Transfer to/from - Cartagena airport (CTG)

Transportation

COVID-19 - Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, services and schedules of the different transportation options may be subject to change as well as the limit of available capacity could be reduced. In turn, due to the changing situation, some services may even be temporarily canceled.

Private transfers 

The best option is to book the transfer from or to the airport online and in advance. This way you can get a better rate and with the comfort that a driver will be waiting. Rates from 6.50 USD per person. The reservation must be at least 12 hours in advance.

At the airport, the driver will wait for you with a sign with your name, as soon as you leave the baggage claim area and enter the public hall. In the case that you are in a Hotel or apartment, the driver will be waiting outside the building. If you have the possibility to park your vehicle, you can sometimes wait at the reception.

MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS

On the other hand, inside the airport you will find different windows with private transfer companies and the individual price is quite high (about US $ 35).

Another option is that if you join the group transfer of other passengers (they will leave them for route coherence and not in order of arrival to the minibus) they will charge you about 8 USD per person).

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Buses

The buses known as “Metrocar” are the public transport option. They connect the airport with the city center. The line that makes this route is Metrocar Route B. You will recognize them because they are white and green. It is the cheapest alternative although the slowest and least comfortable.

Schedules
Frequent services to and from the city between 6:50 am and 11:45 pm.

Tour
From the Airport to the Bus Terminal: Rafael Núñez Airport, Santander Avenue, Centro – Indio Catalina, Sanfelipe Castle, Bazurto Market, Crisanto Luque Avenue, Del Bosque Avenue and Bomba del Amparo.

From the Transport Terminal to the Cartagena de Indias airport: the same, in the opposite direction.

Average frequency
The metrocar runs approximately every 10 minutes.

Rates
A trip to the center is around 2,000 COP (0.70us $ or 0.65 €).

Taxis

Stops

The airport has two authorized taxi stations, one in each terminal. Taxi ranks are located at the national and international exits.

Rates
The estimated fare from Cartagena Airport to the historic center costs about $ 14,000 COP (4 USD). And to Bocagrande $ 20,500 COP (6 USD).

When you arrive on an international flight, look for the electronic machines located on the right, as soon as you pass customs control. When you enter the address you want to go to, the machine issues a ticket that shows the price to pay.

If instead you arrive through the domestic terminal, there is a window on the left and there they will give you the ticket when you tell them where you are going.

More rate details

Duration of the journey
As the airport is located within the urban area, distances are relatively short. The duration of the trip from the Rafael Nuñez Airport to the historic center ranges between 10 and 15 minutes, to Getsemaní it is 15 minutes, about 20 minutes to Bocagrande.

Tips
It is recommended to use official taxis since they have fixed rates to different sectors of the city.

Ride-sharing apps

Services such as Uber are available although they do not have an exclusive stop (since it is for authorized taxis). Therefore, once the transfer request has been made, you must coordinate with the driver, the collection area or meeting point. Fares are usually a bit cheaper than taxis, although they do not have the comfort of waiting for you at the terminal door.

While there are issues that seem more than obvious, it is always advisable to take into account when moving from or to the airport, and especially if you go on some public transport.  1- To the airport - It is convenient to go out with a little more anticipation than you would commonly suggest. If you choose a taxi or a private car service, always keep in mind peak transit times, demonstrations, strikes or events that may take more or less the trip to the airport from where you are. It is always good to be informed about what happens in the place where you find yourself.
If you have a shared transfer service, please have a contact Tel in case of any delay on the part of the company. In these cases, a scheduled collection schedule is already in tenter.
If you are using public transport (bus, train), have the schedules (weekends and holidays usually have fewer frequencies), if you have to transfer and also how to board (if you need a card or boarding pass or paying at the moment to the driver or rider). These are details that seem obvious, but it is advisable to know not to have surprises and suffer a delay that could bring complications.
If you rent a car to get to the airport check well, where you must leave the vehicles. In some airports, there is an exclusive parking lot for rental cars.  2 -From the airport- here is a little less stressful as you don't have the pressure to miss the flight. In the worst case you will arrive later to the place where you are going to stay or to the meeting point where you try to arrive. Once you get out of the plane, pick up your suitcase and finish with the required arrival procedures. Then you have to look for the public transport signs or consult the airport staff. It is very useful to inform the timetables of the buses in case you arrive late at night. Not all of them work 24 hours a day. The same goes for taxis. If you have hired a private car service, keep ready the mobile app to contact the driver. Some transport services hired, have a person waiting for you, identified with a sign.
If you rent a car to go from the airport to your final destination, for more peace of mind it is recommended to reserve it earlier. Rental counters are usually available at arrivals hall.