In a city with only a small percentage of its population that speaks English, sticking to a plan is crucial. This is why itineraries are important, and planning ahead is a must. Today, we want to talk about private airport transportation in Medellin.
Medellin’s international airport is in a town called Rionegro. The town is mostly rural, and other than the airport, it doesn’t have much to see or do. But the Jose Maria Cordova Airport is Rionegro’s pride and joy and most likely where you’ll land.
But what is it about landing at this airport that makes commuting down to the city so baffling? The problem isn’t the town or the airport, but the drivers and addresses.
Medellin Taxis from the Airport
Not only will you not find an English-speaking driver, but a huge knock-on for taxis is that they monopolized transportation for so long that many never cared too much about the state of their vehicles.
Older-model cars, questionable hygiene, and a lack of GPS can make commuting from the airport a pain in the buttocks. Add in the stress of communicating with them, and a trip to Medellin can start off on the wrong foot.
Drivers are genuinely nice people, and they will try their best to get you where you need to be. But be prepared to take longer than anticipated. This brings us to our next point.
Locating addresses in Medellin
If Google Maps, Waze, or even a printed MapQuest (where the old heads are) were around, this wouldn’t be a factor.
You can hail a taxi in NYC, and without a GPS, they can still take you where you need to go. But Medellin’s narrow streets, long hills, and sometimes hidden villas make navigating difficult. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve had to bail out a driver (even Uber drivers) at 3 a.m. while taking a small group home.
Uber in Medellin
Back in the US, you have the luxury of many drivers tapping your screen a few times.
In Medellin, 2021 has brought us a few different platforms. Platforms such as DiDi, Uber, and one called InDriver. These platforms allow for commuting to become affordable and quick. Using InDriver, you can even offer your driver any amount and bid with them. Pretty cool.
But the problem with these platforms is that you don’t know who your driver is or how safe you are. Remember when, as children, we weren’t allowed to speak to strangers? Well, here you are bidding with strangers to see which one gets to take you in their car. Funny how things work.
Private transportation in Medellin
Private transportation in Medellin is a must. Especially during nights that are going to end late and where you need a chaperone. It’s not fun to have a group, even if it’s a solo traveler hopping in a cab in Parque Lleras at 4 in the morning.
It’s also not recommended to rely on getting ahold of your Airbnb host at 1 a.m. after a late flight. If you have everything planned in advance, you’ll likely avoid headaches.
There are tons of transportation companies in Medellin that offer not just airport shuttle services but also private per-hour services. We have a network of drivers and various vehicles to ensure you get to where you need to be without having to guide your driver in an unfamiliar city.
