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Still haven't figured out what I'm doing... to fly or to bus.

Ok I have 5 more sleeps until I fly in to Bogota. I've decided to check out Cali for a few nights and have a room booked. COOL. I'm trying to figure out if I want to fly or bus to Cali. I'd love to save the money, if it's going to be a decent enough savings to make it worth my while sitting on the bus for that long. Here's the catch. I plan on traveling from Bogota to Cali Christmas Eve.

So...

Option A) Book a flight from Bogota to Cali online
Option B) Take the bus and try to get a ticket on the 23rd, leaving on the 24th

Any thoughts? Please and thanks.

By babygirl on Dec 17, 2008, 18:09 in Friendly Talkzone.

turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 17, 2008, 18:44:

bump

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offroadguy says on Dec 17, 2008, 18:58:

Hey baby. It has been my experience that when on vacation, time is more valuable than money.

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Pappassito (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 17, 2008, 18:58:

If you're gonna bus it,get ready for a crowded situation at the terminal..... The time spent on the bus ain't the issue,but betting a ticket could be at this time of year. One hell of a lot of Colombianos travel on that day,& most of `em can't afford to fly. Remember to bring some TP or you might arrive in Cali without a sock or two..

"A wise monkey never monkeys with another monkey's monkey."

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babygirl says on Dec 17, 2008, 19:20:

Thanks guys. (thanks for the TP tip too...lol, I've learned to travel with tissues in my purse)

Ok I think that sums it up, I'm going to book a flight right now. Sometimes I just don't want to deal with bullshit and the whole bus thing at this time of year seems like it will be that.

I'm going to fly Cali - Cartagena on the 28th and then make my way back to Bogota overland.

Best quote of the week... "should I be taking this pill with wine?" Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 17, 2008, 19:27:

Plan on 10 or 12 hours on the road compared to a little more than an hour.

Mr. Bill Somondoco

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babygirl says on Dec 17, 2008, 19:41:

Ok am I retarded? The online Avianca site won't seem to let me put my Passport # in (it's a combo of Letters and Numbers) OR my Postal Code (same, combo of Letters and Numbers).

What am I doing wrong?

Best quote of the week... "should I be taking this pill with wine?" Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 17, 2008, 19:59:

Try to use the Colombia - Spanish website, usually prices are better paying in COP.

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Paisa/Calena/Luver says on Dec 17, 2008, 20:00:

My girl just came back from Bogota on the bus to Cali(10-12hrs), she always tells me its a horrible ride and she hates it.. and she takes the Nice Boliviano buses. ALSO she tries to get a seat towards the front because the Bathroom starts to stink after a while... BUT most of all, after the ride she needs like a full day of napping and relaxing to recover..

"PAY ATTENTION! I wonder if that person knows that when we push the FUNNY button, its because we are reading something outrageous, trying to be cynical, derogatory, sarcastic and/or obnoxious!"

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babygirl says on Dec 17, 2008, 20:17:

Unbelievable, has this never happened to any other Canadians? The UK site will let me do it but it's more expensive for the flight (doesn't make sense to me but whatever) Kayak routes me back to the airline sites. i travel 2000 gives me two options and I'm not impressed with the times they're offering. grrrrrrrrrrrrr, Oh and COPA is telling me that I can't book the flight I've chosen online. wtf?

viajero, thanks. I tried the Spanish site too and the same problem comes up. The UK site works for me but I have to leave my country out as Canada is not listed.

Best quote of the week... "should I be taking this pill with wine?" Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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babygirl says on Dec 17, 2008, 20:34:

Thanks :) Can you sense my frustration? hehee. I had a freak attack but, I'm fine now. Ridiculous though eh that I have to go to the Motherland site to book a freakin' flight ;) Send Liz my heartfelt gratitude will ya?

Best quote of the week... "should I be taking this pill with wine?" Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 17, 2008, 20:46:

Have you tried here? http://www.aerorepublica.com/
In avianca.com, on the purchase window, there is a support icon, where you can chat with someone. I did it and the person said it's ok to just leave the numbers in the passport and not typing in the post code, if it doesn't ask for it, don't leave it. Double check this of course.

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babygirl says on Dec 17, 2008, 21:01:

Well that's what I was going to try viajero, and just did but then I got stuck on the number of payments..LOL. I'm going to bed and will deal with this tomorrow on company time ;)

Thanks so much guys.

Best quote of the week... "should I be taking this pill with wine?" Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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JGD (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 18, 2008, 04:20:

babygirl says, "I'm going to bed and will deal with this tomorrow on company time ;) "
That's always a good thing to do... LOL

The ride by bus shouldn't be bad. Try to take it at night. Either bus terminal or airport will be crowed as hell those days.

You are worried the US is going to invade and take the Venezuelan oil?... you are selling everything to them !!Peruvian Pres. Alan Garcia to Chavez

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Chriscan (☼Travelguide writer) says on Dec 18, 2008, 08:27:

I love to leave it up to fate when I'm not sure. When you arrive, visit Areo Republica and see if they can get you a cheap last minute deal. Check their web site in advance to see the flight times.

I don't know if there are direct flights from Cali to Cartagena but if if there isn't it might not cost much. That would save you more time than flying Bogota to Cali.

The good news for a bus to Cali is that you will leave from the south terminal (I think) which is closer to your hostel downtown.

I would make a flight or two at the start and then you can decide how quickly you want to make it back.

Beam me up Scotty; No intelligent life here.

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borat says on Dec 18, 2008, 12:55:

I'm going to usaquen, not sure what to do, taxi or bus......i mean it's raining, ..I just don't know, any advice would be much apreciated, although without a name like baby.....

what you believe is not important, it's what you do that counts

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babygirl says on Dec 18, 2008, 14:38:

Thanks peeps!

Borat, don't forget your umbrella and wellies.

Best quote of the week... "should I be taking this pill with wine?" Canadian Girls Kick Ass!

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