Transport and Driving in Colombia

Getting around in Colombia isn’t always straightforward, as expats will soon discover. Most cities have extensive bus and public transport systems, but expats often find using these can be an unpleasant, slow and crowded experience. Driving is an option, although heavy traffic and somewhat unpredictable drivers make this an unappealing choice for many.

The fact that a sizeable portion of the country’s south is covered in rainforest complicates matters further. Expats wishing to travel in this region will find themselves restricted to travel by boat.

Public transport in Colombia

Buses

Buses are usually your best option for public transport in Colombia. They’re cheap, and most of Colombia is well connected by bus, both within and between cities.

Most major Colombian cities have some form of rapid transit bus system. The infrastructure for these is generally quite good, with dedicated bus lanes and well-positioned stations. In Bogotá, this bus system is known as the Transmilenio, in Cali as MIO, and in Cartagena as the Transcaribe.

Inter-city buses are often more comfortable than inner-city buses. Most have air conditioning, and some may screen films (although these are almost always in Spanish). Some bus drivers prefer to play music, so if you’re looking for peace and quiet, you may wish to pack earplugs.

Rail

Colombia has virtually no passenger rail network for everyday travel. The country's railway is almost entirely used for freight transport. The main exception is the Tren Turístico de la Sabana, a heritage steam and diesel train that runs on weekends between Bogotá and Zipaquirá, popular with tourists visiting the Salt Cathedral. A few experimental railbus services operate in remote areas to combat transport exclusion, though these aren't designed for tourist use.

Metro

Medellín is Colombia’s only city with an inner-city metro system. Expats will find that it’s efficient, clean and safe. This is generally the extent of Colombia’s passenger rail infrastructure – beyond this, there are a few tourist trains and routes, but they aren’t designed for everyday travel.

Useful links

• Transmilenio: Bogotá’s Bus Rapid Transit System
• Metro de Medellín
• MIO: Cali’s Mass Transit System
• Transcaribe: Cartagena’s Integrated Transport System

Taxis in Colombia

Taxis in Colombia are a cheap and easy way to get around, although how they operate differs from city to city. In the interior of the country, taxis are usually metered. You may have to negotiate a flat fare in coastal cities, though. A good grasp of Spanish will help you avoid the ‘gringo tax’ that opportunistic drivers sometimes charge unsuspecting foreigners.

The best way to get a taxi is to use a call-ahead service to order one. The taxis from these companies are largely reputable. It’s also possible to flag down a cab on the street. You should exercise caution in this case and only hail official taxis, which are yellow.

Taxi drivers are often happy to have repeat customers, and many carry business cards with their contact details so that you can get in touch when you need a ride. This is a good idea if you find yourself using taxis regularly and come across a driver you trust. Motorcycle taxis operate widely in Colombia and can be a way to bypass traffic, although they’re not legally recognised as official transport and the government considers them unsafe.

Ride-sharing services such as Uber, DiDi, InDriver and Easy Tappsi (a Cabify app) are available in most Colombian cities. If you cannot speak Spanish, you’ll find these services an easy way to overcome the language barrier, as there’s little room for miscommunication with drivers and no need to read Spanish street signs or maps. It’s worth noting that ride-sharing services in Colombia operate in a legal grey area, and drivers may be unwilling to make certain trips.

Useful links

• Uber Colombia
• Taxis Libres
• Cabify Colombia
• InDriver
• DiDi

Driving in Colombia

Colombian drivers are known for driving impulsively and unpredictably. This makes the roads chaotic and dangerous. You should avoid driving if possible and instead hire a driver or make an arrangement with a taxi driver. The quality of the roads in Colombia varies hugely, and traffic is a problem in larger cities.

If you’re planning to purchase a car, you should be aware that in major cities, a system known as Pico y Placa has been implemented to help deal with the infamous Colombian traffic. Based on the last digit of its registration number, each vehicle is assigned two days a week, during which time it cannot be on public roads during peak traffic hours.

Driver’s licences

Tourists can generally use their driver’s licence from their home country, but residents will have to get a Colombian driver’s licence once they’ve received a Cédula de Extranjería (a Colombian ID document for foreigners staying in the country).

The process to obtain a Colombian driver’s licence involves passing both a theoretical and practical driving test. Some countries, including Spain, Peru, and South Korea, have reciprocal agreements with Colombia that allow licence exchange. For most other nationalities, you’ll need to complete the full licensing process through the Colombian National Transit Registry (RUNT).

Useful links

• RUNT: Colombian National Vehicle and Driver Registry

Domestic flights in Colombia

Domestic flights in Colombia connect major cities efficiently and are often the only practical way to reach remote regions like the Amazon. Avianca, LATAM, Wingo, JetSmart, Satena and Clicair operate routes across the country, with Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport serving as the main hub. While flights have become more expensive, they remain the best option for covering long distances quickly or accessing areas with limited road infrastructure.

Weather-related delays and cancellations are relatively common, particularly at smaller airports and during rainy seasons. Travellers should avoid booking domestic flights on the same day as international departures.

Destinations like Leticia (gateway to the Amazon), San Andrés (Caribbean island), and remote areas of the Chocó and Pacific coast are effectively only accessible by air. The main domestic routes connect Bogotá with Medellín, Cali, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, San Andrés and Pereira. Regional carriers like Satena serve smaller towns and more remote destinations that larger airlines don’t reach.

Useful links

• Avianca
• LATAM Airlines
• Wingo
• JetSmart
• Satena