Transfer to/from - Medellin airport (MDE)

Transportation

Medellí­n Airport offers various transportation options according to each passenger's budget or level of comfort. From economical choices like "buseta" buses or shared taxis to more comfortable options like exclusive taxis or private transfers.

Rent a Car

Door-to-door transfers for families or groups

If you're looking for the utmost comfort and peace of mind for transfers to or from Medellí­n International Airport, you can opt for a private transfer service. The best option is to book online and in advance your transfer to or from the airport so that the driver will be waiting for you and you won't have to negotiate prices with taxis or transfer companies. There are vehicles for 3 (USD42.00), 4 (USD46.30), 5 (USD67.00) and 7 passengers (USD83.00), as well as minibuses with a capacity for 14 (USD95.00) and 20 people (USD138.20).

Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. At the airport, the driver will wait for you with a sign bearing your name as soon as you exit the baggage claim area and enter the public Arrivals Hall. If you're at a hotel or apartment, the driver will wait for you outside the building. If there's a possibility to park the vehicle, sometimes they may wait for you in the lobby.

MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS

Other companies providing this service include:

Medellin Airport Transfer

Colombia4u

Shared Taxis

Commonly known as 'taxis raya azul', these are white taxis shared among several passengers to reduce costs. It's the most commonly used method by solo travelers or couples. It represents the regular taxi fare (around USD23.00) but is divided among the passengers (up to 4 people). Thus, they're an economical option, especially if you're heading towards the southern area, as they only go to and from the San Diego shopping center in Medellí­n. From there, you'll need to take another taxi to your accommodation. Additionally, four blocks from the shopping center is the Exposiciones metro station.

IMPORTANT:
Shared white taxis typically wait for passengers in the Texaco gas station parking lot, located next to the San Diego shopping center. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of luggage, it may be somewhat uncomfortable. Therefore, if you arrive first, make sure to claim the front passenger seat. Otherwise, you'll be cramped in the back seat with two other people. Generally, vehicles wait until they have four passengers before departing.

The travel time between San Diego and the airport, like with a regular taxi, is between 25 and 30 minutes.

More information

Buses

The companies Combuses (Tel +57 316 023 5197) and Transportes Chachafruto (Tel +57 604 444 0786) provide public bus services (called 'busetas') from the airport to Medellí­n and vice versa, with four different routes: Palmas-Sandiego, passing through Túnel de Oriente; Alto de Palmas, passing through Mall Indiana and Sandiego; Medellí­n-Bogotá Highway, passing through Terminal del Norte and towards the city center; and Santa Elena-Buenos Aires-Terminal del Sur. It's the most economical option, although the least comfortable and safe.

Pick-up points
Nutibara-Center Stop
For people living or staying in the downtown and northern part of the city, the stop is near the Hotel Nutibara, next to Plaza Botero, in the heart of Medellí­n.
Address: Carrera 50 A #53-13.

San Diego Stop
For people living or staying in the southern part of the city, the stop is at the San Diego shopping center.
Address: Calle 36 #45-14.

Airport Stop
First floor, door 2.

Fares
The cost of a single ticket is $COP14,000 (about USD3.60), and you can buy it directly from the driver.

Schedules
From the Airport to Medellí­n: every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day.
From the Airport to Rionegro: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, every 15 minutes.

Travel time
The total journey takes about an hour, depending on traffic.

Precautions
Buses tend to fill up quickly and only have 19 seats. Keep this in mind if you're carrying a lot of luggage. Additionally, there may be opportunists and pickpockets, and it can be unsafe at night, especially when you get off and have to walk with your luggage and money to where you're staying.

Taxi

There are two types: white taxis and yellow taxis.

The difference is that white taxis are licensed to operate from the airport, while yellow taxis can only take passengers to the airport but are not authorized to enter to pick up people.

White Taxis
It's one of the most commonly used options by foreign tourists. They have established stops. Several companies operate from the terminal building itself: Flota Córdova Rionegro, Rápido Medellí­n Rionegro, Transportes Unidos, Aerotaxi, Transportes Chachafruto, TUR, Coopetaxi.

Fare
The fare to downtown Medellí­n is $COP98,000. It's fixed and regulated by law (usually displayed at the airport), giving you certainty about the final price you'll pay. Keep in mind there's no special nighttime rate, and you don't have to pay the tunnel toll, as it's included in the final fare.

Schedule and Route
The service operates 24 hours a day, and the journey to downtown Medellí­n takes between 25 and 30 minutes.

Yellow Taxis
Yellow taxis only operate to the airport. That is, they can take passengers to the airport from Medellí­n or other locations, but they can't pick up passengers at the airport to take them to the city.

They are the most common type of taxi in the city, so you're more likely to find a yellow taxi to go to the airport.

Fare
The estimated fare is $COD98,000.

Ride-sharing

While Uber, Beat and DiDi vehicles don't have an exclusive stop to pick up passengers, drivers usually take the left lane leading to the Arrival gates, where you can find them. Nonetheless, it's recommended to coordinate the exact pickup point with the driver through the app.

Although there are issues that seem more than obvious, it is always advisable to take them into account when moving to or from the airport, and especially if we go by public transport.  1- To the airport - It is convenient to leave with a little more anticipation than what is commonly suggested. If you choose a taxi or a private car service, always take into account peak traffic times, demonstrations, strikes or events that may delay the journey to the airport from where you are. It is always good to be informed about what is happening. If you contract a shared transfer service, have a contact telephone number handy in case of any delay by the company. In these cases they usually already have a scheduled collection time. If you use public transport (collective, train) take into account the schedules (weekends and holidays tend to have less frequency), if you have to change and also how to board (if you need a card or paying the driver or motorist at the moment ). These are details that seem obvious, but it is advisable to know so as not to have surprises and suffer a delay that could cause complications. If you rent a car to get to the airport, check where to leave the vehicle. At some airports, there is an exclusive parking lot for rental cars.  2 -From the airport- Here it is a little less stressful since you don't have the pressure of missing your flight. In the worst case, you will arrive later at the place where you are going to stay or at the meeting point where you are trying to arrive. Once you leave the plane, look for your suitcase and finish with the arrival procedures that are required. Then, follow the directions for public transportation or ask the airport staff. It is very useful to find out in advance the schedules of the buses or trains in case you arrive late at night. Not all work 24 hours. The same goes for taxis. In case of using an Uber-type service, have the mobile application handy to contact the driver. On the other hand, if you booked a private transport service, it is likely that they will 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 greater peace of mind it is advisable to book it in advance. Rental counters are usually available in the arrivals hall.

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