Ruth Haines
Medellín, Colombia, is served by two airports: the larger José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) and the smaller, in-town Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). José María Córdova is located 20-30km from the city centre, while Olaya Herrera is just 3-4km away. José María Córdova is the second-largest airport in Colombia and serves all major international and some minor domestic routes for the Medellín metro area. It has 17 gates, a wide range of shops and restaurants, and various transport options to the city centre. Olaya Herrera, on the other hand, serves only domestic flights within Colombia and is not very used.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports in Medellin | 2 |
| Names of the Airports | José María Córdova International Airport (MDE/SKRG), Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH/SKMD) |
| Location of José María Córdova International Airport | Rionegro, 20-29 km southeast of Medellin |
| Location of Olaya Herrera Airport | Southwest of Medellin, 3.1-4 km from the city center |
| Major Airlines | Avianca, LATAM Colombia, Viva Air Colombia |
| Best Transport Option to the City | Bus, Shared Taxi |
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What You'll Learn
- Medellín has two airports: José María Córdova International Airport and Olaya Herrera Airport
- José María Córdova is the second-largest airport in Colombia and is 20-30km from the city
- Olaya Herrera is located in the southwest of the city and is much smaller
- It is recommended to arrange transport to and from the airport before landing in Medellin
- To get from the airport to the city centre, you can take a taxi, shared taxi, or bus
Medellín has two airports: José María Córdova International Airport and Olaya Herrera Airport
Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), also known as Medellin Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, is located in the southwest of the city. It is a much smaller airport compared to José María Córdova International Airport and primarily serves domestic flights within Colombia. Olaya Herrera Airport is a significant hub for domestic air travel in the country and is the preferred option for domestic flights out of Medellín. It is located closer to the city centre, approximately 3.1 miles or 4 kilometres away, making it more accessible for those travelling to and from Medellín.
When travelling between the airports and the city centre, there are various transportation options available. The cheapest option is to take a bus, which can be boarded from the Mall of San Diego. Shared taxis are also available at the Mall of San Diego and offer a more comfortable ride at a slightly higher price. For those seeking a private ride, regular taxis or ride-sharing services like Beat can be utilised, although they are more expensive. It is recommended to arrange transportation in advance to avoid confusion and potential language barriers with local taxi drivers.
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José María Córdova is the second-largest airport in Colombia and is 20-30km from the city
Medellín is served by two airports: José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). José María Córdova is the second-largest airport in Colombia and is located 20-30km from downtown Medellín. This makes it the further of the two airports from the city centre, but it is still the larger of the two airports and handles the majority of commercial traffic. Depending on traffic, the journey from José María Córdova to Medellín can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.
Given the distance between the airport and the city, it is recommended that visitors to Medellín arrange transportation in advance. This can save both time and money, and can also help to avoid the stress of trying to communicate with a taxi driver in Spanish. Options for pre-arranged travel include online taxi services, scheduling an Uber in advance, or booking a private driver.
José María Córdova International Airport serves both international and domestic flights. It is the nearest major airport to Medellín, and the larger of the city's two airports. The other airport, Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport, is much closer to the city at just 4km from the centre of Medellín, but it only operates domestic flights.
Medellín is a popular destination for tourists, who are advised to fly into the city. Non-Colombian residents should be aware that they will need to present a departure flight ticket before they are allowed to enter the country, as well as proof of onward travel.
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Olaya Herrera is located in the southwest of the city and is much smaller
Medellin has two airports: Olaya Herrera (EOH) and José María Córdova International Airport (MDE). Olaya Herrera Airport is located in the southwest of the city and is much smaller than José María Córdova International Airport. It is about 4 km from the centre of Medellin and primarily serves domestic flights within Colombia. It is also known as Medellin Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport.
Olaya Herrera Airport is located in a different part of the city compared to José María Córdova International Airport, which is situated 20-30 kilometres southeast of Medellin in the city of Rionegro. Olaya Herrera's more central location can offer convenience for travellers, especially those heading to destinations within Colombia. As a main hub for domestic flights, it is the preferred option for domestic travel to and from Medellin.
Olaya Herrera Airport is also notable for its role in the history of aviation in Colombia. In the 1970s, the limitations of the airport, including insufficient space to expand, led to the construction of José María Córdova International Airport. During the testing of the Boeing 747 aircraft by Avianca in 1985, Olaya Herrera Airport played a part, with the plane first taking off from its runway before subsequent tests at the new José María Córdova Airport.
