From the airport to the city centre Colombia

El Dorado International Airport is the country's main airport and a major hub in Latin America. From here you can fly anywhere in the country, to the major cities, but also to more remote and isolated destinations, in the Llanos or in the Amazon for example. Terminal 1 operates the international and most of the regional connections. Terminal 2, also known as Puente Aéreo, serves only Easyfly and Satena flights. It takes about 15 minutes to get from one terminal to the other by shuttle bus (free of charge)

El Dorado airport is located in the west of Bogotá, 15 km from the city center. Cabs are the easiest, safest and quickest way to get to your hotel if you don't know the city. Fares are reasonable, around $35,000 (less than €9). Take the yellow cabs (queue up like everyone else, and don't pay attention to the unofficial cab drivers). White VIP cabs are much more expensive. It is also possible to take an Uber or other local VTC, but be discreet, as this mode of transportation is still not officially legal in Colombia.

For resourceful travelers who want to save a little money, it is possible to take a Transmilenio bus (line 86) from Terminal 1 (gate 8), from 4:30am to 10pm (5am-9pm on weekends). To do this, you must buy a Tullave rechargeable card at the airport ($6,000, plus a recharge of at least the price of the trip, $2,650). This card can be used for one or more people. Avoid during rush hour, if you are loaded, and late at night, for security reasons.

Arrival by train Colombia

Since the 1940s, Colombians have forgotten what a locomotive was. Passenger transportation by rail is almost non-existent today. Apart from the tourist train connecting Bogotá to Zipaquirá, the few railroads still in operation, in La Guajira, or between Cali and Buenaventura, are used to transport coal or other goods. The remains of the stations in Medellin, Cali, or Armenia, however, remind us that the country once had a network worthy of the name. Only the "convoy of acrobats" of the Mano Negra, accompanied by a joyful band of circus artists, had, in 1993, revived for a while the 1,000 km of disused track between Bogotá and Santa Marta, bringing a little diversion to the inhabitants of villages caught between guerrillas and paramilitaries. It was aboard the Expreso del Hielo (the Ice Express), so called because in the past it brought wagons of ice to the furnace of Aracataca, Gabriel García Márquez's native town. This adventure is described in the book A Train of Ice and Fire, by Ramón Chao.

Arrival by boat Colombia

As long-distance travelers will have understood, the passage from Panama to Colombia (or vice versa) is thorny in the absence of a road. There is no question of attempting the crossing of the Darién on foot, a long, expensive and dangerous journey. Safer and more pleasant options are available by sailboat from/to Cartagena (2 days in the middle of the San Blas and 3 days in the open sea). This costs about US$600 per person. Ask about the boat and its captain before embarking with anyone. It is also possible to go along the coast by fast lancha, with specialized agencies. Count 4 days/3 nights, with departures on scheduled dates, following the coast through the San Blas. It is less expensive than sailing boats. There are also lanchas from Bahía Solano, which run along the Pacific coast. This is a rather dangerous trip because it follows one of the main drug routes, so it is not recommended... Then, the boat remains the main way to get around, on the coast, between the islands, or in the Amazon. From the dugout canoe carved in a tree, to the powerful twin-engine boats of 40 passengers, the range is wide. The pier is called muelle. The schedules, when there are any, are rarely respected. Very often, the departure is made only when the maximum capacity is reached.

Public transport Colombia

Buses. Colombia has a variety of folkloric means of transportation. The " buses " are generally the ones we know as such, the larger and more comfortable buses (everything is relative) that serve the major destinations. The " busetas " are smaller buses that run around town or serve nearby communities. The " chivas " are old wooden buses full of colors, with a powerful and puncture-proof engine, which circulate between the villages. The " colectivos " take many forms, from the shared car-taxi, to the air-conditioned van, to the old Jeep or the beat-up minibus. They leave when they are full, with no real schedule

All these means of transportation are economical, less polluting than flying and allow access to places off the beaten track. Taking these modes of transportation also makes it easier to meet the locals and leave time to observe the landscape and daydream. The bus stations of the big cities (Terminal de Transporte) are equipped with all the necessary services for the traveler: cafeterias, pharmacies, toilets, ATM, and sometimes luggage storage, Wi-Fi and tourist information points. In the villages, the main park often serves as a mini terminal. It is important to choose the right company, especially for long trips. Paying $20,000 more (the equivalent of 5 euros) often guarantees a more reliable and comfortable vehicle (toilets, Wifi, more breaks for the driver...). Be sure to check if the bus is direct(directo) or not(regular), as the travel time can almost double! The state of the roads and the uneven geography of the country do not make the trips easy. The trips can be endless when you have to cross mountain ranges. Don't rely on the distance in kilometers, but on the travel time. And when you ask the bus company how long the trip will take, be aware that the times given are often very optimistic and that unforeseen events are numerous on South American roads...

Bus station websites are rarely updated. It is better to go to - www.horariodebuses.com.co - which gives the schedules, travel times and contacts of the companies. You can also visit the websites of platforms such as Redbus, Busbud, Pinbus and FelizViaje, which charge a commission on the ticket price.

Subway. Bogotá has been waiting for a subway for decades, while Medellín has had one since 1995. The network has two classic metro lines connected to several cable car lines(Metrocables).

