How to get from Cartagena Airport to the city center
Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), commonly known as Cartagena Airport, has 3 transportation options to reach the city center. You can choose between taking a Cartagena Airport taxi, bus, or pre-booking a private transfer.
The distance from Cartagena Airport to the Old Town, also known as the Walled City, is about 4 to 6 km. Taxis are available at the airport and usually cost €5.60 to €6.75 (COP 20,200 to 24,300). The TransCaribe T102 bus is available from the nearby Carrera 6 stop in the Crespo neighbourhood, just a short walk from the airport, and costs €1.10 (COP 3,900). Alternatively, you can pre-book a private transfer from €21 (COP 75,640) for up to 3 passengers in a sedan.
The taxi and private transfer journey takes about 20 minutes, while the bus takes around 25 minutes, depending on traffic and your exact destination.
2 options to go from Cartagena Airport to city center
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | € | min | – | Convenience | Book | |
| Pre-booked private transfer is a better option than a taxi, especially if you’re looking for a fixed price, English-speaking drivers, or traveling as a big group or family. | ||||||
Taxi | €4 | 20min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| It is an alternative option if you haven’t booked a private transfer and are looking for affordable, 24/7 accessible transportation for door-to-door service | ||||||
Cartagena Airport taxis are available 24/7 and provide comfortable door-to-door service, taking around 20 minutes to reach your Cartagena accommodation. A trip from the airport to the center costs between €5.60 (COP 20.200) and €6.75 (COP 24.300) for a standard taxi. The price may change according to the exact destination you want to arrive at.
Make sure to use one of the two authorized taxi stations at Cartagena Airport, located at the national and international exits. These stations are operated by authorized drivers and are the recommended option for getting to other areas of the city.
Fare for your taxi from Cartagena Airport to Old Town
Cartagena taxis calculate their prices using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled. Depending on traffic conditions, you can expect to pay around €4 (COP 20,430) for your transportation from Cartagena Airport to your hotel and €6 (COP 30,650) at night and on weekends.
However, if you prefer travelling at a fixed price with no hidden fees and with a local English-speaking driver, it is recommended to pre-book your private airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.
Where do I get a taxi from at Cartagena Airport?
You can get a taxi from one of the two authorized taxi stations at Cartagena Airport, located at the national and international exits. Make sure to use these official stations when traveling to other areas of Cartagena, as they are operated by authorized drivers.
Convenience
Taking a taxi is a convenient option for Cartagena Airport transportation, especially if you want a direct journey to your accommodation. Taxis operate 24 hours a day, making a taxi from the airport a practical choice for late-night arrivals. However, because fares are affordable, demand can be high, so you may need to wait for an available taxi before traveling from Cartagena Airport to the city center.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreThere is no bus station inside Cartagena Airport, but you can walk a short distance to a nearby bus stop in the Crespo area and take the TransCaribe T102 towards the city center. The T102 takes around 25 minutes, depending on traffic. It operates from 05:00 to 21:00 on weekdays, 05:30 to 20:30 on Saturdays, and 06:00 to 20:00 on Sundays and public holidays.
How much is the Cartagena Airport bus to the city center?
A single T102 bus ticket costs €1.10 (COP 3.900). This makes the bus one of the most affordable Cartagena Airport transportation options for reaching the city. The same fare applies to journeys throughout the TransCaribe system. You can pay for the bus with a debit or credit card or with a TransCaribe smart card.
Where do I get the bus from at Cartagena Airport?
There is no TransCaribe station inside Cartagena Airport. Instead, you need to walk a 2 minutes short distance from the terminal to a nearby bus stop in the Crespo area, where you can board the T102 towards the city center. If you’re travelling from Cartagena Airport to the Old Town, check the T102’s direction and stops before boarding.
If you’re looking for how to get from Cartagena Airport to Old Town, the T102 can take you towards central Cartagena, but you may need to walk from the nearest stop to your final destination.
