Roberta Aguirre
Bogota's El Dorado International Airport is the third most trafficked airport in Latin America, serving as the primary gateway to Colombia. It is around 11 kilometres from the city centre, which can be reached in about 20 minutes by car or taxi. Taxis are inexpensive and comfortable, with rideshare apps and Ubers also being a good option. The cheapest way to get to the city centre is by taking the Transmilenio bus, although this option can be congested at peak times. It is recommended to book your transport in advance to avoid being overcharged.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | El Dorado International Airport |
| Airport Code | BOG |
| Location | Bogota, Colombia |
| Terminals | 2 (T1 and T2) |
| Shuttle Service | Free 20-minute shuttle bus service connects T1 and T2 |
| Taxi | Taxi ranks available at Terminal exits; prepaid vouchers required for airport services; fares to the city centre range from €5.35 (23,800 COP) to €6.35 (28,200 COP) |
| Rideshare Apps | Uber, Cabify |
| Bus | Transmilenio bus system; congested during peak times |
| Hotels | Several hotels within a 10-minute drive offer complimentary shuttle services; day rooms available at select hotels between 10 am and 7 pm |
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What You'll Learn
Taxi from the airport to the city centre
Bogota's El Dorado International Airport is Colombia's busiest airport and the third most trafficked airport in Latin America. The airport has two terminals: the main international and domestic terminal (T1) and Puente Aereo (T2), which is used to handle domestic overflow.
Taking a taxi from Bogota Airport to the city centre is one of the best ways to travel. Taxis provide inexpensive, comfortable, and quick door-to-door transfer services straight to your hotel. The official Bogota Airport taxi ranks can be found at Terminal 1’s Exit doors 2, 3, 5, and 6, and at Terminal 2’s Arrivals exit. It is highly recommended to use an official taxi from Bogota Airport, as unauthorised drivers charge excessively. You will need to pre-pay your journey at the taxi counters in the Arrivals Hall. During busy times, there can be a long wait for a taxi, so it is best to book a transfer in advance.
There are two taxi options: yellow and white. Yellow taxis are 'regular', while white taxis are the deluxe version. Surcharges apply for airport services and pre-paid vouchers must be purchased before joining the taxi rank queue. The taxi fare from Bogota Airport to the city centre (La Candelaria) should cost around €5.35 (23,800 COP) or €6.35 (28,200 COP) with the airport surcharge. An extra €0.45 (2,000 COP) applies for taxi rides between 8 pm and 5 am, as well as on Sundays and public holidays. The journey from Bogota Airport to the city centre is approximately 11 km and takes around 20 minutes by car or taxi.
If you want to avoid the hassle of finding a taxi at the airport, you can book a private transfer service in advance. Welcome is one such service, where a professional driver will meet you in the Arrivals Hall and help you with your luggage.
For those who prefer not to take a taxi, there are other options for travelling from the airport to the city centre. The Transmilenio bus system can be particularly congested at peak times, with long waits for buses, so it is not recommended if you are in a hurry. However, it is the cheapest option. To get to the city centre, head for the "El Dorado" Transmilenio station or take Transmilenio 1 to the "Universidades" station, which connects with the "Las Aguas" station north of Candelaria.
Several hotels offer free shuttle transfers to and from the airport, including Hotel Habitel, Aloft Bogota Airport, Movich Buro 26 Hotel, and Courtyard by Marriott Bogota Airport. Additionally, there are sleep cabins available at the airport for those who need a place to rest during layovers.
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Public transport options
Bogota's El Dorado International Airport is Colombia's busiest airport and the third most trafficked airport in Latin America. It comprises two terminals: one for domestic flights and one for international flights. A free 20-minute shuttle bus service connects the two terminals.
Bus
The bus is the cheapest option to get to the airport, but it is not recommended during peak times due to congestion and long waits. To get to the airport, head to the \"El Dorado\" Transmilenio station. Alternatively, take Transmilenio 1 to the "Universidades" station, which connects with the "Las Aguas" station north of Candelaria.
Taxi
Taking a taxi is one of the best ways to get to and from the airport, offering inexpensive, comfortable, and quick door-to-door transfer services. Taxi fares from the airport to the city centre (La Candelaria) are around €5.35-6.35 (23,800-28,200 COP) with an additional surcharge of €0.45 (2,000 COP) for rides between 8 pm and 5 am and on Sundays and public holidays. You can find official airport taxi ranks at Terminal 1's Exit doors 2, 3, 5, and 6, and at Terminal 2's Arrivals exit. It is recommended to pre-pay your ride at the taxi counters in the Arrivals Hall. There are two types of taxis: yellow, which are 'regular', and white, which are deluxe. Non-official taxis are also available, but it is advised to use an official taxi to avoid excessive charges.
Ridesharing
Ridesharing apps such as Uber and Cabify are also popular in Bogota and are considered safer than regular cabs, especially at night.
Additionally, some hotels near the airport offer complimentary shuttle services for their guests.
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Hotels near the airport
Bogota's El Dorado International Airport is Colombia's busiest airport and the third most trafficked airport in Latin America. The airport has two terminals, one for domestic and the other for international flights. The airport is well-regarded for its efficiency and friendliness.
There are several hotels near the airport, including:
- Hotel Bogota DC: This 3-star hotel offers free WiFi, a terrace, a shared lounge, and a bar.
- Dorado Gold Bogotá: Dorado Gold provides free WiFi and cable TV in each room, as well as a private bathroom with a shower.
