Medellín actually has two airports: José María Córdova and Olaya Herrera. Travelers arriving or departing on international flights will be utilizing the José María Córdova international airport. While Olaya Herrera (EOH) only has domestic flights in Colombia with three airlines serving this airport.
José María Córdova international airport (MED) is the second largest airport in Colombia in terms of number of passengers and cargo shipped. Also, it is second largest in terms of international flights and domestic flights. Furthermore, Antioquia’s exports, most of which are flowers, and other products from the region, depart from this airport to international destinations.
In addition, we provided a guide with details of all six of the options to get to Medellín from the Medellín Airport.
History of the Medellín Airport (MDE)
Medellin’s first airport was Olaya Herrera, which opened in 1932. Olaya Herrera airport is located in the city of Medellín. But it was impossible to expand this airport to meet the growing needs of the city.
In the 1970s Olaya Herrera airport became saturated. So, a decision was made to build a larger airport in Rionegro. Rionegro was reportedly chosen as it was the nearest place that was big enough and would work as a location to build a larger international airport.
Finally, José María Córdova airport in Rionegro opened in 1985. While this airport is located in Rionegro it still has the airport code for Medellín – MDE – and it’s considered the main airport serving Medellín.
José María Córdova airport has air navigation aids such as a VHF omnidirectional range (VOR), a non-directional beacon (NDB) and an instrument landing system (ILS). Most noteworthy, these navigation aids make navigation and landings safer in bad weather.
In addition, José María Córdova currently has an expansion project underway that will add more gates to the terminal.
At the José María Córdova Airport
The Medellín airport has restaurants, cafes and bars. In addition, it has a local shopping area with a number of shops and bookstores. Inside the airport are currency exchange places and several ATM machines. And past the security on the way to international gates there are duty free shops.
The airport has three levels. The lowest level is for arrivals. The second level is where the check-in area is located and security, immigration and the gates. And the third level has some restaurants and bars.
There are many car rental companies located on the arrivals level outside of international arrivals, as Avis, Budget, Hertz, Localiza Rent a Car, GoDrive, among others. But because the higher costs of rates in the airport, we recommend you contact a car rental company inside the city, after your arrival in your new home and evaluate which of them have the best benefits..
In addition, the José María Córdova airport is open 24 hours.
Outside the main building of the José María Córdova airport there is parking for about 300 vehicles as well as motorcycles. In addition, there are several companies near the airport that offer lower cost remote airport parking with shuttles to the airport.
For example, Aero Park is a remote parking service with a free car wash and airport shuttle that charges 20,000 pesos per day for remote parking.
Flight Options from José María Córdova
José María Córdova currently has flights from 15 different airlines with direct flights to and from over 20 different destinations.
However, these airlines suspended service starting in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic but domestic flights resumed in August and some international flights are planned to resume in September.
- Aeromexico – Mexico City
- Air Europe – Madrid
- American Airlines – Miami, New York JFK (starts May 6, 2021)
- Aruba Airlines – Aruba
- Avianca – Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Cancun (starts July 2), Cartagena, Cúcuta, Madrid, Miami, Monteria, New York-JFK and Santa Marta. And Bucaramanga and San Andres start in December 2021.
- Avior Airlines – Caracas, Valencia
- Copa Airlines – Panama City
- EasyFly – Bucaramanga, Monteria, Pereira
- Iberia – Madrid
- Interjet – Cancún, Mexico City
- JetBlue – Fort Lauderdale
- JetSMART – Santiago (starts July 7, 2021)
- LATAM Airlines – Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cartagena, Lima, San Andres and Santa Marta
- Spirit – Fort Lauderdale, Orlando
- VivaAir – Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Cancun (starts in June 2021), Cartagena, Mexico City (starts in June 2021), Miami, Monteria, Orlando (starts in June 2021) Panama City, San Andres and Santa Marta
- Wingo – Cancun and Panama City
On June 1, 2019, Air Europe started offering flights three times a week from Madrid. And Interjet started flights from Mexico City on June 5, 2019.
The cost to enter Colombia on an international flight to Medellín as a tourist will vary based on your country of origin.
If you are a tourist from Canada, you used to have to pay a reciprocity fee of 201,000 pesos – but were exempt from the fee if older than 79 or younger than 14. However this reciprocity fee was eliminated on May 1, 2019.
So, if you are from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and several other countries you can enter Colombia for free as a tourist.
Domestic national departures at the Medellín airport
The most popular domestic flights from the Medellín airport in 2016 were to Bogotá with 3,590,548 roundtrip passengers, Cali with 739,954 roundtrip passengers and Cartagena with 735,408 roundtrip passengers.
