Bus from Cartagena to Barranquilla
Coach or van · ~2h · $8–$18 USD · Very frequent (every 15–45 min)
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Barranquilla is Colombia's great port city and the home of the country's most famous Carnival, and the two-hour bus from Cartagena makes it an easy add-on to any Caribbean coast itinerary. The highway is one of the smoothest on the coast, sweeping across open plains before the dramatic crossing of the Magdalena River, Colombia's largest, as you approach the city. Whether you ride a full-size coach or a faster van, the journey is short enough to do as a day trip and frequent enough that you never have to plan far ahead.
Your choice of service shapes the experience. Coaches from Brasilia are cheapest and leave from Cartagena's terminal on the edge of town, which means a taxi or bus to reach it. Door-to-door vans from Berlinastur and Marsol cost a little more but collect you closer to the center and save you the terminal scramble at both ends. For Carnival in February the vans book out fast, so reserve ahead if you are traveling during the festivities.
Route details: Cartagena to Barranquilla
Travel time
2 h 10 min
Distance
120 km
Typical fare
$8 – $18 USD per person
Frequency
Very frequent (every 15–45 min)
First departure
Approx. 4:00 AM
Last departure
Approx. 8:00 PM
Operators on this route
Expreso Brasilia · Berlinastur · Marsol (door-to-door vans)
Pickup at Cartagena
Cartagena's Terminal de Transporte on the eastern edge of the city, plus Berlinastur and Marsol door-to-door van offices near the center
Drop-off at Barranquilla
Barranquilla's Terminal de Transporte Metropolitano south of the center, or van company offices in the Prado and north-side districts
About the journey
Cartagena to Barranquilla is the busiest intercity corridor on Colombia's Caribbean coast, and you have two distinct ways to ride it. Large Expreso Brasilia coaches run from Cartagena's main terminal at a steady drumbeat, while companies like Berlinastur and Marsol operate comfortable door-to-door vans that pick you up near the center and drop you at an address in Barranquilla. The 120-kilometer route follows a good modern highway across the flat coastal plain, crossing the wide mouth of the Río Magdalena as you enter Barranquilla. Most trips take around two hours, though city traffic at either end and the toll-plaza stops can add time. With departures running from before dawn until evening, this is a route you can ride on a whim.
Travel tips for Cartagena → Barranquilla
- Choose vans for convenience, coaches for price. Berlinastur and Marsol vans pick up and drop off near the center at both ends; Brasilia coaches are cheaper but run from the out-of-town terminals.
- Book ahead during Carnival. Barranquilla's February Carnival fills every seat on this route, so reserve van tickets several days in advance if you are traveling around the celebration.
- Allow time for terminal transfers. Cartagena's bus terminal sits on the city's eastern edge, roughly 30 to 45 minutes from the walled center by taxi, so leave early if you are catching a coach.
- Carry water and a light layer. Vans and coaches crank the air conditioning hard on this run, so a thin layer helps while a bottle of water handles the humid waits.
- Keep documents handy. Police checkpoints on the highway occasionally ask passengers for ID, so have your passport or a copy reachable rather than buried in your bag.
- Watch the Magdalena crossing. As you enter Barranquilla the highway crosses the broad Río Magdalena, a worthwhile view and a clear sign you are nearly at the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the bus from Cartagena to Barranquilla take?
The 120-kilometer trip usually takes about two hours, though heavy traffic leaving Cartagena or entering Barranquilla, plus toll stops, can push it slightly longer.
How much does the bus from Cartagena to Barranquilla cost?
Fares run roughly $8 to $18 USD. Large Expreso Brasilia coaches are cheapest; Berlinastur and Marsol door-to-door vans cost more for the added convenience.
What time do buses run from Cartagena to Barranquilla?
Service is very frequent, with departures roughly every 15 to 45 minutes from around 4:00 AM until about 8:00 PM, so you can usually just turn up and go.
Should I take a coach or a door-to-door van?
Vans from Berlinastur or Marsol pick you up near the center and drop at an address, saving terminal trips. Coaches from Brasilia are cheaper but leave from the edge-of-town terminals.
Is this a good day trip from Cartagena?
Yes. At about two hours each way with constant departures, Barranquilla is an easy day trip, especially to see the port city's energy or sample its famed Carnival atmosphere.
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