Transportation
Articles about Transportation from Medellin Living — expat guides, news and first-hand experience in Medellín, Colombia.
Medellín’s Transformation: How the City Became a Global Travel Destination
Short on time? Medellin underwent one of the most remarkable urban transformations in Colombia. Once known internationally for violence and instability, the city reinvented itself through innovative public…
How to Combine Medellín and Cartagena in One Unforgettable Colombia Itinerary
Short on time? An 8-day itinerary should be enough to visit Medellín and discover its culture, and head to Cartagena for beach escapes and unforgettable sunsets.
The Ultimate Medellín Airport Guide
Short on time? Two airports regulate flights to and from Medellín: José María Cordova International Airport, which handles most international flights, and Olaya Herrera Airport, which handles domestic flights.…
Cycling the Green Corridors of Medellín: Best Urban Bike Routes and Rental Tips
Short on time? The Medellín River Green Corridor is one of the best urban bike routes in Medellín.
Pico y Placa Medellín: The Lowdown
TLDR? In an effort to reduce congestion in Medellín, regulators issued Pico y Placa, a traffic restriction system that limits vehicles on the road based on their license plate numbers. Numbers rotate periodically, and…
Cheap Flights to Medellín: When to Travel & How to Score Good Prices
Short on time? You can find the cheapest flights to Medellín during off-peak season, preferably around April to June or September to Early November. To score lower fares, choose midweek departures, book weeks in…
What Cities Fly Direct to Medellín: A Guide to Exploring Colombia from the City of Eternal Spring.
Short on time? Medellín has direct connections with major cities in Colombia, the United States, Latin America, and Europe. Most international flights arrive at José María Córdova International Airport, while Olaya…
How Much Money Should I Take to Medellín? A Complete Budget Breakdown for 2026 Travelers
TLDR? Medellín is still a budget-friendly city for travelers in 2026. Depending on your travel style, plan around $30 to $120 per day for food, transportation, accommodation, and activities. Wondering how much money you…
Domestic Air Travel Made Easy
The more time I spend in Colombia, the more I begin to appreciate how easy and inexpensive the domestic air travel is in the country. In 2009, I experienced my first 25-minute flight from Bogota to Medellin, and later…
What to Do During a Stay at Factory Lofts
Laureles is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Medellin, thanks to its bustling nightlife. And, if you’re staying at Factory lofts, there are some amazing places to check out in this low-key neighborhood. There’s…
Getting Around Medellín by Bus, Train, Tram, or Cablecar
For some, a city as big as Medellin can be intimidating when getting around, whether it’s a tourist spot or your workplace. Luckily in Medellin, there are many ways to get around. They all are easy to use and…
Your Guide to Cocora Valley: Medellin’s Best Weekend Getaway
Are you thinking of a weekend getaway outside Medellin but still don’t know where to go? Then the Cocora Valley might be a good pick. Thanks to its coffee landscapes and walks through wax palms up to 70 meters high,…
Covid Tests, Rules, and Regulations in Medellin: What You Need to Know
The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, and it’s hard to know for sure when we’ll win the battle against the coronavirus. In spite of this, countries have started relaxing the rules for traveling, and it’s now much…
Uber Banned in Colombia: What Happened & Alternative Rideshare Apps
Update: On February 20th, Uber returned to Colombia after finding “alternative” means to operate in the country. As of midnight January 31st, 2020, the ride-sharing app Uber will not function in Colombia. The decision…
Uber Banned in Colombia: What Happened & Alternative Rideshare Apps
Update: On February 20th, Uber returned to Colombia after finding “alternative” means to operate in the country. As of midnight January 31st, 2020, the ride-sharing app Uber will not function in Colombia. The decision…
A Guide to Buying a Motorcycle in Medellín
Exploring on two wheels is one of the best ways to travel in Colombia, and tons of locals don their helmets every day to skip the heavy congestion in cities. In Medellín, in particular, motorcycles (or ‘motos’ as…
Guide to the Medellín Metro (2019 Update)
Following on from our Metro guide, here’s extra updated information and tips for Medelliín transport 2019: Peak hours Considering how hundreds of thousands of people take the metro in Medellín every day, it’s no…
Medellín’s Traffic Problem and Tips for Avoiding Traffic
Jeff looks at Medellín’s traffic problem and also provides tips for avoiding traffic in the city
15 Best Mobile Apps to Use in Medellín
We look at several of the best mobile apps for traveling to and living in Medellín and help you navigate around the city.