International departures at the Medellín airport
In addition, the most popular international flights from the airport in 2016 were to Panama City with 386,499 roundtrip passengers, Miami with 249,167 roundtrip passengers and Fort Lauderdale with 172,929 roundtrip passengers.
In 2016, José María Córdova airport reportedly served 7,688,662 passenger movements.
Currency exchange at the airport
Exchanging Money at the Medellín Airport
Currency exchanges at the Medellín airport can be one of the easiest ways for exchanging money. But the fees can be horrible as well as the actual exchange rate they offer won’t be great. So, this isn’t the best option for exchanging money.
Three of the ATM machines on the departure level
At the Medellín airport there are several ATM machines located upstairs where the airline check-in desks are located. This includes ATM machines from Banco de Bogotá, Bancolombia, Banco Popular, Colpatria (formerly Citibank), Davivienda and Servibanca.
Also, on the lower arrivals level at the Medellín airport there are ATM machines from two banks: Bancolombia and BBVA.
The exchange rate ATM machines provide will usually be very close to the actual exchange rate that can be seen on XE. And the rate will be better than the rate found at the currency exchanges at the airport.
There are also other ways for exchanging money, receiving and transferring money in Medellín, which we previously covered. These include exchange centers in the city (Casas de Cambio), the Zeepod mobile app, money transfer services and money transfers at banks.
One of the food areas upstairs from the check-in area
Food Options at the Medellín Airport
If you are planning to eat at the Medellín airport there are more food options outside of security. Once you go through security to either the international or domestic gates there aren’t many food options.
Most of the food options at José María Córdova airport are in two areas up an escalator or stairs from the second-floor departure check-in area. In these areas, there are several typical Colombian restaurant options like J&C Delicias, Kokoriko, Piccolo Pizza and Presto. In addition, there is also a bar with some food named Beer.
Dunkin’ Donuts at the Medellín airport
Also, on the second-floor departure check-in area there is a Dunkin’ Donuts and some ice-cream places and a few stores selling snacks.
Juan Valdez Cafe at the Medellín airport
There is also a Juan Valdez Cafe on the second-floor departure check-in area.
Past security to the domestic gates there is a Burger King and a couple of small places with food. Past security to the international gates there also aren’t many food options.
Medellín Airport Tips
Based on my experience flying over 100 times to/from Medellín’s José María Córdova airport I have several airport tips for foreigners.
- Plan to arrive early for your departing flight. I like to play it safe, and with coronavirus biosafety restrictions it is best to be at least 3.5 hours before international flights and at least 2.5 hours before domestic flights. You may not need this much time for biosafety lines at the airport and check-in and go through security and immigration. But you never know when you might have problems getting to the airport. For example, once for an early morning flight I encountered a massive tree had fallen and completely blocked the road to the airport. And the taxi driver had to find a round-about alternate route to the airport that added 50 minutes to the trip. Also, during another trip there was a major accident on the road to the airport that caused a delay of nearly an hour.
- There will almost always be taxis at the airport. I have never encountered a problem in quickly finding a white airport taxi at the airport even after midnight. And I never have experienced a problem with an airport taxi.
- Don’t use the money exchanges at the airport. The ATM machines at the airport will offer a better exchange rate. Especially relevant, make sure to inform your bank you will be in Colombia to ensure your ATM card will work.
- During rush hour the trip to/from the airport may take well over an hour. So, plan accordingly. My worst-case experience was arriving at 5pm. As a result of the time, it took two hours to get to my apartment in Sabaneta due to bad rush hour traffic on a Friday.
- The cheapest way to get to/from the airport are the airport buses. With an airport bus fare of only 9,500 pesos, buses are the cheapest option. However, buses can take a somewhat longer time than taxis. And the airport buses only go to/from two locations in the city: near San Diego mall and behind Hotel Nutibara in El Centro and use two different routes. So, you’ll need to add a lower cost taxi fare in the city to/from the bus stop location.
- Foreign tourists can get a refund of Colombia’s value-added tax (VAT) known as the IVA tax that is 19% at the DIAN office at the airport. The DIAN office is located to the left of the Avianca check-in at José María Córdova airport. And DIAN has staff 24 hours at the airport. But sometimes the DIAN office closes late at night if they have no clients. However, DIAN staff indicated to me that you can ask the airport information to call DIAN if it’s closed and they will send someone from their office downstairs, which is staffed 24 hours. We provide details about how to get the IVA tax refund here.
White airport taxis lined up at the airport
Airports in Colombia
We have provided guides to the 10 largest airports in Colombia. The following list of these 10 largest airports in Colombia is in order by passenger traffic:
- El Dorado Airport (BOG) – Bogotá’s International Airport and the largest airport in Colombia.
