transport service that will take you from the airport arrivals area to the centre of Bogotá, including several stops along the way at the most prominent sites in 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 start at around 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 are not pre-booked.

In addition, shuttle buses are an ideal alternative for tourists who are looking for a shuttle bus option 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 Bogotá in 3 days or less, these alternatives will allow you to hire at the last minute and connect the airport with the centre, at any time, in 20 minutes.

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

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 12 euros per person.
• Duration of the tour: about 20 minutes.
• How to book this method: you can either book in advance online or hire it once you are in the city at the commercial offices of the service providers.
• Advantages of using this method: it is an ideal option for last-minute bookings and for getting to the city quickly.
• Recommended if... you don't have a pre-booked service and can't waste time on a traditional bus transfer.

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

However, you should take into account some considerations so that your taxi ride from the airport to your accommodation is completely successful. First of all, don't forget that in Colombia, in general, and in Bogotá in particular, the custom of haggling over prices is very deeply rooted among the locals, and it is a tradition that is also common among visitors.

This is why I advise you to agree on the fare with the driver before you get into the taxi to avoid any setbacks at the time of payment, and also to be clear about the location of the accommodation, as the price will depend largely on the distance travelled. Also consider that taxis 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 taxi ride along Avenida El Dorado will take approximately 15 minutes and cost around 6 euros, although the final cost will depend on the location of your accommodation and your ability to haggle with the driver, although you can take this as a guide.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 6 euros per vehicle.
• Duration of the tour: around 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 late at night and you don't have a pre-booked service.

Although renting a car in Colombia is not a very common alternative, this option is also available to reach the city centre or your accommodation from Bogotá airport. It is also a convenient and flexible way to start your journey from the very beginning of your trip.

For safety reasons and to avoid the tumultuous and chaotic traffic that characterises Colombian roads, it is generally not advisable for tourists to rent a car during the tour, but if you opt for this option you can reach the city centre 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 Bogotá, such as visits to the Sumapaz National Park, the town of Villa de Leyva or the Chingaza Natural Park, because you can build the itinerary that most interests you, at your own pace and managing your time.

Keep in mind, however, that it is not usually a cheap option, because the daily rental of a car in Bogotá is around 38 euros per day. To that amount you will have to add fuel and tolls costs, as well as rate differences depending on the insurance chosen and the age of the hirers.

Interesting details

• Price: car rental in Bogota has a starting rate of approximately 38 euros per day.
• Duration of the trip: about 15 minutes.
• How to book this method: you can either 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 Bogotá.

The answer depends on many factors. On the one hand, if you hire a vehicle from apps such as Uber, which work perfectly well in Colombia, you will be able to know the driver's personal details in advance and you will also have information about the vehicle, which makes a substantial difference to the taxi service . However, these vehicles are not authorised to operate at Bogotá 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 Bogotá during the night. This is why travel in the app's cars is generally not recommended in these cases.

You can also mitigate the risk of taxi service by hiring vehicles through the Telecoper and Taxis Libres websites, which are very popular in Colombia. With this modality, which makes taxi journeys safer, the alternative of an Uber ride loses some of its meaning.

Bogota is a big city and can be confusing at first glance, so if you plan to choose a transfer that is not organised, check the information on the route and have the address of your accommodation and the directions to get there ready. 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 transport. If your arrival time is during the night, consider being extra careful and not using the alternatives that require a combination or leaving the airport. Also, be aware of various options, as some tourist offices are not open 24 hours a day.

If you plan to use taxis, remember to negotiate the fare in advance. Bargaining is a common practice in Colombia, and agreeing on a price in advance will help you avoid any bad moments or disputes over exorbitant costs . However, if you want to avoid this negotiation, use online taxi services such as Telecoper and Taxis Libres.

The answer will depend on your travel conditions. If you have no budget limitations, the ideal option is to opt for a comfortable and safe alternative, such as the one offered by private minivan transfers. This route is also ideal if you are planning to visit Bogotá in a group, with your family or children, as they will be able to have an exclusive means of transport.

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