# Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG)

> Cartagena, CO · 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of central Cartagena

Web: https://airport.flights/airport/ctg
JSON: https://airport.flights/api/airport/ctg.json

## Facts

- **IATA**: CTG
- **ICAO**: SKCG
- **Timezone**: America/Bogota
- **Runways**: 1
- **Terminals**: 1
- **Passengers**: 5.32M/yr
- **Official site**: https://aeropuertocartagena.com.co/

## Overview

## Welcome

Touching down at Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG) feels more like stepping into a bustling Caribbean bus terminal than a polished international hub. Located just 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of central Cartagena, it's nestled in a residential neighborhood minutes from the beach and the historic Old City. Though compact and conveniently placed, once you pass security, prepare for limited comfort facilities. The domestic area fares better with basic food and ATMs; the international side, however, is often noted for its limited seating and underwhelming dining choices.

## At a glance

Handling approximately 5.32 million passengers annually with just one runway, CTG is a small yet vital airport for the region. Despite serving as a gateway for tourists flocking to Cartagena's beaches and cultural gems, it functions without the expansive infrastructure of larger airports. It serves as a base for airlines like Avianca, LATAM Colombia, and Viva Air Colombia, operating both domestic and international flights from its single terminal, T1.

## Terminals & layout

CTG operates a single terminal, T1, which manages both domestic and international flights. The terminal's layout is relatively straightforward but crowded, with cramped waiting areas especially on peak beach-flight days. The domestic departures area has better amenities compared to the international section, which struggles with congestion during high-traffic periods.

## Getting to and from the city

Situated just 6 km from Cartagena's Old City, transit options to and from the airport are robust. Metered taxis are the most straightforward option, costing between $4-6 USD (15,000-25,000 COP) for a 10-20 minute ride depending on traffic. Budget-friendly alternatives include the Transcaribe BRT buses with a flat fare of about 2,600-2,800 COP, taking roughly 20-30 minutes. For the frugal traveler, colectivos offer transport from a nearby road at about 3,000-4,000 COP. RideShare apps such as Uber, DiDi, and InDriver provide negotiable prices typically similar to taxi fares, fluctuating with demand.

## Traveller essentials

ATMs are conveniently located in the main departures hall, offering better rates than the exchange counters in arrivals. WiFi access, branded as Sacsa Internet Gratis, is solely available airside and often unreliable, so tethering or mobile data pre-security is advisable. Travelers should heed the airport's guidelines and arrive 1.5–2 hours for domestic flights and 2.5–3 hours for international ones, as security lines can swell unexpectedly, especially during weekends and peak tourist times.

## Dining & shopping highlights

CTG's T1 features dining options such as Kokoriko and Subway, but keep expectations tempered—especially on the international side, known for scant seating and subpar food choices compared to domestic. Shopping is predominantly centered around Duty Free Americas and local vendors like El Market Colombia, offering a taste of Colombian retail albeit within a limited footprint.

## Lounges

The airport has a selection of lounges, including the Heroica VIP Lounge in T1, accessible for a fee of $33. The Avianca VIP Room also offers comfort for flyers, though visits might be better allocated towards layovers considering the terminal's limited amenities.

## Insider tips

## Terminals (1)

- **Rafael Núñez International Airport Passenger Terminal (Domestic & International)** — Avianca, LATAM Colombia, Viva Air Colombia, Copa Airlines
  This terminal serves both domestic and international flights.

## Dining (27)

- **Aerodelicias** — T1 · Healthy food · $$
- **Beer**
- **Chantilly Express** — T1 · Café · $
- **Chantilly K'fe & Bakery** — Café · $
- **Cinnabon**
- **Cravings** — T1 · Confectionery · $
- **Crepes & Waffles**
- **Cupertino Bar** — T1 · Tapas and drinks · $$
- **Dog** — T1 · Fast food · $
- **Dulcerna** — Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack · $$
- **El Corral**
- **Gokela** — Healthy food · $$
- **Hard Rock Cafe**
- **Heineken Bar**
- **Jet Market**
- **Juan Valdez** — T1 · Café · $$
- **KFC**
- **Kokoriko** — T1 · Fast and gourmet food · $$
- **La Brioche**
- **Mimo's**
- **Mr Bono** — Café · $$
- **Mr Bono Station** — T1 · Café · $$
- **Novaventa** — T1 · Vending machines · $
- **Pan Pa Ya**
- **Pizza Hut**
- **Presto** — T1 · Fast food · $
- **Subway** — T1 · Sandwich · $

## Lounges (5)

- **Avianca VIP Room** — T1 · Avianca Business Class
- **COPA Club** — Priority Pass
- **Heroica VIP Lounge** — T1 · Priority Pass, Day pass, Avianca Business Class, KLM Business Class, Edelweiss Business Class, Plus Ultra Business Class, Neos Business Class, Aeromexico Business Class, First Class · $33
- **LATAM Lounge** — Airline access
- **VIP Room** — T1 · Priority Pass, Day pass · US$ 30

