Bus Travel in Colombia

[Micky10]

All the posts above are all true. But in all fairness, with the amount of bus travel and number of passengers relative to those numbers, I think that bus travel is a option that plays. And, true enough Eddie, save the piss stops, for the stops. If one prepares for the ride (feed bag, rest stops, time) it is not all that bad. **WARNING** - this opinion is from a lowlife, not jetsetter!

Love - Micky

[Sailover]

The last time we headed up the country, I waited until hitting the flatlands before using the bathroom. Someone had opened the window and it was the first feeling of the tropical air I had had in a long time. Even fetid, it felt great! But do yourself a huge favor and do NOT need to go from Medellin or Bogota until you get down the mountain! (and try your bestest not to have to take care of any big business at any time.)

[rpcv]

The price might have increased but the last time I took a bus from Cali to Manizales it was about $15. The ride is 5 1/2 hours but mostly smooth, safe and you can feel the temp really drop as you get closer to Manizales.

[STM]

Originally Posted by Flaco

Aside from colombian style drivers, is it presently Farc safe to travel from bogota to Cali and Cali to Cart ? I was pricing air, 345 rt Cali to Bogota ? I have found cheaper fares going from LA to NY. Is that the standard fare, or am I not looking in the right places ?

That is the price Flaco. Just recently did a r/t BOG/MDE, and r/t BOG/CLO.
All the flight are 380,000 (with taxes) pesos each way, so r/t comes to 760,000 pesos, or $380 USD for short little flights.

Colombia is not cheap anymore.

Nobody really did ever answer how are these Colombians doing this? Supposedly many make 400,000-800,000 pesos a month. Yet the flights are full, and several a day.

Trying to get a Colombia to give up a 2000 pesos bill, you have a better chance of going to the moon.
Has anyone ever actually had a Colombian lend or even give them even a 2000 pesos bill or less? You can't even get a 500 pesos coin out of a Colombian

[LastLion]

Flaco here is the program. I am so surprised noone has mentioned it here!

http://www.aires.aero/Website/Default.aspx

This is the southwest of colombia. Small planes mostly twin props and turbo props, but the price is right you can find your flights for under $150- 200 round trip througout colombia anywhere to anywhere , you can also find one way tickets to cities at a very reasonable price under a $100 if that is the way you fly!

[STM]

I just tried it, and still $350 on the few ones tried.

LastLion, Show me your $150 r/t ticket fare !!!

[LastLion]

STM, first of all check out their routes, on the main page they have a drop down for there destinationes and routes, they are whacky, but they fly everywhere there, just not as directly as a normal person would . jajajaja

Here is one for about $230 US. Cali bogota roundtrip, unfortunately cali is a tough route for Aires . When I was there last month I priced Bucaramanga to medellin r/t both avianca and Aires avianca was about $350 aries was $180.. You have to buy these in advance, call them direct or just show up on their doorstep and ask in person. That is what I did!

Aires unlike lots of other airlines will make deals if there planes are not full. What ever happened to those days?? I used to show up and if first class was empty or not full you could upgrade for a $100 or $200 bucks last time I asked continental, they told me it was $1200 upgrade! Needless to say I stuck to coach.

Airlines are about as pitiful as anything out there. :mad:

I really like the modern day buses of Colombia, Tv's the seats are usually more comfortable than the coach seats of an airlplane!

Lastly about Aires, they don't have direct routes from big city to big city. Usually a ride from medellin to bogota means a stop over and that will make your flight from 1 hour to 3. But if you have time I think its worth it

Strangely enough, you can get to just about any coca field type landing strip in colombia via Aires!!! jajajajjaja






Vuelo de Ida (H) Ver Condiciones Tarifarias

Adulto $ 105,500.00 CO
Tasas Adulto ( detalles) $ 103,080.00 CO
Subtotal $ 208,580.00 CO
X 1 Adulto $ 105,500.00 CO


Vuelo de Regreso (H) Ver Condiciones Tarifarias

Adulto $ 105,500.00 CO
Tasas Adulto ( detalles) $ 102,780.00 CO
Subtotal $ 208,280.00 CO
X 1 Adulto $ 105,500.00 CO



Tarifa Administrativa X 1 Pasajeros $ 14,000.00 CO

TOTAL $ 430,860.00 CO

[STM]

That r/t ticket comes to approx $230USD, what is the date of that trip?

[LastLion]

Originally Posted by STM

That r/t ticket comes to approx $230USD, what is the date of that trip?

3 weeks out!

Actually if you boys speak spanish it is best to call them and price out the ticket, say you live in bla bla bla and want to buy a ticket, you will probably get a better deal.

I have a friend who's sister works there she told me the low down, call or go in person , plan ahead!

[STM]

OK, they have a sale now, still I do not consider $230-240 USD for a 25-30 minute airtime flight a bargain. If it wasn't for the sale your 25-30 minute flight would be over $300.

Still its nice to have alternatives, good info Last Lion.

I flew Aires Cali to Ibaque , a few years ago, I cannot remeber the price but I think 250,000 pesos. Aires uses prop planes, seat about 12, at least the flight I had.