Why Leaving Medellin Airport Can Be Tricky...

[@expatcrib]

The bus is around $3.50 USD and leaves every 15 minutes and takes you to Mall San Diego in Poblado and from there you can take a taxi or uber and save $30 USD

[@victoriadedicova]

And more comfortable than any taxi or Uber. Unless you like sitting in a tiny can.

[@MedellinBuzz]

Good video! I've always had a good experience with either Uber or Taxi out of the airport.

[@AKJoel]

Yup both are great options!

[@David-wm8he]

Valuable information. Great walk thru

[@AKJoel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@David-wm8he]

Arrived yesterday, rewatched your video. Success, lol@@AKJoel

[@SPCPerez19Delta]

I use Uber allll of the time in Medellin. Safer. Newer cars. No issues ever.

[@AKJoel]

Yup me too!

[@victoriadedicova]

The green busses are much safer. And more comfortable.

[@ralf.0089]

And illegal 😂

[@BestFriendOfJesus]

Super useful, much appreciated Joel!

[@AKJoel]

Anytime 👍🏾🙂

[@BIGBLUE772]

great video, leaving for Colombia today!

[@AKJoel]

Enjoy! 🇨🇴

[@explore-trucking]

How about a ride from El Poblado to the airport? I have an early 6:00am flight.

[@AKJoel]

Uber

[@explore-trucking]

@@AKJoel so it works the same Uber app that we use in the states?

[@salahdinragge974]

That’s helpful information Thank you so much.👏🙏

[@AKJoel]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Andejm78]

I got a car service from the hotel I’m staying at. Is there an area where they would normally pick me up?

[@bojchmar]

we took oficial taxi at the airport and ubers in the city. All good.

[@AKJoel]

Yeh I always take Uber too, never had an issue.

[@expatcrib]

The bus is also safer than taking a taxi or private driver unless you know the driver.

[@JWinch]

Uber is illegal in all of Colombia (not just Medellín), and Ecuador and various other countries. Yet they still have uber drivers despite that. Medellin also has another app service (cash only), inDrive. Other cities like Bogotá have Cabify which I prefer. You may also see taxis advertising other apps.

[@kevinnix5495]

Cocaine is illegal and yet they still have lots of it 😂

[@AKJoel]

I think it's more unregulated than illegal - I've been pulled over by transit cops when I was in an Uber and they never did anything - just checked my ID and let us go lol

[@gregstephens2339]

Go with referrals from people you know. I got lucky with Anderson and I can personally vouch for him.

[@victoriadedicova]

​@@AKJoel it's literally illegal. You need to search news article and read the actual law.

[@jamaicanbae9337]

Hey what time in the night

[@LaCasaSuiza]

The Taxiprice is 98.000 Peso. Why you say 130.000? I was there last week and this is what i paid and they ask for. No problem with Uber. The tunnel is 8 km long, we have the longest in Switzerland.

[@AKJoel]

That's good to know, thanks for the comment!

[@ticani2]

I left my phone in a taxi in el Poblado and he chased me down to return it. Uber and taxi have been super friendly and the service is very inexpensive

[@AKJoel]

That's awesome - what a nice guy!

[@danielh9844]

The Rio Negro-based white taxis are my choice. Last year I took an Uber to the airport, and 4 days later, Uber charged me an additional price for the trip. So much for their so-called discount. And I've had the experience where an Uber driver canceled after he realized I was going to the airport (even though that's exactly what I indicated when I booked the service) The white taxi drivers are reliable and super polite, and it's easy to book a car to the airport. And bonus: you don't have to fumble around the airport looking for your driver.

[@AKJoel]

Yeah you're right - white taxi is definitely the easiest and most convenient option.

[@Travelinlad]

I always take the Colectivo from the airport

[@AKJoel]

How much does that cost?

[@ianberman6486]

~​​⁠20-23,000 per person to San Diego Mall with 3 other passengers. (Don’t remember exact fixed rate). Then you jump in a waiting taxi or call an Uber from that point. 10-15,000 from there. I wouldn’t recommend it for the first time in Colombia, but once you’re comfortable in the country, it’s great. Or if you’re comfortable with 3rd world travel. Very cost effective.

[@vanguardcycle]

@@ianberman6486have heard about this from the homie who has a tattoo shop in san diego mall. seems like a great option

[@Travelinlad]

I think it's $25,000 or $30,000 per person

[@jeffschueler1182]

The key to using Uber in Medellin is to hop in the front seat with them and act like they are your best buddy. Works every time.

[@davecord4553]

I just take the white taxis and it cost 100,000 pesos (just for me-$25 ) or I take a colectivo -where they fit in 4 people at 23000 pesos-($6 USD) but then you are connected later to a yellow taxi for your final destination ($4). They also have buses to South/north Terminal ( but a little more of a hassle) My last ride to the airport cost me 80000 pesos from my apartment directly to the airport because I had the white taxi's business card and used him before.

