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Bogotá

Earth > Americas > South America > Colombia > Bogotá

Bogotá is the capital and largest city in Colombia.

Bogotá
<map lat='4.61002528850565' lng='-74.08183288573814' zoom='9' view="0" />
Information
Country:
Flag of Colombia
Colombia
State: [[Distrito Capital]]
Population: 7,674,366 (2013)
Licence plate: Bogota DC, Bogota STFE
Major roads: 40, 50, 55
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Contents

Hitchhiking out

Northeast towards Villa de Leyva, Sogamoso, Cúcuta; North towards San Gil, Bucaramanga, Santa Marta

Take the TransMilenio 8, B16, B18 or B191 (see Google Transport, Moovit or simply ask around for departure points) (05/2019: COP 2,400) to the final stop "Estación Terminal". Please note: A few bus routes in Bogotá change or don't work on Sundays and public holidays. At whatever station you get on, you can ask any person to let you in with their TransMilenio card in exchange for the ticket price. At "Estación Terminal" walk towards the exit and turn right on the pedestrian bridge. Crossing the bridge, you will spot a nearby Esso gas station (04°46′19.72″N 74°02′32.3″W). This is where you can start hitchhiking and asking people for a ride.

Southwest towards Ibagué, Armenia, Cali; South towards Neiva

Take the TransMilenio G43 or G42 (Sundays only) (see Google Transport, Moovit or simply ask around for departure points) (02/2024: COP 3000) to the final stop "San Mateo". Please note: A few bus routes in Bogotá change or don't work on Sundays and public holidays. At whatever station you get on, you can ask any person to let you in with their TransMilenio card in exchange for the ticket price. In San Mateo walk towards the exit and turn right on the pedestrian bridge. Leaving the station you will see the highway going South ("Autopista Sur") right in front of you. Here wave down and get on any bus going towards Sibaté and ask the bus driver to be let out at "Cruze Sibaté" (02/2024: COP 3000) where you will find two very little frequented Mobil gas stations (04°32′40.96″N 74°14′41.06″W). This is where you can start hitchhiking and asking people for a ride.

Update 2024: I did the trip in march 2024 - i suggest not to take the Silbate Bus but better the Charquito Bus. Jump of when it leaves Ruta 40. This is where all the cars pass slow and can take you to the next Peaje.

Northwest towards Medellín, Manizales

There is a Terpel gas station (map) with plenty of trucks going this way. From the bus/transmileneo station "Portal 80", take any bus going towards "Villamery" or "La Florida" and ask to get off at "Parque Agroindustrial de Occidente". It will be right before a pedestrian bridge and a big sign that says "Kokoriko". The staff at this station were hitchhiker-friendly (2014).

It can take 14 hours to get to Medellín by truck so leave early!

Public transport

The 'Transmilenio is an extensive and confusing rapid transit metrobus service. There are no ticket controls on the buses, fares are paid when entering the stations. You will need to buy a 3,000 COP card which is not returnable. Some zones require the use of different cards. You can vault the turnstyle when the blue-clothed security guard isn't looking. Kids often run accross the street and jump on the bus between the platform and bus to avoid fares.

There are regular buses as well which are sometimes easier and don't require a card. They can't be blackridden though.


Personal experiences

Hitchking towards Ibague, Feb´22: We took the TransMilenio to San Mateo and then a minibus to Cruze Sibate. In the second petrol station we talked with drivers and we catched a ride from there to Fusagasuga. In the middle of the route another ride to the next toll gate and from there directly to Ibagué. -patagonia.almundo

Hitching towards Ibague, Feb´14: I took a minibus to Soacha and got off when a bus turned from the main road to the town. I stayed at the side of the road, waited about 10 minutes and got a ride from a truck which went to Neiva. -che.apelsin

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