Cheap & Convenient!
Medellín has an excellent taxi and ridehailing service, which will surprise you with its affordable price...
Getting around the city by taxi or ridehailing is a good alternative in the following cases:
- Short Distances: If your journey does not exceed 6 km (3,5 miles), a taxi or ridehailing is more convenient than any other means of transport. If you’re traveling a longer distance, check your map app to see how long another mode of transportation would take compared to a taxi and evaluate the cost-benefit ratio.
- Travelling with Suitcases: Don’t think twice. In comparison, the metro system is not comfortable for carrying suitcases as it has many stairs and the access platforms to the stations are quite long. Plus, you’d only save a couple of bucks, so it’s not worth it.
- Travel at Night or Early in the Morning: As a basic safety measure (in any city in the world) it is preferable not to walk the streets late at night. Medellín is no exception, although it is NO more dangerous than any other city.
If you’re heading to the downtown, taxis or ridehailing are not an appropriate mode of transportation. In this case, we suggest taking a taxi (or walking) to the nearest metro station and from there take the train to the downtown.
Additionally, we share the following suggestions for a safe ride:
1. Use official taxi companies or apps
- Taxis affiliated with airports, hotels, and restaurants are generally safe.
- Download an app like Uber, Cabify, Easy Tappsi, inDrive or DiDi to request rides and track your location.
- If taxi, look for the official logo on the car and verify the taxi has a meter.
- Ask the driver for their ID and verify it matches the photo displayed.
2. Be mindful of your surroundings
- Inform a friend or family member about your destination and expected arrival time.
- Share your real-time location with a trusted person through a messaging app.
- Sit in the backseat and keep your belongings close to you, preferably out of sight.
3. Communicate clearly with the driver
- State your destination clearly and directly, using specific landmarks if possible.
- Kindly request the driver to turn on the taximeter before the trip begins: “por favor, activar el taxímetro”. Pay only what is on it.
- Have small bills available to pay for the trip. In case you don’t have one, let the driver knows so he can change the bill at a gas station.
- If you’re unfamiliar with the city, ask the driver for directions or use a navigation app.
- Don’t hesitate to ask the driver to stop if you feel uncomfortable or need to make a change.
4. Prioritize your safety
- If you feel unsafe, get out of the car and find another one.
- Do not hesitate to report any suspicious behavior or discomfort to the authorities.
- Trust your gut feeling and take action if you feel threatened or in danger.
5. Use technology to your advantage
- Use a navigation app like Google Maps or Waze to monitor your route and ensure you’re headed in the right direction.
- Consider using a translation app like Google Translate to communicate with the driver if needed.
6. Enjoy your ride and explore Medellín
- Taking a taxi or a ridehailing can be a safe and convenient way to get around Medellín.
- By following these safety tips and being aware of your surroundings, you can help ensure a positive experience.
- Relax, enjoy the ride, and look forward to exploring all that Medellín has to offer.
- Empowering Medellín’s Tourism -
Join us in making a difference!
Medellín is a proud member of the network:
