How do you get from Medellín airport (MDE) to Laureles?
José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) is in Rionegro, about 35 km from Medellín, and the metro does not reach it. To get to Laureles, take a fixed-fare taxi, the Combuses shuttle plus a short cab ride, or a hotel-arranged transfer. Depending on traffic, plan on 45 minutes to a little over an hour.
Fixed-fare taxi
The easiest choice if you land at night or carry large bags. Taxis from the airport's official rank charge a fixed fare into Medellín: confirm the price at the taxi stand before you get in. For reference, the 2026 basic fare in the opposite direction, from Medellín to the airport, is COP 132,000. Keep the address handy: Circular 75 #38-35, across from Segundo Parque de Laureles.
Combuses shuttle plus a taxi
This is the budget option. Combuses minibuses run non-stop through the Túnel de Oriente to drop-off points such as the Combuses terminal in San Diego, the Hotel Nutibara area downtown or Exposiciones metro station. Fares start at about COP 20,000; you can buy a digital ticket on the Combuses website and check the other payment options there. From there, a taxi takes you to Laureles.
Hotel-arranged transfer
Living by Armóniko arranges airport transfers upon prior request: message the team on WhatsApp with your arrival date, time and flight number. Keep in mind that transportation is not included in the room rate.
| Option | Approx. time to Laureles | Reference cost | Best if you… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-fare taxi | 45 to 60 min | fixed fare; confirm it at the taxi rank (reference: COP 132,000 from Medellín to the airport) | land at night, travel as a group or carry big bags |
| Combuses + taxi | 60 to 80 min | from about COP 20,000, plus a city taxi | travel light and on a budget |
| Hotel transfer | depends on traffic | quoted on WhatsApp | want a hassle-free arrival |
Flying a regional route? Some flights to Colombia's Pacific coast and Urabá, such as Quibdó or Nuquí, use Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) in the Guayabal district, a short taxi ride from Laureles.
Which metro station is closest to Laureles?
The closest stations to Segundo Parque de Laureles are Estadio and Floresta, both on metro Line B. From the park they are roughly a 23- and 26-minute walk (about 1.7 and 2 km), or a few minutes by taxi. Another option is a 10-minute walk to the Laureles stop of bus Line O on Avenida 80.
Line B at a glance
Line B crosses western Medellín for 5.5 km, from downtown to San Javier. Its stations, in order:
- San Antonio: transfer to Line A and the tram.
- Cisneros: connection with Metroplús Line 1.
- Suramericana.
- Estadio: on Carrera 70, near Atanasio Girardot Stadium.
- Floresta: connection with the Line O buses on Avenida 80.
- Santa Lucía.
- San Javier: transfer to Metrocable Line J and the gateway to Comuna 13.
Line O, the shortcut from the park
Line O is a Metroplús bus corridor that runs along Avenida 80 between La Palma and Caribe. Its Laureles stop (Avenida 80 and Calle 40) is about 750 m from the hotel; from there it is two stops to Floresta, where you switch to Line B with fare integration.
Coming soon: the Metro de la 80
The 13.25 km Metro de la 80, between Caribe and Aguacatala with a transfer at Floresta, is under construction along the same corridor. It is expected to open between 2028 and 2029; until then, roadworks may cause detours.
How do you pay for the Medellín metro, and when does it run?
Medellín's metro runs on the Cívica smart card. As a visitor, buy the Eventual Cívica, designed for tourists and occasional riders, at metro points of sale and top it up with credit. Trains run roughly from 4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays.
- One card for everything: Cívica gives you the integrated fare across the metro, Metrocable, tram, Metroplús and integrated bus routes.
- Top-ups: use the machines in stations, outside retail points or apps; the Metro de Medellín lists every channel in English.
- Staying for weeks? Foreigners can get a personalized Cívica with their passport at metro customer service points.
