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How to get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta

Q: How do I get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

You can get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta by using a taxi or private transfer for the whole journey or by taxi and bus. A direct and private taxi is the easiest method and the trip shouldn’t take longer than 4 hours. A local taxi will cost around €100 (COP 430,000). On the other hand, there is no direct bus from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta. You first need to take a taxi to the bus station and then catch a bus to Santa Marta from there. Bus tickets cost €13.50 (COP 58,000) per person, making this the cheapest way to travel.

Olivia De Santos

December 28, 2023

Home to incredible beaches and historical sights, Santa Marta is a great place to visit if you want to immerse yourself in rich Colombian culture. There are plenty of activities for the entire family, from nature walks to scuba diving. If Santa Marta is on your itinerary when exploring Colombia, the nearest airport is Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena.

You have two main options to get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta. The first is to take a taxi or private transfer. This is the most comfortable and expedient way of getting to Santa Marta, but it is still a long trip. The 223 km journey takes around 4 hours by car. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Cartagena bus station. Buses take up to 5 hours to get to Santa Marta depending on the operator you choose, not including wait times.

For ultimate comfort and relaxation on the long journey to Santa Marta, pre-booking a private transfer with a trusted, international company like Welcome Pickups can guarantee that all your travel needs are taken care of, leaving you to enjoy your coastal escape.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Cartagena at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups	€225	240min	24/7	Book
Book
Taxi	€100	240min	24/7
Bus	€31	300min	05:00–22:00

How to get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta by taxi

Local airport taxis are plentiful and available 24/7. You can expect your door-to-door trip to Santa Marta to take around 4 hours in normal traffic conditions.

How much is a taxi from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

The taxi price from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta is likely to be around €100 (COP 430,000), however, this is just the average. Most Cartagena taxi drivers use a taximeter to calculate their fares. The distance and time of day are the key factors that impact your final fare. However, for long journeys, it’s common for taxi drivers to negotiate a final fare with you before beginning the journey.

To remove any confusion or negotiation on the price, it’s recommended to pre-book a private transfer in advance.

Cost

€100 (COP 430,000)

Trip Duration

4 Hr.

Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Cartagena Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

You can get a cab from outside of Cartagena Airport’s main terminal building, where you’ll find a designated taxi stand. On busy flight days, there might be a 10-minute wait for a taxi unless you have secured a ride in advance.

Convenience

Taking a taxi from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta is the most convenient transport method. Taxis are considered relatively safe in Cartagena and you’ll get a complete door-to-door service to the door of your desired destination.

Although local taxis are readily available from Cartagena Airport, few are prepared to do the 4-hour journey without prior booking. So if you want a guarantee that you’ll have transport to Santa Marta when you arrive at Cartagena Airport, we suggest booking a private transfer instead.

Editor’s Note

Most taxis you’ll find at Cartagena Airport are regular four-seater sedans that are not equipped for wheelchair users. If you have accessibility requirements, we recommend booking a private transfer in advance.

Useful Tips

Taxi rates rise by 20% after 20:00.

You are not expected to tip your driver in Colombia, but you are welcome to do so at your discretion.

Some taxi drivers in Cartagena carry card machines but many do not. To be safe, ask your driver beforehand what payment methods are available to you.

Taking the bus from the Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta

There are no direct buses from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta. You’ll have to take a taxi from the airport to the city centre of Cartagena first. This journey is about 20 minutes. Then you can catch a bus or minivan from the central bus station. Once on the bus to Santa Marta, the journey will take between 4 hours and 30 minutes and 5 hours depending on the bus company.

How much is the bus from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

The taxi from the airport to Cartagena bus station is about €4 (COP 20,430) for up to 4 passengers, while the bus from Cartagena to Santa Marta costs €13.50 (COP 58,000) per person.

So in total, it would cost €17.50 (COP 78,000) for a solo traveller to get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta.

Cost

€17.50 (COP 78,000)

Trip Duration

5 Hr.

Buses run every hour from Cartagena bus station.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Buses are available from 05:00 to 22:00 every day.

Where do I get the bus from?

You can get the bus to Santa Marta from Cartagena bus station, but you’ll need to get there by taxi or a private transfer as there is no public transport available for that route. Buses to Santa Marta run from 05:00 to 22:00 every day.

Convenience

Though the bus route is inexpensive, this is the least convenient way of getting from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta. The journey is over 5 hours because you have to take a taxi from the airport to the city centre before taking the bus. Navigating public transport with large suitcases can also be tiresome.

Timetables

Bus routes from Cartagena to Santa Marta

Editor’s Note

Long-haul buses like the one between Cartagena Airport and Santa Marta are like coaches. They are comfortable, air-conditioned and equipped with entertainment systems.

Useful Tips

Bus tickets are slightly cheaper if you buy them online.

Everyone with a bus ticket is guaranteed a seat. There is no standing space.

There is a toilet on board however there are steps to reach it. This may be inconvenient for those who use a walking stick or wheelchair.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Cartagena. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

DAYTIME

€225.0

NIGHTTIME

€270.0

Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

You can get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta by using a taxi or private transfer for the whole journey or by taxi and bus. A direct and private taxi is the easiest method and the trip shouldn’t take longer than 4 hours. A local taxi will cost around €100 (COP 430,000).

On the other hand, there is no direct bus from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta. You first need to take a taxi to the bus station and then catch a bus to Santa Marta from there. Bus tickets cost €13.50 (COP 58,000) per person, making this the cheapest way to travel.

What is the cost of a taxi from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

The taxi price from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta is roughly €100 (COP 430,000). However, this isn’t a fixed rate. Your driver will calculate the final cost using a taximeter, depending on the distance travelled, time of day, and any additional fees such as transporting luggage. If you prefer a set rate fare, agreed in advance, why not book a private transfer with a professional, top-rated company like Welcome Pickups?

How long is the drive from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

The drive from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta is 4 hours long. The distance is 223 km.

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The best way to arrive in Cartagena

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Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

How to get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta by taxi

How much is a taxi from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

Cost

€100 (COP 430,000)

Trip Duration

4 Hr.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Cartagena Airport.

Where do I get the taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Taking the bus from the Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta

How much is the bus from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

Cost

€17.50 (COP 78,000)

Trip Duration

5 Hr.

Convenience

Safety

Value for money

Buses are available from 05:00 to 22:00 every day.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Bus routes from Cartagena to Santa Marta

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Prices

DAYTIME

NIGHTTIME

Sedan Car

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

What is the cost of a taxi from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

How long is the drive from Cartagena Airport to Santa Marta?

Was this helpful?

The best way to arrive in Cartagena

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