Jardin is one of Colombia’s most charming towns, and getting there from Medellin is straightforward once you know your options.
We made this trip and back recently. So, in this blog post, let me guide you through how to get from Medellin to Jardin, with all the details you need, from terminal location and timings, to ticket booking and what to expect from the trip.
Medellin to Jardin: A Quick Overview
Do not have time now to read the whole thing? Here is what you need to know:
🚌 Best Way: Direct Bus
🎟️ Tickets: Book online on Bookaway. Use our promo code PARADISE5 and get a 5% discount.
🕰️ Timings: Multiple times a day, starting before 5:00 am.
⏳ Journey Duration: About 3-4 hours, subject to traffic conditions.
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Best Way to Get from Medellin to Jardin
There are no direct flights between Medellin and Jardin, and private transfers can be costly. So, unless you are planning to rent a car, the bus is the most practical and budget-friendly option.
The route is popular among international travelers, as well as Colombians looking to escape Medellin’s urban energy for Jardin’s charming architecture, coffee farms and surrounding natural beauty.
Medellin to Jardin Bus
Bus Route Overview
Jardin sits approximately 134 kilometers southwest of Medellín in Antioquia department. The journey takes you through winding mountain roads with views of Colombia’s countryside.
While the distance is not huge, the mountainous terrain means travel time is longer than you might expect.
Bus Company
🚌 Bus Company: The main bus company operating between Medellin and Jardin is Rapido Ochoa.
📍 Buses for Jardin depart from Medellin’s Terminal del Sur (South Terminal) several times daily.
💺 Bus Type and Amenities: The Rapido Ochoa buses between Medellin and Jardin are typically comfortable but basic. You will get reclining seats, air-conditioning, a small overhead space for bags and WiFi. This is a smaller bus with no bathroom onboard.
🧳 Luggage Allowance: We only had small backpacks, but usually they allow you to bring one big bag that can be stored at the back of the bus, and a smaller backpack that you can stow on your overhead cabin.
💵 Keep a smaller bag with valuables always with you.
Schedule
Bus Timings: You will find a couple of early morning departures at 4:45 am and at 6:00 am, and then, from 11:00 am, approximately every 1.5-2 hours, with the last departure at 6:45 pm.
☀️ Tip: We recommend taking a morning bus so that you arrive in Jardin by afternoon, with some time to explore on Day 1.
Duration: The journey from Medellin to Jardin takes about 3-4 hours, though this can extend during peak traffic period, holiday breaks and rainy season.
Rest Stops: Halfway through the journey, the bus makes a brief stop, where you can purchase snacks and use restroom facilities for a small fee.
🪙 Tip: Have cash on you.
Medellin to Jardin Bus Tickets
Ticket Prices
Bus tickets from Medellin to Jardin typically cost about 12 USD for a one-way ticket. Prices may increase slightly during Colombian holiday periods or weekends.
For the most current pricing and to secure your seat in advance, which I recommend, particularly for weekends and holidays, check and book through Bookaway.
Where to Buy Tickets: Online
The easiest way to secure your bus ticket for Medellin to Jardin is online in advance. We use Bookaway, which allows us to:
- Compare multiple providers (if and when applicable)
- View all departure times
- See current prices
- Book in advance
- Pay by card or PayPal
- Receive electronic confirmation
🚌 Book your Medellin to Jardin bus tickets here →
💰 Use our promo code PARADISE5 and get 5% off.
Where to Buy Tickets: Offline
Alternatively, you can purchase tickets directly from the Rapido Ochoa counter at Medellin’s Terminal del Sur.
If you are not comfortable with Spanish, I recommend writing down your destination, date and preferred time to show the same at the ticketing window.
Book Online or Buy Offline?
When traveling during the week in low season, buying at the terminal is usually fine. But if you plan to do that, arrive at the terminal at least an hour or two earlier than the scheduled departure time.
However, for weekend travel or during holidays, I strongly recommend booking your bus tickets in advance.
We traveled from Medellin to Jardin on a weekday during low season, and our onward bus was full. On the way back, we were the only two people onboard!
Booking online gives me peace of mind, and that’s why I choose this option.
🚐 Book your transfer here on Bookaway →
💰 Get 5% discount by using our exclusive promo code PARADISE5
Medellin to Jardin Bus Journey: Our Experience
To help you visualize what a day of travel from Medellin to Jardin may look like, let us share our trip experience in detail.