- José María Córdova (MDE) – Medellín’s International Airport in Rionegro.
- Rafael Núñez Airport (CTG) – Cartagena’s International Airport.
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport (CLO) – Cali’s International Airport in Palmira.
- Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) – Barranquilla’s International Airport.
- Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) – San Andrés’ International Airport.
- Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR) – Santa Marta’s International Airport.
- Matecaña International Airport (PEI) – Pereira’s International Airport.
- Palonegro Internationa Airport (BGA) – Bucaramanga’s International Airport.
- Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) – Medellín’s domestic airport in the city.
We also looked at how to find cheap international flights to Medellín and Colombia.
In addition, we looked at how to find cheap domestic flights in Colombia. And I have flown multiple times from Medellín to other cities in Colombia for less than $100 roundtrip.
How to Get to Medellín From the Airport
José María Córdova international airport is located in the municipality of Rionegro, which is about 21 miles (35 km) east of Medellín at a higher elevation. It normally takes 40 minutes to over an hour on the old windy road, depending on traffic, to go from José María Córdova airport to Medellín or the reverse direction.
A new tunnel, Túnel de Oriente, opened on August 15, 2019 which reduces the driving time to/from José María Córdova airport by up to half. The new tunnel route has a toll of 16,900 pesos for cars and 21,000 pesos for trucks of up to 3.4 tons.
Especially relevant, there are six ways to get to Medellín from the Medellín Airport:
- White airport taxi – 80,000 pesos to Medellín (with a higher 85,000 pesos fare to Envigado or 91,000 pesos to Sabaneta)
- Yellow taxi – 80,000 pesos from Medellín
- Colectivo taxi – 27,000 pesos per person to Medellín and 23,000 pesos per person for a trip to the airport.
- Airport bus – 13,000 pesos
- Uber, Beat or DiDi – Uber left the Colombia Market on February 1, 2020 but returned on February 20, 2020. Beat and DiDi are competitors to Uber
- Private driver – typically about $30-36
These options have a wide range in price from 13,000 to over 130,000 pesos ($3 to $36).
Most noteworthy, we have looked at all six of these options in more detail in our article about how to get to Medellín from the airport.
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45 thoughts on “Medellín Airport Guide: José María Córdova Airport (MDE)”
Excellent information. Do you know anything about the Covid testing being offered in the airport for people needing it to return to the US? I am only spending 3 nights there but it is too long for my arrival test to be accepted for my return to the US (requirement is within 3 days). Was wondering if it is possible to get it taken even on arrival as this would still fall into the time window and then would have it out of the way.
Yes, can get the test taken on arrival at the MDE airport if leaving within 3 days.
Can I get tested on the morning of my afternoon flight and get the results in time?
Depends how busy they are, it can be done if 20 to 40 minutes if not busy but sometimes there is a line – see our article about getting a COVID-19 test – https://medellinguru.com/pcr-test-covid-19-test/
You are a great writer!
Given health controls, is 2 hours still fine for Domestic departure?
White taxi is still flat 80.000 + tip? easiest and safest way direct to the apartment
Look forward to shorter route using new tunnel
should add link to the more detailed and up to date article about airport transfer
https://medellinguru.com/get-to-medellin-from-the-airport/
I would add at least 30 minutes based on some comments received by readers via email about their experiences flying from the airport. The article is updated. Some said the lines can be long but a few said the lines were short. Depends on time of day and number of flights. But readers recommended better to go a bit early to be safe.
Also there is a link to the detailed and up-to-date article about airport transfer in the article. At the end of that section in the article it says “Most noteworthy, we have looked at all six of these options in more detail in our article about how to get to Medellín from the airport.” with a link under “how to get to Medellín from the airport”
Tipping is not required nor expected in Colombia. Making 80 mil for a one way Taxi trip is pretty good. Only tip if you absolutely feel it was worth it…like if the Taxi driver maybe takes the long route and slows down so you can get a good view of Medellin at night from the valley top.
Hello,
I am trying to find out some information on Medellín airport advertising.Do know of any contacts at the airport?
Thanks
You can contact the Medellin airport here on their website – http://www.aeropuertorionegro.co/contact
Where in the José María Córdova International Airport can I buy a SIM card? I want to use Uber and have Cellular service while I’m in Meddelin .
The airport told me there is a Gano in the airport, but it closes at 7 pm, I recall.
