What is the best way to get from Bogotá Airport to Zipaquirá?
The easiest way to get from Bogotá Airport (BOG) to Zipaquirá is to take a taxi or rideshare to Portal Norte and then board an intermunicipal bus toward the town.
Typical travel time: 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours
Possible delays: up to around 2 hours 30 minutes during heavy traffic, especially when leaving northern Bogotá.
Typical cost: 30,000-60,000 COP, depending on the transport combination.
For most travelers going from Bogotá Airport to Zipaquirá, the taxi-to-Portal-Norte plus bus combination offers the best balance between simplicity, speed, and cost.
Zipaquirá is one of the most popular day trips from Bogotá thanks to its famous Salt Cathedral and its historic colonial center.
Bogotá Airport to Zipaquirá transport options (quick comparison)
| Transport option | Typical travel time | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi + intermunicipal bus | 1h 40m-2h | 30,000-45,000 COP | Most convenient |
| Uber / Cabify + intermunicipal bus | 1h 40m-2h | 30,000-50,000 COP | App-based booking |
| TransMilenio + intermunicipal bus | 1h 50m-2h 20m | 10,000-15,000 COP | Budget travel |
| Direct taxi or private transfer | 55m-1h 15m | 110,000-140,000 COP | Comfort and luggage |
| Tourist train (weekends only) | ~2h | ~90,000-96,000 COP | Scenic experience |
Taxi plus bus is the most commonly used strategy because it avoids crossing the entire city using public transport while still keeping costs relatively low.
Understanding the route from Bogotá Airport to Zipaquirá
The journey from El Dorado International Airport to Zipaquirá connects the western side of Bogotá with the northern municipalities of the Sabana de Bogotá.
The road distance between the airport and Zipaquirá is approximately 49-53 kilometers.
The typical journey structure looks like this:
Bogotá Airport
↓
Taxi, rideshare or TransMilenio connection
↓
Portal Norte or Terminal Norte
↓
Intermunicipal bus
↓
Zipaquirá
Although the distance is relatively short, travel time depends heavily on traffic leaving northern Bogotá, particularly along the Autopista Norte corridor.
The route passes through northern suburbs such as Chía and Cajicá before reaching Zipaquirá.
Step-by-step travel logistics
Step 1: reach a northern transport hub
There is no direct bus from Bogotá Airport to Zipaquirá, so the first step is reaching one of the northern transport hubs.
The most practical connection points are:
• Portal Norte
• Terminal Norte
Both locations provide frequent intermunicipal buses to Zipaquirá.
Taxi or rideshare from the airport
Taking a taxi from the airport is usually the fastest and simplest option.
Typical travel times:
Airport → Portal Norte
20-30 minutes in light traffic
30-45 minutes in heavier traffic
Estimated cost:
25,000-40,000 COP.
Official airport taxis operate 24 hours a day outside the arrivals area.
Rideshare services such as Uber, Cabify, or DiDi can also be used to reach Portal Norte or Terminal Norte.
Using TransMilenio from the airport
Budget travelers may prefer Bogotá’s TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit system.
Typical route:
Airport → feeder or airport bus → Portal El Dorado → TransMilenio trunk line → Portal Norte.
Estimated time to Portal Norte:
about 60 minutes.
This option is significantly cheaper but less convenient with large luggage.
Step 2: board an intermunicipal bus to Zipaquirá
Once you reach Portal Norte or Terminal Norte, the next step is simply boarding a bus heading to Zipaquirá.
Common bus operators include:
• Trans Alianza
• Expreso Los Comuneros
• Flota Zipa
• Gómez Villa
Typical fare:
5,000-8,000 COP
Most buses accept cash payment directly when boarding or at small ticket counters near the boarding area, so carrying small bills is helpful.
Typical frequency and departure windows
Buses from northern Bogotá to Zipaquirá are frequent throughout the day.
Typical frequency:
every 10-20 minutes
Peak departure windows:
• 6:00-9:00 AM
• 10:00-12:00 PM
• 1:00-3:00 PM
After mid-afternoon, service continues but departures become slightly less frequent.
Step 3: travel along the northern corridor
The bus route follows the Autopista Norte corridor through the municipalities of the Bogotá savanna before reaching Zipaquirá.
Normal travel time:
45-60 minutes
Heavy traffic near Bogotá’s northern exit or around Chía and Cajicá may increase travel time.
This corridor is fully paved and heavily used by commuters, making it a routine regional route rather than a remote road journey.
