Santa Marta to Cartagena flights
Cartagena lies 170 km (106 mi) south-west of Santa Marta, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 58 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Santa Marta | Cartagena | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Colombia | Colombia |
| Population | 499,192 | 914,552 |
| Elevation | 14 m (46 ft) | 20 m (66 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Bogota) | UTC-5 (America/Bogota) |
| Nearest large airport | BAQ, 75 km out | CTG, 5 km out |
| Postal codes | 470001–470017 | 130001–130027 |
Airports at each end
Leaving Santa Marta
Santa Marta is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ), 75 km (47 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 9,842 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR, 14 km).
Arriving in Cartagena
Cartagena is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG), 5 km (3 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 8,530 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft. The alternatives are Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ, 95 km).
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Nuñez International Airport | CTG | 5 km (3 mi) | 8,530 ft | 4 ft |
| Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport | BAQ | 95 km (59 mi) | 9,842 ft | 98 ft |
Book a flight to Cartagena
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Staying in Cartagena
Our booking partner lists 1,125+ places to stay in Cartagena (statistics below are from the first 1,000). Of the 987 with a star rating, the largest group is 2-star (476), and 7 are five-star. Across 38 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.5 out of 10. Guests have left 6,651 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Cartagena
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Cartagena from Santa Marta?
170 km (106 mi) in a straight line, south-west of Santa Marta.
How long does it take to get from Santa Marta to Cartagena by air?
About 58 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Santa Marta and Cartagena?
No, both are on America/Bogota at the moment.
Which airports are used for Santa Marta to Cartagena flights?
Typically Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) to Rafael Nuñez International Airport (CTG); Cartagena also has BAQ.
Where can I stay in Cartagena?
Our booking partner lists 1,125+ places to stay in Cartagena, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.