Users have shared that the buses are generally comfortable and staff members strive to be helpful, even when language barriers exist. However, there were some concerns about delays and a lack of WiFi on board. Additionally, users noted issues with air-conditioning efficiency and insufficient information at stations regarding bus platform details.
Unitransco Santa Marta Cartagena recent customer reviews
Not much info at station giving bus platform details. Left half hour late. Air-conditioning not efficient so very warm. Shambles at arrival as many taxi drivers swarming round door.
3 out of 5 stars
Nigel P.
The bus stopped multiple times to let locals and sellers on which delayed our trip.
2 out of 5 stars
Caoimhe O.
The booking was very easy and the bus very comfortable. Unfortunatily the bus had a delay of 1.5hours. Also no wifi available in the bus as said in the discription.
Users have highlighted the efficiency and comfort of a fast, air-conditioned mini bus that arrived early with convenient central pickup and drop-off locations. However, there were consistent mentions about the absence of an onboard toilet despite expectations set by ticket information.
MarSol Santa Marta Cartagena recent customer reviews
Driver was pretty wreckless and the toilet break was 4.5 hours into the 5 hour journey.
3 out of 5 stars
Clodagh G.
Fast, air conditioned mini bus. Arrived early. Central pickup and drop off locations.
Only downside was no toilet onboard, ticket said there should have been.
Many users have praised the bus service for its comfortable seats and professional staff, highlighting an overall pleasant travel experience. However, several reviews mention delays in departure and arrival times as a common issue. Additionally, some passengers noted cleanliness concerns and non-functioning amenities like WiFi or bathroom facilities during their journeys.
Expreso Brasilia Santa Marta Cartagena recent customer reviews
The guy at the station put me on a different branchs’ bus because this 1oclock one wasn’t on the screen as a scheduled bus which was fine but tectonically this is about I think it was Unitransco, something like that. The bus ended up being almost 6 hours instead of 4.45 hrs. The first driver kept speeding so the loud beeping kept occurring and I was sat right at the front
4 out of 5 stars
Elena C.
- bus was very loud with no one respecting each other's surroundings (playing music and videos loudly)
- there was a 40 minute stop after the planned stop in Baranquilla which delayed us alot
- the seats didn't all recline
- smelled of urine!
3 out of 5 stars
Priyanka P.
A 4 hour trip was 5 hours. The driver was too interested with talking to his co-driver than watching the road or using 2 hands. A bit scary
According to 242 reviews, Copetran received a 2.1-star rating for this journey. Travellers were especially satisfied with the seats and the departure location, but some complained about the timeliness. Copetran ticket prices on this trip start at US$15
Copetran Santa Marta Cartagena recent customer reviews
The bus we booked was not the bus they put us on. At arrival at the terminal, we were told we needed to change our ticket without explanation and then we were put on another bus that was 2 hours late with multiple stops. The bus was dirty and cold.
2 out of 5 stars
Halima K.
Arrived 1 hour late. On the way the driver stopped many times to accommodate street vendors on the bus to sell merchandise and food
1 out of 5 stars
Guglielmo R.
I turned up at the station and they had cancelled the bus due to a traffic jam - terrible customer service at the desk
According to customer reviews, there are several complaints about the bus service. Customers mention that the seats were in bad condition and the air conditioning was not working properly. Additionally, there were unexpected delays due to a one-hour break without prior notification. Furthermore, some customers reported issues with seat availability and experienced a nearly 2-hour delay as a result.
Almirante Padilla S.A. Santa Marta Cartagena recent customer reviews
The journey should take 4 hrs , however we arrived after 6 hrs. The seat was also broken.
2 out of 5 stars
Alan T.
Very bad service! Took 6 hours until we were in Cartagena, very cold in the bus, driver was driving wild
1 out of 5 stars
Michiel S.
The bus was advertised as a 3 hour journey from 2pm to 5pm. We ended up getting thrown on an earlier bus at 1pm as we arrived earlier and didn’t arrive until 7:30pm
Based on 614 reviews, the company was rated 3.4 stars on Busbud. Travellers were especially satisfied with the departure location and the cleanliness but often complained with the WiFi. Rapido Ochoa ticket prices on this trip start at US$15
Busbud shows you the best bus ticket fares and bus schedules so you can easily plan and book a trip by bus from Santa Marta to Cartagena.
Bus service from Santa Marta to Cartagena will be provided by the most trusted bus companies.
Discover how much the bus trip from Santa Marta to Cartagena will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.
Where are the popular stops in Santa Marta and Cartagena?
Tv. 57 #24-236, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, ColombiaTerminal de Cartagena
Frequently asked questions on the trip Santa Marta, CO - Cartagena, CO
What is the distance between Santa Marta and Cartagena?
Santa Marta and Cartagena are 166 km (103 miles) apart.
What are the departure and arrival locations for buses traveling from Santa Marta to Cartagena?
Buses departing from Terminal Santa Marta in Santa Marta will take you to Terminal de Cartagena in Cartagena.
Find cheapest prices for buses
Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.
Best price found
09-10
US$18
09-11
US$18
Today
US$18
09-13
US$15
09-14
US$15
09-15
US$15
09-16
US$15
09-17
US$15
The cheapest trip from Santa Marta, CO to Cartagena, CO was searched and found on Sep 17, 2025 with a price of US$15
To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from Santa Marta, CO to Cartagena, CO, as early as possible.
You can expect to pay from US$15 to US$23 for a bus ticket from Santa Marta, CO to Cartagena, CO based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$15 which is on 2025-09-17.
Usually MarSol will charge you higher prices for tickets closer to the departure date. To find the best prices, you should be flexible on your date of travel.
About Bus Travel
Bus Travel Tips
If you're abroad, study some local language. Not only could it get you out of a pickle during your bus trip from Santa Marta to Cartagena but it'll also be endearing to native speakers who will surely appreciate your effort.
Much more than a mere vehicle taking you from Santa Marta to Cartagena, riding the bus will expose you to some of the most stunning panoramas while enroute to your final bus stop.
Buses have one of the smallest carbon footprints of motorized transport modes. A bus going from Santa Marta to Cartagena will emit less CO2 than a car or an airplane.
Make a music playlist for your bus ride from Santa Marta to Cartagena, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.
Did you know?
The word 'bus' is an abbreviation of 'omnibus" which means 'for all' in Latin as buses were meant to be transportation for everybody.
The average number of passengers on a coach bus is 32 meaning that a bus could replace a minimum of at least 30 cars!
It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.
Busbud helps you easily search, compare and book intercity bus tickets on a worlwide scale with our comprehensive list of bus routes and schedules. Use Busbud to book your trip online, in your own language and currency, wherever you are. With Busbud, you can buy tickets with confidence. We ensure that you make the most out of your bus trip by partnering up with reliable bus companies from all around the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.
The cheapest trip from Santa Marta, CO to Cartagena, CO was searched and found on Sep 17, 2025 with a price of US$15
