Arriving at José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)? WelcomeTaxi provides pre-booked airport transfers and private transfers between the airport, Medellín and destinations across Antioquia, Colombia. Travel directly to your hotel, residence, business address or another city with a professional English-speaking driver.
Our chauffeur service is also available for business travel, sightseeing and tailored regional journeys. From El Poblado and Laureles to Envigado, Guatapé, Rionegro and destinations farther across Antioquia, private long-distance transfers provide a comfortable door-to-door alternative to airport buses, taxis, ride-hailing services or rental cars.
How It Works
 |
Choose the route and a vehicle |
| Select service type you need, choose the route (or hourly hire duration), indicate number of passengers and luggage, as well as other necessary details if needed. See the price for different vehicle classes, choose one suitable for you and press Next. |
 |
Choose the payment method |
| Complete the booking form, choose the payment method, press Make Booking button, make online prepayment (if needed) and get email confirmation. When a driver will be assigned to your job, his phone number will be emailed to you. |
 |
The driver meets you with a name tag |
| Your driver will meet you on-site with a name tag at the right time. He will walk you to the car and safely drive you to your destination. At the end of your ride, if needed, you will pay in cash or by card-to-card transfer to your driver. |
Our Benefits
English-speaking drivers
Always available — friendly, professional, and communicative.
Fixed prices — no surprises
Know your fare in advance, with no hidden fees.
Meet & greet included
Your driver will wait at arrivals with a name tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a ride?
We recommend booking your transfer or hourly hire service at least 72 hours in advance. If you don’t have that much time, you can request an urgent transfer — we’ll let you know as soon as possible whether we can confirm it.
What pick-up time should I specify for the transfer?
If your transfer starts from an airport or railway station, please specify your flight or train arrival time as the start of your transfer. This helps the driver organize the meeting more accurately.
If your transfer starts from a hotel to an airport, please indicate the time you wish to be picked up at reception. You’ll need to calculate it yourself, allowing extra time for check-in. We recommend adding about 3 hours before your flight’s departure. For example, if your flight leaves at 14:00 and the trip takes 1 hour, your pick-up time should be 10:00.
How do I know if my order has been accepted?
After submitting your booking, you’ll receive an email with all trip details and your order status as “Waiting”. Once we receive and confirm your payment, the status will change to “Accepted”, and you’ll receive another email confirmation.
If you don’t receive the confirmation email, please contact our support team at office@welcome.taxi.
How do I change my booking?
To make changes to your booking, please contact our support team at office@welcome.taxi.
Important note: Requests for changes made less than 72 hours before your trip may be declined.
How can I cancel my booking?
You can cancel your booking in two ways:
- Via the booking page on our website — use the cancellation number provided in your booking voucher, at least 72 hours before the trip.
- By contacting our support team if it’s less than 72 hours before your ride.
Important note: In case of urgent cancellation, we may not be able to refund your deposit. The free cancellation period is stated in your confirmation email.
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is delayed by less than 30 minutes, the driver will adjust their arrival time automatically.
If the delay is longer, please inform the driver directly (their phone number is in your confirmation voucher) or contact WelcomeTaxi Customer Support at office@welcome.taxi. Please include your order number and the new arrival time.
Important note: The driver may charge an additional fee for extended waiting time.
How will I find my driver?
For airport transfers, if you’ve added the meet-and-greet option to your order, the driver will meet you in the arrivals area — right after passport control and baggage claim. You’ll see a name sign with your first and last names (or custom text, if specified in your booking).
Important note: We strongly recommend adding the meet-and-greet option to your airport transfer booking.
For hotel pickups, the driver will wait for you in the hotel lobby. Detailed meeting instructions and your driver’s contact number are provided in your booking confirmation voucher.
How can I be sure that my driver will pick me up?
WelcomeTaxi guarantees that your driver will do their best to meet you on time.
Both you and the driver will have each other’s phone or WhatsApp number. Please keep your mobile phone switched on at the time of pickup. If you can’t reach the driver, contact our support team immediately.
I can’t find my driver. What should I do?
If you can’t find your driver, please double-check the name signs again — the driver may have missed you in the crowd.
Try calling or messaging the driver via WhatsApp. If there’s no response within the meeting time, contact our support team.
If necessary, go to the airport’s Information Desk to arrange a local taxi to your destination.
Important note: If the driver fails to meet you, we will refund your payment.
