Medellín by rental car: a guide for your trip
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With a rental car in Medellín you move at your own pace around the city, the Aburrá Valley and the towns of Antioquia. On Rodii you get the car at José María Córdova airport (MDE) or where you stay, see the full price before booking, and do pickup and return from your phone.
Summary
- Get the car at José María Córdova airport or delivered in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.
- With your own car you can take day trips to towns like Guatapé or Santa Fe de Antioquia without depending on tour or bus schedules.
- Check the car's pico y placa before booking: in Medellín it applies Monday to Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Return it with the same fuel level you received it with.
1. Get the car at the airport or where you stay
If you arrive by plane, many Rodii owners deliver at José María Córdova airport, in Rionegro, about 45 minutes from Medellín. You agree on the time with the owner and get the keys on your way out, no rental counter line.
Within Medellín and the Aburrá Valley there's also delivery: the car comes to your hotel or apartment. Each listing shows whether it offers delivery and its coverage radius.
2. Day trips from Medellín
The big advantage of having a car is leaving the city whenever you want. These are classic trips you can do in a day:
- Guatapé and the Peñol Rock: the reservoir, the town of colourful zócalos and the climb up the rock.
- Santa Fe de Antioquia: a colonial town to the west, with the Puente de Occidente over the Cauca River.
- Eastern Antioquia: Rionegro, El Retiro and La Ceja, close to the airport.
3. Pico y placa in Medellín
A rental car has pico y placa like any private car: in Medellín it applies Monday to Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., based on the last digit of the plate. Each car's page on Rodii shows the days that car is restricted, so you can pick one that's free on your travel days.
4. Tips for your trip
- When you receive the car you check in from the app with 5 photos of the vehicle's condition: they're the record of how you received it.
- Return it with the same fuel level you received it with.
- If you're heading out to the towns, book ahead for weekends and public holidays, when more people travel.
- Fines, traffic tickets and tolls incurred during the booking are paid by the driver.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pick up the rental car at Medellín airport?⌄
Yes. Many Rodii owners deliver at José María Córdova airport (MDE), in Rionegro. You agree on the time with the owner and get the keys on your way out.
Can the car be delivered to my hotel or apartment in Medellín?⌄
Yes, if the listing offers delivery. Each listing shows its coverage radius in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.
Can I drive to Guatapé in a rental car?⌄
Yes. With a rental car you can do the trip to Guatapé and the Peñol Rock in a day, at your own pace. Check the car's pico y placa if you go on a weekday.
Does a rental car have pico y placa in Medellín?⌄
Yes, like any private car: Monday to Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., based on the last digit of the plate. On Rodii each car's page shows its restricted days.
Find your car in Medellín
See the available cars, with airport or home delivery and the full price before booking.
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