Transmilenio, Transmicaribe, Mio, Metrolínea, etc. Long articulated bus networks with dedicated lanes. They are convenient for crossing large cities with traffic jams, but are often saturated at rush hour. Payment is made with a rechargeable magnetic card, which is also used for the buses or cable cars integrated into these networks

Bike, scooters & co Colombia

Everyday travel is often by bicycle, even when crossing large cities. Bicycle paths are plentiful, especially in Bogotá, which has the largest network of bicycle paths in Latin America, a network that is growing daily. Private bike-sharing companies and electric scooters(patinetas eléctricas) arrived in force a few years ago, but the Covid-19 pandemic has unfortunately put a stop to their development. However, Bogotá should have a public bike-sharing system by 2022 (it was being tested at the time of our survey) and it is still possible to rent bikes in some cities, in youth hostels or in specialized agencies. Beware, however, of sidewalks and roads in poor condition (gaping holes) and of the most anarchic traffic.

With a driver Colombia

Cabs are numerous and economical. An average trip in the city costs the equivalent of 2 or 3 euros. Payment in cash only. They are yellow (or white for VIP services) and most have a taximeter. Tip: in Bogotá in particular, in order not to offend the driver unnecessarily, avoid slamming the doors, regardless of the condition of the vehicle! Cabs can be hired by the hour or for short trips outside the city. Getting a recommendation from a trusted cab, having it called by your hotel, or using an application such as Easy Tappsi is a significant guarantee, in terms of safety and rates

Uber and other applications of this type (Didi, Beat, etc.) are widely used, for reasons of cost and security. Even if everyone uses them, they are still illegal in Colombia. This is why drivers prefer that you sit next to them (and not in the back like in cabs), to avoid arousing the suspicion of the police, especially when approaching airports. For this reason, it is possible to be dropped off at airports by Uber, less easy to be picked up. Payment for VTCs is also mainly in cash.

In addition to cabs and VTCs, which are widely used in the city, in rural areas you can often be transported by motorcycle cab (usually without a helmet) or tuk tuk, three-wheeled folk vehicles with motorcycle handlebars and 2 or 3 seats in the back.

By car Colombia

Renting a car offers a lot of freedom. However, be aware that the country is large and that distances are deceptive, due to the relief (three mountain ranges), the state of the roads (ravaged by bad weather), or by heavy trucks that drive at 10 km/h on hills. If the speed limit is generally 80 km/h outside built-up areas (30 or 60 km/h in the city), the average speed rarely exceeds 30-40 km per hour on long journeys, you should know that! Car rental is developing but prices remain high compared to other countries. Fuel costs less than in France, but is not cheap, and there are also many tolls!

Renting. Unless you are used to road-trips

in far away countries, we recommend renting a car only to visit certain regions, like the coffee region (Eje Cafetero), Boyacá and Santander, because the roads are good and the traffic is not too dense. You can take a bus or a plane to Armenia, Pereira, or Bucaramanga and rent a car there. It is recommended to drive at the beginning of the day, the roads are little or not illuminated at night, and in case of a problem, you will have time to turn around. An SUV type vehicle makes driving easier, given the amount of potholes.


Driving.

There are few road signs and using an application like Waze or Maps.Me (which works offline, download the maps in advance) is quite useful. As in all of Latin America, driving is sporty and the Highway Code is not respected. Be careful at intersections at night: many people run stop signs and red lights to avoid possible attacks! It is also very common to overtake on the right, so don't be offended. In case of an accident, leave the car where it is, even if it is blocking traffic, call your insurance company and wait for the police to report it. Zero tolerance for drinking and driving (0.0 g/l.).

Pico y placa. If you are renting a car, you should take care to check the possible traffic constraints of the pico y placa. This system of alternating traffic was implemented in 1998 in Bogotá, and later in most of the major Colombian cities, in order to relieve traffic congestion during the busiest hours (horas pico). License plates ending with an even number (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) cannot be driven on even days, at certain times (generally from 6 to 9 am and from 4 to 7:30 pm, depending on the city, the type of vehicle and the time of the year). And vice versa for the odd days. On weekends, the pico y placa does not work, so everyone can drive without restriction. Electric and hybrid cars, and those who have paid a substantial sum, on the principle of polluter pays ("pico y placa solidario"), are exempt from pico y placa

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Parking. Do not leave your car on the street, especially in large cities, park it in a paid parking lot, and even then do not leave valuables there. Once again, this is the No dar papaya talking!

Accessibility Colombia

With the exception of airports and recent bus stations, accessibility for people with reduced mobility is not yet a priority. The sidewalks are often paved or cluttered, not easy to use with a wheelchair or a stroller. On the other hand, Colombians are usually friendly, especially towards foreigners. They will take their time and go out of their way to make things easier for you.

Tourist traps Colombia

There are not really any notable scams in Colombian transportation. Only cab drivers can make you a little detour to run the taximeter, but it is not very frequent. Crime is more of a problem. You may hear about the " paseo milionario ", the "millionaire's trick" (yes, you are a millionaire, in Colombian pesos): it is a race in which the cab driver, with the help of an accomplice, makes you go around the ATMs in record time. This is why you should never get into a cab that is already carrying someone. Whenever possible, have the driver call you, especially at night, as the extra cost is very low, or use a VTC such as Uber, which is considered safer.