Bus from San Gil to Villa de Leyva

Bus (often with transfer) · ~4–5h · $10–$20 USD · Several daily via Barbosa/Tunja

Why choose Spring Bus?

Spring Bus is the best way to find bus tickets from San Gil to Villa de Leyva

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.

Traveling from San Gil to Villa de Leyva connects two highlights of Colombia's Andean interior, though it requires a transfer along the way. The journey spans about 180 kilometers and takes 4 to 5 hours, usually routed through Barbosa or Tunja where you change to a Villa de Leyva-bound service. Cootransvilla and Reina handle the final leg into the colonial town, while a Copetran or Berlinas bus typically covers the stretch out of San Gil.

Buses depart San Gil's terminal and finish at the small Terminal de Transportes de Villa de Leyva, a short walk from the famous Plaza Mayor. Combined fares run roughly $10 to $20 USD across the legs. Because the trip hinges on a smooth connection, leaving early and confirming onward departures at your transfer point keeps things on schedule and gets you to Villa de Leyva in time to enjoy the town.

Route details: San Gil to Villa de Leyva

Travel time

4 h 30 min

Distance

180 km

Typical fare

$10 – $20 USD per person

Frequency

Several daily, usually via Barbosa or Tunja

First departure

Approx. 5:00 AM

Last departure

Approx. 6:00 PM

Operators on this route

Cootransvilla · Reina

Pickup at San Gil

Terminal de Transportes de San Gil

Drop-off at Villa de Leyva

Terminal de Transportes de Villa de Leyva

About the journey

Heading from San Gil to Villa de Leyva takes travelers from Santander's adventure-sports hub into the cool colonial highlands of Boyacá. The roughly 180-kilometer route runs 4 to 5 hours and almost always involves a transfer, since no single direct bus connects the two towns. Most travelers take a southbound Santander service to Barbosa or Tunja, then change to a Cootransvilla or Reina bus bound for Villa de Leyva's cobblestone streets and grand main plaza. The drive climbs from warm valley terrain into Boyacá's patchwork of farmland and stone villages, the landscape cooling as you gain altitude. Coordinating the connection is the main planning task, but the payoff is reaching one of Colombia's most photogenic colonial towns.

Travel tips for San Gil → Villa de Leyva

Expect to transfer at Barbosa or Tunja, as no direct bus runs and your connection sets the total travel time.
Set off early so you can make the change comfortably and arrive in Villa de Leyva while shops and restaurants are still open.
Connect via Tunja if you'd like to break the trip, since it's a convenient hub with frequent buses onward to Villa de Leyva.
Keep small pesos on hand to buy separate tickets for each leg at the respective terminals.
Bring warmer clothing, as Villa de Leyva sits high in Boyacá and turns chilly in the evenings compared with San Gil.
Double-check the last bus into Villa de Leyva, which can finish earlier than long-distance services, so you don't miss the final connection.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the bus from San Gil to Villa de Leyva?

Allow about 4 to 5 hours for the roughly 180-kilometer journey, including a transfer. Connection wait times at Barbosa or Tunja are the main variable in the total trip.

How much does a ticket cost?

Combined fares typically total $10 to $20 USD. Expect to purchase separate tickets for the leg out of San Gil and the onward bus into Villa de Leyva.

Is there a direct bus?

Usually not. Most travelers transfer at Barbosa or Tunja, taking a Santander service south and then a Cootransvilla or Reina bus into Villa de Leyva.

When should I depart from San Gil?

A morning start is best, ideally before midday, so you can complete the transfer and arrive in Villa de Leyva with the afternoon still ahead of you.

How far is the terminal from Villa de Leyva's center?

The Villa de Leyva terminal is a short walk from the historic center and its famous Plaza Mayor, so you can usually reach your lodging on foot or with a quick taxi.

Going the other direction?

Bus from Villa de Leyva to San Gil

See the return route →

Explore the cities on this route

Origin

San Gil

Bus tickets, accommodation, and what to do in San Gil →

Destination

Villa de Leyva

Bus tickets, accommodation, and what to do in Villa de Leyva →

Related routes

Bus route