Bogota to San Gil... by bus.... at night

Okay... So, like I've mentioned, I'm off to Colombia in 3 days.... and I tend to be one of those people that tries to schedule everything as much as possible.... But, also understand that some things are inevitable and you kind of just have to wing it!

I tried to the Country Wide Bus Trip link, but it doesn't look like it's working...

So, I need a little help...

I need to get to San Gil by Tuesday morning from Bogota.... I just found out it's like a 6.5 hour drive... So... I'm guessing taking the bus by night is the way to go....

Now, my question is not of safety, because I will try and be as careful as possible, but can't always predict what's going to happen.... My question is, does anyone have the number or a link to the Central Bus Line Station in Bogota, I'd like to see what time options are available for travel... I don't want to arrive in San Gil toooooooo early, but, again it all depends on the schedule....

Thanks any info would be helpful....

By msaucey on Sep 12, 2007, 11:08 in Travel tips.

Gator says on Sep 12, 2007, 12:58:

http://www.viajaporcolombia.com/default.asp?link=tierr

The main bus terminal is on Calle 33B No 69-59, tel: 428 2424 is west of the city center. General area of the US Embassy. Rather make the trip in the daytime but no real problem at night. FYI, this is a BIG building. Norte' services bus routes to the north of the country, 'Oriente & Occidente' go to the east and west and 'Sur' go to the south. 5/8 hours is about right

BTW this is a great area to visit and usually over looked by the "normal"tourist.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

msaucey says on Sep 12, 2007, 13:29:

Thanks Gator.... Yeah, I'm pretty excited about going to San Gil....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

paisa29 says on Sep 12, 2007, 13:48:

I was there 2 almost months ago, it was so fun.
por favor saluda a Shawn por mí. Have a great time!

paisa29 says on Sep 12, 2007, 13:48:

I was there 2 almost months ago, it was so fun.
por favor saluda a Shawn por mí. Have a great time!

thur says on Sep 12, 2007, 21:40:

You can check it out at http://www.terminaldetransporte.gov.co/ Go to "Destinos" and type in "Bucaramanga" (as "San Gil" doesn't give any options). There don't seem to be many night options available, even the last bus of Copetran leaves at 20.30. On the bottom of the page is a general phone number.
Greetings,

- www.pbase.com/thur

msaucey says on Sep 13, 2007, 11:46:

thur... thanks for the link... well, you freaked me out by letting me know that there weren't too many options...

So, I picked up the handy phone and called them...

Omega can provide a direct service, after 6pm departing every hour through midnight... So, sounds like I'm good...

Thanks for all the info....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

vicshere says on Sep 13, 2007, 12:13:

MS at the terminal you should find buses leaving every half hour to bucaramanga.....if not one company another.....there are three majors Concorde....Copratran....Berlinas.....they are all good with nice busses and fast service and the same prices...around 60,000 to 70,000 one way ....buses at night no problem....warning do take something warm to wear on the bus as it get friken cold in the bus at night.....I mean jacket....I always take along a good blanket to cover myself

listo

msaucey says on Sep 13, 2007, 12:27:

Cool.. Thanks, vic... I'm figuring I should be able to take a bus leaving around mid-night... Get to San Gil... between 6 and 8.... That should work out well...

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis

msaucey says on Sep 20, 2007, 21:32:

Okay... Quick update.... Things I learned on my bus trip from Bogota to San Gil.... First, ask for a discount.. My price ticket went from 94.000 cop to 50.000 cop.... Second, ask for a direct trip (found this out the hard way on the ride back to Bogota).. Third, find out what the bus looks like before you purchase the ticket (again found this out on the way back to Bogota)... So, I did the bus trip to San Gil.... Left around 11pm on an Omega direct, one stop for a break, one stop in Socorro... Very comfortable, slept the whole way.... Got to San Gil at 5:30am... Way earlier then I anticipated, way earlier then the hotel anticipated too.... No biggie, they accomodated us immediately... Anyway.... On the way back, it felt like we were in a cumulativo.... Since we were picking up people everywhere... It felt longer, but, it was only like an additional 30 minutes, MP´s came on board at some point, did a walk around and let us go... No biggie... Left San Gil almost at 6pm made it to Bogota around midnight....

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed. - CS Lewis