Comprehensive Guide to the Medellín Metro – Colombia’s Only Metro System
The Medellín Metro is the only rail-based metro system in Colombia. This is a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to the Medellín Metro system.
How to Get a Colombian Drivers License in Medellín
Jeff looks at how to get a Colombian Drivers License in Medellín including the costs and the process involved including the written exam and medical exam.
Pantrek: A New App to Book Intercity Buses in Colombia
Pantrek is an app that makes it easier for anyone to buy intercity bus tickets in Latin America. It also allows users to choose their own seat.
Medellín Scooter Rentals: Getting Around Town Easily
Medellín Scooter Rentals is a new business in the city helping visitors get around in the quickest and easiest ways possible- on scooters!
Guide to City Bikes: Buying, Renting and Riding
Our guide to city bikes includes where to purchase, rent, repair and ride your bike in Medellín, Colombia.
The New Medellín Helicopter Taxi Service by Aviatur
The scoop on the Medellín Helicopter Taxi service by Aviatur that is now available to and from the International Airport in Rionegro.
Medellín Expands Metro With New Tranvía Line
The tranvía line is the latest expansion to the Medellín Metro system, which is a tramline that opened recently and Jeff takes us on-board.
The New Medellín Airport Transfer
Medellin Airport Transfer is a new service that allows you to book a car to and from the airport, without cash and with the option of a bilingual driver.
Uber in Medellín: 7 Ways the Service Offers a Superior Experience
Dave makes the case for why Uber is a superior ride service to taxis in Medellín, Colombia based on his 42 rides in the past 30 days.
Best Bus Routes in Medellín
Ryan, who often uses public transportation, will tell us about the best bus routes in Medellín, the ones foreigners can use to get to the city’s best spots.
Learning to Ride a Motorcycle in Medellín
Learning to ride a motorcycle in Medellín with AutoSur, an escuela de conduccion, and their one-on-one private motorcycle classes located in Envigado.
Cheap Flights to Medellín
Looking for cheap flights to Medellín? As tourism to the city and Colombia continue to grow, so to do the number of airlines offering flights to Medellín.
The Escalators of Medellin
This video documents a series of six escalators built into a hillside neighborhood in Communa 13 in 2012, allowing local residents to travel more easily.
