How Far is Medellin From Bogota? Plane, Train, or Bus From Bogota to Medellin

How far is Medellin from Bogota? If you’re planning a trip to Colombia, traveling from Bogota to Medellin is likely on your itinerary. As Colombia’s capital and its second-largest city, respectively, Bogota and Medellin are two vibrant and dynamic urban centers that offer a wealth of experiences for travelers. The journey between these cities is a common one, and there are several options available for making the trip. In this post, I’m sharing the pros and cons of taking a Bogota to Medellin train, plane, or bus

In this post, we’ll explore the distance between Bogota and Medellin, and delve into the various modes of transportation you can choose from. Whether you prefer the speed of flying, the scenic route by bus, or the potential future option of a train, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of each method to help you decide how to get from Bogota to Medellin.

Need a Colombia backpacking itinerary? Click here to read mine.

Quick Tip: Book accommodation, tours, and transport ahead of time online to save money and stress. 
Best Medellin Tours: Click here to check out the top Medellin tours
Best Medellin Accommodation: Click here to check out the best accommodation in Medellin
Best Medellin Transport: Click here to book a bus, ferry, or train in Medellin

How to Get From Bogota to Medellin

You have four main options:

1. Take a Bogota to Medellin bus 
2. Take a plane
3. Rent a car and drive yourself (not advisable unless you plan on road-tripping Colombia as it will be expensive)
4. Take a Bogota to Medellin train

There isn’t much difference in cost between flying between Medellin and taking a bus from Bogota to Medellin. The biggest issue is time! Traveling from Bogota to Medellin on a bus can take 10-15 hours, while a flight will take around one hour (plus getting through security on either end, of course).

1. Bus Bogota to Medellin

You can easily take a bus from Bogota to Medellin. There are multiple daily routes, including several overnight buses. The bus may tell you it will 10 hours, but I was on it for 12—I’ve heard of people riding on it for 15 hours or more. So, don’t make plans to do anything other than sit on the bus for the whole day/night.

If you want to make the most of your time, get a night bus. You will save on accommodation, and you can sleep through the time. This is the most economical way to travel. Even though the flight may be short, all the fuss with security and waiting will eat into your day anyway.

Book the bus with Brazilia, as they have really comfy seats that go right back! I got lots of sleep and no bad back. If you do travel through the night, though, be warned: They crank the AC up, so be sure to wrap up warm.

If you have the time, take a bus during the day. I actually missed my flight (oops), so I had no choice. But I was so glad I did with these views! Although, after 10 hours, I was feeling a little crazy…

It was a really nice bus ride with breathtaking scenery, films on some big TV screens, and a delicious meal on the roadside.

Bus Bogota to Medellin Tips:

• Bring layers, as it can get cold with the AC.
• Pack snacks and plenty of water—I didn’t and had to survive on a packet of Oreos!
• You will only stop once, so go easy on the water.

The best way to book your Bogota to Medellin bus is through GuateGo. They charge a small booking fee to cover expenses, but it makes life so much easier! You can check the times and book your bus ahead of time without going to the bus station the day before. Or, if you prefer, you can just turn up and get a ticket. Check the Bogota to Medellin bus options here.

These buses can get full so if you want to be guaranteed a seat, book on GuateGo or get to the station early.

Getting to the Bus Stop in Bogota

• I took a taxi from La Candelaria—it was around 25 minutes and cost me $10mil pesos.

After Arriving in Medellin

• When I arrived in Medellin, I took a taxi from the bus stop to Laureles for $13mil.

If you want to travel from Medellin to Bogota, simply reverse the journey.

2. Fly From Bogota to Medellin

How far is Bogota from Medellin by plane? The flight usually takes around an hour. If you don’t have checked luggage and don’t mind paying a few $$ more, flying is by far the quickest option. There are several daily flights between Bogota and the main airport in Medellin, in addition to several to the smaller, more central airport.

Did You Get Travel Insurance Yet?

The Insurance companies I recommend are Hey Mondo and Safety Wing

Hey Mondo is great if you are looking for a great value flexible policy. They offer single-trip cover, annual multi-trip cover, and long-term travel cover. Safety Wing is great value, with monthly coverage starting at $45.08. It’s super easy to use, and it just renews each month. I currently use them as they offer me free cover for my son as part of my policy.