[@AKJoel]

Colectivo is a great option if you want yo save money it seems - never taken it myself to be honest cos I don't like to wait haha

[@JWinch]

The white taxi collectivo works great for me for airport runs between the international airport far outside of Medellín and El Poblado. Not much waiting. Actually perhaps less than the typical time it takes to even get an uber driver between the time you say you want one and one finally shows up in front of where you are stahding. I have done the bus too... usually lots of waiting, but if there are no collectivos, then that is fine. If you fly domestic flights into the city airport, no need for collectivo for significant cost savings. I got uber from there without much hassle.

[@Ally-ud4xq]

How can I pay in the white taxis? Only in cop cash? Because I only carry USD for exchange, but mat arrival I don‘t have cop yet :/

[@AKJoel]

Some of them take card, just ask before you hop in

[@throne4494]

There are exchange areas in the airport. Well the jose cordova one

[@christopherjohnson2375]

Uber is illegal in Colombia but they have offices. All I use in Colombia is Uber

[@AKJoel]

illegal and unregulated seem like 2 very different things lol

[@Whole.Phantom]

Where do you find the White taxis, and what is the name of the company that operates? Do they have a desk inside the airport or phone number by chance?

[@AKJoel]

They're just as you walk out on level 1 - you can see the location in this video.

[@GoMyflow]

Is a Air B n B in Belén a good idea ? Close to Los Molinos. Will be my 2nd time in Colombia first time in Medellin.

[@AKJoel]

Yup great idea, I lived there for a couple of months right opposite Los Molinos.

[@victoriadedicova]

Depends. Violetas NO! Nubia yes, San Bernardo yes. Los Alpes no. Castellana and Nueva Valle de Aburrá yes. La Palma Yes. Belen Parque no. Mercedes depends on which side, by Violetas no, but By Nueva Valle De Aburrá yes.

[@ianberman6486]

Ubers are good in Medellin/ Colombia. It’s actually better than taxis bc there is an electronic record of your travel. Uber drivers know you can be traced back to them. It is not the same for taxis when you don't use an app to hail one. Ubers at the airport are a little more complicated. More below on colectivos, small white cars that share 4 people to San Diego Mall, the entry point to Medellin from the airport.

[@ianberman6486]

~​​⁠20-25,000 per person to San Diego Mall with 3 other passengers. (Don’t remember exact fixed rate, maybe slightly more). Then you jump in a waiting taxi or call an Uber from that point. 10-15,000 from there. I wouldn’t recommend it for the first time in Colombia, but once you’re comfortable in the country, it’s great. Or if you’re comfortable with 3rd world travel. Very cost effective.

[@AKJoel]

Yeah I love the fact that Uber drivers can be rated and traced back if anything happens

[@Flexizy7]

Bro I’m in Medellin right now for the first time. Let’s meet up haha

[@AKJoel]

Sorry mate I don't do meetups but I hope you enjoy your time here. It's a great city and you're gonna love it!

[@Kristoferwitha_k]

Yep. Its a pain. Same in mexico

[@AKJoel]

I'm pretty sure it's legal in Mexico!

[@916hellas]

My Uber driver that picks me and and drops me off is also my weed hook up!.. Nothing better than getting off a long plane ride with a nice scenic drive from Rio Negro down to the valley with a blunt. All I need is some sancocho and bomb paisas from Bello and Im good.

[@AKJoel]

hahaha what a life

[@916hellas]

@@AKJoel Its all about simplicity mate

[@jeffschueler1182]

Hahahaha welcome to Medellin!

[@suizod]

By the time your Uber get's there, I'm sitting in a taxi and already halfway to Medellin for 120 mil.

[@AKJoel]

Smart move!

[@suizod]

not really, I just go outside and grab a yellow taxi. @@AKJoel

[@CleverAccountName303]

I never had to wait more than 3 minutes for an Uber at the airport. Yesterday was 96.000

[@rob3774]

I remember back in the day when you could get a white taxi from Rionegro airport to Poblado for 55-60 mil pesos. Crazy that the price has virtually doubled in 10-12 years!

[@DondiniMontefusco]

Green busses are like $5, and they bring you to El Centro-no problems!

[@AKJoel]

That's decent, as long as you don't have a flight arriving in the middle of the night lol

[@ad1das4ever]

I’m surprised there wasn’t a mob of drivers when you got out, that’s usually my experience, even at night. That’s something to be careful of too, one guy tried to charge me 250 mil. I never pay more than 140 mil, and that’s for a high quality car.

