El Dorado International Airport

El Dorado is the busiest airport in Colombia and one of the main hubs in South America, anchored by Avianca. It connects the Andean region, Central America, and beyond, and it sits high — Bogotá is around 2,600 metres above sea level — which is worth knowing before you arrive.

The terminals

The airport has two terminals: the main Terminal 1 (El Dorado) handles international and most domestic flights, while Puente Aéreo (Terminal 2) has historically served some of Avianca’s domestic shuttle operations. The two are a couple of kilometres apart, connected by a shuttle, so confirm which terminal your flight uses — arriving at the wrong one means a transfer, and they are not walkable from each other.

Getting into Bogotá

The airport is about 15 km west of downtown Bogotá. Bogotá does not yet have a metro (one is under construction), so the ground options are taxis, ride-hailing apps, and the TransMilenio bus rapid-transit system, which has feeder connections toward the airport. For most visitors a booked transfer, an official taxi from the authorised rank, or a ride app is the simplest choice; agree the arrangement before setting off, and allow time, because Bogotá traffic is heavy and the trip into the center can be slow.

Worth knowing

Give yourself a little grace with the altitude — the thinner air can leave you tired or short of breath for a day or two, so take it easy on arrival and stay hydrated. Use official transport rather than accepting rides from people who approach you in the terminal. For a connection, factor in the terminal shuttle if your itinerary splits across El Dorado and Puente Aéreo, and leave margin for immigration on international arrivals.