Medellin Airport to City is an upscale and reliable transport service that allows you to book a car to and from the Medellín airport online without cash.
The Medellin Airport to City service is owned by two expats living in Medellín. Medellín Airport Transfer provides an upscale alternative to the airport buses and taxis that can be less comfortable options.
Unlike the airport buses and taxis that will require a trip to the ATM or money exchange to get Colombian pesos, Medellín Airport Transfer is booked online before you arrive and uses U.S. dollars. So, there is no need to exchange money at the airport.
Also, with Medellín Airport Transfer there is no need to explain how to get to your destination address in Spanish, as the driver will already know where your destination address is located.
José María Córdova airport
Driving from the Medellín Airport to Medellín
José María Córdova international airport is the Medellín international airport. It’s located in the municipality of Rionegro, which is about 21 miles (35 km) east of Medellín at a higher elevation.
Inside José María Córdova international airport
In addition, it used to take 40 minutes to over an hour on the windy road, depending on traffic, to go from José María Córdova airport to Medellín or in the reverse direction. A new tunnel, Túnel de Oriente, which opened in August 2019 reduces the driving time to/from José María Córdova airport by up to half.
The Medellín Airport Transfer Service
The founders of Medellín Airport Transfer took steps to ensure that every part of their business is up to the highest possible standards. These steps include:
- The company a legally constituted company here in Colombia and they reportedly have all the relevant tourism and insurance certificates.
- They accredit every vehicle with the Colombian Tourist and Transport Boards.
- They hire the only the most experienced and trustworthy drivers.
- All cars, SUVs, and vans are routinely serviced and are models from 2016 and newer. And the vehicles are roomier and more upscale than the smaller vehicles used by taxis.
- Offers services at a price that is higher than other transport options. In 2020, the price is $36 (over 120,000 pesos) from the airport to Medellín compared to only 80,000 pesos ($24 USD) for a white airport taxi]. Medellín Airport Transfer is currently the most expensive airport transport option we are aware of.
- You book and pay online in USD. So, there’s no hassle with cash, currency exchanges or ATMs when you arrive to the airport.
- A receipt is offered if you need it for taxes or other purposes.
Medellín Airport Transfer has been in business for over three years. And they are in alliance with Turiservice, which is an executive car service.
Website: Medellin Airport to City
Some of the Medellín Airport Transfer vehicle options
How to Book with Medellín Airport Transfer
You should book this transport service at least three hours before the pickup time. Also, you can book much further in advance before you go on your trip.
The service permits for a free cancelation until 24 hours before the pickup. If 24 hours or less you would only get a 90 percent refund for cancelling.
The online booking process is pretty easy, as follows:
- Go to the Medellin Airport to City and click on “Book Now.”
- Choose your journey: One way (to city or to airport), Round trip (from airport, from city), Tours (Guatapé, Santa Fe de Antioquia, Four Towns Tour).
- Fill in your pick-up details (Pick-up address, flight number, estimated arrival time, drop off address).
- Fill in the passenger information (Name, number of passengers, email, phone, extra information).
- Choose payment (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover or PayPal). You will be charged when you book.
- You will receive an order confirmation via email along with a WhatsApp number to enable you to contact the founders directly, in the event of a change or problem.
- When you arrive at the airport, your driver will meet you after baggage claim/customs in the arrivals hall with a sign with your name. The driver will already know your destination.
- When you arrive, simply get your baggage. No cash needed.
White airport taxis lined up at the airport
The Medellín Airport Transport Competition
There are several options for traveling to/from the Medellín airport with private drivers like Medellín Airport Transfer being considered the most upscale option.
There are six ways to get to Medellín from the Medellín Airport:
- White airport taxi – 80,000 pesos to Medellín (with a higher fare to Envigado or Sabaneta)
- Yellow taxi – 80,000 pesos from Medellín
- Colectivo (shared) taxis – about 20,000 pesos
- Airport bus – 10,500 pesos
- Uber, Beat or Didi mobile apps
- Private driver – typically about $34-$36 USD
These options have a wide range in price from 10,500 to over 120,000 pesos ($3 to $36). And we previously looked at all six of these options in detail to get to/from the Medellín airport.
The airport buses are the cheapest option but they won’t take you to your final destination. The colectivo shared taxis also won’t take you to your final destination. So, you’ll have to take a taxi to your final destination with these options.
The private driver options permit you to pay in advance in USD before you arrive. And the driver who meets you at the airport will already know your final destination. So, won’t have to deal with currency exchanges at the airport or comunicate in Spanish to the driver.
Hotel los Recuerdos and El Peñón in Guatapé
Medellin Airport to City Tours
In addition to offering transportation to and from the Medellín airport, this private transport service also offers three private day tours as follows:
1. Guatapé Tour – $139.99
Picturesque Guatapé is a popular pueblo to visit from Medellín, known for its huge El Peñón rock and lake. It’s a great place for a day trip from Medellín.