Step 4: arrival in Zipaquirá
Most buses arrive at the Zipaquirá bus terminal, located just outside the historic center.
From the terminal:
• taxis are available outside
• the historic plaza is about 10-15 minutes away
• some buses allow passengers to disembark closer to the center.
From the historic center, the Salt Cathedral entrance can be reached by taxi, local shuttle, or a 20-25 minute walk.
Detailed transport options
Intermunicipal bus via Portal Norte
Portal Norte is usually the fastest connection point.
Advantages:
• located on the northern exit of Bogotá
• very frequent buses
• minimal extra city travel
Many local travelers prefer Portal Norte because it avoids the detours associated with Bogotá’s main bus terminal.
Intermunicipal bus via Terminal Norte
Terminal Norte offers a more traditional terminal experience.
Advantages:
• ticket counters
• organized boarding platforms
• clearer signage for travelers.
It is slightly more structured than Portal Norte but generally similar in travel time once the bus leaves the terminal.
Most buses accept cash payment directly when boarding, and fares are usually collected by a conductor.
TransMilenio plus bus
This is the cheapest option.
Typical structure:
Airport → Portal El Dorado → TransMilenio → Portal Norte → bus.
Estimated travel time:
1h 50m-2h 20m
Estimated cost:
10,000-15,000 COP
Best for:
• budget travelers
• travelers with light luggage.
Direct taxi or private transfer
Travelers who prefer to avoid transfers can go directly from the airport to Zipaquirá by road.
Estimated travel time:
55-75 minutes in light traffic.
Estimated cost:
110,000-140,000 COP.
This option is common for:
• families
• travelers with luggage
• business travelers.
Tourist train from Bogotá to Zipaquirá
The Tren turístico de la Sabana is sometimes mentioned as an option, but it should be understood correctly.
It is:
• a heritage tourist train
• mainly operating on weekends and holidays
• not a daily airport connection.
Because the train departs from stations in northern Bogotá rather than the airport, travelers must first reach those stations by taxi or urban transport.
Estimated travel time:
around 2 hours.
Estimated price:
about 90,000-96,000 COP round trip.
This makes the train more of a scenic experience than a practical transport solution.
Best option depending on your arrival time
Morning arrivals
Morning arrivals usually allow the most flexible travel options.
Best strategy:
Taxi → Portal Norte → bus.
Midday arrivals
Traffic conditions are often stable outside rush hours.
Best strategy:
Taxi or rideshare → Portal Norte or Terminal Norte → bus.
Evening rush hour arrivals
Northern Bogotá traffic can become the main delay.
Best strategy:
Check live traffic conditions before choosing between taxi or TransMilenio.
Late night arrivals
If buses become less frequent, the best options may be:
• direct taxi or private transfer
• overnight stay in Bogotá and travel the next morning.
Best time of day to travel
Travel conditions on this route change depending on time of day.
Generally:
Morning departures are usually fastest.
Avoid leaving northern Bogotá during evening rush hour (5:00-8:00 PM).
Weekend mornings can also be slower because many residents travel toward the northern towns of the Bogotá savanna.
Insider tips for traveling this route
Several small decisions can make the journey easier.
Use Portal Norte when possible
Local travelers often skip the central bus terminal and go directly to Portal Norte, which already sits on the northern highway.
Check traffic conditions
Apps like Waze or Google Maps help determine whether taxi or public transit will be faster on a given day.
Carry small bills
Most buses accept cash payments, and having small bills can speed up boarding.
Strategic drop-off points
Some buses allow passengers to disembark closer to the historic center rather than the terminal, saving time on the final transfer.
Zipaquirá is a common day trip
Because buses are frequent and the distance is short, Zipaquirá is one of the easiest day trips from Bogotá.
Frequently asked questions
No. Travelers must first reach Portal Norte or Terminal Norte and then board an intermunicipal bus.
Using TransMilenio plus bus is usually the cheapest option.
A direct taxi or private transfer is the fastest option, typically taking 55-75 minutes in light traffic.
Yes. Buses usually depart every 10-20 minutes, especially from Portal Norte.
Yes. The Bogotá-Zipaquirá corridor is widely used by commuters and travelers and is considered a routine regional route.
Not usually. The Tren turístico de la Sabana operates mainly as a weekend sightseeing experience rather than a daily airport transport option.
Related routes
Travelers using Bogotá as a transport hub may also find these guides useful:
Both guides help explain how the capital connects with other destinations across the Sabana de Bogotá and the Boyacá region.
