How to get from José María Córdova airport to Medellín
Medellín’s airport is in Rionegro. Taxi, bus or private transfer: what it costs, how long it takes and what to keep in mind when you land.
José María Córdova airport is in Rionegro, on the other side of the mountains. You can get to central Medellín by taxi (about COP 132,000 in 2026), on the Combuses bus (COP 20,000, 24 hours a day) or with a private transfer. Through the Túnel de Oriente it takes about 20 to 25 minutes; via Las Palmas, about 45.
The first thing that surprises people flying into Medellín is that the airport isn’t in Medellín. José María Córdova is in Rionegro, up on the plateau of eastern Antioquia, on the other side of the mountains around the city. So between landing and reaching your hotel there’s always a drive, and it’s worth having it sorted out before you arrive.
Three ways to get down to the city
Taxi. It’s the easiest option if you have luggage or land at night. Airport taxis have a fixed fare: in 2026 the ride to Medellín costs around COP 132,000 in a regular taxi, a bit more in an electric or luxury one. Take it from the official line at the exit and say no to anyone offering you a ride inside the terminal.
Bus. Combuses buses leave the terminal for Medellín 24 hours a day and cost COP 20,000. They stop at San Diego, at the Hotel Nutibara (downtown) and at Exposiciones. From there you take a taxi or the metro to your hotel. It’s the cheapest option and works well if you’re not carrying much.
Private transfer. Several hotels offer it, and it’s the most comfortable choice if you’re traveling as a group or with kids: someone waits for you with your name on a sign and you don’t have to negotiate anything. Ask your hotel when you book.
Tunnel or mountain: the road changes the time
There are three roads down. The fastest is the Túnel de Oriente, 8.2 kilometers long, which gets you to El Poblado in about 20 to 25 minutes without traffic. The Las Palmas road, the traditional one, takes about 45 minutes and has one of the prettiest views of arriving in a city that we know: the bend where all of Medellín suddenly appears down below. There’s also the road through Santa Elena.
The taxi pays the tolls and they’re included in the fare. In 2026 the tunnel toll is COP 26,300 and the Las Palmas toll is COP 20,200, in case you’re driving a rental car.
An airport that got too small
José María Córdova handles many more passengers than its terminal was built for, and you notice it at peak hours: lines at immigration, at security and at the check-in counters. In April 2026 work started to expand it (new lounges, more boarding gates and more check-in points), with the goal of going from 11 to 17 million passengers a year. Until it’s done, be patient and leave yourself some extra time.
- If you’re leaving the country, get there with plenty of time: in high season the immigration lines have gone past three hours.
- If your flight is domestic and short, check whether it leaves from Olaya Herrera, the airport that actually is inside the city.
- Have your hotel’s exact address handy for the taxi driver.
- Bring something warm: up in Rionegro it’s colder than in Medellín.
If you already have dates, put them in the search box: we’ll show you which hotels suit you best depending on what you’re coming for.