Colombia · BOG

Flights to Bogotá

Two and a half thousand metres up, and cool all year round

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Bogotá surprises people who expect tropical South America. At around 2,640 metres it is cool year-round — the average sits near 14°C in every month — and the altitude is high enough that most visitors notice it on the first day.

It is a large, complicated and rewarding capital: the colonial Candelaria district, one of the best gold museums in the world, and Monserrate rising above the city. It is also the main gateway between North America and the Andean region, which makes it a natural first or last stop on a wider trip.

Getting to Bogotá

Airports

El Dorado (BOG) is around 15 km west of the centre. Terminal 1 handles the great majority of flights; Terminal 2 is a separate building used by a smaller number of airlines and is not connected airside, so confirm which one you need.

Flight time

Roughly 3h 40m non-stop from Miami, about 5h 30m from New York, near 5h 45m from Houston and around 4h from Fort Lauderdale.

Into the city

Thirty to seventy minutes depending on traffic, which in Bogotá is heavy. Use the official taxi desk inside the terminal, which issues a ticket with the fare, or ride-hailing from a designated pickup point. The TransMilenio bus system is very cheap and awkward with luggage.

When to go

Demand rather than price is described here on purpose. Any fare we show you comes from a live search on your own dates, so a fixed figure on this page would be out of date before you read it.

Drier months

December to March, July to August

Bogotá sits near the equator so there is no summer or winter, only drier and wetter periods. These are the driest and the most reliable for walking the city, with more sunshine between the showers.

Wetter months

April to May, October to November

The two rainy periods. Rain tends to come in the afternoon rather than all day, and the temperature barely changes, so it affects plans more than comfort.

Constant temperature

All year

The average sits around 14°C in every month, with warm sun during the day and cold evenings. Layers matter far more here than the month you choose.

Good to know

Currency
Colombian peso (COP)
Altitude
About 2,640 m — noticeable on the first day
Average temperature
Around 14°C, all year
Airport to centre
30–70 minutes
Language
Spanish; limited English outside tourist areas
Power
Type A and B plugs, 110V

Entry requirements change and we are not an immigration authority. Always confirm the current rules for your nationality with the relevant government before you book or travel.

Worth sorting before you fly

Take the first day gently

At 2,640 metres, most visitors feel breathless on stairs and some get a headache for the first twenty-four hours. Water, less alcohol and an easy first afternoon handles it. Climbing Monserrate on foot on arrival day is not the move.

Check which terminal you need

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at El Dorado are separate buildings requiring a shuttle or a long outdoor walk between them. Arriving at the wrong one with a tight schedule is a real problem.

Dress for a cold evening whatever the forecast says

The daytime sun at this altitude is strong and the temperature falls sharply after dark. Visitors consistently pack for a South American capital and find themselves cold by seven in the evening.

Bogotá works well as a hub

It is closer to most US cities than the hubs further south and has extensive onward connections across the continent. Building a wider South America trip around it usually produces shorter total flying time than the alternatives.

Other destinations

FAQ

Bogotá — common questions

Airports, timing, and when it is worth talking to an agent.

Will I feel the altitude in Bogotá?

Most people notice it mildly on the first day, as breathlessness on stairs and occasionally a headache. It typically settles within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Drinking water and avoiding anything strenuous on arrival day is the standard advice.

Are the terminals at Bogotá airport connected?

Not directly. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separate buildings, and moving between them means a shuttle or a long walk outside followed by re-clearing security. Check which terminal your flight uses before you travel.

What is the weather like in Bogotá?

Cool and remarkably constant — around 14°C on average in every month, because the city sits near the equator at high altitude. The seasons affect rainfall rather than temperature, with drier spells from December to March and July to August.

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