Bogota Airport Guide (BOG) Guide, Facilities & Hotels, Cafes and Restaurants

Introduction

When you are traveling to and from the Bogota International Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.

Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.

A Brief Overview of Bogota International Airport

Bogota Airport is Situated in Colombia, South America, which in fact, also happens to be the biggest airport in Latin America. It is also called El Dorado International Airport and is located about 15 km west of downtown. Travelers can easily get to the city center from Bogota Airport via the Avenida El Dorado road.

There are over 90 countries, whose citizens are allowed to enter Colombia without a visa and receive a “tourist visa” stamp. A few such countries include Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Peru, Russia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and over 80 more countries.

When you enter Colombia as a tourist, an immigration official will stamp your passport and normally write that it is good for 90 days. But this is at the discretion of the official and occasionally may be shorter. And this tourist stamp can be extended pretty easily to a total of 180 days.

IATA: BOG

Address: Calle 26 #103-9, Fontibón, Bogotá

Contact: +57 (1) 266 2000

Website: https://www.bogota-airport.com

Operation Hours: Bogota Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain food concessions and car rental services may not offer their services 24 hours. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may also vary with the flight schedule. Hence, it is advised that you check with the airport.

Terminals at Bogota Airport

Bogota International Airport has two terminals, the main one is the El Dorado terminal (T1) and the other is the Puente Aerea terminal (T2). The main El Dorado terminal serves both domestic and international flights, while the Puente Aerea terminal only serves Avianca flights (domestic). There are two parts in the building, the national and international sections. The national section has a total of 16 gates with 5 additional gates for regional flights, while the international section has a total of 9 gates. Free shuttle buses are available to take you from one terminal to the other.

Customs, immigration, and check-in counters are located on the building’s ground floor, while the immigration and waiting rooms are located on the first floor. There are also many shops and restaurants located throughout the terminal. Whereas, the Puente Aerea terminal (T2) has a revamped food plaza, several retail stores, and an Avianca premium lounge.

Parking Facilities at Bogota Airport

Vehicle parking facilities are available at Baltimore Washington International Airport. There are, however, different rates that are charged for the duration of parking vehicles. There are three parking lots with plenty of spaces outside the main El Dorado terminal, which can easily allow parking of over 1,000 cars as well as 300 motorcycles. Here we will discuss all the parking types:

Downtown Parking:- This parking lot is the largest parking space in comparison to others. It has a parking capacity of around 544 cars at a time and is located in the central space of T1 and close to the other terminal for domestic and international passengers so it has easy access to the terminal.

North Parking Lot: This parking lot has a space of 121 car parking which is located in the northeast area of the terminal. This parking is open 24 hours a day for the public and very near to the international arrivals and departure gate no.9. So it has easy access to the terminal.

South Parking Lot:- This parking lot has a space of 315 vehicles and it is located in the southwestern part of the terminal. This parking is also open 24hr a day for the passengers and is very near to the national arrivals and departure gate no.1 so this parking has very easy access to the terminal.

If you want to get any further assistance and want to talk to the parking department directly then you have to call on the helpline number +57 317 893 5499.

Note* COP is the currency of Colombia i.e. Colombian Peso.

Airlines Served by Bogota Airport

Bogota International Airport in Colombia serves both domestic and international airlines on a daily basis, including cargo airliners. The various airlines served by Bogota Airport include Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, Avianca Airlines, Avianca Brazil, Conviasa, Copa Airlines, Copa Airlines Colombia, Cubana de Aviacion, Delta Airlines, Dutch Antilles Express, EasyFly, Iberia, JetBlue Airways, Lacsa, LAN Colombia Airlines, Lufthansa, Santana Airlines, Spirit Airlines, TACA Airlines, TACA Peru, TAM Airlines and United Airlines.

Facilities and Services Available at Bogota Airport

Bogota Airport provides various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport has a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.

Security Check-points 

There are security checks at the airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security checks.

Disabled Facilities

For any passengers who are not able to do most of the work by themselves then Bogota Airport takes into consideration these concerns. Bogota International Airport has easy access for disabled people, they provide wheelchairs and even special reserved parking which is closed to the terminal for disabled people. If any passengers want to take any other assistance then they have to contact their respective airlines.

