Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG) to Cartagena
The airport is very close to the Old City, so a taxi takes about 10–20 minutes. Fares are set by zone and posted at the airport taxi stand.
This page covers Cartagena, Colombia. Cartagena in Spain is served by Región de Murcia Airport (RMU).
Best for most people: Taxi. Short, inexpensive and regulated from the official stand, which hands you a slip with the fare.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| taxi Official taxi stand outside Arrivals, with zone fares | about 10–20 min to the Old City; 15–25 min to Bocagrande | about COP 15,000–25,000 to the Old City; a little more to Bocagrande | 24 h | Take the fare slip from the dispatcher and agree the price before setting off. | |
| ride-hailing Uber and similar apps (pick-ups are often outside the airport boundary) | about 10–20 min | similar to or slightly below taxi fares | 24 h | Legal status is grey; drivers may ask you to walk to the road. | |
| private transfer Hotel or pre-booked transfer | about 10–20 min | varies | 24 h | Many Old City hotels arrange pick-ups. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Tips
- Use the official taxi line; ignore drivers approaching you inside the terminal.
- Carry small peso notes; drivers often lack change for large bills.
- Taxis do not usually have meters in Cartagena; the fare is agreed by zone.
- The Old City streets are narrow; the driver may stop at the nearest gate.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Cartagena airport to the Old City?
Taxis use zone fares posted at the official stand, roughly COP 15,000–25,000 to the Old City and a little more to Bocagrande or Castillogrande. Night and holiday surcharges may apply. Get the fare slip from the dispatcher and confirm the price with the driver before leaving.
Is Uber available at Cartagena airport?
Uber and similar apps work in Cartagena, but their legal status at the airport is unclear and drivers often ask you to meet them outside the airport grounds. For a short trip with luggage, the official taxi stand is usually simpler and the fare difference is small.
Is there public transport from the airport?
There is no direct airport train or dedicated airport bus into the Old City. City buses and the TransCaribe system pass nearby but are not practical with luggage. Given the short distance and low taxi fares, nearly everyone takes a taxi or a hotel transfer.
How long does it take to reach the Old City?
Only about 10–20 minutes by car, as the airport is on the edge of the city near Crespo. Bocagrande hotels take around 15–25 minutes. Traffic is usually light except at rush hour and on busy weekend evenings, when the ride can take a little longer.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.