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Metro in Medellín – The Ultimate guide

Parque Berrío Metro station in Medellín next to Rafael Uribe Palace of Culture, Antioquia's Museum and the famous plaza Botero with all the sculptures of Botero
Metro: The key of public transportation in Medellín

The city of the eternal spring is currently the only city of the country that has a metro system. It is one of the fundamentals of the famous urban change of the city.

In fact, the city has an even bigger transportation system called SITVA (Sistema Integrado de Transporte del Valle de Aburrá). Indeed, it is an integration of four transportation means: the metro with buses, Tranvia and Metroplus.

The metro lines.

In total, there are only two “pure” metro lines:

The most important one is the line A. It connects the city from Niquía in the North to La Estrella in the South on a 26km long trail with 21 stations in 40 minutes. The busiest time is in the morning between 6am to 8am from the North to the South and vice versa in the evening.

The line B starts in San Javier in the East and ends in San Antonio, the central station downtown. Here you can make the shift to line A. Download of the full map in PDF:  www.metrodemedellin.gov.co

The map of the network of the Metro. Fuente: www.metrodemedellin.gov.co
Map of Metro System in Medellín. Source: Metro de Medellín
Publicity to find the perfect room in Medellin with VICO

The integration with other transport modes

As you can see in the map, there are not only two lines. Indeed, the transportation system also includes:

  • Various integrated buses.

It is a feeding system built around the two original metro lines. For example, you can take a Metroplús bus to the station Industriales and then shift to the Metro without any extra fee. So basically, all of these public transportation modes complement each other. That way, the majority of Medellín is covered by transports.

However, shifting from one type of transport to another can sometimes result in additional costs. For instance, the integrated system of feeding buses called “integrados charge you an additional fee of around 400 COP (0,13€). You can see the complete system in the map of the bus lines. The most up-to-date one you can find is on this site.

What do I have to pay to use the Metro?

The standard fare for a Metro trip in Medellín is 2,550 COP (0,70€). However, if you use the Cívica card, you will save 295 COP (0,08€) and only have to pay 2,255 COP.

Furthermore, when, for example, you have to take not only the Metro but also an integrated bus or a feeder, there may be additional charges. But whatever your route is, the most expensive trip costs $3,665 Colombian pesos (1.17€). You will never pay more. That fare applies when you have to take an integrated bus, the Metro and another integrated one again.

Metro in Medellín - The Ultimate guide TARIFAS 2019 PARA WEB 1
The price depends on various factors – if you are using a Civica or not – how many different modes you use. Source: Metro de Medellín

What is the CIVICA card?

Metro in Medellín - The Ultimate guide Civica

The Cívica card is a card that gives you access to the Metro System of Medellín (Metro, Metroplús, Tranvía, Metrocable, Encicla y algunos buses). Although it is not mandatory to use it, it’s cheaper and the card is rechargeable with any amount. Besides, you don’t have to wait in the queue in the stations to buy tickets and you can make transport shifts without extra costs. The card itself hasn’t any costs either. Also, it gives you access to the Encicla system and makes traveling on many of the integrated routes a lot easier. Also, you can get a personalized one with your ID or passport in the stations San Antonio, Niquía, Itagüi and San Javier without any costs in the time of Monday – Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., or Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

When does the Metro operate?

Monday-Saturday:
Metro Line A, B, Tranvia, Metrocable: H, J, K, Metroplus: 1 y 2:
4:30 a. m. – 11:00 p. m.
Sundays and holidays
Metro Line A, B, Tranvía, Metroplus 1 y 2:
5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Metrocable H y K:
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Metrocable J:
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Metrocable to Parque Arvi (Line L)
Tuesday – Saturday: 9:00 a. m. – 6:00 p. m.
Sunday and holidays: 8:30 a. m. – 6:00 p. m.
Doesn’t operate on Mondays.

The innovative Metro in Medellín.

The Metro is one of the symbols of the city. It represents the change of Medellín and is an example of social innovation. It allowed reducing the time, costs and complexity of the construction.

Plans for the future

The transportation system already has a big network in the city due to its integration with different modes of transport but there is more to come.
There is a Strategic Plan to expand its network until 2020:
– New metroplús line between Itagüi and Envigado
– New tranvía in the Carrera 80
Meanwhile, there are plans to connect Rionegro and the airport José María Córdova with the city of Medellín through a Tranvía for 2020.

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