Help Desk

When you are at the Bogota International Airport and need help, there is an information desk to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. The information desks are located at the Domestic Departures hall, check-in hall, and International Departures hall at both terminals.

Wi-Fi and Mobile Charging Stations

Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout both terminals at the airport, in case you need to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet. The wireless internet access service is provided by NTT DoCoMo Namikiteru, Avantel S.A., and Boingo for a fee of COP 9,000 ($2.36 USD) per hour.

In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your phone’s battery. Mobile charging power outlets can be found in both terminals.

Baggage Handling and Storage

Bogota Airport offers baggage handling and storage facilities to travelers.

1. Luggage Storage and Lockers:
You can store your baggage at Guarda Equipaje for a fixed rate of cOP15.000 ($3.92 USD) per 12 hours. This baggage facility is located at T1, landside, 1st Floor, next to Hertz Rent-A-Car. It is open 24 hours.

2. Luggage Wrapping:
Luggage wrapping service is provided at the airport by Securoseal and can be found in two landside locations on the 2nd Floor Departures lounge. It is open 24 hours.

3. Luggage Carts:
Self-service luggage carts are also available, which costs COP 4,000 ($1.05 USD) and are refundable. Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.

Lounge and Business Meeting Rooms

Bogota International Airport provides premium lounges that you can use by either paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or via lounge membership programs.

1. El Dorado Lounge:
The El Dorado premium lounge can be found at the main terminal T1, airside in the International Departures hall, in front of Gate 47. Travelers can access the lounge either by paying at the door, prepaid lounge pass, or via lounge membership programs.

2. Avianca Sala VIP Lounge:
This premium lounge can be found in the Domestic Departures and International Departures halls and airside, 2nd Floor in the Puente Aerea terminal (T2) building. Travelers can access the lounge via pay-at-the-door and lounge membership programs.

3. Copa Club Lounge:
This premium lounge can be found in the main terminal (T1) building, airside, near Gate 46. Travelers can access the lounge via lounge membership programs.

4. Sala VIP LATAM Lounge:
This premium lounge can be found in the main terminal (T1) building, airside, in the International Departures hall, 3rd Floor, in front of Gates 34 and 35. The lounge also provides a shower. Travelers can access the lounge via lounge membership programs.

5. Sala Elite Copa Airlines Colombia:
This premium lounge can be found in the airside, North Wing, between Gates 3 and 5. 

Stores and Duty-Free:

You will find many stores throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items – from children’s toys to fashion accessories. You can also buy books, magazines, etc., to help pass time.

Duty-Free:

Duty-free stores are available at the airport, as well as a good selection of shops selling everything from leather goods and souvenirs to Colombian emeralds and coffee!

Cafes, Bar, and Restaurants

Finding fast food options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at the Bogota International Airport. These fast-food restaurants are located throughout the terminals and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.

Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside. There are several food courts, like Bogotá Beer Company, Crepes & Waffles, Dunkin’ Donuts, Frisby, Kokoriko, McDonald’s, Papa John’s, Subway, Wingstop, and many more.

Other Amenities

The other amenities that are offered at Bogota Airport include:

Prayer Room:
The Airport Oratory offers a quiet interfaith area for prayer and meditation. Mass is held every day at 11:15 am, except Mondays. A priest is available upon private request. The prayer room is located at International Check-In Area, landside, 2nd floor, near Check-In counter 1. It is open 24 hours.

Medical Services:
Font icon Hospital offers medical services and vaccination services (vaccination available from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm) to travelers. It is located at T1, 2nd Floor, a public area on the eastern side of the terminal.

The Airport Medical Centre offers first aid, emergency medical care, and some general medical services to passengers only. ID and ticket or boarding pass are required to avail of such medical service. It is located at T1, 2nd Floor, the public area on the eastern side of the terminal, and is open 24 hours.

Pharmacy:
Droguería Colsubsidio pharmacy is available in two landside locations: 1st Floor Arrivals and 2nd Floor Departures public areas.

