travelling within Bogota

shenley says on Feb 13, 2008, 16:31:

My dear Jonas, I am expecting a big culture shock... But I prefer to face the reality and can assure you that I can deal with it!!! I was just asking about how the public transport works, if it's possible to get something like a travel card and how much it costs... so, please guys help me... do not make it even harder for me... Have enough people around telling me all these things...

I am really looking forward to come to Colombia no matter what is waiting for me out there. To live in a fear is not to live at all....

Have a lovely day :-)
s.

shenley :-)

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aztec says on Feb 13, 2008, 16:57:

week travelcard?

Are you referring to something like a pass for the transit system?

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Feb 13, 2008, 18:44:

The system is called TransMilenio.
here is the online map & route guide:
http://www.surumbo.com/index2.php3?domain=www.surumbo.com&alias=&frame...

first off you need to make sure that you are actually living within walking distance of one of the lines this map shows the system in relation to all the streets:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=107033879206659819255.00043d...


I don't know if there is a pass for TransMilenio, but you can purchase a card with up to 50 journeys on it at any of the stations, I think each journey is 1,400 COP. All you do is swipe the card it to get through the turnstiles into the station.

Each line has a colour and letter on it. Each route can go on several lines, and it's path is shown by a sequence of colours that correspond to the lines it runs on. It's destination is designated by the letter and colour of the line it ends in.

TransMilenio produces a route guide that is very useful - and also very scarce. It is called "Guia General de servicions del Sistema TransMilenio". You should be able to pick one up at the PAU officess located in any of Portal del norte, Portal de la 80, Portal de Usme, Portal del Tunal and Estacion Ricaurte.


**NOTE**: the routes that are single-digit (ie A4 ) stop at each station on the line, the routes that are double digits (ie J70) skip stations and travel much faster.

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Feb 13, 2008, 18:52:

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durito says on Feb 13, 2008, 19:13:

what is a travel card?

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Feb 13, 2008, 19:31:

this is one of the cards:



The new ones are a deeper blue I believe.

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shenley says on Feb 14, 2008, 08:21:

adrimm thanks a lot :-) you are the best... that`s what I needed to know. However, it seems like I will have a lot of fun in Bogota... probably will get lost hundred times :-)
thnks :-)

shenley :-)

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Feb 14, 2008, 17:42:

You're welcome - have fun!!!

Although streets in some areas can seem very similar, with the mountains along one side and the numbering it is fairly easy to orient oneself in Bogota. Street numbers are usually on the sides of buildings. Not sure if you already have somewhere to stay, but I would advise somewhere central (Calle 60-75 or so) on the N-S line, and Easterly, around Cra 7, on the E-W line.

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dwr says on Feb 15, 2008, 10:02:

Colombia is a great place for someone with no Spanish, no knowledge of a country in the grips of narco-terrorism and high kidnapping rate to come and get lost for a few days. Enjoy!

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adrimm (Moderator) says on Feb 16, 2008, 00:35:

Dwr, Generalization is a dangerous thing. Would you call Mexico a great place for those with no Spanish? - Mexico City has higher crime rates than Bogota.

The situation in Bogota can hardly be compared to that in the rural areas of Norte Santander and the rural areas in Narino.. in fact Rio de Janeiro and Caracas both also have higher crime rates than Bogota - with Rio's murder rates at 2x Bogota's. Even Buenos Aires isn't what it once was.

In fact other cities are turning to Bogota for advice on lowering crime rates.
Don't believe me? Check it out yourself. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/nov/24/brazil.colombia

That's also why papers like the NYTimes http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/02/12/travel/12bogota.html , The Guardian, National Post, write travel articles about Bogota, why organizations like AISEC send english-only speakers people to Bogota http://naaz.nomadlife.org/past/2005_04_01_archive.aspx , why people go to teach English in Colombian cities, and why the Hilton and Marriott are both opening new hotels in Bogota.

Yes Colombia has places that have problems - and they are big problems, not to be trivialised - but part of knowing Colombia is realising that it isn't the same everywhere in country... and cities like Bogota can be enjoyed with some smarts. Besides that, we have no idea about the OP's language skills or living situation.

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dwr says on Feb 16, 2008, 10:59:

Good enough. I agree. My appologies.

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venustimon says on Feb 23, 2008, 05:34:

Shenley,

Bogota is a lot of fun. Once you learn how to use transmilenio everything else will work out. Cabs are very cheap in Bogota, you might want to consider taking them. I suggest that late at night you call a cab rather than just take one on the street. Some people just hail them, but I am a bit paranoid, I rather call.

You can visit places like calle 93 and zona rosa (calle 82), I also recommend going to la candelaria. It's an amazing place. Actaully one of my favorites here in Bogota. You'll like it if you are into historical places.

anyway, you'll have a blast. Bogota is not that different to other international cities. Just stay away from certain places late at night. If you get lost just take a transmilenio bus. Btw, be careful with your pockets in these buses, pocketpicketing happens all the time.

bye. ya and enjoy

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