- Hotel Confort Bogota: This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, a concierge service, and free WiFi.
- Hotel Bogota Home: This hotel offers free WiFi and is located 6.7 miles from El Campin Stadium and 6.9 miles from Andino Shopping Mall.
- Hotel Colonial Internacional: Located in the Modelia district, this hotel is 3.1 miles from El Campin Coliseum and 3.7 miles from El Campin Stadium.
- Hotel Apartasuite Normandia: Located in the Engativa district, this hotel is a 10-minute drive from Eldorado International Airport and a 15-minute drive from the Land Transport Terminal.
- Hotel Casa Botero 302: Well-situated in the Engativa district, this hotel is within a few miles of the Corferias International Exhibition Center and El Campin Stadium.
- Hotel CGH Bogota Airport: This hotel provides concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a garden, and free WiFi throughout.
- Bogota Kings 101: This guest house offers accommodations with a terrace, TV, and a private bathroom. It is located just 10 miles from El Campin Stadium and provides a low-cost taxi service.
- Courtyard by Marriott Bogota Airport: This hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, in-room WiFi, a fitness centre, a meeting space, and a restaurant.
These hotels offer convenient access to the airport, with some providing free shuttle services. It is recommended to book accommodations with shuttle services or use taxi services, such as Cab Imperial, the "official" company of Bogota airport, to travel between the airport and your hotel.
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Immigration and customs
When travelling to Bogota, it is important to be aware of the immigration and customs procedures at El Dorado International Airport. The time taken to clear immigration and customs at Bogota Airport can vary depending on various factors, including the number of arriving flights, time of day, and your citizenship status. According to some travellers, clearing immigration can take anywhere from 25 minutes to 2 hours. It is recommended to plan for at least an hour for the process.
If you are transferring to another international flight, you generally do not need to go through immigration and customs. Instead, follow the “Connecting Flights" signage, which will lead you to a dedicated security checkpoint for transfer passengers. This process is usually quick, with queues lasting 5-10 minutes at most.
However, if you are arriving on an international flight and then continuing on a domestic flight within Colombia, you will need to go through immigration and customs in Bogota. Upon arrival, proceed to passport control and make your way towards the exit. After clearing immigration, you will exit the transit area and take the escalator to the first floor, where you will go through customs and security for domestic flights. The time required for this process can vary, but it may include collecting your checked luggage and proceeding to the domestic check-in area.
It is important to note that separate bookings for international and domestic flights may pose challenges in terms of timing and baggage allowances. In such cases, it is advisable to allow for sufficient time between flights to ensure a smooth transition. Additionally, some airlines may have specific requirements, such as submitting a Check-Mig form before departure, which is important to consider when planning your travel itinerary.
When clearing customs in Bogota, you are required to declare any items of value exceeding $10,000. It is important to be prepared for this step and have the necessary documentation or declarations ready for presentation to customs officials. Overall, the airport is well-organised, and efficient movement between lines will help ensure a timely transition through immigration and customs.
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Airport terminals
Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport is the largest airport in Colombia and the third most trafficked airport in Latin America. It is comprised of two terminals: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). Terminal 1 is the main international and domestic terminal, with the potential to serve up to 43 million people per year. Terminal 2, also known as Puente Aéreo, is dedicated solely to servicing the national carrier Avianca Airline and handles domestic overflow. A free 20-minute shuttle bus service connects T1 and T2.
Terminal 1 is located on the north side of the old terminal and handles all international passengers. The old Terminal 1 building, now Terminal 2, is located on the south side of the old terminal and handles only national passengers, except for Avianca flights, which continue to be served at Terminal Puente Aéreo. The new Terminal 1 has direct access to the arrival and departure areas for national and international passengers and offers the largest parking lot at El Dorado, with spaces for 540 vehicles, 36 spaces for people with reduced mobility, and 60 spaces for bicycles.
To reach the airport from the city centre, you can take a taxi, which is the most comfortable option, or use the Transmilenio bus system. The taxi fare from the city centre (La Candelaria) to the airport should cost around €5.35-€6.35 (23,800-28,200 COP) with the airport surcharge. The official Bogota Airport taxi ranks can be found at Terminal 1's Exit doors 2, 3, 5, and 6, and at Terminal 2's Arrivals exit. It is recommended to use an official taxi, as unauthorised drivers may charge excessively.
The Transmilenio bus system offers a cheap option for those not in a hurry. To get to the airport, head for the "El Dorado" Transmilenio station. Alternatively, you can take Transmilenio 1 to the "Universidades" station, which connects with the "Las Aguas" station north of Candelaria. However, the bus system can be congested during peak times, with long waits for buses, so it is advised to avoid this option during rush hour.
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Frequently asked questions
The fastest way to get to the airport in Bogota is by taxi or rideshare. The distance from Bogota Airport to the city centre is approximately 11 km and it takes around 20 minutes to reach by car or taxi.
The cost of a taxi from Bogota Airport to the city centre (La Candelaria) is around €5.35 (23,800 COP). An airport surcharge of €1 (4,400 COP) will be added to the fare.
The cheapest way to get to the city centre is by taking the Transmilenio bus. You can take a feeder bus from the airport to a nearby Transmilenio station and then board a bus to the city centre.
Bogota's El Dorado International Airport has two terminals: a main international and domestic terminal (T1) and Puente Aereo (T2) which handles domestic overflow.
It is recommended to spend at least 2-3 days in Bogota, and to arrive at the airport 2 hours before your departure time.
