Bus from Cartagena to Cali
Long overnight haul · ~20–22h · $45–65 USD · Daily
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Spanning the length of Colombia, the road from Cartagena to Cali runs roughly 1,100 km and takes about 20 to 22 hours — one of the longest overland hauls in the country. Expreso Brasilia is the main operator, running full-size coaches that cross the Caribbean lowlands before following the Cauca valley deep into the southwest. This is a true endurance trip, almost always taken as a long overnight-plus journey.
Be candid with yourself about whether to fly: a Cartagena–Cali flight takes a couple of hours and is frequently affordable, so the vast majority of travelers fly this route. The bus makes sense only if you specifically want overland travel, are on a tight budget, are moving heavy luggage or pets, or prefer not to fly. If you do commit to the bus, prepare thoroughly — warm layers, plenty of snacks, entertainment, and a flexible attitude toward the long hours.
Route details: Cartagena to Cali
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 Cartagena
Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena (Crespo sector near the airport; allow travel time from the Old City)
Drop-off at Cali
Terminal de Transportes de Cali (north of the center, near the train station and walkable to downtown)
About the journey
This is one of Colombia's longest single bus journeys, running the full length of the country from the Caribbean coast to the southwestern Andes. Leaving Cartagena's terminal, buses head south across the hot tropical plains of Bolívar and the interior savanna, crossing cattle country and the wetlands of the Caribbean lowlands. The route works its way toward Antioquia and the western cordillera region before joining the great Cauca River valley, which it follows south for many hours through fertile farmland framed by mountains. The final stretch continues through Valle del Cauca toward Cali, set against the western Andes. Travelers should expect dramatic changes in climate and scenery, long stretches of highway, frequent police and military checkpoints, and multiple meal and restroom stops over the marathon journey. At 20 to 22 hours this is a serious undertaking, almost always taken overnight and often broken up mentally into the lowland and valley halves. It is genuinely epic but demands patience.
Travel tips for Cartagena → Cali
- Prepare for a true marathon because at 20–22 hours this is among Colombia's longest bus routes and demands real patience.
- Leave the Old City early as Cartagena's terminal is out near the airport in the Crespo sector and traffic can be slow.
- Seriously weigh flying since a Cartagena–Cali flight is just a couple of hours and often inexpensive; take the bus mainly for budget or overland reasons.
- Pack layers and plenty of supplies — bring warm clothing for the cold cabin, snacks, water and entertainment for the long haul.
- Carry pesos in small bills for the many meal and restroom stops across the lowlands and the Cauca valley.
- Book with Expreso Brasilia through official channels, as it runs the main long-distance service on this corridor.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the bus from Cartagena to Cali?
Plan on roughly 20 to 22 hours for the approximately 1,100 km, one of Colombia's longest bus routes. Real time depends heavily on traffic, the many checkpoints, road conditions and weather, so any schedule is only an estimate.
How much does the bus from Cartagena to Cali cost?
Fares generally run about $45 to $65 USD one way, depending on the comfort class and how early you book. Tickets are priced in Colombian pesos, so the dollar figure moves with the exchange rate.
What time do buses leave Cartagena for Cali?
Departures are limited on this very long route, typically running between roughly 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and almost always involve overnight travel. Confirm current times directly at the Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena.
Is the Cartagena to Cali bus worth it versus flying?
For most travelers, no — a flight takes a couple of hours and is often cheap, 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 should I prepare for such a long bus journey?
Bring warm layers for the cold cabin, plenty of snacks and water, entertainment, and small bills in pesos for the frequent stops. Choosing an overnight departure helps, and a relaxed, flexible mindset makes the long hours far more bearable.
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