ATM:
ATMs are available at the Baltimore Washington International Airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATM if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs at the airside and landside in both terminals.

Currency Exchange:
The currency of Colombia is the Colombia Peso (COP). There are several currency exchange counters located throughout both terminals.

These include Aerocambios (located at Main Terminal, landside, Arrivals 1st Floor and International Concourse, airside, Departures 2nd floor), Cambios Alcansa (located at Main, landside, Arrivals 1st Floor and International, airside, Arrivals 1st Floor), Globo (International, landside, Arrivals 1st Floor), Money Exchange (located at Main, landside, Arrivals 1st floor) and Cambios Güendi (located at Main, landside, Arrivals 1st floor).

Banking Services:
Several banks offer full-service banking, which can be found on the landside on the Departures and Arrivals levels of the Main Terminal building.

Salon:
There is a salon named Peluquería El Dorado that is located at T1, 2nd Floor,  in the Departures (landside) hall.

Hotels at and nearby Bogota Airport

Finding accommodations at the Bogota International Airport or nearby should not be a problem for you as there are several hotels out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find comfortable places to stay during your visit to Bogota.

A few hotels that are located not very far from the Bogota International Airport are:

1. Hotel Habitual:

The hotel is located only 600 meters from Bogota Airport. They also provide free shuttle bus services that operate 24 hours and buses are available with a frequency of 15 minutes. These shuttle buses are marked ‘Hotel Habitel’ to be easily recognizable.

2. Aloft Bogota Airport:

The hotel is located about a 5-minute drive from the airport. They provide a 24-hour shuttle bus service, however, travelers are required to book advance reservations.

3. Movich Buro 26 Hotel:

The hotel is located about a 5-minute drive from the airport. They provide free shuttle services.

4. Courtyard by Mariott Bogota Airport:

The hotel is located about a 5-minute drive from the airport. They provide free shuttle services.

5. City Express Junior Bogota Aeropuerto:

The hotel is located about a 6-minute drive from the airport. They provide free shuttle services but are not available 24 hours.

Transportation Options To and From Bogota Airport

Getting to and from Bogota Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs.

Airport/Hotel Shuttle Service

Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to the hotel and/or airport. A free shuttle bus provides travelers with an easy connection between the two terminals. Buses depart every 20 minutes and are available from 5:00 am till 11:00 pm.

Bus Service

You can take a bus to get to and from Bogota Airport. You will find bus stops (called ‘parade’ in the local language) just outside the terminal. Buses that are marked ‘Aeropuerto’ (which means airport in the local language) ply the airport route, transporting passengers from the airport to the city center. A bus ride from the airport to the city center usually takes around 40 minutes. There are no private bus services from the airport to the city center. If you arrive at Bogota Airport at night and wish to go to the city center, then taking a taxi is suggested over a bus ride, due to safety reasons.

Train Service

There are no train services available to and from Bogota Airport.

Taxi Service

Traveling to the city center in taxis is not only convenient but safe as well. You will find taxi booths located at the international arrivals terminal. To get a taxi ride, you just need to go to the taxi booth, point out the destination on the automated system that you want to go to and a voucher/ticket will be printed with a fare. Once you have the voucher, you can pick up a taxi from the queue and tell the driver to take you to your destination. You only have to pay what’s printed on the voucher, and not a penny more.

Car Hire/Rental Service

You can hire a car at Bogota International Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are a number of car hire/rental companies that provide this service, such as Avis, Budget, Flash Rent-A-Car, and Hertz. Car rental counters can be found at both terminals.

Wind-up

Bogota is Colombia’s center of attraction, and an engaging and vibrant capital cradled through chilly Andean peaks and steeped in sophisticated urban cool. The city’s cultural epicenter is La Candelaria, the cobbled historic downtown to which most travelers gravitate.

Here, a potpourri of carefully preserved colonial buildings is home to museums, restaurants, inns, and bars, peppered amid houses, church buildings, and convents that are several hundred years old. Nearly all of Bogota’s usual attractions can be found here, radiating from Plaza de Bolívar and the awesome Cerro de Monserrate is just east.