The distance from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta is 16 kilometers, but the length of the journey varies widely depending on how you travel. 

To get from Santa Marta Airport to the city, you have three available transport methods: taxi, bus, and private transfer. Santa Marta Airport taxis are available 24/7 and provide affordable rides to the city in just 30 minutes. 

Alternatively, booking a Santa Marta Airport transfer in advance offers more comfort and convenience than a local taxi. This saves you time waiting by the taxi rank for an available vehicle. 

If you’re on a budget and don’t mind a longer journey, the SM101 bus is a good option. The Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta bus is the only public transportation option and takes around 45 minutes to an hour to complete the journey.

3 options to go from Santa Marta Airport to city center

PRICE FOR
OPTION
PRICE
TIME
AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer
€19 45min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Taxi
€6.50 30min 24/7
Convenience
Book
Bus (SM101)
€1 45min 05:30–20:00
Convenience
Read more
Save the article for later or share it with friends

How to get from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta by taxi

A quick and easy way to travel from Santa Marta Airport to the city is to take a Santa Marta Airport taxi. The journey time will be just 30 minutes and you’ll get a door-to-door service to your destination. Taxis are available around the clock but there can be delays in the taxi queue during busy periods.

How much is a taxi from Santa Marta Airport to the city?

The local taxis have a fixed rate for the journey from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta. You will pay €6.50 (COP 30,000) to your driver in cash for the 30-minute trip.

Where do I find a taxi at Santa Marta Airport?

Taxis are located directly outside of the Arrivals Hall at Santa Marta Airport. As you exit the main terminal building, you will see the line of cars in front of you.

Convenience

There’s nothing more convenient after a long flight than hopping into a private vehicle and making your way directly to your hotel. If you take a taxi from Santa Marta Airport to town, you won’t have to worry about your personal belongings or navigating the new city streets. That said, a long wait for a taxi queue can slow you down. In this case, you might prefer to book a Santa Marta Airport transfer instead.

Useful Tips

The set taxi fare includes all luggage that can fit in the trunk of the vehicle.
Tipping your driver isn't expected but is always appreciated.
Santa Marta Airport taxis can take up to 4 people as standard.
If you're traveling in a group, you can split the cost of your Santa Marta taxi between up to 4 passengers to save money on your transfer.

How to get from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta by bus (SM101)

The Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta bus by SETP is a good option if you’re on a budget.

The SM101 bus runs daily from 05:30 to 20:00 and takes around 45 minutes to reach Santa Marta.

How much is a bus from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta?

The cost of a single ticket on the bus from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta is €0.50 (COP 2,000). You can pay this to the assistant on the bus in cash, not to the driver directly.

Cost
€0.50 (COP 2,000)
Trip Duration
45 Min.
*There's a waiting time of up to 30 minutes for the bus.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The bus runs every 20 to 30 minutes from 05:30 to 20:00.

Where do I find the bus at Santa Marta Airport?

The bus from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta leaves from the bus stop ‘Paradero’, located right outside of the Arrivals Hall. Look for the bus with “SM101” printed on the front. If in doubt, speak to a member of staff for assistance.

Convenience

Although a very affordable transfer option, taking the bus from Santa Marta Airport to the center of Santa Marta isn’t the most convenient. You may have up to a 30-minute wait in the hot sun, and the bus isn’t directly going to the city center, so expect a longer journey, especially in traffic.

Timetables

SETP Bus

Useful Tips

The bus stops running at 20:00.
Be sure to bring change to pay for your bus ticket.
The buses to Santa Marta are dark blue in color.
There's no luggage storage on the bus, be sure to travel light if choosing this option.

How to get from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta by private transfer

The best way to travel from Santa Marta Airport to the city center is to book a private Santa Marta Airport transfer in advance. Not only are transfers an efficient way to make the 30-minute journey to Santa Marta, but they also offer a whole host of other benefits: 

  • Personalized meet and greets
  • Trained English-speaking drivers
  • On-time pickups with flight monitoring
  • Guaranteed fixed fares
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Flexible cancellation

If you choose a top-rated operator like Welcome Pickups, we’ll ensure that your journey is hassle-free from beginning to end. From the moment you secure your booking with us, we’ll get to work arranging the best driver and vehicle for your needs. All that’s left for you to do is enjoy the ride through Santa Marta!

How much is a private transfer from Santa Marta Airport to Santa Marta?

The prices for our transfers from Santa Marta Airport to city are as follows:

  • Sedans for up to 3 passengers: €19
  • Minivans for up to 6 passengers: €30
  • Minibusses for up to 12 passengers: €60

Note: If you have more than 12 guests, no problem! Let us know on your booking form and we’ll arrange the best combination of vehicles for your needs. 

These prices are all-inclusive and not subject to change. This means that your luggage fees and any airport tolls are accounted for in the price. 

That said, we calculate our prices depending on your destination. To get your custom fixed quote, simply fill out our online booking form. Our simple form takes mere minutes to complete with details like your flight number, destination, number of guests, and desired pickup time. 

You can also book via our mobile app (App Store || Google Play). 

Once you’ve filled in the booking form and paid the fare, you’re all set! We’ll send you a confirmation email and update you once we’ve found the right driver and vehicle for you.

Cost
€19
Trip Duration
30 Min.
*Booking your private transfer from SMR Airport in advance is the best way to ensure a seamless experience.
Convenience
Safety
Value for money

Private transfer are available 24/7 from Santa Marta Airport.

Where do I get a private transfer from?

Your friendly, English-speaking driver will be waiting in the Arrivals Hall at Simón Bolívar International Airport, holding a sign with your name on it. To help you identify them, we’ll add their name and photo to your confirmation page on our mobile app so you can spot them. After welcoming you to Santa Marta, they’ll help you carry your luggage as they guide you to your pre-selected vehicle. As you relax and enjoy your transfer, your driver can also give you some local recommendations to help you make the most of your stay.

Convenience

There’s nothing more convenient than reaching the Arrivals Hall at Santa Marta Airport and jumping into your pre-booked transfer right away. That’s the simplicity and ease you can expect when you choose to travel by airport transfer. You won’t have to wait by the taxi stand for an available taxi or decipher public transport in a foreign language. Instead, you and your loved ones and rest assured that everything will be ready and waiting for you when you land.

Useful Tips

We recommend setting the pickup time to 20-30 minutes after the landing time to leave enough time to clear passport control and baggage claim.
Our modern sedans can seat up to 3 people, our larger minivans can take up to 9, and our spacious minibusses are for groups of up to 12.
A few days before you're due to fly, you will receive an email including your driver's name, details, and vehicle information so that you know what to expect on the day.
You do not have to tip your Santa Marta Airport transfer driver, however, you can add a tip through the app if you really appreciate the service.
If you need a child booster or baby seat, you can request one during the booking process online or using the app.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Santa Marta from Santa Marta Airport?

There are three different ways to get from Santa Marta Airport to the city; taxi, bus, or private transfer. Taking an airport taxi will cost €6.50 (COP 30,000) and take just 30 minutes, while the public bus will take closer to 45 minutes, but will cost just €0.50 (COP 2,000) each way. If you want the ultimate comfort and convenience, consider booking a Santa Marta Airport transfer.

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

Was this helpful?

Transfer Options in Santa Marta