Bogotá
Bogotá airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
There is no train from El Dorado (BOG). Take an official taxi or a ride-hailing app: 30–60 minutes and roughly COP 40,000–70,000 to the centre, more at night or in rain. The airport bus (16-14) costs about COP 3,200 but is slow and crowded with luggage. Solo arrivals after dark should book a taxi or app, not a street hail.
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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GuideBogotá
Key facts
- Airport
- El Dorado International (BOG), about 15 km east of the centre
- Train
- None — Bogotá has no rail link to the airport
- Taxi or appcheck
- 30–60 min, COP 40,000–70,000 to the centre (2026 estimate)
- Airport buscheck
- SITP route 16-14, about COP 3,200, 60–90 min with traffic
- TransMileniocheck
- No station at the terminal; you need a feeder bus or a taxi to Portal El Dorado
- Payment
- Taxis take cash; apps and cards work in the terminal
- Safest at night
- Pre-booked taxi or app; avoid street hails
Options at a glance
El Dorado sits on the west side of the city, so the run into La Candelaria, Chapinero or Zona Rosa crosses the worst of Bogotá's traffic. Build in slack for a flight, and treat the times below as ranges, not promises.
| Option | Time to centre | Cost (2026 estimate) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official taxi (rank outside arrivals) | 30–60 min | COP 40,000–70,000 | Two or more with luggage |
| Ride-hailing app | 30–60 min | COP 35,000–65,000 | Solo arrivals, card payment |
| SITP bus 16-14 | 60–90 min | About COP 3,200 | Light bags, daytime, tight budget |
| TransMilenio + feeder | 60–90 min | About COP 3,200 | Comfortable with crowds and a card |
| Hotel or private transfer | 30–60 min | COP 70,000–120,000 | Late landings, first-time visitors |
Fares and journey times vary with traffic, rain and time of day; treat all figures as check.
The detail
Taxis leave from the official rank outside the arrivals hall; use that rank rather than anyone who approaches you inside the terminal. Drivers use a meter plus airport and night surcharges, so the total is higher than the meter alone. Pay in cash — small notes help — and keep your bag with you.
Ride-hailing apps work at El Dorado and are usually the simplest option if you have data. Pick-up points are signposted and can be a short walk from the doors; follow the app's instructions rather than a driver waving you over. This is the safest choice for a solo arrival after dark.
The SITP city bus 16-14 connects the airport with the centre for about COP 3,200, paid with a TuLlave card. It is cheap and runs through the day, but it is slow, often full, and awkward with large luggage. TransMilenio, the fast bus-lane network, has no station at the terminal itself: you reach it via a feeder service or a short taxi ride to Portal El Dorado, then continue on the red buses.
There is no train. Bogotá has no rail link between El Dorado and the city, and none is in service for visitors. If a page or an app suggests one, it is out of date.
For a fixed price and someone waiting with a sign, book a hotel or private transfer. It costs more but removes the negotiation after a long flight.
What it costs
Budget about COP 40,000–70,000 for a taxi or app to the centre, and COP 70,000–120,000 for a pre-booked private transfer. The bus is about COP 3,200. All figures are 2026 estimates and should be checked against the meter or the app before you set off.
Airport surcharges, night rates and Sunday or holiday rates push taxi totals up. Rain can double a journey time without changing the fare, so allow extra time rather than extra money.
| Item | Cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| SITP bus 16-14 | About COP 3,200 |
| TransMilenio + feeder | About COP 3,200 |
| Ride-hailing app to centre | COP 35,000–65,000 |
| Official taxi to centre | COP 40,000–70,000 |
| Private or hotel transfer | COP 70,000–120,000 |
Check current fares on arrival; surcharges apply at night and at the airport.
Tips
- Change a small amount of cash at the airport for the taxi, then use ATMs in the city.
- Buy a TuLlave card if you plan to use buses; it covers SITP and TransMilenio.
- Screenshot your destination address and show it to the driver; many do not speak English.
- Avoid street hails at night — this is where 'paseo millonario' robberies happen.
- If you sit in the front of an app car, that is normal here and often expected.
- Allow 60–90 minutes to reach the airport for a departure at peak times.
FAQ
Sources
Questions people ask
How do I get from Bogotá airport to the city centre?
Take an official taxi or a ride-hailing app: 30–60 minutes and about COP 40,000–70,000 to the centre. The SITP bus 16-14 costs about COP 3,200 but is slow and crowded with luggage. There is no train.
How much is a taxi from Bogotá airport?
Expect roughly COP 40,000–70,000 to the centre in 2026, using the meter plus airport and night surcharges. Apps are often slightly cheaper. Pay in cash and use the official rank outside arrivals.
Is there a train from Bogotá airport?
No. Bogotá has no rail link between El Dorado and the city centre, and none is in service for visitors. Use a taxi, an app, or the SITP bus instead.
Is the airport bus safe with luggage?
It is generally fine in daylight, but it is often full and stops frequently. With large bags, or after dark, a taxi or app is the better choice.
How long does it take to reach El Dorado for a flight?
Allow 60–90 minutes from the centre at peak times and in rain. Add extra for check-in and security on international departures.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialEl Dorado International Airport (BOG)
- officialTransMilenio
- secondaryWikivoyage – Bogotá