Metro routes from Laureles to Medellín's must-sees
With Line B as your starting point, almost all of Medellín is one or two transfers away. The table covers the most useful routes from Estadio or Floresta stations; total travel time depends on the time of day and how you reach the station, whether on foot, by taxi or on Line O.
| Destination | Metro route | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Comuna 13 | Line B west to San Javier | From San Javier, the 20 de Julio bus route climbs to the graffiti area. |
| Plaza Botero and Museo de Antioquia | Line B to San Antonio, then Line A north to Parque Berrío | The square is a few steps from the station. |
| El Poblado | Line B to San Antonio, then Line A south to Poblado | Provenza is uphill from the station; many travelers finish that stretch by taxi. |
| Parque Explora and the Botanical Garden | Line B to San Antonio, then Line A north to Universidad | The station sits between Parque de los Deseos and Parque Explora. |
| Parque Arví | Lines B and A to Acevedo, Metrocable K to Santo Domingo, then Metrocable L to Arví | Line L charges a separate fare and does not run on Tuesdays; like Line K, it also closes for annual major maintenance, so check the Metro website before you go. |
Comuna 13 and Metrocable Line J
Comuna 13 is one of the easiest rides from Laureles: Floresta to San Javier is just two stations. Metrocable Line J also starts there, climbing 2.7 km to La Aurora with sweeping valley views. Before you go, read our Comuna 13 Medellín guide.
When is a taxi better than the metro?
A taxi makes sense at night once the metro has closed, when you carry luggage or when your destination is far from a station, such as Provenza, which sits uphill from Poblado station. For short hops, such as to Plaza Mayor or La Macarena, it also saves you the walk to the station and a transfer.
- Book through an app or by phone, especially at night, instead of hailing a cab on the street.
- Check the meter when the ride starts: Medellín city taxis charge by taximeter, with a minimum fare.
- Carry the exact address: Laureles has a maze of curving streets (circulares) and diagonal ones (transversales) that can be confusing if you do not know the area.
For more peace of mind, read our Medellín safety tips for travelers.
Can you explore Laureles on foot or by bike?
Yes. Laureles is a residential, walkable neighborhood with tree-lined streets and parks that work as meeting points. From Segundo Parque de Laureles you can walk to bakeries, restaurants and Mall Baratza, and for longer trips you can use EnCicla, the Aburrá Valley's free public bike system.
On foot from the hotel
- La Hojaldrería: bakery and brunch, a 1-minute walk.
- La Pampa: steakhouse on the same park, 2 minutes away.
- Samaar: yoga, pilates and aesthetics, 5 minutes away.
- Mall Baratza: Le Brunch, Oasis and Tostao, about 7 minutes away.
Guests get perks at these partners by showing their room card.
By bike with EnCicla
EnCicla has docking stations spread across Laureles and next to metro stations (check the app for the nearest one); foreigners can register online with a passport, and approval can take up to 3 business days, so sign up before your trip. If you feel like riding, follow our cycling route through Laureles.
Using Laureles as your base for getting around Medellín
Living by Armóniko, a boutique hotel in Laureles, sits at Circular 75 #38-35, across from Segundo Parque de Laureles and in the same district as the stadium and La 70. To make arrivals and day trips easier, the hotel offers practical help you can arrange at reception or on WhatsApp.
- Airport transfers upon prior request, plus an hourly transportation service for one-off trips or special events.
- Luggage storage before check-in (3:00 p.m.) and after check-out (12:00 p.m.).
- Vertical parking if you arrive by car; confirm when you book and check the current pico y placa restrictions.
- Tours with transportation: the Medellín City Tour lasts 6 hours and includes round-trip transportation, the Metrocable, Comuna 13 and the Historic Center.
For reference, the hotel lists about 9 minutes to Atanasio Girardot Stadium, 10 to Plaza Mayor, 13 to La Macarena and 20 to El Poblado and Provenza; actual times vary with traffic. For the address and map, see our location page with directions to the hotel in Laureles; for other arrival questions, see the FAQ.
