Terminal del Norte Medellín

Terminal del Norte, Medellín: what it is and where

Terminal del Norte (officially the Mariano Ospina Pérez Transport Terminal) is one of Medellín's two long-distance bus stations. The other is Terminal del Sur, at Cra. 65 #8B-91. Both are run by Terminales de Transporte de Medellín.

It is at Cra. 64C #78-580, in the Castilla district in the north of the city, right beside Caribe metro station. It opened in the 1980s and is one of the main gateways for travellers arriving in Medellín by road.

Buses from here serve northern and eastern Antioquia, the Caribbean coast and Bogotá. If you are heading south or west, for example to Cali, Pereira, Manizales or Armenia, you will usually leave from Terminal del Sur instead.

Together the two terminals host more than 70 bus companies serving more than 170 destinations in Colombia, according to Terminales Medellín. Terminal del Norte has a food court, shops, a parcel service and a station of EnCicla, the city's public bike scheme.

Where buses go from Terminal del Norte

Terminal del Norte handles routes to the north, the northeast and the east. Popular destinations include:

• Eastern Antioquia: Guatapé and El Peñol, Rionegro, Marinilla, El Carmen de Viboral, San Rafael, San Carlos and Sonsón, among others.
• Nearby west: Santa Fe de Antioquia, the colonial town near the Cauca River.
• Caribbean coast: Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta and other coastal cities.
• Bogotá and the northeast: Bogotá and Bucaramanga, among others.
• Northern Antioquia: several towns in the north of the department.

Buses to Guatapé, one of the most popular day trips from Medellín, leave from this terminal, as do many services to Rionegro and other towns in the east.

Some destinations are served by several companies, each with its own ticket window, timetable and fares. Schedules change with the season, so confirm at the window or with the company before you travel.

Airport bus with COMBUSES

Arrived at Terminal del Norte with a flight to catch? Ride Line A to Exposiciones and board the COMBUSES airport bus, or head to Hotel Nutibara, where buses leave every 15 minutes around the clock.

Book your ticket →

How to get to Terminal del Norte

The easiest way is by metro. Terminal del Norte is right next to Caribe station on Line A, the line that runs north to south along the Aburrá Valley. A pedestrian bridge links the station directly to the terminal, so you do not need to cross the street with your bags.

• From El Poblado or Envigado: take Line A north (towards Niquía) and get off at Caribe.
• From the city centre: from Parque Berrío or San Antonio it is a few stops on the same line.
• From Laureles or Estadio: take Line B to San Antonio and change to Line A heading north.

Near Caribe station there is also a Metroplús bus stop and feeder bus routes to the northwest of the city.

A taxi or ride-hailing app is easy too: every driver knows the terminal. It is a good option if you arrive at night or have a lot of luggage.

Trains get very crowded at rush hour. If you have big suitcases, try to avoid peak times.

Tickets, timetables and tips at the terminal

• Buy at the ticket window: each company has a window with its destinations displayed. If you cannot find yours, ask at the information desk or a member of staff.
• Compare companies: destinations such as Guatapé, Rionegro or the coast have more than one operator. Check departure times and vehicle type before you buy.
• Book ahead in high season: on Colombian long weekends, Easter week, the mid-year holidays and December, buses fill up, especially to the coast and Bogotá.
• Arrive early: for long trips, give yourself time to buy your ticket, find the platform and stow your bags.
• Luggage: large bags go in the hold under the bus. Keep documents, phone and valuables with you.
• Watch your belongings: as at any busy station, keep your bags in sight and do not accept help from strangers to carry them.

For general information or complaints, Terminales Medellín answers on 604 444 8020 and at informacion@terminalesmedellin.com.

From Terminal del Norte to José María Córdova Airport

If you arrive in Medellín by bus and have a flight to catch, the most direct way is to combine the metro and the airport bus:

1. At Caribe station, take Line A south (towards La Estrella).
2. Get off at Exposiciones, seven stops later, with no changes.
3. Leave by the station's north exit. That is where the COMBUSES airport bus stops: every 20 minutes, from 4:00 to 18:00, in around 1 hour.

Outside those hours, or if you want more frequent departures, take a taxi or ride-hailing app to Hotel Nutibara (Cra. 50A #53-1, next to Plaza Botero) or the San Diego stop. Buses leave both every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, taking about 40 and 35 minutes respectively.

Plan your timing: Airplan recommends being at the airport two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international ones. Add the metro, the bus and a buffer for delays.

The COMBUSES ticket is digital, valid for 30 days with no fixed time, and includes a hold bag up to 23 kg.

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Photo: Terminal del Norte.JPG — XalD (CC BY-SA 3.0)