José María Córdova International Airport
Also known as: Medellín Airport, Rionegro Airport, MDE Airport.
Private transfer from MDESee pricesSee pricesAbout José María Córdova International Airport
José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) is the main airport for Medellín and the Antioquia region of Colombia. It sits in Rionegro, in the hills east of the city, and since the Túnel de Oriente highway opened in 2019 the drive to Medellín usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.
Avianca is the largest airline, with LATAM, JetSMART and Wingo across Colombia and the region, and American Airlines, Copa, Spirit and JetBlue linking Medellín with the United States and Panama. About 11.8 million passengers used the airport in 2023.
All flights use one two-storey terminal with domestic and international gates. The airport is at about 2,100 m (6,900 ft), higher and cooler than Medellín itself. It is different from Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH), the small city airport inside Medellín used for regional flights.
From the airport, most travelers head to El Poblado and Laureles in Medellín, to Envigado, to Rionegro and the towns of the Oriente Antioqueño, or to Guatapé and its lake.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Airplan (concession)
- Runway
One runway, 01/19, 3,557 m
- Passengers per year
About 11.8 million in 2023
- Main airline
Avianca
Arrival tips for José María Córdova International Airport
Foreign visitors fill in the Check-MIG form from Migración Colombia online before the flight, then clear immigration on arrival; some passports need a visa. After immigration, collect your bags and pass through customs into the arrivals hall. Domestic arrivals exit straight from baggage claim.
Outside, the airport's white taxis wait at the official rank and charge set fares to Medellín; shared minibuses also run to central Medellín. Pre-booked drivers meet passengers in the arrivals hall. Decline offers from drivers who approach you inside.
The road to Medellín runs through the Túnel de Oriente and down into the valley; the airport is cooler and often misty, while the city is warm all year. Colombia uses the Colombian peso and is on Colombia Time all year.
Ground transportation
The airport is outside the city, so a taxi or pre-booked car is the easiest way to Medellín; shared minibuses are the budget option.
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Book a transfer from MDETaxi from Medellín airport
White airport taxis wait at the official rank outside arrivals and charge set fares to Medellín. About 30 to 45 minutes through the Túnel de Oriente.
Private transfer
A pre-booked car meets you in arrivals, useful at night, for families and for trips to Guatapé.
Shared minibuses
Minibuses run from the airport to central Medellín. Cheapest, but you finish the trip by taxi or metro with your bags.
Terminals
Main Terminal
All flights, on two floors, with domestic and international gates.
Airlines commonly assigned here: American Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, JetBlue, JetSMART, LATAM Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Wingo
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Medellín airport from El Poblado?
José María Córdova International Airport is in Rionegro, east of Medellín. Since the Túnel de Oriente opened in 2019, the drive to El Poblado and the city usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Is Medellín airport in Medellín?
No. The main airport (MDE) is in Rionegro, in the hills east of the city. Medellín also has Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) inside the city, which handles small regional flights only.
How do I get a taxi from Medellín airport?
White airport taxis wait at the official rank outside arrivals and charge set fares to Medellín. Use the rank or a pre-booked car, not drivers who approach you inside the terminal.
Which airlines fly to Medellín?
Avianca is the largest airline at MDE, with LATAM, JetSMART and Wingo across Colombia and the region, and American Airlines, Copa, Spirit and JetBlue to the United States and Panama.
Do I need to fill in a form before flying to Colombia?
Yes. Foreign visitors complete the Check-MIG form from Migración Colombia online before the flight. Depending on your passport, you may also need a visa; check the requirements before you travel.
Can I get from Medellín airport to Guatapé?
Yes. Guatapé and its lake are east of the airport, in the same Oriente Antioqueño region, so a transfer from the airport avoids going into Medellín first.
Is there a bus from Medellín airport to the city?
Yes. Shared minibuses run from the airport to central Medellín. They are the cheapest way into the city, but they drop you in the center, so you finish the trip by taxi or metro with your bags.
How many terminals does Medellín airport have?
One. All domestic and international flights use the same two-storey terminal. After immigration and customs, international passengers come out into the same arrivals hall as domestic passengers, where the official taxi rank and pre-booked drivers wait.
How busy is Medellín airport?
About 11.8 million passengers used José María Córdova International Airport in 2023, making it one of Colombia's busiest airports. It has a single runway of 3,557 m and is run under a concession by Airplan.
What is the weather like at Medellín airport?
The airport sits at about 2,100 m (6,900 ft), higher than Medellín, so it is cooler and often misty. The city itself, down in the valley, is warm all year. Keep a light layer for the airport and the drive through the Túnel de Oriente.
What time zone and currency apply at Medellín airport?
Colombia is on Colombia Time (UTC−5) all year, with no daylight saving, and uses the Colombian peso. There is no time change between Medellín and Bogotá or the Caribbean coast.