Train travel in Colombia – a comprehensive guide (2026) trenopedia.com

Colombia has a well-developed railway network with a total length of 3,304 kilometres. Almost all lines are used exclusively for freight transport. Train travel in Colombia is limited to a weekend tourist train in Bogota and metropolitan railway in Medellin. Colombia has no operational railway links with adjacent countries. Railway link with Venezuela was disrupted.

Tren Turístico de la Sabana is a heritage train. In the early 1990s Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Colombia ceased all passenger trains and the company was liquidated. Three years later a private company took over part of the abandoned railway line and assets of the liquidated Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Colombia. Rusty carriages and locomotives were abandoned in workshops. A few enthusiasta decided to set up a transport company and save rolling stock and make the necessary repairs.

The train service was inaugurated on May 29, 1993. Tren Turístico de la Sabana is one of Bogota’s most popular tourist attractions. It runs on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays all year round. Passengers can travel from Sabana station in Bogotá to Zipaquirá station. Total length of the route is 53 km. The train stops at several other stations, where travelers can transfer to buses to the most popular tourist attractions in the area.

The train is composed of a steam or diesel locomotive, vintage passenger cars and a bar car. The train can accommodate 580 passengers, and an additional program has been prepared, including performances by folk music bands.