Read my full travel insurance post here, where I go into detail about all companies. 

You can easily get to the airport on public transport from La Candelaria (see here). Once in Medellin, it will cost around $70mil to get into town from the main airport via taxi. The price is significantly lower than the smaller airport.

There are no buses that will take you to Medellin from the airport, but you can get a taxi colectivo. The price will depend on how many people are sharing and how much the driver wants to charge you but expect to pay around $15mil. The colectivos pick up and drop off from the San Diego shopping center.

A word of warning if you book a flight with Vivo Colombia: They like to charge people extra, so read the fine print thoroughly. Also, don’t try to get away with oversized/overweight luggage.

3. Drive a Rental Car

I don’t recommend renting a car to drive from Medellin to Bogota, as it’s very expensive. This can be a good option if you plan to road trip throughout the country with a group. Splitting the cost makes it significantly more affordable. Also, having a rental car gives you the ultimate freedom to explore the region.

Quick Tip: View my full Colombia packing guide here including a downloadable checklist. And check out my Colombia Essentials shopping list here.

4. Bogota to Medellin Train

How far is Medellin from Bogota on a train? The ride typically takes less than four hours. The Bogota to Medellin train is relatively budget-friendly and efficient. There are also multiple daily rides, giving you flexibility to plan the perfect journey.

Wondering where to stay in Medellin? I recommend staying in either El Poblado or Laureles, and here are a few of my favorite places to stay:

Parceros Med Hostel (I stayed here for a month and loved it!)
Los Patios Hostel Boutique
Purple Monkey Hostel
Hostal Medellin -Laureles
El Jardín de la 10 – El Poblado

You can also read my full Where to Stay in Medellin Guide here.

Medellin Travel Guide Planning

🧳 Any recommendations on what I should pack for Medellin?

Yes! I have created a whole packing guide to Medellin which you can read here and you can also check out my packing list for Medellin on Amazon here.

🚗 Where can I book bus or private transportation while I’m in Medellin?

I strongly recommend using GottoGo. You can book almost all transport in the major tourist destinations through them online. They don’t just cover buses they also cover shuttles, ferries, and private drivers.

🎫 Where can I buy tickets for museums, attractions, and tours in Medellin?

I recommend either Viator or GetYour Guide. They have a lot of options!

👩‍⚕️ What is the best insurance to have while traveling?

I recommend using Heymondo for a great value policy. The app also offers you 24/7 Dr Chat. For Digital Nomads check out SafetyWing digital nomad insurance.

I have also written a blog post covering all my recommended travel insurance here

✈️ Any flight recommendations?

WayAWay offers you cheap flights with cashback. You can use this code CLAIRE22 to get 10% off. Otherwise Skyscanner or Expedia are my go-to flight searching platforms.

📱What do you use for internet connection while traveling?

I’m a big fan of personal WiFi devices and they have saved my ass so many times when traveling. I wrote a full review of the top travel WiFi devices you can read here. I personally use GlocalMe as I can either pop in a physical sim card or use their local carrier.

With regards to my phone connection, I use e-sims while traveling, so rather than having to swap out my regular sim card I can download the app and buy a virtual sim card. I recommend using eitherAirhub or Alosim. Both have great coverage of multiple countries and are very easy to use.

🛏️ What is the best platform to use for booking accommodation?

The 3 best platforms that I normally use are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia They offer great deals and multiple options. I always check all three to be sure of the best deals.

🛅 Do you have any luggage recommendations for traveling?

I do have a complete list of the best packing and luggage products that I recommend, you can check the list here. I’m currently traveling with this suitcase and this backpack. 

How Far is Medellin From Bogota? Final Thoughts

Traveling from Bogota to Medellin and back is an unforgettable journey. Whether you take the Bogota to Medellin bus, plane, or train, you’re in for an incredible trip. While the bus from Bogota to Medellin is the cheapest option, it can be long and uncomfortable. If you have the money to splurge, I recommend flying directly. Only rent a car if you plan to drive throughout your Colombian vacation.

This post was proofread by Grammarly.