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Cartagena, with its walled old town and colourful colonial streets, sits down the Caribbean coast about 170 kilometres (106 miles) from Santa Marta. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Santa Marta to Cartagena at $17 (60,000 COP), though it stops often along the way. The minivan is quicker than the bus for a bit more, at $23 (80,000 COP).
Distance from Santa Marta to Cartagena
Santa Marta and Cartagena are about 170 km (106 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 235 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 4h and 7h 30m.
3 ways to travel from Santa Marta to Cartagena
There are three ways to travel from Santa Marta to Cartagena. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 4h–5h 5m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $17 (60,000 COP).
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- City Centre to Santa Marta Bus Terminal30m
- Santa Marta to Cartagena by Bus4h 20m
- Cartagena Bus Terminal to the City Centre1h
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Santa Marta to Cartagena by Bus
You can go from Santa Marta to Cartagena by bus. The whole journey takes about 5h 5m - 7h 30m, including the transfer time to/from the bus station.
This is the cheapest option for this route, with combined prices from $17 (60,000 COP).
Step 1: City Centre to Santa Marta Bus Terminal
You can book an Uber to get to Terminal de Transportes de Santa Marta. Fares start from $5.80 (20,000 COP) if you’re coming from the centro, and around $9.80 (34,000 COP) from El Rodadero.
Taxis are another option and can be a bit cheaper than Uber, but there’s a catch. Drivers often try to overcharge, especially if you’re a tourist, so make sure to negotiate and agree on the fare before getting in.
Step 2: Santa Marta to Cartagena by Bus
Five major bus companies operate from Santa Marta to Cartagena: Unitransco, Expreso Brasilia, Ruta Dorada Exalpa, Expreso Super Star and Flota La Macarena.
They have buses leaving from Santa Marta Bus Terminal at various times every day. You can buy your ticket at the bus station or book online in advance.
The bus fare is $14 (49,000 COP) and the travel time is around 4h 20m - 6h.
If you book through Bookaway, some providers let you board directly with a voucher or e-ticket, but others might still require you to print your ticket or exchange it at the terminal. Always double-check the instructions in your confirmation email so you know what to expect.
Check our Colombia transport guide for more details.
Step 3: Cartagena Bus Terminal to the City Centre
Cartagena Bus Terminal is quite far from the city centre. The quickest way to get into town is by taking an Uber. It's a reliable option since you’ll know the fare upfront, no surprises and no need to haggle with drivers. Prices start at $13 (44,000 COP), but the fare can vary depending on traffic or time of day.
Taxis are easy to find right outside the bus terminal. But even though taxi rates are regulated in Cartagena, it’s common for drivers to charge above the standard fare, so we don’t recommend taking a taxi from here.
The bus is cheaper, but it takes longer
If you’re looking for a cheaper option than Uber or a taxi, hop on a Transcaribe bus to the city centre for just $1.00 (3,000 COP). Bus X104 leaves from just outside the terminal and connect directly to the Walled City, as well as the popular neighbourhoods of Getsemaní and San Diego.
If you're heading to the Walled City, get off at the last stop, La Bodeguita. But if you're staying in the Getsemaní or San Diego areas, hop off one stop earlier at Centro B1 Bus Stop.
To board a Transcaribe bus, you’ll need a Transcaribe card — cash isn’t accepted. You can buy the card at any Transcaribe station and at some authorised shops like SuperGiros.
Santa Marta to Cartagena by Minivan
Travelling by minivan is a direct option to get from Santa Marta to Cartagena.
You can choose from a good number of operators, but the popular ones are Marsol Transportes, Beach Tayrona Park and Cartagena Toures y Excursiones, which you can book via BookAway.
Most companies offer door-to-door service, with hotel pickup in Santa Marta and drop-off at your accommodation in Cartagena.
Marsol Transportes offers the cheapest fares at only $23 (80,000 COP). However, it departs and arrives at its own terminals in both cities, so you’ll need to arrange your own hotel transfers.
The trip usually takes around 4 hours, but if the minivan stops in Barranquilla, you’re looking at around 5.5 hours. Check the booking details to see if there’s a stop along the way.
Minivan schedule from Santa Marta to Cartagena
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Santa Marta to Cartagena by Private Transport
If you're short on time, travelling in a group, or just prefer a smoother ride (and budget isn’t a big concern), a private transfer from Santa Marta to Cartagena is the best option.
The journey takes 4h - 4h 40m, and you’ll be dropped off right at your accommodation — no need to worry about extra transfers.
Prices for private transfer start at $165 (578,000 COP) for a 4-seater. Split it with your group, and it’s about $42 (144,000 COP) each.
You can try flagging down a taxi or asking your hotel to arrange one, but it’s not always reliable. Overcharging is pretty common among taxi drivers here. That's why we recommend booking through BookAway, which gives you fixed prices, no haggling, and 24/7 support if anything goes wrong.
Private Transport options from Santa Marta to Cartagena
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
Where to Stay
See our accommodation guide for ColombiaABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Cartagena?
Cartagena is known as Colombia’s jewel on the Caribbean coast. Unlike the rest of the country, it has been a tourist hub for quite a while because it’s a common stop for cruise ships sailing the Caribbean.
Its attraction lies in the almost intact and colourful, colonial-style mansions in the walled old city. Inside these walls, you'll be transported back in time and into a foodie's paradise. A tip when exploring Cartagena: for safety, stay out of the city's outskirts! The tourist centre is generally safe.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Santa Marta to Cartagena, roughly 170 kilometres (106 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $17 (60,000 COP). The quickest trip takes 4h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Santa Marta to Cartagena?
The distance from Santa Marta to Cartagena is 170 kilometres (106 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Santa Marta to Cartagena?
Journey times from Santa Marta to Cartagena overlap: bus 5h 5m - 7h 30m, minivan 4h - 5h 30m, private transport 4h - 4h 40m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Santa Marta to Cartagena?
The cheapest way to get from Santa Marta to Cartagena is by bus with ticket costs starting from 60,000 COP.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer
A writer and full-time mom who loves planning beach trips. London is her favourite destination.
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