Medellín Airport Transfer: José María Córdova (MDE) to Medellín
- 24 hours a day. The first hour of waiting after you land is free, including flight delays.
- Meeting your driver: you swap WhatsApp contacts and live location before you land. The driver waits for you in the pickup area outside the terminal.
- Licensed vehicles, and we're registered in the RNT. Drivers speak Spanish; we coordinate with you in English on WhatsApp.
- Pay online when you book.
Prices, one way, tolls included
| To or from MDE | Sedan (1–4) | 8-pax van (5–8) | 16-pax van (9–16) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medellín (El Poblado, Laureles, Centro, Belén, etc.) and Rionegro | 195,000 COP | 340,000 COP | 700,000 COP |
| Envigado, Sabaneta, Bello, Itagüí | 210,000 COP | 355,000 COP | 715,000 COP |
| Llanogrande, La Ceja, El Retiro | Quoted. Ask on WhatsApp | ||
| Olaya Herrera (EOH), the city airport | Quoted | ||
Prices are per vehicle, not per person. There's no round-trip discount: each direction is booked at the same price. Online payments carry a 3.5% card processing fee. Anything extra, such as waiting beyond the free hour, is paid to the driver in cash (COP).
Straight from the airport to another town
Going straight to Guatapé, Jardín or another town? These flat rates apply (one way, tolls included):
| Destination | Sedan (1–4) | 8-pax van (5–8) |
|---|---|---|
| Guatapé | 395,000 | 720,000 |
| San Rafael | 491,000 | 920,000 |
| Santa Fe de Antioquia | 800,000 | 900,000 |
| Jericó | 910,000 | 1,100,000 |
| Jardín | 1,000,000 | 1,300,000 |
| Doradal / Hacienda Nápoles | 1,080,000 | 1,100,000 |
All prices in COP. 16-passenger van: quoted. Round trips and more details are on our private driver page.
How your airport pickup works
- Book online with your flight number, landing time, group size and address.
- We confirm on WhatsApp and pass your flight number to the driver.
- Before you land, you and your driver swap WhatsApp contacts. Share your live location once you're on the ground.
- After immigration and baggage, walk out to the pickup area. Your driver waits there, in or beside the vehicle, and messages you exactly where.
- Door to door: your driver loads up and takes you straight to your hotel or Airbnb.
Going to the airport (departures)
We'll pick you up 3 hours before a domestic flight and 4 hours before an international flight. The drive from Medellín can take up to about an hour in traffic, and lines at MDE can be long.
Private transfer vs taxi vs Uber vs bus
| Our private transfer | Official airport taxi | Uber / DiDi / InDrive | Combuses bus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price to Medellín | 195,000 COP sedan · 340,000 van, tolls included | Fixed fare. Medellín's 2026 rate to the airport is 132,000 COP. From the airport, ACOA taxis post their fixed fares at the stand | Varies by app, demand and surge | 20,000 COP per person |
| Where you board | Pickup area, driver arranged on WhatsApp | Taxi line outside arrivals (white taxis) | Away from the arrivals curb. App pickups are controlled | Bus stop at the airport, to San Diego or Hotel Nutibara |
| Hours | 24 h | 24 h | Depends on drivers | 24 h (San Diego route) |
| Groups and luggage | Up to 16 people; vans for luggage | Up to 4 per taxi; vans available | Small cars | 1 carry-on + 1 checked bag (23 kg) |
| Best for | Families, groups, late arrivals, baby seat, booked in advance | 1–2 people, light bags, no booking | Locals with a Colombian SIM | Budget, light luggage, staying near San Diego |
About the taxi fare: the 132,000 COP fare is set by the Alcaldía de Medellín for Medellín taxis going to the airport. Taxis leaving the airport are the official ACOA service (white taxis), which sets its fares every year and posts them at the taxi stand. Check the posted price before you get in.
Uber and other apps: they operate in a legal gray area in Colombia. Rionegro's transit authorities regularly run controls against informal transport at the airport (74 fines in one weekend in May 2025, 173 fines in October 2025), so app drivers usually meet you away from the arrivals curb. A licensed transfer avoids that, which matters most when you arrive at night.
How long does it take?
