Medellin’s main international airport is located around 40 minutes from the city close to the town of Rionegro. The relatively small airport has a very good range of restaurants, a few shops and there are many transport options to get down into the city.
I have lived in Medellin for 16 years and I have used Medellin airport dozens of times. In this article I will offer some advise on where to eat, how to smoothly get through security, pick up cash and travel into the city. I will also explain how you can potentially save yourself hundreds of dollars before heading home after your vacation.
how to get to and from Medellin airport
taxis
When you step outside Medellin airport you will see a line of white official taxis waiting. The official price to Medellin and Envigado in 2024 is 110,000 COP while the price to Itagui and Sabaneta is 120,000 at the time of writing. The driver will take the tunnel and the cost of the toll is included in the price. When you take a taxi to Medellin they will give you a card which can be used to return to the airport for 100,000 COP if you use a taxi.
If you have a larger group you can book a van which will take 8-11 passengers and costs 220,000 COP for the airport transfer. The airport taxis also offer an hourly rate within the city of 45,000 COP for a taxi and 90,000 COP for a van. This option is the quickest and easiest but you will need to withdraw cash as the airport taxis don’t usually take card payments.
ubers
There is WIFI available throughout Medellin airport and you can easily book an Uber or a yellow taxi on the Uber app. Uber has been operating in somewhat of a legal grey area in Colombia in recent years with traditional taxi companies aggressively trying to keep them out of the market. The taxi companies have seemingly now accepted the inevitable and you can book both Ubers or yellow taxis on the app.
I use Ubers most days and they are an excellent option but picking one up at the airport can be a little more complicated. Drivers will often ask you to go up one floor to the departure level so they can avoid disgruntled taxi drivers. Throughout Colombia Uber drivers may also ask you to sit in the front so they don’t get any hassle. Prices are comparable to taxis depending on demand and the toll is always included in the price shown.
Colectivos
Colectivos are basically shared taxis. The drivers will wait until the taxi is full and then each person on board will pay their share of the official airport taxi rate. That can mean it is a little bit of a squeeze and you may have to wait 5-10 minutes but is a much cheaper option. Prices are higher per person than buses but obviously much less than taxis or ubers.
Outside arrivals you will find buses parked at the front, then colectivos and then traditional taxis. There will be taxi company employees asking if you need a taxi but if you say “colectivo” they should take you to the taxis they are filling up. To get from Medellin to the airport you can pick up a colectivo at the Texaco petrol station on the roundabout outside of San Diego mall. There will be white taxis, people looking for passengers and signs.
buses
Buses are the cheapest option, running regularly between the Medellin airport and San Diego Mall. The journey time is 35 minutes and they leave every 15 minutes. The buses leave from the Combuses office in front of the mall and you can also stop them as they begin to climb up Las Palmas.
Unless I am in a big hurry or I have a flight at a very awkward time I will always try to take the bus. San Diego is easily accessible from Poblado or Laureles and the once there the journey time is comparable to taking a taxi. You can save yourself 80% of the cost of journey by taking this option.
Private transfer
If you want the comfort and ease of having an English speaking driver waiting for you and your group then a private driver is another option. This can be booked online and you can also find larger vehicles if needed. Given buses, taxis and ubers are very easy and safe, I don’t think this is usually your best option but it can help with peace of mind after a long flight.
how and where to collect a tourist VAT refund
Most visitors don’t realise this but Colombia offers a full VAT (value added tax or IVA locally) refund for any goods purchased by tourists during their visit to Colombia. This does not include services such as travel or food but if you buy gifts, jewellery or higher value goods you can get a 19% refund on purchases.
You need to to fill in this form and make sure you get a DIAN Electronic Sales Invoice when making the purchase. Before leaving the country you can visit the DIAN office on the second floor at Gate 3 or the Self-Service Kiosks near door 2 of the terminal. This can potentially save you hundreds of dollars before leaving the country.
Domestic and international departures
When you arrive at Medellin airport you find the checking desks in the center, the national departures to your right and international departures to the left. If you head upstairs you will find a few small restaurants and you can go downstairs to both national and international arrivals.
For domestic departures you will need your boarding pass, ID card or passport. You international departures you will need your passport, boarding pass and you should fill in the online Check Mig form found here. The form should take about 5 minutes with information about your travel and where you will stay.
You should remove laptops for the bag scan but there are no issues with liquids for domestic flights and they seem to be quite relaxed about the size of liquid containers for international flights. They won’t ask you to remove your shoes unless they want to do additional searches.
Food and Drink at Medellin Airport
Burger King
Domestic Departures
The internationally known American fast food restaurant is just inside domestic departures.
Burger Joint
Domestic Departures & International Departures
Guy Fieri’s burger restaurant can be found inside both national and international departures. Very tasty burgers albeit quite pricey by Colombian standards.
Starbucks
Main Terminal & International Departures
The global coffee giant can be found just outside of international arrivals as well as in the international departure hall.
Subway
Domestic Departures
You can find the major sandwich chain in national departures if you head forward after passing security.
Juan Valdez
Main Terminal, Domestic Departures & International Departures
Colombia’s biggest coffee brand has cafes near the check in gates as well as in both domestic and international departures. You can enjoy a final cup of the country’s famous export or buy some as a gift for friends and family.
Ajiacos y Mondongos
Domestic Departures
This small restaurant in the national departure gate offers traditional Colombian favourites such as the titular ajiaco and mondongo soups. Perfect if you want to ease a hangover or have something hearty and filling before your flight.
OAKBERRY
Domestic Departures
Oakberry offers healthy food, drinks and snacks within the domestic terminal.
Cumbia House
International Departures
Cumbia House is a comfortable and slightly more upscale restaurant owned by international pop star Carlos Vives. The restaurant has very good food and is a celebration of local Cumbia music and culture.
Dogger
Domestic Departures
Dogger is a popular Colombian fast food chain that specialises in hot dogs. You will find the restaurant in front of the domestic departure games overlooking the runway.
Kokoriko
Main Terminal
Kokoriko is a Colombian chain of chicken restaurants. Here you will find things like grilled chicken, breaded chicken, chicken burgers, salads and chicken strips. The restauran is located on the third floor above the check in gates.
Mimo’s
Main Terminal
Mimo’s is a popular Colombian ice cream shop that specialises in vanilla and chocolate cones. Their famous creation is a vanilla cone tipped in warm chocolate which quickly sets to form a crisp shell. Mimo’s is in the main terminal.
J&C Delicias
Main Terminal
J&C Delicias is a restaurant that is popular for meat and salads, often with fresh and fruity combinations. The restaurant is on the third floor about the check in area of Medellin airport.
Dunkin’
Main Terminal
The international specialists in coffee and donuts is located in the main terminal on the right close to the national departure zone.
changing and withdrawing cash at Medellin airport
There are Bancolombia cash machines on the departures floor of Medellin airport as well as outside international arrivals. They also have BBVA cash machines on the arrival floor if you continue forward passed the first exit on your right. You will find 5 or 6 exchange facilities on both the lower and upper floors offering a range of exchange rates.
Withdrawing cash has a fee of around 25,000 COP, depending on which bank the ATM is operated by.
