Colombia is a very solo travel-friendly country when it comes to transport since moving around is very cheap and many interesting destinations in Colombia are well connected by public transport and bus. Flights are also very accessible.
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Photo by Nelson Rodz, Transmilenio Bus in Bogotá (mod.), Unsplash
Traveling alone by bus is easy in Colombia. Buses in cities and overland buses are cheap in Colombia. For example city bus tickets inside Bogota and Santa Marta cost about 2000/2500 COP per ride.
A bus trip from Bogota to Medellin (7-10 hours) costs about 60.000-100.000 COP, depending on the bus company and route. The following websites and apps are excellent for checking overland connections:
Rome2Rio (Website and App)
Redbus Colombia (Website with online booking option)
Uber and similar apps (Didi, Cabify, etc.) allow you to book both taxis and private transportation services. They are warmly recommended by locals for their safety and service quality. There is an ongoing legal debate regarding the private car option – please ask locals for the latest information once you are in Colombia.
Taxis used to have a bad reputation, but security has improved a lot in recent years. Official taxis are yellow, have a license number and taximeters. Still, for safety reasons, it’s recommended to book them via an app or phone rather than hailing them in the streets.
Generally transportation services are quite cheap in Colombia. Prices of taxis and alternative services are comparable. The minimum taxi fare is around 6.000 COP.
Don’t get scared when you see the numbers on the taximeter. These are special units. There is a table attached to the back seats which shows how they are converted to COP.
Here are some sample rates for a general orientation. Prices may vary due to weather, time of the day and traffic:
Bogota airport to city center/Chapinero (15 km): ca. 50.000 COP (ca. 30 min with low-medium traffic).
7 km min ride within the city: ca. 10.000 COP (ca. 15 min with low-medium traffic)
Flights inside of Colombia are very affordable, at least between popular destinations, often even if you book last minute. Flights to more remote areas may be more expensive and less regular.
Here’s an overview of popular airlines in Colombia.
Avianca: Cheap tickets, mediocre service. Destinations include Bogotá, Medellín, Santa Marta, Cartagena, Quibdó, Cali, Bucaramanga, Pereira, Barranquilla, etc.
Wingo: Budget airline covering popular tourist destinations like Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cartagena, Cali, Barranquilla, Santa Marta, San Andrés, Armenia and Pereira.
Latam: Similar rates as Avianca, but usually better service. Destinations include Bogotá, Medellín, Santa Marta, Cartagena, Cali, San Andrés, etc.
Satena: Great for smaller destinations all over Colombia, like Bahía Solano, San José del Guaviare, Providencia, Leticia, La Macarena, etc. See routes
TAC: several smaller destinations, like Bahía Solano (Chocó)
Clic (formerly Easyfly): Regional destinations like Armenia, Manizales, Popayán, Quibdó, Mompox, etc.
While renting a car is not the most popular way to get around Colombia for solo travelers, it can be a convenient option for adventures who want to explore the country off the beaten path, save time, or value flexibility and spontaneity.
Consider that renting a car is more expensive than flying or going by bus, though. Apart from the rental costs and gasoline, you also have to pay quite a lot of tolls on Colombian roads.
To rent a car, you’ll typically need a valid driver’s license, a credit card with enough coverage, and passport. Some rental companies may require a minimum age of 25 years.
Road conditions in Colombia can vary, especially in rural areas, but they are generally good between big cities. The Troncal del Caribe between Riohacha and Coveñas is one of my favorite roads with its incredible views! The road from Bogotá through the mountains to Medellin is also very scenic.
Be aware that driving in Colombia can be challenging, especially in large cities like Bogotá and Medellín. Always park in secure, designated areas. There are actually a lot of cheap, guarded parking lots available within the cities. I would recommend to avoid driving after nightfall in big cities.
National and international car rental companies, such as Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo and Localiza have offices in major cities and airports.
Going by Motorbike is a fantastic way to explore Colombia for the ones able to drive one (envy here). There are great and reliable motorbike rental services in cities like Bogotá, Medellín and Santa Marta.
Since i don’t have a license myself (yet!), I only have experience as a co-driver but from all I know about biker dreams, Colombia is a perfect country for motorcycling. Due to its geographic position near the equator and the huge differences in height, the landscape changes rapidly within short distances and there are a lot of scenic and curvy roads of all types, from super easy to extremely challenging. Watch Megan Kaptein’s YouTube videos about exploring Colombia by motorbike (9 episodes) to get an impression.
It’s probably better to avoid the rainy season, though. Have a look at my article on the best time to visit Colombia for outdoor adventures.
Megan Kaptein: (YouTube): Colombia by Motorbike, episode 1 of 9
Colombia is a bicycle country as you can probably imagine when watching the Tour de France. If you are in a good condition, join the Colombians on the road!
Personally I love biking in Bogotá with all its bike lanes. Since Bogotá is located on a high plateau, biking through the city is easy. This changes as soon as you move between cities… I have the biggest respect for all the people pedalling up Colombia’s steep hills and mountains!
The road from Bogotá to Santa Marta is quite popular among cyclists in Colombia, but you will see a lot of bikers everywhere in the country. I would not recommend to bike cross-country alone, though. An organized group tour is the best and safest option for solo travelers wanting to bike through Colombia.
Photo by Danilo Lessa Bernardineli, Biking through Colombia (mod.), Unsplash
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Last Update: January 30, 2025
Image Credit: Title image on top by David Lopez (Pixabay), Colombia flag (mod.)
© 2025 Travelhapp S.A.S., Bogotá – Colombia Travel Guide
