Transportation in Cali

Metro, Taxi, Apps

MIO bus system

Getting around Cali is easy. There is an ov-network with separate lanes the so-called MIO, similar to the Transmilenio in Bogotá; the blue buses, which allow you to go through most of the city. You can change buses as often as you want at the bus stations. Once you leave the bus zone you check out with an ov card with chip, so very modern. There is 1 line that connects with the cable car that goes from Canaveralejo to the poorer barrios.

You need a MIO card, which you can buy for about a euro at the main stations. For each ride you pay COP2700 /€0.70. (rate 2023)

Tip: If you can, travel outside the morning and evening rush hour, as it can get very crowded. It is also easier then for pickpockets to go about their business unseen.

    Cab

    Cab rides in Cali are relatively cheap.For a short ride, you’ll pay around COP10,000-COP15,000 (€2.50-€3.75). For a slightly longer half-hour ride around town, you’ll pay around COP25000/€6.25.

    Have your hotel call licensed yellow cabs or use one of the cab apps. Then you know the ride is safe and legal and registered. Never stop a cab on the street. You don’t know who you are getting into the cab with. Want an afternoon cab to yourself? Ask a reserved yellow cab for its daily fare. We did once get a whole day’s ride in the yellow cab for COP50,000/€12.50.

    Apps

    In addition to the Uber app, there are other cab 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 cab. The starting fare is around COP5000/€1.25

    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.

     

    Car rental

    Want to take a car tour in and around Cali? You can! There are several car rental companies at the airport and in Cali itself. Because Cali is so large and the areas around Cali are so beautiful, renting a car can be very convenient. You will spend about COP 120,000 / €30 per day for this, including insurance. Avoid driving in the evening hours for safety reasons.