Transportation in Barranquilla
For transportation in the city, you can use the Transmetro, among others. Personally, we find it more efficient (and safer) to use cabs and cab apps, such as InDriver. For the prices of the taxis you don’t have to miss out! Continue reading here for more information on transportation in Barranquilla.
Metro, cab, cab apps
Transmetro
The Transmetro is a modern system, with 29 bus routes and nearly 600 stops. There are connector buses to transport travelers to the Transmetro stations. More information can be found on the website Transmetro and in the Moovitapp
Cab
Traveling by taxi is efficient and cheap. The larger hotels usually have a “concierge” who arranges taxis for the hotel’s guests. We found this service very efficient: due to the concierge’s many contacts, we never had to wait long for a taxi. These taxis are more expensive than if you use a taxi app, but due to the comfort and safety, we didn’t mind to pay a bit extra. We also used the InDriver taxi app. For such an app you do need a Colombian phone number. In short: do not stop taxis on the street, but let your hotel order one for you, or use the taxi apps, such as Uber and InDriver.
Prices (2025)
For a 1 km ride, you pay about COP8000/$2. For a 5 km ride, about COP40,000/$/10. Waiting time is COP25.000/$6 per hour.
Tip: Although taximeters are standard, some drivers might propose a fixed fare. It’s recommended to agree on the fare before starting your journey.
Payment
While some taxis may accept card payments, it’s recommended to carry cash in Colombian pesos, as cash is the most commonly accepted form of payment.
Apps
In addition to the Uber app, there are other taxi apps in Colombia, such as InDriver, Didi and Easy Tappsi These apps work like Uber, where you can track the driver. This makes it a safe, alternative way of ordering a taxi.
Uber is known among locals as the more expensive app. We ourselves have had good experiences with InDriver. The app is easy to use and both during the day and at night, we never had to wait longer than 5 minutes for a cab.
How does InDriver work?
Unlike the other apps, you, the customer, offer a price for the ride. The drivers can accept your price or make a counter-offer. There are often more than one driver willing to do a ride, so you can make your choice and even view reviews about the driver if you want.
The minimum fare for Uber is COP5000/$2.50, per km: COP 625 and the cancellation fare is COP5000.
Update January 2026
During our trip to Barranquilla in January, we decided to use Uber instead of Indriver and this turned out to be very efficient.
Why did we like Uber so much?
– you don’t need a local phone number. The app is linked to your email address. While traveling, we use an E-sim card and that worked perfectly with the Uber app.
–No need to pay by cash or card for every trip. You can choose to link your credit card to the Uber app and the ride is paid automatically. Super efficient!
During peak hours or high-demand periods, Uber may charge extra, increasing fares up to twice the standard rate.
Is a car rental recommended in Barranquilla?
Because of the hectic traffic, we do not recommend a rental car in the city, unless you are a very good driver and have nerves of steel (!), or are staying in a hotel further from the city. If you are staying in a more quiet area such as Riomar and you want to explore attractions outsite the city, it could be an option to rent a car. However, as taxis are cheap, we personally prefer that over renting a car.
Bus Transportation
Bus transportation to/from Barranquilla
How to get to Barranquilla by bus? Barranquilla has good bus connections to other destinations on the Caribbean coast, such as Cartagena and Santa Marta, and major cities in Colombia. The bus terminal, Terminal de Transportes Metropolitano, is located in Soledad, a suburb of Barranquilla in the south of the city. Soledad is not one of the safest areas in Barranquilla and should you be at the terminal, it is better to stay there and not “go on an adventure” in Soledad.
Prices bustickets
Prices vary by company and level of comfort. These are average prices in 2025:
- Cartagena: 2.30h, COP30,000/€$.50.
- St Marta: 2h, COP COP30,000 /$50
- Bogotá 17h, COP175,000 / $44
- Medellín 14h, COP 190,000 / $47.50
Minibus transportation Santa Marta and Cartagena
If you are traveling from Barranquilla to Cartagena or St. Marta, we find it convenient to use the minibuses of MarSol travel. Instead of taking a taxi to the (chaotic) bus terminal in Soledad, you can catch the minibus at one of MarSol’s offices in El Prado, or at the 93 (Riomar). In Cartagena or Santa Marta (Centro or Rodadero), you’ll be dropped off at their office. There are set times, including several buses per day on weekends. .
Price estimate:
Barranquilla- Santa Marta: COP45,000/$11 (one way), 2h.
Barranquilla- Cartagena: COP45,000/$11 (one way) 2.5h. Berlinas also offers this service.