Jeff,
Thanks for the informative article. Would you please tell where on arrival one can get local Claro SIM and if one can buy it in US, preferably online before embarking the journey
We have a detailed guide to buying and using cell phones. https://medellinguru.com/cell-phones/. You can buy SIMS at any of the cell phone stores that are found in malls. There are a few small stores where you can buy SIMs in the airport but I would wait to buy in one of the cell phone stores to make sure it is registered correctly. I don’t believe you can buy a SIM in the U.S.
There is a Gana at the airport which does sell and reload sim cards such as Claro, however if your flight arrives any later than 7 pm (the times could have changed) then you are out of luck. I’ve also tried to purchase data with claro online (I’ve already got a Claro Sim from previous trips) but the site would not take foreign credit cards (I’m from Canada) at the time. If you are having to rely on contacting someone upon arriving there are payphones at the airport, and if its local I’ve always found the taxis were always really great about helping you get in contact with who you need. Colombians are generally really helpful so I kick in a tip after arriving from the airport (note: tipping is not expected in taxis in Colombia).
As far as buying a sim once in Colombia is quite easy. You’ll see stores and kiosks everywhere throughout the streets that will have little Claro signs (you do not need to go to an official Claro store to buy one). The sim itself was approximately $3 Canadian and of course comes with your new Colombian number. Then you’ll need to pick a plan. I used to buy large data packs (2 gigs but they always seem to have promotions for an extra 1 or 2 gigs) but now they have been running promotions which allow for unlimited Whatsapp (extremely useful in Colombia), Facebook and Twitter with perhaps 1 gig of data for around 50.000 COP which was around $22.50 Canadian at the time.
Hey Jeff, do you know what times the airport buses (or shared taxi) leaves from San Diego Mall? Is there any type of pickup schedule or is someone always there?
There is not really a set schedule for buses that I’m aware of. I believe about every 30 minutes or so. There are normally shared taxis sitting in the gas station parking lot waiting for passengers that leave when they are full.
Thanks for a quick reply Jeff. That would be a good idea.
I also read that there’s a Avianca lounge there if it Is worth paying for the Lounge. Can I even get to there? I also have a long lay over at Bogota since I am transferring thru there. Any suggestion there? You are a wealth of information, appreciate your guidance.
Thanks
The Avianca VIP lounge area is really for departing, as it’s after security to get to it. So, wouldn’t work after you have arrived.
See our Bogotá airport guide. There are several restaurants and also some stores after security. https://medellinguru.com/el-dorado-bogota-airport/
Hi Jeff: I am flying there in 10 days and meeting few friend at the airport who are flying in from another location. I arrive there 3 hours before they do. Is there a place for me to hang out for this time and wait for them? Thanks for sharing your experience.
Hi Mike, your friends will arrive on the bottom floor where there is not really a place to sit and wait. The second floor is where the check in areas and several small stores and a few places with food and many seats where you could sit to wait. Probably the best place to wait is at the bar on the third floor with some food – it’s named Beer. And when it’s time for your friends to arrive head down to wait.
Hello,
I heard that in December 2018, the airport Rionegro is at least temporarily closed due to construction work ????
I have booked a flight for 30.12.2018 and am now unsure.
Does anyone have information about it?
Where will you be diverted?
Thanks for any info.
No the airport is not completely closed and this isn’t for the entire month of December.
The airport is closed from midnight to 8 am on some days for construction work. There will be no take-offs, or landings, between 00:00 and 08:00 in the morning from October 28 to December 15, 2018 and from January 08 to February 19, 2019. And fights have been adjusted accordingly. Here is an article in Spanish – http://caracol.com.co/radio/2018/09/22/nacional/1537570778_814606.html
Thanks for the great article
I notice remodeling where the duty free shop was. Is there plans to reopen the duty free shop in international departure.
Jeff,
Great info. In a future article you might want to note the parking options. There are a lot of parking options near the airport. I have used Parque Glorietta as their service is spectacular. However they have now increased their rates over the past two years from 10,000 COP per day to 12,000 COP and now 14,000 COP per day. So what this means for me is how many days I can drive and park and save money over a taxi. Since we have to pay 10,000 COP for the toll, if you subtract 20,000 from 70,000 + 70,000 and divide 120,000 by 14,000 you are looking at about 8-9 days it is better to park yourself. So for my trips of more than nine days I take a taxi.
Hi Rich, thanks. I added one remote parking option to the article.