[@AKJoel]

Yeh I've experienced this in many countries around the world (Philippines, Dominican Republic, Monenegro). Taxi drivers love to rip off tourists who've just landed and don't know what a fair price is. Honestly in Colombia they've been very honest - I even pretended to be a full gringo tourist one time to see how much the taxi driver would charge me and he just said 100,000 haha

[@HarrisonDE]

Do the Uber rates include the toll?

[@AKJoel]

They do!

[@jeffschueler1182]

Yes

[@Ryan-ul7dy]

I prefer taking the bus from the airport. Just costs around 20 mil pesos and no worry of being scammed.

[@AKJoel]

How long does it take to get into the city?

[@JWinch]

And the waiting for the bus to get full before it leaves is a good introduction to learning patience in Latin America ;-)

[@JWinch]

The bus is fast (sometimes scarily high speed given the physics of buses). So the actual ride between airport and the place in El Poblado where they drop off is the same time as in any other form of transportation. The difference is in how long you wait for the bus to get full.@@AKJoel

[@Ryan-ul7dy]

@@AKJoelVery quick, same as a taxi. However, it's not going straight to your apartment of course so you either will need to walk or take a taxi for another 10 mil or so from the bus station. I've been scammed by DiDi/Uber and taxi drivers going to and from the airport but no one bothers you on a bus.

[@rob3774]

The bus costs 14 mil pesos

[@victoriadedicova]

WHAT are ypu actually talking about? Get on the Medellin bus and be done with it. It's like 15 mil, comfy, and takes the tunnel. Why make it more complicated? It has plenty of storage too.

[@Vintagetube310]

Shit I been to medellin 4 times, and I will never take anything less than an Uber. Safe fast and efficient

[@AKJoel]

Yup, me too - I love Uber!

[@throne4494]

😅 ive taken taxis before that a driver basically Medellins uber

[@niqwalshensemble9164]

The biggest advantage of Uber is that it charges your card. Taxis are great but you need COP.

[@AKJoel]

Yeah having cash all the time is irritating - Uber all the way!

[@xavierpierre1676]

if its illegal don't film the drivers face

[@AKJoel]

He didn't mind. I asked him if I can film before I even got in the car. I also told him I wanted to post it on KZbin and he said no worries.

[@Havana1961cu]

airbnb should be illegal too with that logic..it's ridicilous..Uber is good

[@AKJoel]

hahahaha now that I think about it you are 100% correct - AirBnb in Medellin is out of control!

[@mikemaldanado6015]

why do people use uber? it is more expensive and illegal in colombia. and you are incorrect there is fixed price for white cabs to medellin and that is 90,000 pesos. this is set by the govt. period. plus it is safe because all yellow cab drivers are registered with the govt and uber drivers can be anyone. they are not screened or registered. this is not america.

[@davidl8759]

you pronounced ilegal wrong :D

[@Theofficaldannyalldunso]

Taxis will rob you in Medellin. Better to have Uber to track the driver.

[@AKJoel]

It's funny the first month I was here a Colombian friend told me she had read a lot of stories of taxi drivers drugging and robbing people - ever since I heard that it was Uber all the way lol

[@Spenglish]

So doesn’t this video put this driver in danger? Hopefully not. Let’s help our Colombian people continue to make a living.

[@AKJoel]

I don't think it does. I asked him if I can film before I even got in the car. I also told him I'm gonna post it on KZbin and he said no worries.

[@Spenglish]

@@AKJoel Cool Bro! Keep up the good work.

[@realist6482]

I got points from Uber though 😂

[@AKJoel]

Uber is great, I love it

[@ohno-zx4if]

Fvck Uber InDriver or didi I prefer didi locally because they offer motorcycle taxis. Don’t take the taxi from the airport take the bus that’s outside to San Diego for 15k pasos it’s a green bus directly outside of the exit doors. Then take a 10 pesos taxi from where the bus drops you off.

[@aahsimovieprojects]

you'll put your life in someone elses hands on a moto in Colombia? yeah no thanks think ill just pay a bit more and sit in traffic if i have to

[@AKJoel]

haha moto driven by a Colombian - I see you like to live on the edge!!

[@ohno-zx4if]

@@aahsimovieprojects it’s not about putting my life in someone’s hands I’ve spent years in Colombia and never seen a serious accident these people are born to learn how to ride motorcycles. It’s just so much fun holding on to a back seat of a motorcycle. Always remember this when your days are up nothing and nobody can stop it.

[@nycrypto_investor]

Uber all the way! Every dollar counts! $5 can buy you dinner!

[@AKJoel]

Yeah I only use Uber, unless I can't find one then I'll do inDriver. I've taken maybe 4 taxis in 2 years here

[@nycrypto_investor]

@@AKJoel Always better to have a record of the car/driver.