By Air in Caracas

• Sights
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Entertainment
• Shopping
• Travel Tips
• Features

By Air

Caracas is served by Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar (CCS), about 25 km (16 mi) from downtown in the coastal area of Maiquetía.

Major U.S. carriers serving Venezuela are American, Continental, and Delta. Venezuela's Aeropostal flies to Caracas from Miami. Air France, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, and Lufthansa fly from their respective hubs in Europe. A number of domestic regional airlines fly throughout Venezuela. Among them are Aereotuy, Avior, Laser, and Santa Bárbara. Most domestic flights stop in Caracas.

Upon landing, you can expect to be issued a free tourist visa, valid for a stay of up to three months.

Airports & Transfers

The trip into town from the airport is via a busy four-lane highway and takes between 30 and 45 minutes, depending upon your destination in Caracas. Cab fare to downtown Caracas costs about Bs30,000. The official fare is posted next to the taxi stand outside the international terminal.

Robberies of tourists by drivers of unofficial cabs are all too common. To be on the safe side, take a taxi from the dispatcher outside the international terminal.

International Airlines

Aeropostal (0212/708-6211). Air France (0800/100-4970). American (0212/267-9111). British Airways (0212/266-0122). Continental (0800/359-2600). Delta (0212/958-1111). Iberia (0212/267-9733). KLM (0212/285-3432). Lufthansa (0212/267-4767).

Domestic Carriers

Aereotuy (Av. Abraham Lincoln and Bulevar de Sabana Grande, Edificio Gran Sabana, Sabana Grande. 0212/763-5297). Avior (Aeropuerto Nacional Simón Bolívar. 0212/909-8201). Santa Bárbara (Calle 3B, Edificio Tokay, La Urbina. 0212/242-1633 in Venezuela).

Airports

Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar (0212/303-1329).