While not truly 100% airport related, for Canadian travelers arriving internationally to Medellin (I’m sure it would be the same in Bogota if not transferring) we need to pay for a VISA which is approximately $90 Canadian per person. This does not appear to apply to other countries as there is a large sign at arrivals apologizing to Canadians for having to impose this tax. Just factor it in as you will need to pay this to proceed out of the arrivals terminal. They do take credit cards to process this fee. You will be given a slip of paper that looks almost like a miniature bank note which you do not want to lose. When leaving the country, there is a kiosk on the far right side of the terminals (near International departures) which I go to and show them the VISA before going to baggage drop-off. I only do this as the first time I was in Medellin I had to leave the line in order to go to this kiosk and get a stamp. As this VISA is good for two months from issue you will not have to pay any type of exit taxes (though I’m not sure if they exist to begin with in Colombia).
Point about taking Colectivos for those not familiar with them: They are a good alternative if you are flying single or maybe with one other person. Essentially you enter the first taxi in the lineup of colectivo taxis and you will wait until the car fills up (front passenger and three people in the back seat). The colectivo will not leave until it is full. As well, the colectivo only drops you off at one location in Medellin (although it’s been a while and cannot remember where the drop off point was). I’m travelling in December with two other friends and at that point we are just going to split a normal cab.
A question about the foodcourt in Medellin…is there a good arepa place there (you know…the stuffed ones with all of the good stuff….chorizo, etc etc etc)?
Hi Dan, good point about Canadians having to pay a a reciprocity fee when entering Colombia as a tourist.
The place were Colectivos drop off in Medellín is at a gas station next to San Diego mall and that’s also where they pick up for the trip to the airport. It’s easy to catch a yellow taxi at San Diego mall to go to your final destination.
In terms of arepas at the airport, J&C Delicias located upstairs from the second-floor departure check-in area specializes in arepas. They have several varieties. I haven’t eaten there but my Colombian wife says they are good.
Thanks Jeff!
Thanks to Dan M for bringing up the Visa Reciprocity Fee paid by Canadians at the Medellin airport. It answers a question which I was going to ask as I am flying directly from Mexico City to Medellin in February. On internet I found out that at the Bogota airport there is a special EXPRESS customs line for Canadians when arriving, marked with a Canadian flag (at least you get in faster !). Is this also the case in Medellín ?
Hi Gilles, no, the airport in Medellín is smaller than in Bogotá. So, there is only one line at immigration for arriving international passengers.
Hmmmm, I’ve never tried to by-pass the line up (that would be amazing if so, however). I guess I would have foolishly felt guilty for jumping the queau, haha.
From what I read, it’s not a question of jumping the general arrival line up in Bogota, there is simply a different separate line for Canadian passport holders, indicated by a Canadian flag, possibly the same save for diplomats. So, I am wondering if the same applies at the Medellín airport.
So, an update for us Canadians here. When I was leaving Medellin returning to Canada at the end of April 2019, I heard news that the Colombian government was removing the Canadian reciprocation tax as of the beginning of May 2019. Great news, as that equates to a savings of $90 Canadian. Sadly I came a month too soon, haha.
Yes, the article has been updated – the Canada reciprocity fee was eliminated on May 1, 2019.
Actually there are two airport bus routes. The one you describe (starting at Hotel Nutibara and passing San Diego). But airport buses are also leaving from the northern bus terminal, ascending at the ‘autopista Bogota’. I regularly pick this bus at the bus stop in Zamora (Bello).
Thanks, the airport buses leaving from behind Hotel Nutibara now stop at the northern bus terminal and also another stop in Bello. I recently took this bus route to the airport from Nutibara. So there are two different airport bus routes.
Thanks Jeff, give me a better picture of what I’ll be facing when I come down there. Always entertaining as well as instructional.
Cheers, Brock
You might want to include information about the airport’s DIAN office location and hours to get the IVA tax refunded for tourists.
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll follow up to see when the DIAN office is open at the airport and add that to the article.
Hi Yujin, I updated the article with information about DIANs office. It is located to the left of the Avianca check-in at José María Córdova airport. And DIAN has staff 24 hours at the airport. But they told me that sometimes the DIAN office closes late at night if they have no clients. However, DIAN staff indicated to me that if it’s closed you can ask the airport information to call DIAN and they will send someone from their office downstairs, which is staffed 24 hours.
Also I wrote an article with more details about the IVA tax and how to get the IVA tax refund here: https://medellinguru.com/iva-tax/
Great on the updated information – and nice new article on the IVA tax!
Hi Yujin, thanks for your suggestion to add that information to the article!
I decided to also write the IVA tax article as I didn’t find anything current and in-depth in English about the IVA tax and tax refund for tourists.
Nice airport guide that will be helpful to new travelers to Medellin. I agree with your tips, especially not using the money exchanges and going early to the airport. Recently due to big accident on the road to the airport, it took us much longer to get to the airport so we missed a flight that caused us big problems.