What Our Customers Say
United Kingdom
Highly recommended taxi service
Airport Transfers and Chauffeur Service from José María Córdova Airport
José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) is the principal international airport serving Medellín and the wider Aburrá Valley. Located near Rionegro, east of Medellín, the airport handles international flights and a large share of the region's domestic air traffic, making it the main aviation gateway to Medellín and Antioquia.
WelcomeTaxi provides pre-booked private airport transfers from José María Córdova International Airport to hotels, residences, offices and regional destinations. Passengers can organise their transportation before travelling and continue directly from the airport with a professional English-speaking driver rather than arranging their onward journey after arrival.
Private transfers are suitable for individual travellers, couples, families, business passengers and larger groups. Chauffeur service and long-distance transfers can also be arranged for journeys throughout Medellín, Rionegro and destinations farther across Antioquia.
Getting from MDE Airport to Medellín
José María Córdova International Airport is located outside Medellín, near Rionegro, so passengers should plan a substantial road journey after landing. The Túnel de Oriente corridor provides one of the main road connections between the airport area and the city.
Transport options include airport buses, taxis, ride-hailing services, rental cars and pre-booked private transfers. The most suitable choice depends on the final destination, amount of luggage, passenger number and preferred level of convenience.
Airport Bus Services
Airport buses provide an economical connection between José María Córdova Airport and Medellín. These services are useful for independent travellers whose accommodation is close to the city stops or who do not mind arranging another local connection after reaching Medellín.
Passengers staying in El Poblado, Laureles or another district may still need a taxi, metro connection or ride-hailing service for the final part of the journey.
A private airport transfer avoids this additional stage and takes passengers directly from MDE to the address provided when booking.
Taxis at Medellín International Airport
Official taxis provide direct transportation from MDE to Medellín, Rionegro and surrounding destinations. They are a practical option for passengers who prefer to organise their journey after landing.
A pre-booked private transfer offers greater certainty before the flight and can be particularly useful for families, groups, travellers carrying substantial luggage or passengers continuing directly beyond Medellín.
Ride-Hailing Services
App-based transport is widely used in the Medellín region and provides another option for airport journeys. Pickup procedures may vary, so passengers should follow the instructions shown by their chosen service.
Ride-hailing can be convenient for flexible local travel, while a pre-booked transfer may be preferable when travellers want their vehicle and destination confirmed before arrival.
Rental Cars
Rental cars are available for visitors planning to explore Medellín, Rionegro and Antioquia independently. A private vehicle can be useful for itineraries involving several regional destinations.
For passengers travelling directly to a hotel or business address in Medellín, however, renting a car also means navigating mountain roads, city traffic and parking. A chauffeur-driven transfer removes these additional considerations.
Why Pre-Book a Private Transfer from MDE?
The distance between José María Córdova Airport and central Medellín makes advance transport planning especially useful. Unlike Olaya Herrera Airport, MDE is not located within the city itself.
With a pre-booked transfer, the pickup, destination, passenger number and vehicle requirements are arranged before arrival. Passengers can travel directly to their hotel, residence or business address without changing between airport buses and local transport.
Families and groups can reserve a vehicle with sufficient seating and luggage capacity instead of depending on the size of the next available taxi or ride-hailing vehicle.
For international visitors, travelling with an English-speaking driver can also simplify communication during the airport pickup and journey into Medellín.
Transfers from MDE to El Poblado
El Poblado is one of Medellín's principal hotel, business and entertainment districts and a common destination for international travellers arriving at MDE.
The district contains major hotels, restaurants, offices, shopping centres and residential developments. A private airport transfer provides direct transportation from José María Córdova Airport to the exact hotel, apartment or business address.
This can be particularly convenient after a long international flight or when travelling with several pieces of luggage.
Transfers from MDE to Laureles
Laureles is another popular area for visitors staying in Medellín, with hotels, apartments, restaurants and residential streets west of the city centre.
Because MDE is located outside the Aburrá Valley, public transport journeys generally require an additional connection after reaching Medellín. A private transfer provides direct door-to-door transportation to accommodation in Laureles and neighbouring districts.
Transfers to Envigado and Sabaneta
Envigado and Sabaneta lie south of Medellín and form part of the wider metropolitan area. Both municipalities contain residential districts, hotels, restaurants and business destinations.