Convenience
The TransCaribe T102 is a budget-friendly way to travel from Cartagena Airport to the city center, costing €1.10 (COP 3.900) for a single journey. The bus takes around 25 minutes, although traffic can make the journey longer. Since the nearest stops are outside the airport, you also need to walk from the terminal before boarding.
Useful Tips
Booking a private Cartagena Airport Welcome Pickups private transfer is a convenient way to travel directly to your accommodation in Cartagena. You can pre-book your ride before your flight, enter your destination and flight details, and have a driver waiting for you when you arrive. The journey from Cartagena Airport to the city center takes around 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Your Welcome Pickups booking includes:
How much is a private transfer from Cartagena Airport to the city center?
The price of a private Cartagena Airport transfer depends on the vehicle you choose and the size of your group. For a transfer from Cartagena Airport to the city center, Welcome Pickups offers:
The price is shown when booking, allowing you to arrange your Cartagena Airport transportation before your arrival.
Where will I meet my private transfer at Cartagena Airport?
Your Welcome Pickups driver will meet you at the designated meeting point at Cartagena Airport. The driver will wait with a sign displaying your name and help you with your luggage before taking you to your vehicle. Your booking confirmation provides the exact meeting point and your driver’s details, so check this information before leaving the arrivals area.
Convenience
A private transfer makes Cartagena Airport transportation straightforward because your ride is arranged before you arrive and takes you directly to your destination. Your driver can monitor your flight for delays and will wait for you at the designated meeting point. You can also choose a vehicle based on the size of your group and luggage.
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Cartagena Airport to the city?
A taxi from Cartagena Airport to the city ranges between €5.60 (COP 20.200) and €6.75 (COP 24.300). A €0.30 (COP 1.100) night surcharge also applies between 19:00 and 05:00.
How far is Cartagena Airport from the city center?
Cartagena Airport is about 4-6 km from the city center. The airport is located in the Crespo neighborhood, within Cartagena’s urban area, and the journey to the Historic Center takes around 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
How much is a taxi from Cartagena Airport to Getsemaní?
A taxi from Cartagena Airport to Getsemaní costs around €5.60 (COP 20.200). This is the listed fare for Getsemaní in the airport’s taxi rate information, while a €0.30 (COP 1.100) night surcharge applies between 19:00 and 05:00.
What is the best way to get from Cartagena Airport to the city center?
A pre-booked private transfer is the most direct way to travel from Cartagena Airport to the city center. Your driver meets you at the designated airport meeting point and takes you directly to your destination, without requiring you to find a taxi or public transport after landing. Your booking confirmation provides the exact meeting point and driver details.
Is there a bus from Cartagena Airport to the city center?
There is no bus station inside Cartagena Airport; however, you can take the TransCaribe T102 Cartagena bus from a bus stop a short walk from the airport in the Crespo area. The T102 connects Crespo with central Cartagena, and the 2026 fare is €1.10 (COP 3.900) per passenger per trip. The route operates on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays according to its published schedule.
Can I pre-book a transfer from Cartagena Airport to the city with Welcome Pickups?
Yes. You can pre-book a Welcome Pickups transfer from Cartagena Airport to the city by entering your pickup and drop-off locations, pickup time, number of passengers, and luggage details. After completing your booking, you receive your driver’s details and meeting point information, allowing you to arrange your Cartagena Airport transfer before your arrival.
Where does my Welcome Pickups driver meet me at Cartagena Airport?
Your Welcome Pickups driver meets you at the designated meeting point shown in your booking confirmation. Check your confirmation email before leaving the airport, because the exact meeting point can vary by pickup location.
Transfer Options in Cartagena
How to get from Cartagena Airport to Barranquilla - Options | Welcome
Getting from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta - Top Options | Welcome
Cartagena Airport Taxi: Compare All Taxi Options & Prices
Cartagena Taxi - Prices and Useful Tips for Taxis in Cartagena - Welcome