Bogota International Airport Guide (BOG) For Travellers
When you are travelling 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 travelling 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 traveller, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.
A Brief Overview of Bogota International Airport
Situated in Colombia, South America is the Bogota International Airport, 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. Travellers can easily get to the city centre 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 and 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.
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IATA: BOG
Address: Calle 26 #103-9, Fontibón, Bogotá
Contact: +57 (1) 266 2000
Website: https://www.bogota-airport.com
Operation Hours:
Bogota International 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 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 International 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. Parking rate is COP 48,000 ($12.55 USD) per day for cars and COP 33,500 ($8.75 USD) per day for motorcycles.
Here we’ll discuss some parking lots and their rates
Downtown Parking: This parking lot is the best parking you can say because of the proximity to the terminal and the easily accessible to the passengers whether it is national or international passengers. It is located in the central space of terminal1. This parking lot has a capacity of the 544 vehicles space to park and if you want to contact directly for the enquiry about vacant space and advance booking then you can call on the helpline number +57 317 893 5499
Here you can park your vehicle for 24 hours and the price is $35.250 COP (Colombian Peso) if you park your vehicle for a month then you have to pay $345.000 COP.
North Parking Lot: This parking lot is located near the international arrival and departure Gate number 9, which is situated in the northeast area of the terminal. From here you can access it under the T1 terminal. This parking is open 24hours a day for the passengers and the parking space for this lot is around 121. You can call on their helpline number +57 317 893 5499.
Here you have to pay the same rate as you pay Downtown which is for 24 hours the price is $35.250 COP (Colombian Peso) if you park your vehicle for a month then you have to pay $345.000 COP.
South Parking Lot: This parking lot is located near the national arrival and departure area of gate number 1 which is situated in the southwestern part of the terminal. This parking lot has a capacity of 315 vehicles and for the two-wheeler, there is a capacity of around 144 motorcycles and 40 bicycles for the parking. If you want to request and ask about the parking then you can call on the helpline of the parking that is +57 317 893 5499 and if anyone wants to contact us through email id then send it on jefeoperativodorado@centralparking.com.co
The rate for the parking is the same as the North parking which is for 24 hours the price is $35.250 COP (Colombian Peso) if you park your vehicle for a month then you have to pay $345.000 COP.
Airlines Served by Bogota International 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 International Airport
Bogota International Airport provides various amenities to passengers to make their travelling 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 Bogota International airport’s terminal. All passengers are required to pass through the security checks.
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 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 travellers.
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.
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.
Luggage Carts: Self-service luggage carts are also available, which costs COP 4,000 ($1.05 USD) and is 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.
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. Travellers can access the lounge either by paying at the door, prepaid lounge pass or via lounge membership programs.
Avianca Sala VIP Lounge: This premium lounge can be found in the Domestic Departures and International Departures halls and airside, 2nd Floor in Puente Aerea terminal (T2) building. Travellers can access the lounge via pay at the door and lounge membership programs.
Copa Club Lounge: This premium lounge can be found in the main terminal (T1) building, airside, near Gate 46. Travellers can access the lounge via lounge membership programs.
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. Travellers can access the lounge via lounge membership programs.
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!
Cafe, 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 Bogota international 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 Bogota international 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 requests. 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: Fontibon Hospital offers medical services and vaccination services (vaccination available 7:00 am till 6:00 pm) to travellers. It is located at T1, 2nd Floor, the 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 Bogota 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 at 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 International 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 travelling 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:
Hotel Habitual: The hotel is located only 600 metres from Bogota Airport. They also provide free shuttle bus services that operate 24 hours and buses are available in the frequency of 15 minutes. These shuttle buses are marked ‘Hotel Habitel’ to be easily recognizable.
Aloft Bogota Airport: The hotel is located about a 5-minute drive from the airport. They provide a 24-hour shuttle bus service, however, travellers are required to book advance reservations.
Movich Buro 26 Hotel: The hotel is located about a 5-minute drive from the airport. They provide free shuttle services.
Courtyard by Mariott Bogota Airport: The hotel is located about a 5-minute drive from the airport. They provide free shuttle services.
City Express Junior Bogota Aeropuerto: The hotel is located about a 6-minute drive from the airport. They provide free shuttle services but is not available 24 hours.
Transportation Options To and From Bogota International Airport
Getting to and from the Bogota International 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 travellers often find shuttle services to be very favourable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to the hotel and/or airport. A free shuttle bus provides travellers 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 International Airport. You will find bus stops (called ‘parade’ in the local language) just outside the terminal. Buses that are marked ‘Aeropuerto’ (means airport in local language) ply the airport route, transporting passengers from the airport to the city centre. A bus ride from the airport to the city centre usually takes around 40 minutes. There are no private bus services from the airport to the city centre. If you arrive at the Bogota Airport at night and wish to go to the city centre, then taking a taxi is suggested than a bus ride, due to safety reasons.
Train Service
There are no train services available to and from Bogota Airport.
Taxi Service
Travelling to the city centre 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 the fare. Once you have the voucher, you can pick 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.
Conclusion
Bogota is Colombia’s centre of attraction, and an engaging and vibrant capital cradled through chilly Andean peaks and steeped in sophisticated urban cool. The city’s cultural epicentre is La Candelaria, the cobbled historic downtown to which most travellers gravitate. Here, a pot-pourri 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.