Terminal del Sur in Medellin
We got an Uber to get to the bus terminal, Terminal del Sur. Our first impression upon arrival was, the terminal looked clean, spacious and comfortable, and without the feel of hustle that’s typical of big bus terminals.
At the bus terminal, which is also a commercial center, Centro Comercial Terminal del Sur, there were plenty of shops to buy snacks and meals, multiple zones with clean bathrooms, and since you are in a digital nomad friendly city like Medellin, even a co-working space!
Check-in and Boarding
After checking out the terminal for a bit, we walked to the Rapido Ochoa counter and showed our mobile confirmation of Medellin-Jardin roundtrip tickets booked on Bookaway.
The woman at the counter verified the details, issued us paper tickets for both onward and return journey, and told us what would be the boarding zone and gate for our ride. Note that, there are two main boarding halls, with multiple gates in each.
❗️ Remember to safely retain your return tickets.
After the check-in, we hung around for a bit, used the bathrooms (they charged 1200 COP per person), bought some candies for the ride and headed towards the boarding gate. The bus was on time.
Bus Ride: Medellin to Rest Stop
The first hour of the ride took us out of Medellin’s urban sprawl, and then gradually, the bus started going up into the mountains, passing through smaller towns and coffee plantations.
As the bus navigated numerous twists and turns, we enjoyed the wide vistas of green mountains and blue sky moving past our window.
Road Conditions
I would say, the road conditions on the Medellin-Jardin route are generally good, but at the time of our visit, there were a couple of stretches where road repair work was going on, which added to our time on the road.
Rest Stop
We got one rest stop in the town of Bolombolo. We had the option to use the bathroom here and also buy some snacks.
In this area of the bus stop, among other things, you will find a D1 supermarket store, a small shop selling fresh fried snacks, packaged snacks like cookies and chips and other artisanal snacks, and sweets, and a small bakery.
❗️ Now, please pay attention to what I am going to tell you.
Go to the small bakery, and buy yourself a few pan de quesos, Spanish for cheese breads, to eat there or for takeaway.
If they have available, buy the variation, pan de queso relleno con arequipe, Spanish for cheese bread with filling of arequipe, which is Colombia’s dulce de leche.
🏆 This is THE most delicious sweet snack I have ever tasted, and I do not have a sweet tooth!
Bus Ride: Rest Stop to Jardin
After the rest stop, the bus seemed to move faster probably because of better road conditions. But we still had another stretch of road repair work area to cross.
Then, in about an hour or so, we arrived in Jardin. There is no proper bus terminal in Jardin. The bus stopped next to the Rapido Ochoa ticket office in Jardin.
📍 Note the location, because for going back from Jardin to Medellin, this is where you have to board the bus.
Tips for a Comfortable Trip
To make your journey from Medellin to Jardin as comfortable as possible, I recommend:
- Arrive early: Get to Terminal del Sur at least 30 minutes before departure.
- Pack motion sickness medication: Even if you do not usually need it, the winding roads might change that. I personally keep candies.
- Bring water and snacks: While there is usually a short stop, having your own supplies is always wise.
- Dress in layers: Buses can be either too hot or too cold. I always keep a light jacket handy.
- Keep valuables with you: Store your main luggage underneath the bus, but keep important items in a small bag at your seat.
- Download offline maps: Google Maps offline data for Jardin will help you navigate once you arrive.
- Have cash ready: Bring enough Colombian pesos for use on the way, as well as for hotels, tours, food and purchases in Jardin.
Is it safe to travel from Medellin to Jardin by bus?
Yes, we felt safe traveling by bus from Medellin to Jardin, as well as on an evening bus from Jardin to Medellin.
This route is frequently used by both locals and tourists. As with any travel, keep an eye on your belongings and avoid displaying valuables.
Plan Your Jardin and Medellin Trips
Whether you are traveling from Medellin to Jardin or Jardin to Medellin, for when you get to the destination, check out our planning guides for different activities in Jardin and Medellin:
- Things to Do in Jardin
- Cueva del Espendor Hike
- Visiting Jardin de Rocas
- Hiking to Cafe Jardin
- More than Escobar Tour
- Why Avoid a Pablo Escobar Tour
If you enjoy reading our free travel guides, tips and stories, you can buy us a coffee and help us create more such travel planning tools for you. Thanks for supporting Paradise Catchers.
Travel Resources
- Flights: Skyscanner
- Hotels: Booking.com | Expedia
- Tours: Viator | GetYourGuide
- Travel Insurance:
- Heymondo (get 5% off)
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
- eSIMs:
- Transfers: Bookaway. Code PARADISE5 for 5% off
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