The Best Ways to Travel from Medellín Airport to the City Center

If you're flying into Medellín, it's important to know your options for getting from Medellín Airport to the city center ahead of time. While my recommendation is to take a taxi (with reasonable prices), there are even cheaper alternatives like buses or colectivos.

Medellín has two airports: José María Córdova International Airport (MDE), which is where you'll likely arrive as it handles international flights and the majority of domestic flights, and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), located in the city and mainly serving domestic flights.

In this article, we'll focus on how to get from José María Córdova Airport to Medellín city center. This airport is located in Rionegro municipality, about 30 kilometers from Medellín. Some people refer to it as Rionegro Airport.

Firstly, it's important to note that the airport does not have metro or train connections. Transfers are done by road.

In August 2019, the Oriente Tunnel was inaugurated, allowing travelers to reach Medellín from the airport in about 25 minutes (the toll fee for using it is 16,900 Colombian pesos). The old route is still operational but much slower, taking around 40 minutes.

To travel from José María Córdova Airport to Medellín city center, you have several transportation options available.

For safety reasons, especially if it's your first time in the city or if you're traveling at night, my advice is to opt for a taxi or colectivo, which will drop you off directly at your hotel.

Before choosing a mode of transportation, it's essential to know which area you will be staying in. The city center (around Plaza Botero) is a good option, but the best and most popular one is El Poblado neighborhood—the safest and most vibrant area.

White taxi: the best way to travel from Medellín Airport to the center

In my opinion, taking a white taxi is the best option for traveling from Medellín Airport to the city. This is especially true if you're carrying luggage. You will notice two types of taxis: white taxis and yellow taxis.