Bogotá to Cartagena is one of Colombia’s busiest domestic routes and the classic escape from the cool highlands to the Caribbean coast. It’s a short non-stop hop of about an hour and a half, flown many times a day, and the competition shows: checking every return fare on sale, the median is COP$ 103.814 return — far less than this route is usually said to cost. This guide covers who really flies it, what a return actually costs in pesos, and when to book.
Route: Bogotá El Dorado (BOG) → Cartagena Rafael Núñez (CTG)
Distance: approximately 660 km (410 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 1h 25m – 1h 35m
Direct flights: Yes — Avianca, LATAM and Wingo fly non-stop daily, with ultra-low-cost JetSmart adding budget frequencies. There is no need to connect.
Fares from Bogotá to Cartagena (COP)
Cartagena is a year-round beach and heritage destination, but prices swing hard with Colombian holidays. Expect the steepest fares over the December–January high season, Semana Santa (Easter week, late March into early April in 2026) and the mid-year school break in June and July. September and the shoulder weeks are the quietest and cheapest. The figures below are typical economy return fares in Colombian pesos; the lowest are usually the no-frills fares with hand luggage only.
| Month | Demand | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | high |
| February | — | medium |
| March | — | medium |
| April | — | medium-high (Semana Santa) |
| May | — | low-medium |
| June | — | high (school holidays) |
| July | — | high (school holidays) |
| August | — | medium |
| September | — | low |
| October | — | low-medium |
| November | — | medium |
| December | — | very high |
Checked against every return fare on sale as we write, this route has two tiers and almost nothing between them. JetSmart sits at COP$ 103.777 – 104.595 return — that is the everyday price, not a sale, and it is where nine in ten of the cheap fares are. Avianca runs COP$ 288.926 – 297.694, roughly three times as much, with a bag and seat included. So a return around COP$ 105.000 is simply the going rate; there is no lower tier to hunt for, and the three-figure-thousand fares are the full-service option rather than the norm.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 1h 30m):
- Avianca — the most frequent operator, many daily departures on Airbus narrow-bodies; the widest schedule and easiest connections onward.
- LATAM — several non-stops a day, reliable full-service product with a checked bag on most standard fares.
- Wingo — Copa’s low-cost arm, simple point-to-point fares that are often the sweet spot on price.
- JetSmart — ultra-low-cost; the cheapest headline fares, but bags and seat selection cost extra, so compare the all-in total.
All four fly the same non-stop hop, so the choice comes down to price and what’s bundled. If you only carry a backpack, the low-cost carriers usually win; if you need a checked bag or want flexibility, Avianca or LATAM’s standard fares can end up cheaper once extras are added.
When to book & how to save
- Book 3–6 weeks ahead for domestic sweet-spot pricing; unlike long-haul, last-minute Colombian fares can occasionally drop, but the holiday peaks only ever rise.
- Dodge the peaks: December–January, Semana Santa and June–July school holidays are the most expensive and the flights fill up first.
- Travel midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than Friday or Sunday, when weekend beach-goers pack the route.
- Watch the bag rules: the lowest JetSmart and Wingo fares are cabin-bag only; add a checked bag online in advance, never at the airport where it costs far more.
- Set a price alert: the airlines run frequent domestic sales, and a flexible date or two is often the difference between COP$ 500.000 and COP$ 280.000.
Arriving in Cartagena
All flights land at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), which sits right inside the city in the Crespo neighbourhood — one of the closest airports to a city centre anywhere in Colombia. The walled Old City and Bocagrande are only about 10–15 minutes away. Official airport taxis run to a fixed-zone tariff of roughly COP$ 15.000 – 30.000 depending on the neighbourhood, and ride-hailing apps are similar. There’s no train; for a handful of pesos you can also catch a local bus on the main road just outside the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Bogotá to Cartagena?
The non-stop flight takes about 1 hour 25 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes. It’s a quick hop — you climb out of the Andes and descend over the Caribbean coast in well under two hours. Add the usual airport time either side, but there are no connections to worry about on this route.
Are there direct flights from Bogotá to Cartagena?
Yes. Avianca, LATAM and Wingo all fly non-stop several times a day, and ultra-low-cost JetSmart adds budget frequencies. With so many daily departures you never need to connect, and competition keeps the fares keen outside the holiday peaks.
How much does it cost to fly from Bogotá to Cartagena?
A typical economy return runs about COP$ 104.000 on the low-cost carriers, with the whole sample spanning COP$ 103.777 – 297.694. JetSmart holds the bottom at COP$ 103.777 – 104.595 and Avianca the top at COP$ 288.926 – 297.694. The December peak and Semana Santa push both tiers higher.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Bogotá to Cartagena?
September is usually the cheapest, with the February and May shoulder weeks close behind. In the dates we could price, returns started at COP$ 103.777. Avoid December, January, Semana Santa (around early April in 2026) and the June–July school holidays, which are the busiest and priciest times to fly to the coast.
Which airlines fly from Bogotá to Cartagena?
Non-stop: JetSmart carried nine in ten of the cheap fares we found, at COP$ 103.777 – 104.595, with Avianca — the most frequent operator — at COP$ 288.926 – 297.694. LATAM and Wingo also fly the route non-stop but did not appear among the cheapest fares when we checked. Avianca and LATAM are full-service with a bag on most standard fares; Wingo and JetSmart offer the lowest headline prices but charge extra for baggage and seats — on a fare this low, the bag is the larger part of the cost.
Which airport do I fly into in Cartagena?
All flights use Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), Cartagena’s only commercial airport. It’s unusually close to the city — about 10–15 minutes by taxi to the walled Old City or Bocagrande beach district, so you’re on the sand almost as soon as you land.
How far in advance should I book Bogotá to Cartagena flights?
Aim for 3 to 6 weeks ahead for the best balance of price and choice. For peak dates — Christmas, New Year, Semana Santa and the mid-year school break — book two to three months out, as those flights sell first and only get more expensive.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Usually, yes. Tuesday and Wednesday departures tend to be cheaper than Friday-to-Sunday, when weekend beach travellers drive prices up. Flying out and back midweek, and being flexible by a day either side, is one of the easiest ways to save on this route.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — check the live fare before booking.
