How to Get to Cucuta. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel

Airports & Flights

Camilo Daza International Airport (CUC) is the only airport directly serving Cúcuta, handling mainly domestic flights.

Flight Information

Airlines: Avianca, LATAM, Satena, and Wingo operate flights.
Routes: Mainly domestic, linking to Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Bucaramanga.
International Flights: All international arrivals connect through a major Colombian city (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali).

Airport Services & Transfers

Camilo Daza International Airport offers basic facilities and various transfer options to the city.

Getting to/from the City

Taxis: Readily available outside the terminal. Use official airport taxis or request via a ride-sharing app. Confirm price upfront.
Ride-sharing Apps: Uber, Didi, and Cabify operate in Cúcuta for airport transfers.
Hotel Shuttles: Some hotels offer pre-arranged airport transfers; inquire while reserving.

High Season Prices

December-January (holidays), Easter Week, mid-year school holidays (June-July). Book flights well in advance for these periods.

Low Season Deals

March-June, September-November (excluding Easter). Find lower prices for flights during these months.

Airport Facilities

Camilo Daza International The airport has basic facilities: car rental, taxi stands, food vendors, cafes, ATMs, and waiting areas.

Airport Procedures

Departure Timing

Arrive at Camilo Daza International Airport at least 1.5-2 hours before domestic flights.
Allow extra time during peak seasons to account for potential delays.
Exit fees for international flights are generally included in your airline ticket price.

Departure Facilities

Waiting areas are available for departing travelers.
Some food and drink options are present for pre-flight refreshments.
Restrooms and other basic amenities support traveler needs.

Airport Image Reference

Cúcuta Airport View

Image: Cúcuta Airport Sign

Terminal Exterior

The exterior facade of Camilo Daza International Airport.

Arrivals Area

View of the arrivals section and taxi stands outside the airport.

Land Transportation

Border Crossing Information

Cúcuta serves as a major border crossing point with Venezuela, notably at the Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridges.

Crossing Procedures

Formal crossings require a a passport that is not expired and immigration stamps from both countries.
Border operations can be volatile due to the complex political and economic situation in Venezuela.
Check the most current information regarding border status and requirements immediately before your trip.

Long-Distance Bus Travel

The Terminal de Transportes de Cúcuta acts as a major hub, connecting Cúcuta to many parts of Colombia.

Bus Routes & Companies

Companies: Expreso Brasilia, Berlinas del Fonce, Copetran, Omega, Cootransbol.
Routes: Extensive network to Bogotá, Medellín, Bucaramanga, Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, and more compact towns.
Travel Time Examples: Bogotá (15-18 hrs), Bucaramanga (4-5 hrs), Medellín (12-14 hrs).

Self-Driving Considerations

Requirements & Safety

Requirements: 21-25 years old, valid national driver's license, International Driving Permit (highly recommended), major credit card for deposit, SOAT insurance.
Safety: Roadside robberies can occur on a smaller number of traveled routes, especially at night. Exercise caution, avoid driving after dark outside cities.
Road Conditions: Major highways are typically surfaced but can be winding in mountainous areas. Rural roads range in quality.

Other Land Transport

Cúcuta does not have active passenger train services. Moto-taxis are common but offer less safety.

Train & Moto-Taxis

Train Connections: Cúcuta does not have active passenger train services.
Moto-taxis: Common in border areas and less formal neighborhoods, faster but less safe than regular taxis. Not recommended for tourists.
Road Safety: Roads within the city can be congested. Always drive defensively.

Road Safety & Border Crossing Advice

Avoid driving after dark outside cities due to safety concerns on less traveled routes.
Road closures due to landslides are possible during rainy seasons in mountainous areas.
Inform others of your travel plans when driving long distances.

For land departures, no specific exit fees apply for travelers, but correctly following border procedures is important.
Many border crossings are currently open for pedestrian traffic and limited vehicle traffic for specific purposes.
Check current border status for specific crossing points (Simón Bolívar, Francisco de Paula Santander).

Sea/River Arrivals

Ferry & Cruise Services

Cúcuta is an inland city. Sea or river arrivals are not applicable for inter-city tourist transport.

Availability

Ferry Services: Not applicable, Cúcuta has no access to the sea.
Cruise Ports: Not applicable, Cúcuta has no access to major navigable rivers for cruise services.
River Transportation: Limited to local, informal river crossings or short trips on smaller rivers; not a significant mode for tourists.

Immigration & Connections

As an inland city, Cúcuta does not have seaports or related immigration procedures.

Port Information

Immigration Procedures at Seaports: Not applicable, Cúcuta is not a seaport.
Connections to Land Transportation: Not applicable for sea/river arrivals as a mode of inter-city transport.
No major waterways: No public boat taxis or large-scale water transportation for tourists.

Factual Status

Cúcuta's geography means sea or major river travel is not relevant for getting there or away.

Limited Waterways

Small rivers exist, but they do not endorse significant tourist transportation networks.

No Port Access

The city lacks direct access to the sea, making cruise or large vessel travel impossible.

Departure Information

Exit Fees & Procedures

Exit fees for international flights are generally included in your airline ticket price.

Air & Land Departures

Air Travel: Arrive at Camilo Daza International Airport at least 1.5-2 hours before domestic flights.
Bus Travel: Arrive at the bus terminal at least 30-60 minutes before departure, especially during peak travel times.
Land Departures: No specific exit fees typically apply to tourists, but correctly following border procedures is important.

Terminal Facilities

Cúcuta's airport and bus terminal offer basic facilities for departing travelers.

Available Amenities

Waiting Areas: Comfortable spaces to await your departure.
Food & Drink Options: Basic selections are available for refreshments.
Restrooms: Tidy and accessible facilities.

Bus Terminal Image Reference

Terminal View

Image: Cúcuta Bus Terminal

Departure Gates

View of bus departure gates and loading areas.

Ticket Counters

Zone with various bus company ticket counters.

Departure Readiness

Ensure all documents for your exit are ready and follow recommended arrival times for a smooth journey from Cúcuta.

How to Get to Cucuta