Of all of the bus journeys I took on my trip to Colombia, the journey from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva was the easiest. Still, I wanted to put together a guide outlining the process step by step. For me, it takes one load of stress out of the day if I know exactly what to expect and I figure that I can’t be alone in that.
So, here’s my step by step instructions for how to travel from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva
Bogotá to Villa de Leyva
Obviously you can travel in either direction, but since I traveled from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva (as opposed from Villa de Leyva to Bogotá), that’s how this guide will be laid out.
Get an Uber or Taxi to the Bus Station
Your first step is to get to the bus station in Bogotá. Bogotá is a massive city and traffic can be down right horrendous, so make sure you plan ahead and don’t wait until the last minute.
In Bogotá, there are two bus stations. There’s Terminal Salitre which handles the most of the destinations heading west and south. Terminal Norte is best for journeys that are heading north and east. That said, some destinations, like Villa de Leyva, are served by both Terminal Salitre and Terminal Norte. For Villa de Leyva, I’d recommend going to whichever bus station is closest to your hotel.
While you can take public transportation (city buses), taxis can be more convenient, especially if you have a lot of luggage. If you go the taxi route, I’d recommend asking your hotel to organize the taxi for you. It will save you a headache.
The other option is to take Uber. If you look online, you’ll find mixed answers to whether or not you can use Uber in Colombia. There was a court case a few years ago and Uber’s legal status was questionable. When I traveled in 2024, Uber was operating in the big cities in Colombia. And yes, it was operating legally.
Bogotá is one of the cities that Uber operates in, so if you feel more comfortable you could take an Uber to the bus station, instead of using a taxi. I opted for an Uber, which did eventually work. The driver somehow managed to get lost on the way to my hostel and instead of messaging me just decided to park somewhere and wait (presumably hoping that I would cancel the request). The many at the front desk of my hostel saw me waiting and helped me out by messaging with the driver directly. He came, I got to the bus station, and it all worked out (although it was a bit frustrating).
At Terminal Salitre, Use Modulo 3
Terminal Salitre was closer to my hostel than Terminal Norte, so that’s where I departed from. The bus terminal here is massive and there are multiple entrances. Look for signs to direct you to the various destinations. For Villa de Leyva, follow the signs to modulo 3.
Purchase a ticket
Once inside, you’ll need to purchase your ticket. Here’s where one of my biggest frustrations of traveling Colombia comes in. It can be impossible to find schedules online. I don’t even care about buying a ticket. I just want to know when the bus is scheduled to leave and on which line. That kind of information is spotty online.
But here’s what you need to know. Buses between Bogotá and Villa de Leyva are frequent. They’ll leave approximately every hour, so don’t worry too much about it. Just go the station and enter the ticket hall. Each bus line will have a desk with a digital display above it advertising the destinations they serve. Go to a counter that advertises Villa de Leyva.
There’s one important phrase to know. The first is “Cuando es la proxima autobus a Villa de Leyva” or “When is the next bus to Villa de Leyva”. Hopefully, it’s soon. If not, there’s several companies that serve Villa de Leyva so don’t be afraid to ask around. Purchase your ticket and head to your gate.
I used the company Flora Valle de Tenza but Libertadores also serves the route. In November 2024, I paid 39,000 COP for my ticket (about $9.25 USD). Credit card was accepted although you could also use cash. Be prepared to show your passport when you purchase your ticket.
Find your gate
When you purchase your ticket, the seller will direct you toward your gate. Likely this gate information is also printed on your ticket. And when in doubt, ask someone at the station where to go. Colombians are so friendly and helpful.
Hopefully your bus is at the station and will leave soon, but that’s no guarantee. My bus started its route at Terminal Salitre and was twenty minutes late arriving to start the route. I had a bit of panic because I couldn’t help but wonder if I had somehow missed it (as I was told the next bus was in five minutes when I asked at the ticket counter), but it turns out that it was just late.
Board your bus and settle in
When your bus arrives, settle in. You’ll be on the bus for the next few hours.
We stopped at Terminal Norte for about ten minutes. Even though we were just crossing the city of Bogotá, this journey took us nearly 50 minutes. Then from Terminal Norte, it was another three hours until we reached Villa de Leyva.
The drive is pretty uneventful but I have to give a warning that Colombian buses are bumpy. I like to read on long bus rides, but the road was so bumpy that I had a hard time reading on my Kindle because it was bouncing so much. I recommend having music or an audiobook instead.
Arrival in Villa de Leyva
Your bus will arrive at the bus terminal in Villa de Leyva. From here, it’s a short five to ten minute walk to the main square. It’s a short walk, but the cobblestones in Villa de Leyva are not fun to walk on. That’s not to say it’s not walkable, but rather, I felt like I really had to watch my step in Villa de Leyva.
More in Bogotá
Bogotá is a massive city and there is a lot to do. There are so many museums (the Museo del Oro being the most popular) plus you could hike to Monseratte for a fantastic view of the city. For more, check out my guide to how to spend one day in Bogotá.
More in Villa de Leyva
Villa de Leyva is a colonial town that’s famous for its massive square. Most of the charm of this city comes from strolling its whitewashed buildings. Villa de Leyva is light on sights but it makes up for it in charm and the beauty of the town. For more, check out my guide for spending one day in Villa de Leyva.
Can You Visit Villa de Leyva as a Day Trip from Bogotá?
While you technically can day trip from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva, I’m not sure about that. From Bogotá’s Terminal Norte, it’s a three hour drive one way to Villa de Leyva (four hours if you leave from Terminal Salitre). So, you need to be prepared to spend 6 to 8 hours on a bus which doesn’t leave a lot of time for exploring. Admittedly there aren’t a ton of sights in Villa de Leyva, but I think it’s just too much for a day trip. Pack up your bags and spend the night if you plan to visit.
When to Visit Colombia
Colombia can be visited all year round. While many countries have weather that can change drastically throughout the year, Colombia has just two seasons: dry season and rainy season.
Dry season is more popular because rain is less likely. Dry season typically runs from December through February or March. Then there is another dry season from June through August.
Rainy season comprises of the other months of the year. April and May and September through November. While it is rainy season, it may not rain every day, but you need to be prepared that it could rain at any time.
While dry season, particularly December through February, is the most popular time to travel, I chose to visit in November. It was rainy season and it did rain every day of my visit. However, the rain typically did not occur until the late afternoon or evening, meaning on most days my mornings were dry and I was able to explore in the dry sunshine.
Final Thoughts
The journey from Bogotá to Villa de Leyva is straightforward. It’s an easy journey that takes you from the country’s capital city to a picturesque colonial town that’s just a joy to explore. With guide, you can plan your Colombian itinerary with confidence.
Continue Your Adventure
Colombia Destinations: Learn how to spend one day in Bogotá, which includes a visit to Monseratte. In Villa de Leyva, wander the colonial streets or hike Cerro de la Cruz.
Colombia Transportation Guides: Travel from Villa de Leyva to San Gil where you’ll have your choice of adventure activities. Then travel from San Gil to Bucaramanga to explore even more of this country.
Colombia: Start planning your trip with my Colombia Travel Guide and learn about my top Colombia safety tips. Plus don’t my my realistic Colombia Travel Budget.