Last checked: 25 October 2026 by Lia. Sources: Combuses airport service (2026); El Colombiano on airport taxi fares (2026). Hero photo: SajoR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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José María Córdova (MDE) is in Rionegro, on the other side of the mountains, not in the city. The cheap move is the airport bus: 20,000 COP in 2026, about every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, to San Diego in roughly 35 minutes. A conventional airport taxi is about 132,000 COP. I would take the bus with a normal suitcase and a taxi if I landed wrecked.
Your options
MDE is far from the city, so plan the transfer.
| Option | Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport bus | 20,000 COP | 24/7, about every 15 minutes, to San Diego |
| Conventional taxi | About 132,000 COP | Official rank outside arrivals |
| Electric taxi | About 134,100 COP | |
| Luxury taxi | About 143,100 COP | |
| Ride-hailing apps | App fare | Legal status in Colombia unsettled |
Airport bus
Buses leave from outside arrivals and drop near the San Diego shopping centre, about 35 minutes away in normal traffic. From there, a short taxi finishes the job to El Poblado or Laureles.
Taxis
White airport taxis wait at the official rank. The 2026 fares into the city are about 132,000 COP for a conventional taxi, 134,100 COP for an electric one and 143,100 COP for a luxury car. Confirm the fare before you leave the rank. That is the boring instruction, and it is the one that matters.
Olaya Herrera
Some domestic and regional flights use Olaya Herrera (EOH), next to the city. That one is a short taxi from El Poblado or Laureles.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from the airport to El Poblado?
About 35 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic and the route.
Do airport buses run at night?
Yes. The Combuses airport service runs 24 hours a day.