## Shops (26)

- **Armani Exchange**
- **Artesanías de Colombia**
- **Bancolombia**
- **BBVA**
- **Bella Arcadia** — T1 · Fashion
- **Bosi**
- **Carulla Express**
- **Coco Santa** — T1 · Travel Essentials
- **Duty Free Americas** — T1 · Duty Free
- **El Market Colombia** — T1 · Travel Essentials
- **Exito Express**
- **Inkanta** — T1 · Fashion
- **Librería Nacional**
- **Loto del Sur** — T1 · Travel Essentials
- **Maz Joyería** — T1 · Fashion
- **Mini92** — T1 · Fashion
- **Montblanc** — T1 · Fashion
- **Oakley**
- **Pat Primo**
- **Pura Droguería** — T1 · Travel Essentials
- **Santander**
- **Servibanca**
- **Tennis**
- **TL Joyas** — T1 · Fashion
- **Totto**
- **Viva Store**

## Parking (5)

- **Parqueadero Externo Crespo** — Off-site private
- **Parqueadero Larga Estadia** — Long-stay
- **Parqueadero Motos** — Motorcycle
- **Parqueadero Principal** — Short-stay
- **Parqueadero VIP** — Valet

## Ground transport (8)

- **Colectivo Walled City** — Minibus · 20-35 min CTG area to walled city depending on traffic and number of stops · Approximately 3,000-4,000 COP (about $0.75-1 USD) per person as reported by multiple Reddit users for colectivos from near CTG to Centro · Every few minutes in daytime according to local Reddit reports; no reliable published timetable
- **Inter-municipal Bus Barranquilla** — Coach · Approximately 2-3 hours Cartagena bus terminal to Barranquilla, plus 30-45 min CTG to terminal depending on traffic · Reddit users report Cartagena–Barranquilla intercity buses around 25,000-35,000 COP ($6-9) one way, excluding the separate CTG–terminal taxi · Roughly every 30-60 min during daytime according to user reports; less frequent late at night
- **Private Transfer Vans Bocagrande** — Pre-booked shuttle · 15-30 min CTG to Bocagrande depending on traffic · Online transfer platforms and TripAdvisor threads report private CTG–Bocagrande vans around 60,000-90,000 COP ($15-22) per vehicle depending on operator and group size · Pre‑booked on demand; no fixed frequency
- **RideShare DiDi** — App-based · 10-25 min CTG to Old City area depending on traffic · Reddit users report DiDi rides CTG–Centro in the 15,000-25,000 COP ($4-6) range depending on time and demand; not fixed · On‑demand; driver availability fluctuates with time of day and weather
- **RideShare InDriver** — App-based · 10-25 min CTG to Old City depending on time of day · User reports suggest offers around 15,000-20,000 COP ($4-5) are commonly accepted for CTG–Centro, but prices are negotiated and not fixed · On‑demand with variable driver availability; no fixed frequency
- **RideShare Uber** — App-based · 10-25 min CTG to Old City depending on traffic · User reports suggest Uber CTG–Centro typically 18,000-25,000 COP ($5-6) depending on surge; not regulated · On‑demand with variable availability; no fixed frequency
- **Taxi Aeropuerto Cartagena** — Metered taxi · 10-20 min CTG to Old City/Bocagrande depending on traffic · $4-6 equivalent to 15,000-25,000 COP from CTG to Old City/Bocagrande (official zone fare as reported by multiple travellers) · On demand at airport taxi rank during flight operating hours
- **Transcaribe Airport Stop** — BRT bus · 20-30 min from airport‑adjacent stop to the edge of the walled city depending on route and traffic · About 2,600-2,800 COP flat fare on Transcaribe per ride as reported in Cartagena transit threads · Every 5-10 min at peak, 10-20 min off‑peak during daytime according to user reports; limited late evening service

## Insider tips

- _Insider_: Fly domestic instead of international when possible; the domestic area has better food and seating.
- _Time_: Arrive 1.5–2 hours early for domestic and 2.5–3 hours for international to navigate unpredictable queues.
- _Local_: Catch a colectivo to the Walled City; they run just beyond the airport's frontage for a small fare.
- _Quiet_: The sidewalk along the terminal's frontage offers shaded seating and a breeze, often more comfortable than crowded gates.
- _Money_: Use ATMs in the departures hall for better rates; avoid arrival exchange counters.
- _Avoid_: Ignore touts and use the official taxi kiosk outside baggage claim, ensuring a fixed fare.
- _Time_: Manage luggage carefully if using colectivos, as they are cramped and more suitable for light travelers.