EXPLORE Bogotá

Bogotá arrival: altitude joins the baggage claim

Welcome to Bogotá, where El Dorado Airport sits about 2,600 metres above sea level and the thinner air may make an ordinary terminal walk feel suspiciously ambitious. The airport has two terminals, and a free shuttle runs between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 daily from 4 a.m. until midnight. Confirm the terminal before marching confidently toward the wrong building. Bogotá traffic is legendary for reasons nobody celebrates, so leave a generous buffer for every transfer and expect rain to add its own little scheduling opinion.

BOG transfer: one bus card or an authorized taxi

Public transport is real here, but it expects homework. The K86 TransMilenio service links the airport with Portal El Dorado and continues through the city, while feeder route 16-14 connects the terminal with the portal. Both use the rechargeable TuLlave card, available from the kiosk on Terminal 1’s first floor near Door 1. For luggage, late arrivals or anyone unwilling to learn a new bus network while jet-lagged, use the airport’s authorized taxi service and verify the vehicle at the terminal. Do not hail a random street taxi because Bogotá has already supplied an official option and a very avoidable plot twist.

Bogotá safety: admire La Candelaria without donating your phone

Bogotá rewards alert travelers, not careless ones. Armed robbery has occurred in La Candelaria and elsewhere, and local authorities warn about express kidnappings involving taxis. Use authorized airport taxis, confirm the plate before entering and avoid unverified street pickups. Keep phones out of sight when walking, carry only the cash and cards needed for the day and avoid displaying valuables on public transport. Never accept food, drinks or cigarettes from strangers because incapacitating drugs are used in robberies. Check current demonstrations and road closures before moving around the city, then enjoy Bogotá with situational awareness switched fully on.

Sources

• El Dorado Airport public transportation guide
• El Dorado Airport access and terminal shuttle guide
• El Dorado Airport authorized taxi guide
• TransMilenio airport service information
• United Kingdom government Colombia safety guidance

Last verified: September 8, 2026