Despite being the smaller of the two airports in Medellin, Olaya Herrera Airport still handles a significant volume of passenger traffic. In 2016, the airport accommodated 7,376,160 passengers, with a slight decrease to 6,892,104 passengers in 2017. These numbers underscore the airport's continued importance in serving the travel needs of the Medellin community and surrounding areas.
Olaya Herrera Airport's domestic focus and proximity to the city centre make it a convenient option for travellers flying within Colombia. Its historical significance and ongoing contribution to the aviation industry in Medellin showcase its enduring role in the region's transportation network.
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It is recommended to arrange transport to and from the airport before landing in Medellin
Medellin has two airports: Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH). Jose Maria Cordova Airport is the larger of the two and handles most commercial traffic, but it is located about 25 kilometres from downtown Medellin. Olaya Herrera Airport, on the other hand, is much closer to the city, just 3.1 to 4 kilometres away.
Regardless of which airport you fly into, it is highly recommended to arrange transportation before landing in Medellin. This will save you the hassle and expense of figuring out how to get from the airport to your destination once you arrive. If you don't speak Spanish, it can be challenging to communicate with local taxi drivers. Instead, consider scheduling an online taxi service or Uber in advance, so you know the cost upfront and can avoid language barriers. Alternatively, you can arrange for a private driver to pick you up from the airport, which offers the convenience of having someone waiting for you when you land.
There are several options for transportation from the airport to the city. The bus is the most affordable choice, with comfortable seats and a fare payable in Colombian pesos or with a Civica metro card. However, it may not be suitable for late-night arrivals, especially if your destination is in the city centre. A shared taxi is another budget-friendly option, but it may involve some waiting time for other passengers.
If you prefer comfort and privacy, a private taxi or transfer service is ideal. These can be scheduled in advance, and some companies even offer the option to pay by credit card. If you have an early flight or are travelling as a group, this option provides convenience and peace of mind. Additionally, some companies offer English-speaking drivers, making communication easier.
Overall, by arranging transportation in advance, you can tailor your journey to your preferences and circumstances. Whether you opt for a shared taxi, private transfer, or public bus, having a plan in place ensures a smooth arrival experience in Medellin.
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To get from the airport to the city centre, you can take a taxi, shared taxi, or bus
Medellin has two airports: José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), which is the larger of the two and handles the majority of commercial traffic, and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), which is smaller and only operates domestic flights. José María Córdova Airport is located in Rionegro, about an hour away from Medellin, while Olaya Herrera Airport is located in Medellin itself, about 3-4 km from the city centre.
To get from either of these airports to the city centre of Medellin, you can take a taxi, shared taxi, or bus. Here are the details for each option:
Taxi
Taking a taxi or private transfer from the airport to the city centre is a convenient and comfortable option, offering door-to-door service straight to your hotel. Both yellow and white taxis offer a set price of €17.30 (COL$ 80,000) for airport trips, and this price includes airport toll fees. Taxis are available 24/7 at the official airport taxi ranks outside the main terminal. It is recommended to schedule a pickup in advance if possible, especially if you don't speak Spanish.
Shared Taxi
A shared taxi, or "colectivo", is a more affordable option than a private taxi. These are air-conditioned vehicles shared by three or four passengers, which helps to split the cost of the fare. Shared taxis can be found at the official airport taxi ranks and have a fixed drop-off point at the San Diego Mall in Medellin. From there, you will need to find another taxi to your final destination. It is important to note that shared taxis may not be the best option if you have a lot of luggage, as you will be sharing the car boot with other passengers.
Bus
Taking the public bus is the cheapest method to get from the airport to the city centre. The bus ride takes about an hour, and buses leave from either Exposiciones Metro Station, San Diego Mall, or the city centre behind Nutibara Hotel. At Exposiciones and San Diego, buses leave every 15 minutes from 4 am to 10 pm, while at the city centre, the schedule is from 3 am to 9 pm. It is recommended to avoid getting off at the final stop in the city centre at night, as the area can be sketchy.
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Frequently asked questions
The city of Medellin has two airports, the larger of the two being José María Córdova International Airport (MDE). This airport is located 20-30km from downtown Medellin and serves the city with international and domestic flights. The other airport is Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), which is located in the southwest of the city and is used for domestic flights only.
The route of "las palmas" connects the airport with the center of Medellin and offers a great view over the city. The cheapest way to get to the city center is by taking a bus, which can be boarded at the Mall of San Diego. You can also take a shared taxi or a private taxi to the city center, which will be more expensive but faster.
The airport is located 3.1 miles from Medellin, and you can take a 9-minute bus ride to the city. You can also take a taxi or a shared taxi to the city.
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