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Transportation in Venezuela
Getting there
International Flights
This is a list of international flights. Select either a country from "Coming from" to see the flights going from this country to Venezuela or a country from "Leaving to" to see the flights from Venezuela to this country.
International Travel Agencies
This database will show you a selection of tour operators and travel agencies from different countries that offer trips to Venezuela. Select your country in the pull-down menu and click on "Go".
Air
Venezuela has a comprehensive and efficient air network. Flights are cheap and cost around US$80-150. No discounts are available for foreign students. Reservations can be made with the airlines themselves or through travel agencies, but the agencies usually do not represent all airlines. Reservations are advisable, but not always necessary. You are fairly likely to get on a flight (except on the national holidays Easter and Christmas) if you turn up at the airport half an hour before departure and have your name put on a waiting list (lista de espera). The majority of companies fly DC9s, but smaller companies use Caravans, DC3s and other light aircraft. All national flights are non-smoking. An airport tax of US$1-5 is added to flight tickets.
National Airlines
The following links will open a new browser window.
Flight Schedules
Select your departure and destination city in the form below and click "Go" to view all available flights. The search results will display all scheduled flights between the selected cities with the name and telephone number of the airline. For reservations and availability of flights please contact the appropriate company
Airports in Venezuela
Select the city in the pull-down menu and click on "Get it!". The results will show the location of the airport on a city map, contact details and the scheduled departures and arrivals of the airport.
Rent an Airplane
Servicios Aereos, Puerto La Cruz, Tel.: 0281-653371
Air Global, Caracas, Tel.: 0212-2838009
Sasca Airline, Porlamar (island margarita), Tel.: 0295-2626866
Useful Links
Gaceta Aerea online (spanish)
Land
It is not difficult or expensive to explore Venezuela by land. Transport within the country is fairly well developed and caters adequately for today's travellers. All overland travel (with the exception of one 175km passenger railway line) goes by road and there are various public transport services.
Distances Between Major Cities (Km)
Car
Car hire is fairly common among tourists, and most major international companies have offices in airports and cities. To hire a car, you must be over 21 years of age (in some cases 23 or 25) and have a full, valid driver's license. A national driver's license is accepted for one-year, but it is recommended to obtain an international one. Car hire is expensive, and usually costs from around $70 per day. Rates vary little from city to city, but are considerably cheaper on Isla Margarita. Payment is generally required by credit card; if you want to pay by other means you could be subject to a large deposit (around US$500-1000). Comprehensive insurance is usually not included, and it is advisable to check the exact details of the policy issued and purchase more if necessary.
Avoid leaving luggage and valuables in vehicles, as this will encourage theft.
Drivers planning to motor across Venezuela's borders should note that there is no road link between Venezuela and Guyana, and it is necessary to go via Brazil. There is one road over the Venezuela/Brazil border, from Manaus in Brazil to Santa Elena de Uairén in Venezuela. There are four border crossings between Colombia and Venezuela. Cúcuta to San Antonio de Táchira is the most frequently used. You can also take the coastal road that runs from Maicao to Maracaibo, or go overland from Puerto Careño to Puerto Páez or Puerto Ayacucho. The route between Araucato and el Amparo de Apure is not as safe or efficient as the above. If you intend to come back to Venezuela, make sure you have a valid visa or an empty tarjeta de ingreso (entry form) with you, as they are not available on the border.
Car Rentals
This search engine helps you to find a car rental office. You can fill in all, some or none of the fields. If all fields are filled, the search result will be very precise. If all are left blank, all the car rental offices in the database will be displayed. If you are not sure of a spelling, you can enter parts of words, e.g. typing 'Mar' in the city field will display all cities beginning or containing those letters, such as Maracaibo, Porlamar etc.
Bus
Buses are the most economical way to travel around Venezuela. There are two types: normal (regular) and ejecutivo (first-class). The latter are bigger, faster, more direct and offer greater comfort. They are usually air-conditioned and get very cold at night, so it is wise to take a sweater. Regular buses generally cost roughly US$2 per hour's journey. Ejecutivo buses cost around 20% more, but are well worth it, especially for long distance journeys.
