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If you're wondering whether to leave Bogota airport during your layover, the answer depends on a few factors. Firstly, the length of your layover is important to consider. If you have a longer layover, such as 16 hours, you may have enough time to explore the city and return to the airport comfortably. However, with a shorter layover, such as 6 hours, you may not have sufficient time after factoring in transit and customs. Bogota Airport has been voted one of the best airports in South America, offering modern amenities, friendly staff, quality eateries, and various shops, so even if you choose to stay, you'll have plenty to keep you occupied.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the airport during layover | Yes, but it depends on the length of the layover. A 6-hour layover may not give you enough time to explore the city. However, some people have left the airport during a 6-7 hour layover. |
| Transportation to the city | Taxi or Uber. Uber drops by 50% and costs around $5 USD to the historic centre if you get 1 km away from the airport. |
| Time to the city | Approximately 1 hour each way. |
| Things to do in the city | Visit the historic centre, Plaza Bolivar, La Candelaria, and Monserrate. Take the funicular or cable car up to Monserrate for stunning views of the city. Explore the cobbled streets and beautiful old buildings of La Candelaria. |
| Luggage storage | Available at the airport for $5 per bag. |
| Airport amenities | Over 50 eateries, cafes, bars, shops, and a beauty salon. Lounges are also available for a fee and include unlimited food and drinks, WiFi, TV, and comfortable seating. |
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What You'll Learn
The length of layover needed to leave the airport
With six hours, you can get a sense of the city. The historical centre of La Candelaria is half an hour away by taxi, so you can spend three or four hours there before getting back to the airport. You could take the famous Bogota Graffiti Tour, visit the Gold Museum, the Botero Museum, or the National Museum—each of which takes about two hours.
With eight hours, you can follow the same itinerary as the six-hour layover, but with a little more time to spare. You could also take the funicular up to the mountain with the church, walk around the main square, shop, and have lunch.
With 16 hours, you can see the historic centre, Monserrate, and have a good meal. You can also visit the Salt Cathedral, Quinta de Bolivar, the cathedral and Plaza de Bolivar, and the Chorro de Quevedo, the oldest street and square in the city.
If you have a 24-hour layover, you'll need to find a place to stay and luggage storage, but you can experience Bogota's nightlife. Visit Andres Carne de Res for a rowdy evening of food, music, and dancing.
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Transport options to and from the city
The distance between Bogota Airport and the city centre is about 13.1 km. By car, it would take about 14 minutes to make the journey, depending on traffic conditions. There are several transport options to get from the airport to the city centre.
One option is to take a taxi. Taxis are inexpensive and provide 24/7 door-to-door services. They are also safe and hassle-free, taking only 20 minutes to reach downtown Bogota.
Another option is to take a private transfer. This option offers a personalised service and allows you to skip the taxi queue. The cost of a private transfer starts at €22 for a 3-seater sedan. If you need a larger vehicle, such as a minivan or minibus, the price will be higher.
If you're looking for a more cost-effective option, you can take the bus. The Transmilenio bus system offers a rapid transit service with dedicated lanes to avoid traffic jams. However, it can be congested at peak times, with long waits for buses. To use the Transmilenio, you need to take a free feeder bus from the airport to the El Dorado station and then purchase a Transmilenio card or a single-use ticket. The total travel time from the airport to the city centre is around 1 hour, and the fare is COP 2,400.
There are also public transport buses that operate on the main roads and avenues of the city. These buses can be found outside Terminal 1 of the airport, and the fare is usually between COP 1,500 and COP 2,000. However, these buses are subject to traffic congestion and frequent stops, so the journey can take 90 minutes or more.
When deciding on a transport option, it's important to consider your time constraints and budget. If you have a tight connection or limited time, a taxi or private transfer may be a better option to ensure you get to the city centre quickly. If you have more time and want to save money, the bus is a cost-effective option.
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Things to do in Bogota during a layover
Yes, you can leave Bogota Airport during a layover and there are plenty of things to do in the city. However, it's important to keep in mind that Bogota is 8000 ft above sea level, so take care not to overexert yourself and drink lots of liquids to avoid altitude sickness. Also, the traffic in Bogota is bad, so allow enough time to get back to the airport.
