⏰ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic → International
80
minutes
International → Domestic
80
minutes
International → International
95
minutes
Interline Connections
125
minutes
🏢 Terminal Information
El Dorado International Airport Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento (BOG) is the crown jewel of Colombia’s aviation network and consistently ranks as one of the premier airports in Latin America. Located about 15 kilometers west of Bogotá’s city center, it serves as the largest cargo hub in South America and handles nearly half of the country’s total air traffic. As a primary gateway for the continent, BOG connects Bogotá to global destinations across the Americas and Europe, while serving as the main operational base for Avianca, one of the world’s oldest and largest airlines.
The airport’s operation is divided between two main facilities: Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2), also known as Puente Aéreo. Terminal 1 is a massive, modern H-shaped building that manages all international flights and the vast majority of domestic services. It is intelligently organized into two primary piers, with the north side dedicated to international traffic and the south side focused on domestic routes. Terminal 2, situated in a separate building, caters specifically to domestic flights for regional and low-cost carriers like SATENA and Clic, offering a faster and more streamlined experience for local travelers. A free satellite shuttle bus connects the two terminals every 20 minutes.
Inside Terminal 1, passengers have access to a world-class array of amenities that reflect the airport’s award-winning status. The facility is home to some of the finest lounges in the region, most notably the El Dorado Lounge by Mastercard, which features a stunning "Gold Exhibit" of Pre-Columbian art. Other premium spaces include the LATAM Lounge and several Avianca Lounges. Beyond high-end dining and extensive duty-free shopping, the terminal offers unique facilities such as a cinema, a games room, professional business centers, and dedicated children’s play areas. Free Wi-Fi and numerous device charging stations are available throughout the terminal to keep travelers connected.
Ground transportation at BOG is highly integrated with Bogotá’s urban infrastructure, offering several efficient ways to reach the city center. The most cost-effective option is the TransMilenio rapid transit bus system, which links the airport to the wider city via the "Portal El Dorado" station and a dedicated airport feeder bus (Route 16-14). Official airport taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Cabify provide a more direct 30-to-40-minute journey to major business and tourist districts. For those heading deeper into the country, the airport also hosts numerous car rental agencies and provides extensive parking facilities, including dedicated short-term and long-term garages.
🔄 Connection Tips
Connecting at El Dorado International Airport Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento (BOG) requires careful timing due to its high-altitude operations and split-terminal layout. The airport operates through Terminal 1 (main) and Terminal 2 (regional and domestic for carriers like Clic and SATENA). A critical tip for travelers is the inter-terminal transfer: a free green Eldorado Shuttle Bus connects T1 and T2 every 20 minutes from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM. If you are transferring from an international flight to a regional one, you must clear immigration, collect your luggage, and exit the building to catch this shuttle; allow at least 2. 5 to 3 hours for this process. For international arrivals, completing the mandatory Check-Mig form online 24 to 1 hour before your flight is essential to avoid significant delays at the immigration counter.
During peak banks from 5:00 AM to 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, immigration queues can exceed an hour. Once airside in T1, the El Dorado Lounge by Mastercard is a highlight; open 24 hours near Gate A8, it features a unique Gold Museum exhibit and a cinema room. Access is generally available for Priority Pass members and premium Mastercard holders. Ground transportation is well-structured but requires a Tullave card, which can be purchased and topped up at the arrivals level.
The TransMilenio K86 Dual bus is a popular and affordable option, connecting the airport to the Usaquén district via Carrera 7. If you are using rideshare, follow signs to the designated pickup zones, as Uber and Cabify operate in a regulated environment at BOG. Always monitor your flight status via the Avianca or airport app, as high-altitude weather in the Bogotá savanna can lead to sudden afternoon delays. If your connection involves a long wait, the on-site movie theater and numerous local cafes provide a comfortable environment to experience Colombian hospitality.
⏰ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic → Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic → International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
🏢 Terminal Information
Alcides Fernández Airport (ACD) is a small commercial airport situated in Acandí, Chocó Department, Colombia. It serves as a crucial aerial link for this remote community, connecting it to the rest of Colombia and, historically, to neighboring Panama. The airport underwent renovations in the early 2000s, which included enlarging its single asphalt runway (17/35) to 1,189 meters (3,901 feet) and improving its terminal facilities.
The terminal building is compact and functional, designed to handle the modest passenger traffic of a regional airport. Due to its small size, it does not feature extensive internal amenities. Passengers can expect basic services such as check-in counters and a waiting area. The airport's layout is straightforward, ensuring easy navigation for travelers.
Amenities at Alcides Fernández Airport are limited. While detailed information about extensive internal terminal amenities is not readily available, travelers should anticipate a focus on essential services. There are no extensive retail shops, dedicated dining facilities beyond perhaps a small snack counter, or luxury lounges. Security procedures are in place, but given the airport's scale, wait times are typically minimal, ensuring a straightforward and efficient process for domestic flights.
🔄 Connection Tips
Connecting through Alcides Fernández Airport involves navigating Colombia's most isolated Caribbean coastal gateway serving Acandí in northern Chocó Department at the Panama border, where SATENA's exclusive service operates the only scheduled commercial route providing a 197-mile connection to Medellín's Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport in 1 hour 14 minutes with service launching March 2026. The airport's strategic importance stems from its role as the sole aerial link for this roadless region, where no highways connect to Colombia's road network or the Pan-American Highway, making aviation and maritime transport the only viable access methods for residents and visitors reaching this remote biodiversity hotspot.
Domestic connections through Medellín enable onward travel throughout Colombia via SATENA's national network serving remote communities, while connections to Avianca, LATAM, and Viva Air at Olaya Herrera Airport provide access to major Colombian cities including Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali, and Barranquilla. The airport's primary function extends beyond Acandí itself, serving as the gateway for tourists reaching Capurganá and Sapzurro beach destinations via 25-minute boat transfers covering the coastline journey for 170,000-230,000 COP, significantly more peaceful than the alternative 1.5-hour boat crossing from Turbo across the choppy Gulf of Urabá.
Ground transportation from the airport located 3 kilometers from downtown Acandí includes taxis readily available for the 5-10 minute journey costing approximately 120,000 COP, though fares require negotiation as meters are not used and prices fluctuate with demand. The town's complete isolation without road connections limits rental car utility to local exploration within Acandí's confined footprint, while boat services from the town dock provide essential connectivity to Capurganá, Sapzurro, and Panama's San Blas islands. Weather considerations during Chocó's intense rainy season affect both flight operations and sea conditions for boat transfers, requiring flexible scheduling particularly during October-November when precipitation peaks, while the renovated 1,189-meter runway accommodates regional aircraft despite challenging tropical weather patterns typical of Colombia's wettest department supporting ecotourism and indigenous communities along this pristine Caribbean coastline.
← Back to El Dorado International Airport Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento