By air: Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) is the main gateway, located about 10km south of the city centre. It has direct flights from Bogotá, Medellín, and other Colombian cities, plus international connections to Miami, Panama City, and other regional hubs. Taxis from the airport to the city centre are metered and inexpensive; the journey takes 20–30 minutes outside rush hour.
By bus: Barranquilla's main bus terminal, Terminal Metropolitano de Transporte, connects the city to Cartagena (about 2 hours), Santa Marta (about 2.5 hours), Bogotá (18+ hours by road), and other cities across Colombia. Cartagena and Santa Marta are easily reachable as day trips or short overnight stops; combined itineraries along the Caribbean coast are common.
By road: Barranquilla sits on the Caribbean coast and is connected to Cartagena to the west and Santa Marta to the east via the coastal highway. The roads are generally good along this stretch.