Flying from Cartagena to Medellin with VivaColombia

Image via VivaColombia Wikipedia page

Flying from Cartagena to Medellin with VivaColombia

 
On my most recent trip to Colombia, I flew from Cartagena to Medellín on the country’s budget airline, VivaColombia.

Since I only had a total of ten days for my trip to Colombia, it was important that I maximized my time as I was on a limited schedule. So when I discovered the $35 USD one-way fare from Cartagena to Medellín on Skyscanner, I booked it right away. This meant trading the initial plan of taking a 12-hour or so bus journey from Cartagena to Medellîn with a 55-minute flight time. Talk about time saver!

Pre-boarding selfie 😀

The best part was the bus fare and plane tickets were about the same price. The average bus fare from Cartagena to Medellín was around $30 USD (give or take), only $5 USD less than what I had paid for flying.

But, as most budget airlines, those low fares can dramatically change the moment you get to the airport, if you don’t plan accordingly.

Keep these pointers in mind to maximize your savings and avoid unwanted surprises upon check-in, or even boarding at the gate!

1. PRINT YOUR BOARDING PASS

There’s no such thing as mobile boarding pass with budget airlines. It’s imperative you print your boarding pass before reaching the counter. Otherwise, there is an additional $30,000 COP charge at the counter.

2. CHECK THE WEIGHT AND SIZE OF YOUR LUGGAGE

Most (if not, all) budget airlines are very strict with the weight ad size of your luggage – they measure it by the tenth of a pound, killo, millimeter, and whatever metric you could think of. You may, however, have a personal item with the following size: 6 Kg and 40x35x25 cm

3. DOMESTIC FLIGHTS CARRY-ON

If you wish to bring your carry-on with you on board, you may do so if the weight and dimensions are or under 12kg  and 55x45x25.

You will need to purchase this service on the VivaColombia website for $44,000 COP. Otherwise, be prepared to pay $64,000 COP at the counter, or worst, $84,000 at the gate.

Complete info, along with international fares, on VivaColombia website.

EXTRA

4. FOR THOSE OVER 6’ FOOT TALL

Seats aren’t entirely tall people friendly. Get an aisle seat if you can!

So glad it’s only an hour flight!