Car Sales Surge in Colombia
This video backs up the observations I’ve made since arriving in Medellin in 2009. Over the years, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of cars on the roads. When I left Colombia in mid-2011 to see more of South…
EasyFly Airline Review
I discovered EasyFly, a discount Colombian airline, in my search for low-cost flights from Medellin to Bucaramanga. A week before my departure, I booked a return flight online for 249,440 pesos ($159), which works out…
A Colombia Customs Story
The procedure seemed simple enough. Show your ticket and your passport and through customs you go, on your way to your destination. For me, it was Southeast Florida, to visit my brother and his family for Christmas, and…
How to Use the Metro in Medellin
Editors note: this post about the Metro is out-of-date and incomplete and was updated in 2017 with a comprehensive guide to the Medellín Metro found here. The metro in Medellin is the only rail-based mass transportation…
How to Locate Street Addresses in Colombian Cities
When first arriving in Medellín, or anywhere in Colombia, it takes a minute or two to understand the set up of the city. And, without a map or a local explaining it to you, it may take even longer. So how do you locate…
Guide to Taking Taxis
Editor note: this post is out-of-date and inaccurate so it has been updated in 2016 with new information. By Western standards, taking taxis in Medellin is relatively inexpensive, and thus offer an easy and practical…
How to Get to Medellin from the International Airport (2020 update)
Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2020. The MDE International Airport is situated 7,300 feet above sea level on a plateau in the Andean highlands. Medellin is about 40 kilometers away so you’ll need…
Buses in Medellin
Buses in Medellin are definitely the way to go. I was afraid to take them when I first arrived because I didn’t know how they run and didn’t know where they go or how to ask for information. But with a little help from…
Flying Spirit Airlines
I initially intended to use Spirit Airlines to fly to Medellin in 2010, however with the strike that was occurring days before my scheduled departure, I decided to go with the Colombian discount airline, Aires, instead.…
Metrocable to Parque Arvi & Piedras Blancas
Medellin continues to look for ways to expand Colombia’s only metro system. By all accounts, the metrocable system which extends from the train line up into two different neighborhoods in the city has proven a success.…
How to Travel With a Dog From the United States to Colombia
Moving to Medellin was not a decision that I took lightly. Not only did I have to consider my life and how it would change but I also had to consider how the move would impact Jacob, my dog. I had heard of dogs being…
Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport
Editor’s Note: This post was originally written by Melody, and later re-written and updated by Dave in April 2013. Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) is Medellin’s original airport, opened in 1932, and renovated in 2010 ahead…
Flying in Colombia
As a follow-up to Kristen’s earlier post about transportation in Colombia, I thought I would share some helpful tips about flying within the country. Many visitors to Colombia are surprised by how check-in and security…
6 Tips for Coping with Colombian Buses
One thing which can’t be avoided when traveling round Colombia is the Colombian bus. Before coming here I had done the majority of my bus travel in Argentina where the buses are truly the cream of the crop and the…
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Transportation in Colombia (Part 2)
In my last blog I talked a bit about transportation within the cities of Colombia. However, travel in Colombia is about so much more than just staying put in one place, so it’s essential to find the most efficient,…
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Transportation in Colombia (Part 1)
The potent smell of fried empanadas drifts through the window. Horns are sounding all around as death-defying motorcyclists speed around gigantic buses overflowing with people. A man wears a clown nose and juggles three…
Sailing To Colombia From Panama
A great article was on the NY World Travel Examiner about the sailing trip you can take from various parts of Panama to Cartagena, Colombia. This is an adventure I’ve had on my mind for a few years, but wasn’t in a…
A Few Insights Into The Colombian Culture
This is truly my first time traveling outside of the United States, so I’m noticing quite a few things about Colombian culture that are different to me. These things are definitely not bad, and mostly entertaining. The…
Leaving Medellin For Bogota, Then Home
I spent my last morning in Medellin recovering from my last night in Medellin. I had purposefully booked a 3 pm flight to Bogotá on Avianca so I wouldn’t have to rush. While it meant spending a night in Bogotá, I also…
Public Transportation: Metro, Buses, and Taxis
I am very fond of the public transportation here. The Metro The Metro is extremely easy to use, as long as you pay attention to where the train you’re getting on doesn’t stop. Getting on the wrong train isn’t a big…
Amazingly Crazy Days Of Flying
48 hours after waking up in Boise, I am finally rested and showered in Medellin. My flights got so screwed up. First my flight from Denver to NY was delayed, which I actually welcomed. Then the flight crew from NY to Ft…
Brokebus Mountain
The return trip from paragliding became its own little adventure. First, we waited by the side of the road to hail a bus heading back to Medellin. Once on the bus, Martin took a seat near the front while Clint and I…
Metro Cable Car Ride #2
Riding the Medellin metro cable car for the second time.
Visiting Universidad EAFIT
Monday turned out to be another day of progress toward my goal of living and working in Medellin. It started with a good night’s sleep in the room I´m renting. I had a copy of the apartment keys made at a local store,…