If you have a long layover, you can leave the airport and explore Bogota. There are many things to see and do in the city. Here are some suggestions:
- Visit Monserrate: This is Bogota's biggest attraction, offering stunning views of the city from 10,000 ft above sea level. You can take a funicular train or cable car to the top, where you'll find food stalls, souvenir shops, and the centerpiece, Santuario de Monserrate.
- Explore La Candelaria: This is the heart of Bogota, known for its impressive buildings and tourist attractions, including the 16th-century cathedral. Wander the historic streets, admire the beautiful old buildings, and visit Plaza Bolivar.
- Enjoy the nightlife: If you have a 24-hour layover, you can experience Bogota's vibrant nightlife. Visit Andres Carne de Res, a restaurant, dance hall, and permanent carnival with different theme rooms where you can party and enjoy Colombian culture.
- Relax in Parque Central Simon Bolivar: This is Bogota's main park, offering tons of green space for strolling and a boating lake where you can rent a boat.
- Visit Museums: If you're interested in museums, you can check out the Botero Museum, Gold Museum, and Simon Bolivar's Home.
- Indulge in Local Food and Drinks: Bogota offers a variety of eateries serving Colombian, Latin, American, Italian, Greek, and more. Sample the local coffee, chocolate, and brew at Bogota Beer Company.
- Shop for Souvenirs: You can find local shops selling handicrafts from area artisans, as well as Colombia's famous exports like coffee, cigars, and chocolate.
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Where to eat and drink in Bogota airport
If you're spending time in Bogota's El Dorado Airport, you may be pleased to know that there are plenty of places to eat and drink. The airport has been renovated recently, and now boasts a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and patisseries.
One recommended place to eat is Gordo, a branch of a famous gourmet burger restaurant located in the north of Bogota. It serves delicious craft beer alongside its burgers, and has a cosy and casual atmosphere. The prices are also very reasonable, with a burger, fries, and a beer costing around USD 9.50. Located next to Gordo is the Juan Valdez Coffee Garden, where you can enjoy a quiet cup of coffee in a calm atmosphere.
For traditional Colombian cuisine, you can try Gaira Café, and for the best empanadas, head to Andrés Carne de Res. If you have a sweet tooth, Mercari is the place to go for brownies, and you can finish off with some of the best Colombian coffee at Juan Valdes Coffee Garden.
If you're looking for something to do alongside eating and drinking, there are around three dozen shops, including convenience and electronics stores, as well as Duty-Free areas. You can also pick up local handicrafts, coffee, cigars, and chocolate as souvenirs.
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Where to store luggage at the airport
If you have a long layover at Bogota Airport, you may want to consider leaving the airport to explore the city. However, this will mean you need to store your luggage somewhere safe.
Luggage Storage Options at Bogota Airport
Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG) offers luggage lockers, which can be useful if you only need to store your luggage for a few hours. However, these lockers tend to be more expensive than other luggage storage options and may not accommodate larger luggage.
Luggage Storage Options in Bogota City
If you're looking for a more flexible and affordable option, there are several luggage storage services located in the city of Bogota. These services, such as LuggageHero and Bounce, offer hourly and daily rates, allowing you to store luggage of any size. With locations near metro stops and attractions, you can easily explore the city without the hassle of heavy luggage.
Other Services at Bogota Airport
In addition to luggage storage, Bogota Airport offers a range of other services and facilities to cater to your needs during your layover. These include airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, luggage wrapping services, medical services, a pharmacy, a prayer room, and SIM card purchases.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is worth leaving the airport during a layover in Bogota. The airport is about an hour away from the city, and there are plenty of attractions to visit in Bogota, including the historic streets of the Candelaria area, Plaza Bolivar, and Monserrate.
You'll need at least two hours to get into the city and back to the airport, plus time to get through customs and store your bags.
The Bogota airport has been consistently voted one of the best airports in South America. It offers modern amenities, friendly staff, and quality eateries. There are over 50 cafes, bars, to-go spots, and restaurants serving Colombian, Latin, American, Italian, Greek, and more. There are also approximately three dozen shops, including convenience stores, electronics stores, and Duty-Free areas.