A private transfer from MDE can take passengers directly to an address in Envigado or Sabaneta without travelling into central Medellín first.
Transfers from MDE to Rionegro
Rionegro is the city closest to José María Córdova International Airport and an important commercial and residential centre in eastern Antioquia.
Travellers staying in Rionegro can reach hotels, residences, business addresses and nearby destinations without making the longer journey into Medellín. A private transfer provides direct transportation from the airport to the required address.
Chauffeur Service in Medellín
WelcomeTaxi chauffeur service can be arranged for business schedules, sightseeing, events and personalised itineraries throughout Medellín and the surrounding region.
The metropolitan area includes business districts, hotels, restaurants, universities and attractions distributed across the Aburrá Valley. A private vehicle with driver allows passengers to organise transportation according to their own programme rather than arranging a separate taxi for each journey.
Hourly chauffeur service can also be useful when several meetings, events or sightseeing stops are planned during the same day.
Business Travel from José María Córdova Airport
MDE is the main international gateway for business travellers visiting Medellín. Passengers arriving for meetings, conferences and corporate travel can continue directly from the airport to offices, hotels and business districts throughout the metropolitan area.
A pre-booked chauffeur provides direct transportation to the required destination and can remain available for further journeys when several appointments are scheduled.
For visitors unfamiliar with the city, travelling with a professional driver also removes the need to navigate Medellín's road network and parking between meetings.
Transfers from Medellín Airport to Guatapé
Guatapé is one of the most popular leisure destinations in Antioquia and is frequently visited by travellers arriving through MDE. The colourful lakeside town and nearby Piedra del Peñol are located east of Medellín.
Because José María Córdova Airport is itself east of the city, passengers travelling directly to Guatapé can avoid entering central Medellín first.
A private transfer provides direct transportation from MDE to a hotel, guesthouse or other accommodation in the Guatapé area and can be particularly convenient for families and groups.
Regional Transfers across Antioquia
José María Córdova Airport is a practical starting point for journeys throughout Antioquia. Private regional transfers can be arranged to towns, hotels, business destinations and countryside accommodation beyond Medellín.
Travellers whose final destination is outside the city can continue directly from the airport rather than entering Medellín simply to change transportation.
This is especially useful for families, groups and passengers carrying substantial luggage.
Long-Distance Transfers from MDE
Private long-distance transfers provide an alternative to intercity buses when direct address-to-address transportation is preferred.
Journeys can be arranged from José María Córdova Airport to destinations elsewhere in Antioquia according to the required route and vehicle. Colombia's mountainous terrain means road travel times can be considerably longer than straight-line distances suggest.
For very long journeys, domestic flights may sometimes be more efficient, but chauffeur-driven transportation remains useful when flexibility, several stops or direct door-to-door travel is the priority.
José María Córdova Airport and Olaya Herrera Airport
Medellín is served by two passenger airports. José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) is located near Rionegro and handles international flights as well as extensive domestic traffic. Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH) is located inside Medellín and focuses mainly on regional domestic services.
The two airports serve complementary roles and should not be confused when arranging transportation. MDE and EOH are in different locations and require significantly different ground transfer times.
Private airport-to-airport transfers can be arranged for passengers whose itinerary requires travel between José María Córdova and Olaya Herrera.
Transfers between MDE and EOH
Passengers connecting between Medellín's two airports need to travel by road between Rionegro and the city. The route typically uses the Túnel de Oriente corridor towards Medellín.
A private airport-to-airport transfer provides direct transportation between the terminals and can be particularly useful when travelling with luggage or connecting between separate domestic and international flights.
Passengers should allow a generous connection time for traffic, baggage collection, check-in and security procedures.
Useful Information for Arriving Passengers
José María Córdova International Airport uses the IATA code MDE and is located near Rionegro, east of Medellín. It is the principal international airport serving the Medellín metropolitan region.
Airport buses, taxis, ride-hailing services and rental cars provide transportation towards Medellín and surrounding destinations.
When booking a private airport transfer, passengers should provide the correct flight details, complete destination address, number of travellers and realistic luggage requirements. It is also important to distinguish between MDE and Olaya Herrera Airport (EOH).
With airport transfers, chauffeur service and long-distance private transportation available from José María Córdova International Airport, travellers can arrange their journey before arrival and continue directly to Medellín, Rionegro, Guatapé or destinations farther across Antioquia.