Question 1

Is MDE the same airport as Medellín’s Olaya Herrera?

Accepted Answer

No. José María Córdova (MDE) sits in Rionegro, a separate municipality east of the city; Olaya Herrera (EOH) is Medellín’s own, smaller, closer-in airport. Both are run by the same operator, Airplan, which lists them as two of its six airports — but they are different buildings in different places, and ground transport to one will not get you to the other.

Question 2

How do I get from Medellín to the airport without a car?

Accepted Answer

Buses, colectivos and taxis leave 24 hours a day from the Sandiego roundabout, on the road toward Las Palmas — one route runs via the Túnel de Oriente, another past the Mall Indiana, a third along the Autopista Medellín–Bogotá from the city centre near the Hotel Nutibara. You can also reach Rionegro-bound counters at the Terminal del Norte or Terminal del Sur bus terminals and ask for the direct route.

Question 3

How do I get from the airport to Medellín?

Accepted Answer

Authorised white taxis — known locally as taxis raya azul, with drivers identified by an airport badge — run 24 hours from the arrivals area. Public buses also leave around the clock from the ground floor, puerta 2. If you are headed to Rionegro town instead, taxis wait at puerta 3 depending on flight schedules, and colectivos and buses run roughly 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Question 4

What is Biomig, and do I need to register?

Accepted Answer

Biomig is Migración Colombia’s voluntary biometric check-in, in place at MDE since September 2023, meant to speed up entry and exit. It is free and open to Colombians over 12 with an ID or passport; register at Migración Colombia’s Oficina de Atención al Ciudadano at the airport. Foreign travellers can use the biometric lanes to leave the country without registering — a passport is enough.

Question 5

What happens if I lose something at the airport?

Accepted Answer

Found items are held for a maximum of 30 days — report yours through the airport’s lost-property form, giving as much detail as possible to prove ownership. If you lost something inside the aircraft itself rather than in the terminal, the airline, not the airport, handles the search.

Question 6

Are there liquid restrictions for hand luggage on international flights?

Accepted Answer

Yes, under Colombia’s RAC 160: liquids, creams, gels or aerosols over 100 ml must travel in checked baggage on international departures. Smaller containers are allowed in hand luggage only if packed in a resealable clear plastic bag of up to one litre total — medicines, baby food and special dietary items are exempt.

Medellín, Antioquía Department

MDE questions travelers actually ask