If you visit during the weekends, you’ll typically see the pueblo packed with Colombian tourists. Also, on the weekends, the boardwalk fills up with local vendors selling art, food and souvenirs. During the week, there are much fewer tourists, so you’ll you have the pueblo more to yourself with the colorful locals.
Santa Fe de Antioquia
2. Santa Fe de Antioquia Tour – $149.99
Santa Fe de Antioquia is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and cobbled streets. It’s another popular pueblo for a day trip from Medellín.
Santa Fe de Antioquia, was originally the capital of Antioquia. However, in 1826 the Government of Antioquia moved to Medellín. Consequently, it left Santa Fe as a beautiful preserved pueblo where time has essentially stood still.
3. Four Towns Tour – $169.99
This tour visits four different pueblos near Medellín: El Retiro, La Ceja, San Antonio de Pereira, and El Carmen de Viboral. This tour provides the opportunity to see how it is to live in Antioquia and how life is different for those living in these small pueblos.
Medellin Airport Transfer also offers tours to other locations. And if you want to visit another location, they can provide you with a quote.
Medellín Airport Transfer vehicle options
The Bottom Line: Medellín Airport Transfer
Medellín Airport Transfer is designed to be a reliable and dependable airport transfer service. You book online, pay online in U.S. dollars and there is no need to explain your destination address in Spanish to the driver.
While it isn’t the cheapest option, this type of upscale airport transport service provided by Medellín Airport Transfer appeals to some foreign visitors to Medellín, who want the peace of mind that when he or she arrives a driver will be waiting at the airport with their name clearly displayed on a board.
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Editors note: updated on May 28, 2024 Medellin Airport to City.
18 thoughts on “Medellín Airport Transfer: An Upscale Way To and From the Airport”
I at once time would recommend this company. I now have serious doubts about them. They constantly have different drivers, not much of a back ground check is done. My last trip with them due to the amount of luggage they required the rental of two cars rather then a larger van. Then separating my luggage and me, some valuables were in the vehicle without me. That driver constantly lagged way behind the lead car that I was in. In fact the lead car at times had to slow down to 5-10 MPH and wait extended periods of time for the second car to catch up. Upon arriving at my apartment some luggage straps were undone. When unpacking I was missing from that luggage $600 USD and an expensive pair of binoculars.
Hi! I’m using medellin airport transfer later this week. Do you know if tipping is required?
Hi Emma, tipping is not required.
Typical start-up with bare bones support and functionality…
Payment: The payment gateway is “kushki” – ummm… not exactly a way to establish trust and credibility with your prospects- especially when full pre-payment is required.
Support: No one replies to the chat. On 26 December, I asked if the service operates on 1st January 2019 – which is a holiday, which by my experience, is impossible to get transportation. Two days later, I am still without a reply ..
Contacting them by phone? That is obviously not the preferred method. You need a good set of eyes to locate a phone number at the very bottom of the page, in the footer, in tiny font.
As a certified Google Web User Rater, if the url came across my desk to evaluate using the criteria I am assigned, I would rate it poorly.
Thank heart felt you Jeff for all of your information, My week in Medellin went smooth and was enjoyable
I used Medellin Airport Transfer and they were great, highly recommended.
I ventured out somewhere every day and most everyone treated me with a smile and helped me communicate.
Hi Daryl, thanks and happy to hear your week went well in Medellín and that you liked Medellin Airport Transfer.
I’m going to Medellin next month so is nice finding articles that are going to help me get my way around.
They’re really punctual and offer great service. Albeit, I prefer private.
Really nice post! Keep up the good work.
This post is awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Just used the Medellin Airport Transfer, I would recommend this to everyone. They picked me up at my apartment, and were 15 minutes early. Taking taxi’s 6-8 times a year for the past 6 years, this driver went through an area of Medellin I never saw before compared to other drivers. Got to airport in record time. These drivers know their way around the city. Larger vehicle then other taxi services, had excellent views and the driver pointed out points of interest. When returning in November will use them to pick me up at the airport. They may cost a little more, but very much worth it.
Great proposal by the Medellin Airport, will this service cost less than the taxis and will paying in US dollars have a fee?
No taxis are cheaper – see all the airport transport options here: https://medellinguru.com/get-to-medellin-from-the-airport/. But taxi driver won’t meet you in the terminal and won’t be waiting for you. They are outside. Also, there is no fee for using US dollars with Medellín Airport Transfer.
Great report. Thanks!
On time, friendly, reliable and safe service in my experience. Highly recommend.
I have used this reliable airport transfer service several times. The drivers always arrive early with a clean and spacious vehicle. I much prefer Medellin Airport Transfer to the other options.
Great article! I prefer private drivers for language, safety reasons and avoid getting ripped off.
Will keep this in mind next time arrive internationally. Coming from Bogota, could arrive at EOH inside the city instead.
Does UBER operates in Medellin and/or the airport?
Satena flies from Bogotá to EOH with smaller planes – see our EOH guide – https://medellinguru.com/olaya-herrera/. And yes, Uber operates in Medellín and the airport but there are issues about Uber legality but it continues to operate unregulated and taxis sometimes protest against Uber.