Long-distance buses depart from terminales de pasajeros (bus terminals) which are found in every city. Caracas has two major terminals (La Bandera and El Oriente), from which you can travel to almost any part of the country. Some bus companies have private terminals. It is only necessary to book tickets in advance during holidays, when buses fill up quickly. Fares vary little, especially if several companies service the same route. On longer journeys, drivers often stop for breaks at rest stops.
Local buses are the most popular means of transport in towns and cities, and there are hundreds of them. They run frequently and are very cheap, (US$0.20 - 0.50), but are often slow and crowded. To catch a bus, either wait at a parada (bus stop) or hail the bus from the side of the road.
Por puesto
Por puestos can be cars or minibuses and are a form of taxi, and can be recognized by their yellow licence plate which reads Por Puesto. They are much cheaper than taxis, but about twice as expensive as buses. Fares are usually set, though some may try to charge an extra US$2 for passengers with lots of luggage. Por puestos are the only form of transport on some routes and usually wait in ranks at bus terminals, from which they depart when full. They can also be flagged down anywhere en route, provided there is space.
Taxi
There are plenty of taxis in Venezuela, and in the cities they usually charge between US$2 -10. Meters are not used, so always negotiate and agree a price before departure. It is a good idea to ask locals what the fare should be. Occasionally, private cars (piratas) operate illegally as taxis. Be careful, as not all of their drivers are honest. You can recognize an official taxi by its yellow licence plate which reads Libre or Taxi.
Motorbike
Venezuela is a beautiful country to explore by motorbike. However, bikes for hire are not particularly common, except on Isla de Margarita where even Harleys are available. Scooters are a more common sight. If you do hire a bike, you will need a credit card, passport and international drivers license. Those bringing their own bikes will also need the bike registration document. If you plan to bring or buy a bike, one with off-road potential is highly recommended to cope with potholes and unpredictable road surfaces. By law, helmets must be worn, but few adhere to this regulation. It is wise to wear protective clothing and wet weather gear, and to carry an extensive tool kit and spare parts, as many are difficult to obtain in more remote areas. Avoid leaving luggage on bikes. Many hotels have safe parking in courtyards, or may allow you to wheel your bike indoors.
By Bicycle
There are several, mostly small, cities in which the locals favore the use of bicycles. However bicycle rental is rare. Mérida is the only region in Venezuela where bike and equipment hire is common. If you bring your own bicycle, be sure to accompany it with a puncture repair kit, a set of tools and plenty of spare parts, as these can be difficult to find in more remote areas. The majority of the countryside is relatively flat, and it is wise to stick to secondary roads to avoid heavy traffic. Be careful when cycling in cities, Caracas in particular, as roads are extremely busy.
Train - Metro
The rail system in Venezuela has yet to be developed and is almost exclusively used for industry. Only one passenger line exists in Venezuela, which is the route from Barquisimeto (Lara State) to Puerto Cabello (Carabobo state). It is a 175km journey and takes roughly 3 hours. Trains run twice a day in both directions on weekdays, and three times a day during weekends and holidays.
Caracas has a modern, efficient metro system, which is air-conditioned and runs to all parts of the city. Fares are very reasonable and cost about US$0.60 per stop.
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking is common but can be dangerous. Always be very careful and use common sense. People will often let you ride in the back of their trucks, a frequent sight in Venezuela. Hold on to your hat!
