Bus from Cali to Cartagena
Long overnight haul · ~20–22h · $45–65 USD · Daily
Why choose Spring Bus?
Spring Bus is the best way to find bus tickets from Cali to Cartagena
Plan your perfect trip
Find and book your bus tickets in just a few clicks.
Best prices
We partner with top bus companies to provide you with the best prices available.
Flexible Booking
Change your travel plans as needed with our flexible booking options.
From the Andean southwest to the Caribbean coast, the road from Cali to Cartagena runs roughly 1,100 km in about 20 to 22 hours — one of the longest single bus trips in Colombia. Expreso Brasilia is the principal operator, running full-size coaches north up the Cauca valley and across the hot interior lowlands to the coast. This is a genuine marathon, almost always taken as a long overnight-plus journey.
Realistically, most travelers fly this route: a Cali–Cartagena flight takes a couple of hours and is often affordable. The bus is worthwhile only if you specifically prefer overland travel, are watching your budget, dislike flying, or are hauling heavy luggage or pets. If you commit to it, prepare well — warm layers for the chilly cabin, plenty of snacks and water, entertainment, and patience for the long stretch from the mountains to the sea.
Route details: Cali to Cartagena
Travel time
21 h
Distance
1100 km
Typical fare
$45 – $65 USD per person
Frequency
Daily, mostly overnight
First departure
Approx. 8:00 AM
Last departure
Approx. 6:00 PM
Operators on this route
Expreso Brasilia
Pickup at Cali
Terminal de Transportes de Cali (north of the center, near the train station and walkable to downtown)
Drop-off at Cartagena
Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena (Crespo sector near the airport, about 8 km from the walled Old City)
About the journey
Running the length of the country from the southwestern Andes to the Caribbean, this is one of Colombia's longest bus journeys. Buses leave Cali's terminal and head north up the fertile Cauca River valley through Valle del Cauca, with sugarcane fields and the cordilleras framing the route for hours. The highway continues north toward Antioquia and the western mountains before descending into the hot interior savanna of the Caribbean departments. From there it crosses the flat tropical plains and wetlands of the lowlands, passing cattle towns and river crossings as the air grows humid, before reaching the colonial port of Cartagena on the coast. Travelers should expect enormous changes in climate and scenery, long highway stretches, frequent police and military checkpoints, and multiple meal and restroom stops across the marathon. At 20 to 22 hours this is a serious endurance trip, almost always taken overnight and best approached with patience, supplies and a flexible mindset.
Travel tips for Cali → Cartagena
- Brace for a marathon as this 20–22 hour run ranks among Colombia's longest bus routes and requires genuine patience.
- Seriously consider flying since a Cali–Cartagena flight is just a couple of hours and often cheap; take the bus mainly for budget or overland reasons.
- Pack warm layers and supplies including snacks, water and entertainment, as the cabin runs cold and the hours are long.
- Carry pesos in small denominations for the many meal and restroom stops between the Cauca valley and the coast.
- Plan your Cartagena arrival since the terminal sits near the airport in the Crespo sector, about 8 km from the walled Old City.
- Book with Expreso Brasilia through official channels, as it operates the main long-distance service on this corridor.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the bus from Cali to Cartagena?
Allow roughly 20 to 22 hours for the approximately 1,100 km, one of the longest bus routes in Colombia. The time depends heavily on traffic, the many checkpoints, road conditions and weather, so any schedule is just an estimate.
How much does the bus from Cali to Cartagena cost?
One-way fares typically run about $45 to $65 USD, depending on the comfort class and how early you book. Prices are charged in Colombian pesos, so the dollar equivalent shifts with the exchange rate.
What time do buses leave Cali for Cartagena?
Departures on this very long route are limited, generally running between roughly 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM and almost always involving overnight travel. Confirm exact times at the Terminal de Transportes de Cali.
Should I take the bus or fly from Cali to Cartagena?
Most travelers fly, since a flight takes a couple of hours and is often inexpensive while the bus is a 20–22 hour marathon. Choose the bus only if you specifically want overland travel, are on a tight budget, dislike flying, or are carrying heavy luggage or pets.
How do I prepare for this long journey to the coast?
Bring warm clothing for the cold cabin, plenty of snacks and water, entertainment, and small bills in pesos for the frequent stops. An overnight departure and a flexible, patient attitude make the long hours much more manageable.
Going the other direction?
Bus from Cartagena to Cali
Related routes
Bus route
Medellín → Cartagena
13 h · $30–$45 USD
Bus route
Mompox → Cartagena
6 h 30 min · $15–$30 USD
Bus route
Santa Marta → Cartagena
4 h · $12–$25 USD
Bus route
Barranquilla → Cartagena
2 h 10 min · $8–$18 USD
Bus route
Bogotá → Cartagena
19 h · $35–$55 USD
Bus route
Cali → Eje Cafetero
3 h 45 min · $12–$22 USD