Bogota, Colombia → Cartagena, Colombia · ✈ 1h 19min · 🚗 10h 36min
352 nautical miles · Time difference: Same timezone · Direction: north
The distance from Bogota to Cartagena is 652 km (405 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 1h 19min.
The straight-line distance from Bogota, Colombia to Cartagena, Colombia is approximately 652 kilometers (405 miles or 352 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Cartagena is located north of Bogota. Bogota is in South America, in the Cundinamarca region of Colombia, while Cartagena is in South America, in Bolívar, Colombia. Both cities are in South America.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 652 km | ~1h 19min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~848 km | ~10h 36min | Feasible with breaks |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~782 km | ~6h 31min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Bogota to Cartagena. For 652 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 848 km, fuel costs for driving from Bogota to Cartagena are approximately $68–$127 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Bogota sits at 4.7110°N, 74.0721°W, while Cartagena is located at 10.3910°N, 75.5364°W. The initial compass bearing from Bogota to Cartagena is 346° (NNW), so a great-circle flight path leaves Bogota heading roughly NNW. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 5.68° and the longitude difference is 1.46°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Bogota and Cartagena is approximately 7.5516°N, 74.7994°W. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 326 km from each city. For road trips, a stop near this latitude/longitude makes for a natural overnight or lunch break.
Bogota and Cartagena share the same approximate time zone, so meetings, calls, and arrivals don't require any clock adjustment. This makes the route especially convenient for short business trips. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Bogota is a major city in Colombia with a population of approximately 7,181,469. Located in the Cundinamarca region, it is an important hub in South America. As one of the largest cities in Colombia, Bogota is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
→ See all distances from Bogota
Cartagena is a notable city in Colombia with a population of approximately 1,028,736. Situated in the Bolívar region, it serves as a key destination in South America. Cartagena offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Colombia.
652 km is a medium-distance route, similar to traveling across a mid-sized European country. A flight covers this distance quickly, but driving or rail travel remains feasible for those who prefer ground transport. For reference, New York to Chicago is about 1,150 km.
At 652 km, the Bogota-Cartagena route is about 1.6% of Earth's circumference. A commercial jet covers this distance in about 1h 19min.
The straight-line distance from Bogota to Cartagena is approximately 652 kilometers (405 miles, 352 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 1h 19min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 10h 36min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Cartagena is approximately Same timezone compared to Bogota.
The estimated road distance is approximately 848 km, which is about 30% longer than the 652 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.