MDE is in Rionegro, about 35 km from central Medellín. Most transfers use the Túnel de Oriente; Las Palmas is the alternative when traffic is lighter there. Typical times, which depend on traffic:
| Area | Typical drive |
|---|---|
| Rionegro town | 15–25 min |
| El Poblado | 40–60 min |
| Laureles, Estadio, Centro | 45–70 min |
| Envigado, Sabaneta | 45–75 min |
| Bello, Itagüí | 50–80 min |
Arriving at night
We run 24 hours. Late at night, a pre-booked licensed transfer saves you from waiting in the taxi line or hunting for an app driver outside the terminal. Your driver already has your flight number and WhatsApp.
Our vehicles
Big bags, surfboards, bikes or pets? It depends on the vehicle, so ask us on WhatsApp before you book.
Combine your transfer with a tour
- Guatapé on arrival or departure day: our private Guatapé tour can start or end at the airport for the same tour price.
- Medellín city tour + airport: add an airport run to the One-Day Medellín tour for 195,000 COP (1–3 people) or 340,000 COP (4–8 people).
- Need a driver for the day? See our private driver by the hour.
Families, licensing and policy
Baby seat: one available, for children up to 5 years old, 80,000 COP. Add it when you book (details).
Licensed: we use licensed passenger-transport vehicles, and Medellín Tours is registered in Colombia's National Tourism Registry (RNT). Tourist transport in Colombia must be provided under the special passenger transport category ("servicio especial"), with a contract document (FUEC) that the driver carries.
Policy: no cancellations or refunds. You can reschedule with at least 7 days' notice.
Book your airport transfer
FAQ
How much is a private transfer from Medellín airport to El Poblado?
195,000 COP in a sedan (1–4 people), 340,000 COP in an 8-passenger van (5–8) or 700,000 COP in a 16-passenger van (9–16). One way, tolls included.
How much is a taxi from MDE airport to Medellín?
Official taxis charge a fixed fare. Medellín's 2026 regulated fare to the airport is 132,000 COP for a basic taxi. From the airport, the official ACOA taxis post their fixed fares at the taxi stand.
Is Uber legal at Medellín airport?
Ride-hailing apps work in Colombia but sit in a legal gray area. Rionegro authorities run regular controls against informal transport at the airport, so app pickups usually happen away from the arrivals curb.
Where do I meet my driver?
You swap WhatsApp contacts and live location before you land. After baggage claim, walk out to the pickup area, where your driver waits in or beside the vehicle and tells you exactly where.
What if my flight is delayed?
We share your flight number with the driver, and the first hour after landing is free. After that, waiting is charged at the hourly rate (70,000 COP sedan, 90,000 COP 8-passenger van, 160,000 COP 16-passenger van), paid in cash.
How long is the drive from the airport to Medellín?
Usually 40–60 minutes to El Poblado, and up to about 80 minutes to Bello or Itagüí in heavy traffic.
How early should I leave for my flight?
We pick you up 3 hours before domestic flights and 4 hours before international flights.
Do the drivers speak English?
No, our drivers speak Spanish. We handle everything with you in English on WhatsApp.
Can I bring a lot of luggage, a surfboard or a pet?
Usually yes, case by case. Message us on WhatsApp with what you're bringing and we'll confirm the right vehicle.
Do you have baby seats?
Yes, one seat for children up to 5 years old, for 80,000 COP. Request it when you book.
Can I go straight from the airport to Guatapé?
Yes. A one-way sedan transfer to Guatapé is 395,000 COP and an 8-passenger van is 720,000 COP, tolls included. You can also start our guided Guatapé tour at the airport for the same tour price.
Do you serve Olaya Herrera airport (EOH)?
Yes. Transfers to or from Olaya Herrera, Medellín's city airport, are quoted on WhatsApp.
Sources
- Alcaldía de Medellín: 2026 taxi fares (airport run 132,000 COP)
- Resolución 202650004167 de 2026 (taxi tariffs)
- ACOA, official airport taxis
- Combuses: Medellín ↔ MDE airport bus
- El Colombiano: San Diego airport bus stop (20,000 COP, 24 h)
- Gobernación de Antioquia, Decreto 2026070000086 (Túnel de Oriente tolls)
- Túnel de Oriente: Medellín–JMC travel time
- Caracol Radio: controls on informal transport at JMC (May 2025)
- MiOriente: 173 fines at JMC (Oct 2025)
- Alcaldía de Rionegro: airport transport controls
- Uber: driving at Medellín airport (MDE)
- Decreto 431 de 2017 (servicio especial)
- Resolución 6652 de 2019 (FUEC)