El Dorado International Airport is Colombia's main hub, located approximately 15 km west of downtown Bogotá, the capital, at over 2,600 meters altitude, with 45.8 million passengers in 2024.
It is Avianca's hub and among Latin America's busiest airports for both cargo and passenger traffic.
How to get to El Dorado International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to BOG
Parking near El Dorado International Airport
The multi-level parking managed by the airport is located in front of the terminal.
Hourly rate approximately 163 COP/minute (~9,800 COP/hour) for short stays; for longer stays, discounted daily rates are available: 74,500 COP for the first 48 hours, then 52,150 COP/day up to 72 hours, 37,250 COP/day beyond 72 hours. A monthly subscription is also available at 462,000 COP.
How to get to Bogotà from BOG
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Bogota: 1-Way Private Transfer from/to El Dorado Airport
Bogotá: Private Car Transfer to or from El Dorado Airport
Private Bogotá Airport Transfer: Arrival or Departure
Bogotá: Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers > 3 Options Available
From BOG to the most sought-after destinations
| If you want to... | Choose | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spend less | TransMilenio Feeder to Portal El Dorado, then trunk on Calle 26 | ~3,550 COP (flat fare) |
| Get to La Candelaria as quickly as possible | Direct Uber or taxi (25-40 min depending on traffic) | ~45,000-55,000 COP |
| Reach a different area, like Zona T/Zona Rosa | Direct Uber or taxi (more practical than bus, which requires transfer at Portal El Dorado) | ~55,000-70,000 COP |
| Have heavy luggage, a night flight, or continue by bus to other cities | Official regulated-fare taxi | ~35,000-45,000 COP (+ airport surcharge) |
El Dorado → La Candelaria (historic center)
The most economical route is the TransMilenio Feeder that departs from the terminals and goes to Portal El Dorado, where you transfer to the Calle 26 trunk and then to the Environmental Axis to reach the Museo del Oro or Las Aguas stations in the heart of the colonial district; however, the complete route takes over an hour with transfers, while a direct taxi covers the same distance in 25-40 minutes.
El Dorado → Zona T and Zona Rosa
This district of bars and shops north of the city remains outside the direct lines from the airport: Uber or taxi are the most practical choice, while on TransMilenio you must get off at Calle 85 station after at least one transfer at Portal El Dorado.
El Dorado → Terminal de Transporte (Salitre)
Those who need to continue their journey by bus to other Colombian cities can use route K301, which directly connects the airport to the Salitre Terminal in approximately 20-25 minutes along the Calle 26 corridor.
El Dorado → Monserrate
To reach the scenic hilltop that dominates the city, a direct taxi to the base of the cable car or aerial tramway is recommended, a 35-45 minute journey that avoids the transfers of public transport.
Car rental at El Dorado International Airport
Major car rental companies are represented in the arrivals area.
Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card in the name of the driver for the deposit; the International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally also required. Bogotá's traffic is among the most intense in South America: consider whether you really need a car in the city.
Hotels near El Dorado International Airport
Airport area (Fontibón)
The Hilton Garden Inn and Courtyard by Marriott offer a free shuttle to the terminals, for a journey of about 5 minutes.
Best for: Dawn flights, night arrivals and short stops, without crossing Bogotá in traffic.
- With the shuttle a handful of minutes is enough, regardless of city traffic
- Chain hotels with a restaurant and breakfast, convenient for a single night
- Reviews mention the noise of arriving planes at night and at dawn
- Around the hotel there are only shopping centres and avenues: the centre is 30-45 minutes away
Recommended hotels
- Hilton Garden Inn Bogota Airport Free airport shuttle; about 4 km from the terminal, 5 minutes away. Reviews praise the punctuality of the shuttle and the breakfast. View availability
- Courtyard by Marriott Bogota Airport Free shuttle to the airport, about 5 minutes away, and rooms with a well-liked breakfast; reviews mention waits for the shuttle at some hours. View availability
Chapinero and Zona T
By taxi or Uber it takes 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic; the TransMilenio requires a change at Portal El Dorado.
Best for: Those who want restaurants and evening life on foot, and a modern, busy district.
- Restaurants, bars and shops within walking distance
- A modern district that is busy in the evening too
- A transfer of 30-45 minutes and more at rush hour
- The public bus from the airport is not direct: a taxi or Uber is better
Recommended hotels
- The Click Clack Hotel Bogotá One block from Parque de la 93: 60 design rooms and two restaurants, in an area full of venues. View availability
- Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá Casa Medina A historic building from 1946 in Zona G, along Carrera 7, about 20 minutes by car from Zona T and the historic centre. View availability
La Candelaria
By taxi it takes 25-40 minutes from the airport; the TransMilenio takes over an hour with changes.
Best for: Those who come for the historic centre and want to stay among Plaza de Bolívar, Teatro Colón and the museums.
- Plaza de Bolívar, museums and churches can be reached on foot
- Teatro Colón and colonial streets a stone's throw from the hotel
- In the evening the district calls for more caution and it is better to get around by taxi
- A long, hard-to-predict transfer with early flights
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
- lounges
- 10
- with Priority Pass
- 9
- open 24 hours
- 4
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal, renovated with a modern expansion, handles intensive traffic. From check-in to gate you typically walk 15-20 minutes.
It's wise to account for longer-than-usual customs checks and to arrive 3 hours in advance for international flights.
Map of El Dorado International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Do you need a visa for Colombia?
No, for most Western nationalities: you get a 90-day stay stamp on arrival, extendable once for another 90 days, up to 180 days per calendar year.
Q. Can you hail a taxi on the street in Bogotá?
Not advisable: only use taxis booked through an app (Tappsi) or Uber, which are safer and more transparent about pricing than taxis flagged down on the street.
Q. Is Bogotá's altitude a problem for visitors?
It can cause mild altitude sickness in the first few hours, since the city sits at over 2,600 metres: take it easy on the first day.
Q. What to buy at Bogotá's duty free?
Colombian coffee, among the finest in the world, and emeralds, of which Colombia is one of the world's leading producers.
Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?
9 lounges, including El Dorado Lounge (T1), Sleep Oasis (T1), The Lounge Bogotá (T1), Wait N Rest (T1), Harmony Lounge (T2) and Avianca Lounge Domestic (T1).
Q. Are any lounges open 24 hours?
Yes: El Dorado Lounge (T1), Sleep Oasis (T1), The Lounge Bogotá (T1) and Wait N Rest (T1).
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