Sea
Ferries
Gran Casique
http://www.conferry.com |
| Telephones |
| Puerto La Cruz |
0281-630935 / 678501 |
| Cumaná |
0293-320011 / 322589, FAX: 334312 |
| Margarita |
0295-2398339 / 2398439 |
| |
| Departures |
| Puerto La Cruz --- Margarita (Punta de Piedras) |
| Daily |
6:45 / 16:00 |
| Margarita (Punta de Piedras) --- Puerto La Cruz |
| Daily |
10:00 / 19:00 |
| Cumaná --- Margarita (Punta de Piedras) |
| Daily |
7:00 / 14:00 |
| Margarita (Punta de Piedras) --- Cumaná |
| Daily |
11:00 / 18:00 |
| |
|
| Prices |
| Puerto La Cruz --- Margarita |
| Adults |
Bs. 11,000.-
(Return ticket Bs. 20,000.-) |
| Children (3-7) |
Bs. 7,000.- |
| |
|
| Cumaná --- Margarita |
Adults 1st class
2nd class |
Bs. 8,500.-
Bs. 7,000.- |
| Children (3-7) |
Bs. 3,000.- |
Consolidada de ferrys (CONFERRY)
http://www.conferry.com |
| Telephones |
| Caracas |
0212-7828544, FAX: 7930739 |
| Puerto La Cruz |
0281-677847 / 678257, FAX: 677090 |
| Cumaná |
0293-331903, FAX: 311462 |
| Margarita |
0295-2619235 / 296159, FAX:2616361 |
| |
| Departures |
| Puerto La Cruz --- Margarita (Punta de Piedras) |
| Daily |
1:00 / 6:00 / 8:00* / 13:00 / 16:00* / 18:00 |
| Margarita (Punta de Piedras) --- Puerto La Cruz |
| Daily |
0:00 / 7:00 / 11:00 / 12:00* / 19:00 / 20:00* |
| Cumaná --- Margarita (Punta de Piedras) |
| Daily |
7:00 / 16:00 |
| Margarita (Punta de Piedras) --- Cumaná |
| Daily |
11:30 / 20:00 |
| Coche --- Margarita (Punta de Piedras) |
| Monday to Friday |
6:00 |
| Saturday and Sunday |
6:00 / 18:00 |
| Margarita (Punta de Piedras) --- Coche |
| Monday to Friday |
17:00 |
| Saturday and Sunday |
8:00 - 19:30 |
| |
|
| Prices |
| Puerto La Cruz --- Margarita |
Adults 1st class
2nd class |
Bs. 8,100.-
Bs. 5,400.- |
Children 1st Class
2nd class |
Bs. 4,100.-
Bs. 2,700.- |
over 65 1st class
years 2nd class |
Bs. 4,050.-
Bs. 2,700.- |
| Cars |
Bs. 15,300.- |
| Small trucks |
Bs. 16,900.- |
| Motorcycle |
Bs. 4,400.- |
| Buses |
Bs. 21,600.- |
| Vans |
Bs. 17,900,- |
| |
|
| * Puerto La Cruz --- Margarita (with Carmen Ernestina) |
Adults VIP
Normal |
Bs. 22,000.-
Bs. 13,500.- |
Children VIP
Normal |
Bs. 11,000.-
Bs. 7,500.- |
| over 65 years |
Bs. 6,750.- |
| Cars |
Bs. 24,000.- |
| Small trucks |
Bs. 30,000.- |
| Motorcycle |
Bs. 6,000.- |
| Buses |
Bs. 60,000.- |
| Vans |
Bs. 38,000,- |
| |
|
| Cumaná --- Margarita |
| Adults |
Bs. 4,500.- |
| Children |
Bs. 2,500.- |
| over 65 years |
Bs. 2,250.- |
| Cars |
Bs. 9,500.- |
| Small trucks |
Bs. 10,500.- |
Cruises
Several travel agencies offer a variety of Caribbean cruises. Select a travel agency from our database for further information.
Boat Charter
Several travel agencies have sailing or power boats for charter. Select a travel
agency from our database for further information.
Marinas
Venezuela is a very popular destination for sailors. Marinas are busy throughout the year, particularly from June to September as boats seek shelter from the hurricanes in the Caribbean. Most marinas are situated in Puerto La Cruz, Cumana and Margarita. Spare parts for boats may be difficult to find in Venezuela.
Clearance has to be made with the Capitania del Puerto (Harbour Master), but travel agencies or the offices in the marinas can deal with this.
National clearance is also required when arriving from another state.
Puerto La Cruz
Bahia Redonda Marina Internacional (http://bahiaredonda.com.ve)
Av Tajamar, Loc 1, Urb.Ctro Nautico, Tel.: 0281-677412, 0281-677810, 0281-678049
CMO (Centro Mariño de Oriente)
L Boqueticos, Tel.: 0281-677011
Puerto Vigio
Marina Américo Vespuccio
Av A Vespucio, Ed.Marina Américo Vespucio, Urb.E Morro, Lecherias, Tel.: 081-814321, 081-820829
Puerto Viejo Marina Yacht Club CA
Urb.V Gran Cacique, Tel.: 0281-677201, 0281-677346, 0281-677001
Cumaná
Marina Cumanagoto
Urb. Av. Perimetral, Tel.:0293-311423
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