Colombia sits on a lot of backpacker routes, so plenty of people land there on a one-way ticket and wonder what happens when someone asks, "So where are you going next?" Here are the questions I'd want answered before flying. First, the basics: a dummy ticket, also called an onward ticket, is a real PNR booked for visa or border-check purposes without paying for the flight.

Do I actually need proof of onward travel for Colombia?

Honestly, it depends on your passport, your airline and the day. That's an annoying answer, but it's the true one. Entry rules vary by nationality, and airlines apply their own checks on top.

The quickest way to find out is to read your government's page for the country. For UK passport holders, that's the UK government's Colombia entry requirements. Other governments publish equivalents. If the page doesn't mention onward travel, that doesn't promise you'll never be asked. It just means it isn't listed there.

Who's going to ask me, the airline or the border?

Usually the airline first. Check-in staff often use the IATA Timatic database, which lists documents by passport and destination. There's a short explainer on the IATA Timatic page.

If your one-way flight to Colombia triggers a flag, the agent will want to see a booking out. Border officers can also ask, but in practice many backpackers meet the question at the desk. It's quicker to prepare than to argue.

What counts as an onward ticket?

Anything showing you leaving the country in your name, on a date within your permitted stay. That could be a flight to Peru, Ecuador, Panama or home. A bus ticket sometimes works for land exits, though airlines tend to prefer a flight. Check what your carrier says on its own website.

Our post on what counts as proof of onward travel breaks down the options in more detail.

Can I just use a dummy ticket instead of buying a real flight?

That's what lots of backpackers do, and it's a perfectly reasonable question. A dummy ticket gives you a verifiable reservation without paying for the whole flight. The catch: it's a short-term hold, so you don't want it to expire before you've passed the desk.

A few tips that actually help:

  • Book it close to your departure, not weeks ahead.
  • Check the name against your passport. One wrong letter causes grief.
  • Make sure you can pull it up on the airline site by reference.
  • Keep a PDF and a screenshot on your phone.

Don't treat it as a plan to lie. If your real plan is to travel overland for months, tell the truth when asked and choose an option that matches. This is general guidance, not personal immigration advice.

What if the agent still says no?

Stay polite. Ask what exactly they need, whether a different document would work, and whether a supervisor can review it. Often the issue is small: a mismatched date or a booking they can't see.

If you've got time, buy a cheap refundable fare as a fallback. Some airlines allow free cancellation within a short window, and you should read the terms on the airline's own site before relying on that.

What about land and sea exits?

Colombia borders several countries and a lot of travellers leave by road, boat or boats to Panama. Airlines don't care about your clever plan. They care about what you can show at the desk.

If you really are leaving overland, ask the airline in advance what it'll accept. Some are happy with a bus booking or a written itinerary. Others only accept a flight. If you can't get a straight answer, a flight reservation is the safe fallback, even if you later change your plan.

The key is to be honest if an officer asks. You can say your plans are flexible and that the reservation shows an option for leaving. Don't claim you're definitely taking a flight you aren't.

Do couples and groups need separate bookings?

Each passenger needs a reservation in their own name. One booking reference can cover several people, which is cheaper and tidier. Just make sure every name matches every passport, including the order of first and last names.

For families with children, the same applies. Each child is a passenger with their own details.

How long should the reservation last?

Think about the moment it'll be checked, not the day you leave Colombia. The agent looks at it at check-in. An officer might look at arrival. Both happen within about a day of each other, so you need the hold to last at least that long.

Longer isn't automatically better. Plenty of services give a reservation that lasts a couple of days, which covers the check. If you're unsure, read the terms and ask the provider directly before you pay.

One more thing: stay inside your dates

Whatever you book, the departure date should fall inside the stay you're permitted. If the official page gives a limit for your passport, don't schedule an exit after it. The page linked above is where to confirm that.

Read the official page. Match the name. Check the dates. Make sure it verifies. Then relax.

When you're ready, sort your onward ticket here.